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Hope Free Church
Our vision is to be a church whose passion for God gives rise to a heart for the lost and is demostrated by our love for one another.
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Quick Links
Helpful Links
click on our website links at
Women of Hope
Front Porch
Friday, Nov. 9
7-9 pm
The Holiday Hustle
This is an event where women experience pampering, indulge in tasty treats, hear a short devotional, make a craft and play a game.
Won't you and your friend come sit on the Front Porch with us?
UPCOMING EVENTS
Christmas Musical
Sat, Dec 15
at 7 pm
AND
Sun, Dec 16 at 10 am
Christmas Eve Service
Monday, Dec 24
4 pm
MISSIONS UPDATE
Warning!
The folowing imformation could change your life; proceed at your own risk!
We are forming a team of multi generational people from Hope EFC family to Pray, Give, Go! Any single or combination of these needs you could do. Where; Dominican Republic When:June 7th - June 15th 2013
An informational meeting will be held Saturday, Nov. 17th 9:00-10:30am here at Hope EFC.
Cost $1500.00
Looking forward to seeing you all at the November 17th meeting, no obligation.
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Touch a Child
Around the
World
Our church will again participate in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse this November. Since 1993, shoe boxes have been packed and distributed
to over 130 countries. Their mission is to "demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ." This year, you can help to reach 100 million children touched by this ministry since it began.
Simple things we often take for granted: school supplies, t-shirts, and socks can bring great delight. Many boxes from our church went to warm weather countries.
This ministry is very simple and very effective. Please consider generously giving to children in need, and maximizing your dollar power by shopping early.
Pack & Pray
Party
 Hope Free will host a "Pack & Pray" party for Operation Christmas Child on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We want to EXPAND our outreach to even MORE children. This year our shoebox goal is to share God's message of love and salvation to 500 children or more!
You can:
* Donate items for the shoeboxes
* Donate cash
(for shoebox items & shipping. Samaritan's
Purse suggests $35 would cover complete cost of creating and shipping box.)
Please bring donations to the table in the narthex.
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Thank You
Thank you to our church family for the beautiful fall bouquet sent while I was recuperating from my recent shoulder surgery. I am healing on schedule and look forward to being out of the sling.
Thank you too, for your prayers on my behalf. It is so good to be part of a fellowship of believers who care for one another.
Bud Larson
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Our Military
It is time again to be thinking of our military personal. If you have a family member or friend in the military please see that I receive their most recent rank and address.
Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for what to include in the boxes of the men that are serving overseas. Needs vary so much depending on where they are deployed.
I would appreciate this information just as soon as possible! You can reach me, Phyllis Larson, by phone at 815-623-2065 or by email at bplarson@gmail.com.
There will be a donation box in the Narthex beginning Nov.4th.
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  AWLS Luncheon
(Awesome, Wise, Lively Singles Support Group)
DATE: Saturday, November 10, 2012
TIME: 12:30-3:30 pm
WHERE: Fireside Room, HEFC
MENU: Grilled cheese sandwiches, creamed tomato soup, salads, dessert
Come join the fun, fellowship, devotions, and games if we have time. RSVP: Sharon Vinson 815-623-6857
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 White Cross Update
You'll be happy to hear that 155 lbs. of layettes, rolled bandages, and surgical linens were just sent to Dr. Tim Wester in Central African Republic. It doesn't take long for us to fill boxes with all the willing workers who have found time to join us at our three workdays in October.
In addition, we sewed 123 small totebags for inclusion in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.
Our upcoming workdays are scheduled for November 6 and 20. Do join us in Drake Hall between 8-12 noon to help prepare items for Tandala Hospital and/or quilts for local ministries.
Our ministry needs this month include:
- Single-fold bias tape in any color
- Gallon-size Ziploc storage bags for packaging layettes
- Flat sheets for quilt backs (double, queen, or king size)
Our biggest need that causes us concern is a source for discarded sheets to make rolled bandages. If you know of a hospital, clinic, or laundry where we can obtain such, please contact one of us ASAP.
Please come help us serve others who are less fortunate.
