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Hope Free Press
July 2016 Newsletter
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 Note from Pastor Mickey |
Dear Hope Church family,
I write this just two hours after leaving the carnival at the end of VBS. What a week! God moved in the lives of the just over 200 kids who participated, with around 30 kids putting their faith in Christ or recommitting their lives to him. I also believe God moved in the lives of the scores of volunteers who felt God's call to serve not merely their own kids or grandkids, but the kids of people they do not even know, with acts of service that require patience and love.
As I watched the kids, the volunteers, and the Spirit move this week, I was reminded that ministry is not merely the formal things we do on Sunday mornings, as important and biblically essential as such things are. Ministry also includes the seemingly mundane aspects of life, with regular people sharing the love of Christ in word and deed with the people in their community. It is the woman in our church who spent extra time with a little boy from a broken home who needed the attention. It is the man in our church who worked so hard to set up and tear down the materials for the carnival. It is the teenager in our church who walked gently and encouragingly before a group of timid three-year-olds so as to move them from the sanctuary back to their room for a Bible study. It is the college student in our church who spent many evenings with paint-stained and glue-filled fingers preparing the props that adorned the beautiful halls and rooms. And it is the young mom in our church with three kids of her own who invited a visiting family new to VBS and the area to come check out church.
I drove home as the sun was setting itself below the horizon, thanking God for the church family he has established at Hope Church, and for their willingness to be salt and light in the Stateline area. I drove thinking how proud I was to be one of their pastors, even more, a co-laborer with them in the ministry of the gospel. As much as I am excited to see what God plans to do next year during VBS, I think I am just as excited to see what God does next week - through (and in) the same people he used this week.
For God's glory,
-Pastor Mickey
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| Adult Bible Fellowship | | CURRENT Adult Bible Fellowship STUDIES:
If you have not tried out an ABF, what is preventing you from checking one out? It is a great time to get to meet people and build relationships with others outside of worship service
At 9:00 am and 10:45 am 
Adult Bible Fellowships
meet in the Fellowship Hall
to study the Apostles' Creed.
Transitions 
~Meets @ 10:45 AM in the Youth Room (upstairs)
~Age Group: Seniors, 50 +
~Studying: The Book of Hosea
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Hope Cares
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Hope Cares:
We are excited to bring to you a new and exciting community outreach ministry called Hope Cares. The Hope Cares ministry is an excellent opportunity for each of us to live out Hope's mission collectively as one body of believers in the local area of Roscoe and Rockton. In order to be a community of Christ that reaches a community for Christ, we will be tackling various larger scale community projects in the area.
Project Playground: Project Playground is our inaugural project for the Hope Care's ministry. In an effort to be Christ's hands and feet in the area, we will be doing some much needed upkeep on the large wooden playground at the schools Ledgewood and Stone Creek. Our primary goal is to humbly serve our community by cleaning, staining, painting, and mulching this unique and beloved jungle gym.
The Details
When: The first two weekends in August: August 5th-7th and 12th-14th
Where: Ledgewood and Stone Creek Schools: 11685 Southgate Rd, Roscoe IL 61073
How Can You Participate in this Ministry?
You can participate in 3 ways:
1. On site we are looking for people who can give at least 3 hours of their day to help clean, stain, paint, and move mulch.
We are also looking for individuals to be on site to help care for the crew by helping with onsite snacks, meals and beverages.
2. We are also in need of supplies (like generators and sprayers) and food to feed our hungry work force.
3. We also need prayer warriors to pray for this project and the beginning of this new ministry.
If you would like more information or want to volunteer your services or tools please sign up at the booth in the lobby, contact the church office, or email Pastor Fana at pastorfana@hefc.net. Let's show our community that God loves them and that Hope Cares.
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| Resource Center News |
Play BINGO with us this summer! Pick up your Summer Reading BINGO card at the Welcome Center or at the Resource Center. Read and mark off any five book categories in a row and you will earn a tasty prize from Culver's!
If you've never visited the Resource Center before, please come check us out! We have a huge selection of resources for all ages. We are located in the northwest corner of the church building; just follow the signs to the library. The Resource Center is open between and after Sunday services, and is available to everyone who attends Hope.
