Equipping people with Hope and Healing through the love of Jesus Christ

Friday, December 31, 2010

Missions Update

As THE Church, we have the responsibility and privilege of telling people the Good News of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Whether at home (our Jerusalem) or abroad (our Judea's, Samaria's and ends of the earth), we must go! Sometimes we can support the spread of the gospel by actually going to the ends of the earth ourselves, but more often than not we get to support it through our financial giving and prayers.  Our monthly missions offering is THIS SUNDAY!  Please come prepared to give as the Lord would lead.

We have several friendships with people who are going to the ends of the earth.  One such friend is Jim and Terri Cannon.  They came to New Hope this last summer and shared their hearts with us about South Africa.  Here is their latest letter.  Enjoy!


Hello friends,
 
We have arrived safely in South Africa, no lost luggage or lost children, which is quite a feat considering how difficult it is to fly these days!  Checking in 13 bags, and then getting all the children. assorted bags, stroller, laptops, etc, through security both in Seattle and London was a stressful time, but we worked as a team and got it done!  We did have to pay almost $800 for our extra and overweight bags, isn't that terrible?  We have never had to do that before, times have changed!
 
We have been coping with jet lag quite well this time, little Nathan promptly yawns, grabs his blanket, and heads to bed here at the hostel where we are staying and falls asleep fast!   He has had some difficulties coping with so much time on the airplane, but is doing quite well, and keeps asking us,
"we going to Afwreekah now?"
 
Sam and Jess are enjoing the hot weather, and making the adjustment well.  We picked up our vehicle today, a Land Rover Freelander, and it is going to work very well for us.  We chose it because it was roomier for our three children than a pickup, and has a tow bar, to whch we can add a trailer later on.  It has been fun remembering so many things from our previous years here, and relearning how to drive on the left side of the road!  But it is all coming naturally, and we are all very happy to be here.
 
Tomorrow is New Years Day, and we are reminded of the scripture where it tells us God's faithfulness is "new every morning."  Every day can be a fresh beginning, or a chance to make things right with the Lord Jesus.  We don't have to make new years resolutions that
we can't possible keep.  We can walk day by day with Jesus and find success in all we do.  No, it isn't always an easy life, sometimes there are challenges, even tribulation, but walking with God makes everything sweeter because you are in right relationship with Him...no better place to be!
 
'Thank you' seems so inadequate when it comes to expressing you our appreciation to you for your support of our return to South Africa.  This coming year we hope to move forward into many areas of ministry.  Thank you in advance for your faithful prayers and financial support.  
 
This is a good time to consider a monthly partnership with Acts of Mercy!   We are praying God will grow this ministry to the level where we can make a substantial contribution to feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping the orphan and street child, ministering to the prostitute.  This is an investment in lives that cannot be compared.   To feed the hungry, to care for those who are so very needy.  Please consider it!
 
Donations can be sent to:
World Outreach Minstries
PO Box B
Marietta GA 30061
Designate for Jim Cannon, #39
 
Thank you! 
 
We will post some pictures once we are settled and have access to some form of internet.  We leave this hostel in Johannesburg around 7 am tomorrow on new years day to head to our new house.  Please pray for the following:
 
Our adjustment back to life in South Africa
Open doors of ministry, guidance as to where the Lord would have us begin
Connecting with ministers and community leaders
 
A project you can be involved in in a tangible way if you would like financially is provision for a
trailer for hauling food and equpment for around $2500.
 
And finally a big thank you to all who donated for our vehicle, it is so wonderful to have a car that will work in the rural roads, and is dependable.  Thank you so much!
 
Blessings,
Jim and Terri Cannon
Sam, Jessica, Nathan
 
Acts of Mercy Africa.....someone is hungry today, both physically and spiritually....let's change that.! We can make a difference!
 

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Years Eve

People all around the globe will be celebrating the arrival of our new year.  Not only a new year, but also a new decade.  Hard to believe that it is time for this already.

The choices are endless when it comes to bringing in the New Year.  Some will party with absolutely no sleep while others will fall asleep at 9:30.  Some will kiss their spouse while others may propose to their spouse to be. Still others won't remember the night at all because of their choices.  At New Hope, we are wanting to bring in the New Year in our own way.

We will be getting together around 10pm so we can play some games and eat some food.  Please bring a little of both!

Then, around 11:30 we will be having a time of worship through song lead by Jesse Anderson.  This will continue right up to midnight when we will pause and pray in the New Year.  2011, not unlike any other year past or in the future, needs the presence of God in it.  We believe that focusing on Jesus as the year starts will kick off this year in the right way.

Hope to see you Friday night around 10pm!  Have a blessed New Year.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Schedule

This month is flying by us so quickly so we wanted to put a schedule up that would help your planning.

Friday - 9am - New Hope cleaning and set up for Christmas Music Extravaganza
Friday - 5pm - Dress Rehearsal for Extravaganza
Saturday - 1pm and 7pm - Christmas Music Extravaganza
Sunday - 10am - Worship Service
Sunday - 6pm - Presbyterian Church Christmas Program
Dec 24 - 11pm - Christmas Eve Service - Presbyterian Church
Dec 26 - 10am - Worship Service
Dec 31 - 10pm - ? - New Years Eve party - Fun, Food and Worship

Also, there will be NO Kids/Youth Services on Dec. 22 and 29.  We will be starting back up on January 5.

You can also check out the New Hope calendar and even print it if you want.  Just click on the link to the left of this blog post.

Have a great Christmas season!  Keep the focus on the Jesus!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Sunday Stuff

Wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow there is NO, I repeat NO, potluck.  Everyone has been busy with all the holiday activities and we don't want to add to any of the stress.  This will be a great time to go out to lunch with someone or spend some quality time with the family.

Each month we take a special offering to help support our missionaries around the world.  Tomorrow will be the day that we do that.  I will be sharing a special story about one of our missionaries before we take the offering, so you don't want to miss it.

See you tomorrow at 10am!

Pastor Eldon