Sharon Vinson & Connie Ruden, Coordinators
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 Senior Saints Luncheon November 13, 2012
Please join us and invite a friend to come with you as we enjoy our monthly Senior Saints luncheon. We will be serving turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing - and dessert! We ask for a minimum donation of $4 each.
We will be introducing a new music team of Rodney and Sandy Cain for that portion of the program. Pastor Ken will be speaking on "In Everything Give Thanks."
So that we have enough food and places to sit, please call Betty Alexander by Wednesday, November 7th! Her phone number is 815-623-2336.
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Music Ministry
Kids ages 6-12 that love to sing can participate in a Kids Choir being formed for the Musical "Down From His Gory-A Concert for Christmas" here at Hope.
If you have a child in the 6-12 age group that likes to sing, can carry a tune and is available to serve by being part of our Christmas Kids Choir, you can still sign them up by emailing Pat at patnoble4u@gmail.com (putting "kids choir" in the subject line) or they can sign up at AWANA or SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Mondays Nov 12, 19, 26 & Dec 3 6:00-6:30 in the music room.
Sunday, Dec 4 in the afternoon with the Choir & Orchestra time tba
Thursday, Dec 8 Final Dress Rehearsal in the evening time tba
Concert dates are Sat, Dec 15 at 7pm and Sun, Dec 16 at 10am.
Contact Pat Noble or Vera Juhlin if you have questions.
Whom will you invite?
"Down From His Glory - A Concert for Christmas"
will be hosted here at Hope Church
Sat, Dec 15 at 7pm & Sun, Dec 16 at 10am
Note that because of the musical there will be only one service on
Sun, Dec 16th ---
leaving a great opportunity to invite friends to Saturday night with you as an alternative to Sun morning. This is the reason we offer the Concerts on separate days- to give you the opportunity to pray about intentional invitations with the possibility of fellowshipping with your guests following the concert. Printed invitations will be available in the lobby later this month - but the prayer begins now! The concert will be presented by our Celebration Choir, Kids Choir, Narrators and Orchestra Ensemble. The gospel will be presented. Please be in prayer for us as the various groups work at preparing the presentation.
 If you are a gifted guitarist who loves the Lord & is looking for a place to serve, we have opportunities here at Hope to add to our Worship Band Team. Contact Pat Noble if you are interested in learning more.
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 Adult Ministries
The Men of Hope have just started a new ministry that we hope will have a huge impact on the body of Christ here at Hope. It is called our Helping Hands Ministry. It is a ministry designed to offer help to widows, widowers, single women and single moms. Although our roster of people that potentially could be on that list is greater than our ability to immediately address everything, we desire to start with step one, and just start getting the word out. If you or someone you know could use help in this regard, please let us know.
What we desire to do is to send teams of men once a month (we are focusing on the last Saturday of the month after men's breakfast) to go over to care receivers houses to offer help and assistance where they may not be able to do some things. This can include yard work, minor house repair, like patching walls, painting. Possibly some minor electrical work or plumbing, etc. This does not include re-roofing a house, changing floor plans, building decks, etc. Simple stuff that for one reason or another, such as time or physical limitations, a care receiver simply cannot keep up with it all.
If you feel you can use this type of help, please contact me at the church office. I have a handful of teams set up to start doing work within the next month or so. We hope to add more teams as time goes on. If work is to be done in your home that requires materials, such as paint, etc, we would ask that you provide that while the men provide the labor. If you have access to sufficient help from other means, family in the area or neighbors, etc, or you are able to handle things adequately on your own, then this is probably not for you at this time.
If you are a Man of Hope and would like to help out by being on a team, please contact me at the church office. We desire as Men of Hope, to minister to the needs of others right here in our midst.
Pastor Brad
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Kids of Hope
Kids Need High Standards
(Daniel 1:8; Philippians 3:13-14)
The Situation: Adults wonder, "Why are many Christians 'mediocre'?" The world belittles selflessness, righteousness, and humility, but God prizes these virtues. In an effort to be "cool" and to fit in, many children become satisfied with lackluster spiritual growth.