Look for these resources on the New Arrivals shelf in July:
Non-Fiction:
- Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice by Kristen Jane Anderson
- Unashamed by Lecrae
- Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian
Fiction:
- Torent (River of Time #3) by Lisa T. Bergren
- For Such a Time by Kate Breslin
- From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden
- Frantic by Mike Dellosso
- The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey #1) by Sarah E. Ladd
- Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman
- Stars Over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner
- An Elegant Solution by Paul Robertson
- Spring Hope (Seasons of the Heart #4) by Martha Rogers
- Her One and Only (Porter Family #4) by Becky Wade
Youth:
- 100 Cupboards series #'s 1-3 by N. D. Wilson (ages 8-12)
- Outlaws of Time: The Legent of Sam Miracle by N. D. Wilson (ages 8-12)
- Orphan's Song (Songkeeper Chronicles #1) by Gillian Bronte Adams (ages 12+)
DVD:
top of page
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Kids of Hope
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A big thank you to all the VBS volunteers, leaders, decorators, and those that donated items to make our Everest VBS week a big success! We appreciate the support of our church family so much! The kids all had a blast, and we had almost 30 kids accept Christ!! PTL!!
If you lent us any items (trees, tents, etc) that you would like back, please let the church office know so that we can get your items packed up and ready for you to pick up. We'd like everything picked up during the week of July 18 - 22 please.
We are now preparing for our Camp 5 - 6 "Ascent" week coming up, July 11 - 15, from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm each evening. It is not too late to sign your kids up for this week of camp.....just call or stop in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and we can get you registered. Cost is $20 per child,
and includes dinner each evening and a t-shirt. We encourage you to invite your friends, neighbors, or relatives who are going into 5th or 6th grade!
Kids Hope USA Mentoring
 Summer is the perfect time to prepare to mentor a child in our local schools when school starts next fall. We still have children on our waiting list from this year and next fall that list will grow! If you are willing to give one hour a week to meet with a child that could use an ongoing relationship with a loving adult, please get in touch with Melissa Peshek, Jamie Anderson or Vera Juhlin.
AWANA
We are sorry to be saying goodbye to two of our Awana  Directors, Jessica Zimbleman and Roger Glenn. Please be praying for Emily Gephart as she takes over for Jessica, that God will raise up a qualified T&T co-director, and for the whole Awana leadership team as they prepare for the start of Awana in the fall.
Nursery
We are now using an online sign up service to do the nursery scheduling. If you are a regular nursery worker (or want to be one) and have not received an invitation to a site called "Sign Up Genius", please call Caroline Ahlberg or the church office.
Preschool, Elementary SS & Worship for Kids
Believe it or not we are already preparing for the fall. There are openings at both the 9:00 and 10:45 hours for teachers (need to be a member) and helpers (no need to be a member). Contact Vera Juhlin for a worker application if you are interested.
Movin' On Up
Kids who will be going into 6th grade next fall started attending the Jr High Sunday School and Youth Group on June 5.
All other children in the preschool and elementary departments will advance grade levels on August 21. Children who are attending 4-year-old Kindergarten will stay in the preschool area in the fall. Children attending 5-year-old Kindergarten will move to Drake Hall on Aug 21.
There are still a few spots open at Camp Timber-lee, so register now!
The following students will be at Timber-lee during the month of July, please be in prayer for them.
Campers for July 10-16
Evan Vinson
Campers for July 17-23
Leann Zimbelman, Evan Savage
Andrew Wallman, Aidan Vinson
Campers for July 24-30
Karlie Anderson, Kassidy Anderson,
Emily Anderson, Alyssa Anderson,
Rylan Rasmussen, Morgan Rasmussen, and Adam Steege
Campers for July 31-Aug 6
Mikayla Peterson, Trudane Peterson,
John McKenzie, Lydia Nordgren, and Joshua Nordgren
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Operation Christmas Child
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Upcoming Dates for Operation Christmas Child Events:
Wednesday July 6th Sewing Group Meets for Pillowcase Dresses in Drake Hall
**There will be a group of ladies meeting in the Drake Hall on Wednesday, July 6th from 9 am to 1 pm to work on pillowcase dresses for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Mark your calendar and come when you can, leave when you must. It is a good time of fun and fellowship working together to help others.
