This Week at New Hope - December 25, 2011

Please join us for one of our four Christmas Eve services. At 5:00PM we will have an informal service designed with families in mind. At 7:00PM and 9:00PM we will offer Candlelight Christmas Eve services. At 11:00PM we will offer a Candlelight service with Communion. For more information, visit NewHopeWorship.com/Christmas.

Family Worship Sunday

This week is a Family Worship Sunday; all children will remain in worship with their parents. Nursery care will NOT be available.

Prayer Support

A member of the prayer team will remain in the sanctuary following the worship service for prayer. Please place written prayer requests in the prayer box located on the welcome desk.

Flowers for Sunday's Worship

Flowers for Sunday's worship are given by the Laird family and Loretta Rolle.

New Year's Day Worship Schedule

Next Sunday, January 1, New Hope will celebrate the New Year with one worship service at 10:00AM. There will be no Sunday school or children's programs that day.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Mark your calendars for the American Red Cross Blood Drive to be held at New Hope on Friday, December 30 from 2:00PM - 8:00PM. Everyone who comes to donate will be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree at Easton and an overnight stay at the Hilton, and everyone will receive a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee! To schedule an appointment, visit NewHopeWorship.com/BloodDrive or call 1.800.REDCROSS. Walk-ins will also be welcome. Please give the gift of life

Prayer Meeting

Receive prayer, pray for others, Monday, January 2 at 7:00PM in the Sanctuary. "For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in their midst."

Men's Wednesday Night Bible Study Begins New Study

The Men's Wednesday Night Bible Study will begin a 12-week study on the book of John on Wednesday, January 4 at 7:00PM. The study will be facilitated by Tom Lewis.

New Hope Preschool Early Registration

Registration begins in January for New Hope Preschool's 2012-13 school year. Early registration begins Wednesday, January 4, 2012 for current preschool families and New Hope Church members; registration opens to the public on January 23. Spaces fill quickly, so don't miss out! New Hope Preschool offers a Christian-based program for children 2 1/2 through 5 years old, and holds a two-star Step Up to Quality rating from the State of Ohio for exceeding the state's child care licensing standards. For more information, please contact Preschool Director Lynn Riley at 614.766.2446 or preschool@NewHopeWorship.com, or visit NewHopePreschool.com.

Adult Sunday School

Beginning Sunday, January 8, Maria Hodge will be facilitating discussion on John Ortberg's book "Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them" during the 11:00AM Sunday school hour. During this 13-week study you'll get a thought-provoking look at God's heart, at others, and at yourself. Come explore what it means for all of us, as unique and different as we are, to live in community with God and one another.

High School Youth Events

High School Youth - there's still time to sign up for both the High School Ski Trip to Holiday Valley over MLK weekend and the Genesis Retreat March 9-11. If you're interested text or email Bob Cline or Terry Geist. Genesis is $50 for transportation (New Hope covers the rest); Ski Trip is $300 if you need to rent equipment and $250 if you don't.

2012 Flower Calendar

Every year members have an opportunity to sponsor the flowers for Sunday worship services. All flower arrangements are $25.00. It is greatly appreciated if you could sign up for a Sunday before multiple arrangements are ordered. The 2012 Flower Calendar sign up sheet is located at the sign up table in the Narthex.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Follow-Up

On Saturday, December 10, nearly 40 New Hope youth and adults provided some Christmas cheer and helped a good cause by ringing a bell for the Salvation Army for 12 hours. This outreach generated $479 that will be used by the Salvation Army to help those less fortunate in our community. Our volunteer efforts also meant that the Salvation Army did not need to hire people to ring the bell, saving them this expense. All those who rang the bell were touched by this experience and many said they are already looking forward to ringing again in 2012. Thanks to Ed Klinker for coordinating this ministry.

Contribution Envelopes

Contribution envelopes for 2012 are now available in the Narthex. Please take the box assigned to you; your name and address appear on the top of the box. If you do not find a box assigned to you, feel free to take an unassigned box and sign your name, phone number and box number on the sheet on the table.

Favor Auction Update

Thanks to all who participated in the Silent/Favor Auction for our high school youth. This is the annual fund raising event with proceeds benefiting the youth group's biannual trip to Genesis, an inspiring and enriching weekend retreat in Traverse City, Michigan. Over $2,800 was committed to, with a bulk of the funds already collected! Please check to make sure that any items you won are picked up. The support was overwhelming with so many of the youths volunteering their services! Contact Julie Jonassen with any questions or concerns.

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Program

NAMI Franklin County is now registering for the Winter 2012 sessions of Family-to-Family, a 12-week class of education and support for family members of an adult with mental illness. The program is free, but registration is required. For class times, locations, and other information, visit namifc.org/f2f.html.

New Hope Church Endowment Fund

New Hope's Endowment Fund was established in 2009 to provide an opportunity for planned giving. The Fund is managed and held by the Columbus Foundation and our goal is to build the Fund to have monies available to support grants for various ministry needs. Brochures are available in the pews or at the Welcome Center on the Fund and how planned giving could be part of our overall stewardship efforts.

Prayer Chain

We have an active prayer chain at New Hope Church. If you would like to begin the prayer chain for yourself or for someone you know, please contact Steve Norden (614.766.5445) or Loretta Rolle (740.881.4066).

Stephen Ministers

We can help in times of trouble

During times of trouble, we look to caring Christian friends to listen to us and help us. Stephen Ministers can be such friends, either to you or someone you know. Stephen Ministers have gone through training so that they are able to provide Christian care for people experiencing a variety of needs. If you or someone you know could benefit from the trained, caring presence and listening ear of a Stephen Minister, please contact Steve Norden at 614.766.5445 or Loretta Rolle at 740.881.4066. (Please do not report a friend's need without first asking his or her permission to do so.)

Active Stephen Ministers

George Bell, Dave Pierce, Gretchen Henoch,
Judy Shoemaker, Becky VanderLind

Stephen Leaders

Loretta Rolle Suzanne Haring

Helping Hands

We at New Hope are dedicated to assisting you, your family and friends in the community in fulfilling the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ by providing services and supplies for you when you are in need. Our desire is to assist you as our dedicated volunteers offer help in your times of need. Coordination of these services can be made through Loretta Rolle or Heather Kern, or contact the church office at 614.766.5445. Feel free to call to volunteer or ask for assistance.

Reach people for Christ, Root people in Christ,

and Release people to serve Christ

Sunday Worship 9:30AM and 11:00AM
Rev. Stephen M. Norden, Senior Pastor
Rev. Sarah Palsma, Associate Pastor
NewHopeWorship.com