The Solution:
Children rarely rise above the level of our expectations. They reach only as high as we hold the bar. We often place the "spiritual growth" bar far too low, causing them to believe that their faith is not all that important. By establishing higher standards, we can motivate children to keep growing as Jesus' lifelong disciples.
What You Can Do: It is time to "raise the bar." Kids have untapped potential to learn practical skills for using God's Word, relating to people, and living out their faith in the real world. Challenge your child to reach his or her full potential as a Christian. Establish expectations based on your child's ability, raising or lowering those expectations when appropriate.
"DiscipleLand Copyright 2010 - Mark Steiner Th.M."
Kids Hope USA
 We are looking for someone to be a prayer coordinator for the Kids Hope USA Mentoring program. If you are a person who would enjoy encouraging and supporting the people who pray for the mentors and children, please contact Melissa Peshek at 815-670-9130 or
Vera Juhlin at 815-623-6545
Please pray for our new and existing mentors as they meet with their students each week.
Awana
What a blessed time to be sharing the good news of the gospel. How awesome it is to be teaching kids about the mighty and powerful God we serve. We are seeing a movement of God to bring people to Awana that want and need to hear the truth. Keep praying for us as we work diligently for our adversary is not idle.
The Awana November calendar includes:
Costume Night on November 5th for all clubs
Fall Family Fun event on Saturday, November 10th from 2 pm till 5 pm.
All clubbers and their families are invited to come and enjoy a variety of activities, including games, refreshments a real live scarecrow show and a whole family scavenger hunt. We need to know how many are coming so Pleeeeease don't forget to sign-up on Monday night. There are family sign-up sheets at all three club check-in areas as well as take home flyers for you to post on your fridge.
Operation Christmas Child Awana families are invited to come the morning of Nov 10th to participate in the Pack and Pray event. We are also collecting filled shoe boxes through Monday November 12th .
That leads us right into the thick of the holiday season hopefully with the right attitude and mind set to fully appreciate the reasons to celebrate, first at Thanksgiving for all of the tangible blessings we have experienced this year and then Christmas when we celebrate Jesus coming into the world.
The Awana ministry leadership team
Cubbie Director Sparks Director T&T Director
Dawn Schreier 222-0465 Jamie Anderson 624-7774 Roger Glenn 389-1983 & Joe Kaderly
Preschool & Sunday School & Worship for Kids
 The 2/3rd grade Sunday School class (9:00am) needs a Co-teacher and a Co-helper. If you can help even for a couple of weeks or a month it would be a blessing to the kids and their parents. Call the Vera at 815-623-6545 or email Vera@hefc.net for more information.
We have several children with peanut allergies this fall so we need to keep Drake Hall and the Preschool wing a peanut free area. If you are bringing snacks for any event in those two areas, please try to make them peanut free snacks. Also please try to be diligent in wiping down tables and chairs after snacks are served. Thank you!
The 3 year old class at 10:30 is in need of a Co-teacher and helper. Call Vera at 815-623-6545 or email Vera@hefc.net for more information.
Nursery
 With the fall and winter cold and flu season approaching, we need volunteers who are willing to come in during the week (you set the time) and disinfect the nursery and preschool toys and furniture. Call the Vera at 815-623-6545 or email Vera@hefc.net if this is a need you can help meet.
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 Resource Center
The Resource Center has over 6,000 resources for all ages and is available to everyone who attends Hope. It is open between and after Sunday services and on Monday nights during AWANA. Just follow the signs to the library in the northwest corner of the church.
Time for holiday reading! Did you know that we label all Christmas resources with a Christmas tree sticker on the binding? We have books, music, and movies for all ages to help you celebrate the season. We even have lots of new Christmas resources this month!
Want to encourage your kids to choose God-honoring books from our library rather than the ones at their public schools? The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is at the Resource Center! The books that have AR tests are labeled on the spine, with the reading level, points, and test information inside the cover. There is also a list of our AR books on the librarian's desk, organized by reading level.