**We are still in need of more brightly colored, cotton, printed fabrics for the dresses.
Sunday August 21st and 28th School Supply Collection in Church Lobby
Saturday September 17th Countdown Kick-Off Breakfast Party
Sunday October 16th - Nov 6th Donation Collection Weeks in Lobby for Packing Party
Saturday October 29th Prep Party
Saturday November 12th Packing Party
Monday November 14th - 21st National Shoebox Collection Week
**November 21st is the final deadline for all shoeboxes to be dropped off at Hope
November 28th - 30th Tentative Dates for Service Project Trip to OCC Distribution Center in MN
**Please continue to collect new items for our shoeboxes as you are able throughout the year....items for sewing kits and fishing kits; soap, washcloths, and toothbrushes, plus plastic travel containers for soap/toothbrushes; hair combs/brushes/hair accessories; small toys and beanie babies; individually wrapped candy; school supplies; jewelry; shirts, socks, flip-flops; etc. Just NO chocolate or other candy that can melt, NO glass, or war-related items.
**Remember to save your kids cereal boxes (with cartoon picture covers) for puzzles.
** Please also make homemade cards with personal messages for the kids, using markers, stickers, stampers, paint, etc.
Thank you for supporting this important outreach ministry!!
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Student Ministries
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LA PAZ Our La Paz mission team which includes Pastor Jim, Audra Dobson, Nathan Rivers, Nathan Stevens, Austin Moore, Amanda Juhlin, and Amanda Stevens will leave on July 24th early in the morning. Because we are leaving so early on that Sunday, you can hear more about our trip and pray for our team during Sunday Service on July 17th. Please keep praying for effective ministry, travel mercies, and God's presence throughout the week of the 24th to the 31st. We are looking forward to doing some sports ministry among elementary aged children and also some outreach in the community. About two weeks after we come back we are going to share with the congregation all about our experiences. We look forward to what God is going to do. Thank you for your generous support and prayer for this mission endeavor. THIRST GAMES
On the 17th of July during regularly scheduled youth group time we will be hosting the third annual Thirst Games. Will you volunteer for tribute in the 50 foot Giant slip and slide races? Will you be the last standing TP Rambo? There will be Human Bowling, Water balloon catch games, and a Splash seat. Come on out for this wet and wild water war. Bring your friend, your water gun, clothes to get soaked in, a towel and thirst for fun!! UPDATED YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS Some details are subject to change (but we'll keep you posted!)
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Join us for our Picnic in the Park this year on July 28 at Telfer Park in Beloit. Telfer is just outside the outfield wall for the Beloit Snappers off Cranston Ave. Picnic starts at 6:00 and includes free hot dogs, chips and other munchies as well as being able to watch our four softball teams compete against one another.
Please contact the church office and let us know how many will be coming so we know how much food to bring.
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Men's Breakfast
Come join us on the last Saturday of each month at Culver's in Roscoe. We have a breakfast to get your day started as well as a devotional each time by one of the Men of Hope. Time is 7:30-8:30 and visitors are welcome. Contact Pastor Brad for more information. Pastorbrad@hefc.net
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AWLS LUNCHEON(Awesome, Wise, Lively Singles Support Group)
AWLS will meet on Saturday,
July 16, 2016
at the Timotis' home at 10959 Hamborg,
Roscoe, IL at 12:30pm
Menu: BBQ and potluck dishes
Meet at church to carpool if needed at noon
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 Thank You
Dear Hope Evangelical Church, a church that truly lives out the mission of Christ. Thank you for the beautiful flowers that you sent. I know Gladys would have loved them. We appreciate your thoughtfulness during this difficult time. Love, Neil, Scott & Kim Tennyson
To All Who Contributed,
The flowers we received from Hope were so beautiful and a welcomed sight as my new knee was beginning its recovery. The encouragement the Lord has created in so many presentations it can be a challenge to select one. But you all picked a wonderful one! Tom & Sandra Mathews
Thanks for the money to help us go to camp, Evan & Aidan Vinson
Dear Hope family and Diaconate, Thank you for all your prayers, flowers, and the luncheon! This meant so much to me and my family during Dick's illness and passing. I don't know what I would do without my church family! God bless you all
Love, Barbie Poseley
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Women of Hope
Mini Retreat
Fri, September 23 at 6-9 pm
Sat, Sept. 24, 8:30 am -
3 :00 pm
here at Hope.
Our annual Mini Retreat is for women of Hope who desire to grow in God's Word.
Information as to the retreat topic to be announced soon!
Regsitration for the Mini-Retreat will begin Sunday, August 28 at the Information Center and will end Sept 11.
Upcoming
Front Porches
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Mark your calendar for Friday, Oct. 21 Front Porch
kickoff with soup.
Saturday,
December 3
will be our 2nd Annual Christmas Event
Two morning Women of Hope Bible Studies will begin in September.
Open Your Bible by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams
and
Children of the Day by Beth Moore.
Watch for more information and registration dates.
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