Look for these resources on the New Arrivals shelf in November:
Non-Fiction:
The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
The Five Languages of Apology: How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas
Parenting Teens with Love and Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
The ADVENTure of Christmas: Finding Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions by Lisa Whelchel
C Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ's Birth by Warren and David Wiersbe
Fiction:
Ashley Stockingdale series #'s 1-3 by Kristin Billerbeck
Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn
Snow Angel by Jamie Carie
As Young as We Feel (Four Lindas #1) by Melody Carlson
Inn at Shining Waters series #'s 1-2 by Melody Carlson
Abomination (Rock Harbor #4) by Colleen Coble
A Man's Heart by Lori Copeland
Paradise Valley (Daughters of Caleb Bender #1) by Dale Cramer
Christmas in Sugar Creek (Seasons of Sugar Creek #4) by Shelley Sheperd Gray
Rugged and Relentless (Husbands for Hire #1) by Kelly Eileen Hake
Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice #1) by Irene Hannon
The Real Enemy (Sophie Trace Trilogy #1) by Kathy Herman
A Fine Line (Baxter series #5) by Kathy Herman
Precinct 11 series #'s 1-2 by Jerry B. Jenkins
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
Finally a Bride (Texas Boardinghouse #3) by Vickie McDonough
Morning for Dove (Winds Across the Prairie #2) by Martha Rogers
Michal (The Wives of King David #1) by Jill Eileen Smith
Stars Collide (Backstage Pass #1) by Janice Thompson
Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren
Youth:
The Princess Twins Play in the Garden (I Can Read! Series) by Mona Hodgson (ages 4-6)
The Princess Twins and the Puppy (I Can Read! Series) by Mona Hodgson (ages 4-6)
13 books in the new Berenstain Bears "Living Lights" collection (ages 4-7)
Princess Hope and the Hidden Treasure by Jacqueline Johnson and Jeanna Young (ages 4-7)
Troo Makes a Splash (I Can Read! Series) by Cheryl Crouch (ages 4-7)
Beacon Street Girls series #'s 1-2 by Annie Bryant (ages 9-12)
Confessions of April Grace #'s 1-2 by K.D. McCrite (ages 9-12)
Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson (ages 13+)
DVD:
Journey to Grace: The Hansie Cronje Story (Drama about South African Cricket player)
Love's Christmas Journey (Love Comes Softly series)
Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas (Mandie series)
The Christmas Shoes
The League of Incredible Vegetables (Veggie Tales series)
Theo: God's Love (Animated episodes about the Christian faith)
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Youth Ministries
A LETTER FROM PASTOR JIM
Dear Church Family,
I just want to share with you some news of what God did in the last weeks of October and what is coming up in November. 
The last weekend of October we held our annual lock-in "Revenge of the Quivering Chicken" and it was a blast. We had a total of 74 students attend many of which were here for the first time. We were also blessed to have 13 awesome adult volunteers taking shifts throughout the night. All of this made for an action packed 11.5 hours. We had fun playing crazy chicken themed games like Angry Chickens (imagine  Angry Birds live), "Chicken ball", "Zombie Chicken Revenge", "Rule the Roost", "Hungry, Hungry Chicken", and "Radioactive Egg Transport". The teens ran around and played dodge ball all night long; we ate chicken, watched Courageous and made new friends.
In addition to the fun activities I had the opportunity to speak about the topic of revenge and God's Justice according to  Romans 12. I heard through the grapevine that as I was explaining the gospel one of our visitors leaned over to her friend who invited her and shared with her that she had accepted Christ while they were at camp this summer. I know that others who attended heard the gospel for the first time.
As for upcoming events, on November 25 we will have a fun outing at Laser Quest in Rockford. This will be in place of Junior and Senior High that night as we are leaving promptly from Hope at 3pm and returning around 7:30pm. The cost of $20 includes 3 games and a pizza dinner. It will be another chance for teens to invite their friends to get to know hope and hear the gospel once again.
 Keep us in your prayers this month, God is at work here!
As always, thank you for your love and support!
By His Grace Alone,
-Pastor Jim
Updated Youth Ministries Events:
Some events are subject to change
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