FINGERPRINTING TAKEN SERIOUS

Even the Pastor's mom gets fingerprinted.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

The church takes the "Ask Me Desk" ministry very serious. It is important that each ask me desk attendant has all of the answers for guests and visitors. Pastor Ann is pictured reviewing Ashish David as he serves the church. How did he do, Pastor Ann?

BE A BETTER YOU!

Are you interested in making a personal improvement? You can get involved in the following activities sponsored by the Association of Community Services:

Spanish for Human Services Providers - The increase of non-English speaking residents is presenting a challenge to many human service providers. Command Spanish, Inc. through Howard Community College is an intense 6-week course to enable service providers to communicate more effectively with Spanish speaking clients. Fridays, February 29-April 4, 2008. 8:30am - 11:00am. Ecker Business Training Center. Columbia, MD. Cost: $175. Call ACS at 410.715.9545 for details.

Jumpstart Volunteerism! Many organizations dependon volunteers in a variety of ways. Their time, creativity and support can be critical to the success of your service delivery. Mickey Gomez, Director of Volunteer Center Serving Howard County will facility a discussion on resources that you can use to engage volunteers to support your mission. Monday, March 3, 2008. 1:00-2:30pm ACS Office. Call 410.715.9545 to make a reservation. Cost is free.

GOT SOAP? CAMPAIGN

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO "GOT SOAP?" CAMPAIGN:
With barely one day's notice by e-mail to only a small portion of people, both New Hope and the Williamsport church brought in 4000 bars of soap in one day! This soap was loaded into the container with the well pipe that is being shipped over to Mozambique in just a few days. Thank you all for "scouring" under your sink cabinets, "cleaning" out the store shelves and "bubbling" over with such a wonderful response! What a great gift to go with the water we will help to supply to the people of Mozambique!

SPECIAL THANKS to all who participated in the "PIPE LOADING PARTY" in the New Hope parking lot on Sunday! Over 80 volunteers came out and loaded the 1668 pieces of well pipe (31,360 feet total) that will be used to drill as many as 120 water wells over in Mozambique. There were men, women and children, the youth and the "not-so-young", church members and non-church members who all united together to help the people of Mozambique! Pastors Newman and Roda were there welcoming people and meeting the ones they did not know. Excitement was in the air, as well as God's presence - it was a high day for all involved!

EASTER EGG HUNT DRIVE

On Sunday, March 23 New Hope is sponsoring a
massive Easter Egg Hunt for the local community. The hunt will follow a pancake breakfast for all ages at 9:30am and the Witness Easter Musical will follow at 11am.

We are asking for donations of easter eggs filled with candy during the next two weeks. They can be dropped off at the church during the weekend services or during that week during regular business hours. Please contact kumardixit@yahoo.com for details.


Order tickets for the Easter program by clicking here.

POOR PASTOR ANN

Another example of Pastor Ann being crowded out her office!

JOIN THE JUDO TEAM

Do you recognize any of these strong men? Many of them attend New Hope Church. Contact Chris Howell if you are interested in participating in Judo at maninthewilderness@verizon.net.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are in desperate need of men to come out this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to help us load this pipe into 2 storage containers at the church that will be shipped over to Africa. Each piece of pipe has to be individually loaded and will require 2 people per pipe to carry. Please bring gloves and dress warmly, and we will provide pizza for lunch. The more help we have, the faster this job will be completed!

Even if you can't make the mission trip this summer, you can support the effort by helping us out in this way - a project that will provide 120 water wells in Africa and clean drinking water for thousands who currently don't have such a basic necessity. For more info, call Dave on his cell at 443-694-7573.

Pastor Newman Begins New Class

Join Pastor Newman as he teaches a new morning

class on every Saturday morning at 9:30am.

Christianity 101 is designed for the adult student interested

in exploring the Bible in-depth.

NEW HVAC INSTALLED

We have finally installed new heating/AC units on the roof. It cost the church $110,000. Almost all of the roof units are connect and running. Thank you to all of the church members who faithfully contribute to the local church budget.

New Hope Pathfinders Rock!

Congratulations to the New Hope Pathfinder team for placing 2nd place in the bible bowl last week. They have advanced to the next round and we are proud of them!

SERVE GOD SERVE OTHERS

The church is only as successful as its members. You have numerous opportunities to serve in ministry at New Hope. Here are a few:

• Writers wanted. Write short articles, interviews and cover events for New Hope. One article a month, approximately 250 words.
• Male singers needed. Tenors who can follow rhythm, have a strong desire to worship.
• Sponsor a pathfinder. Sponsor a pathfinder on their trip to Osh Kosh next year for the international pathfinder camporee.
• Social committee. Help plan special events and parties at New Hope. Must have good organizational skills, and recruiting ability.
• Looking for cooks. Cook a meal once a month for the worship leaders as they lead during both services.
• Minister in the nursery. Give a parent a break by serving in the child care once a month. You can make a huge difference.

If you would like to make a difference contact Pastor Kumar at kumardixit@yahoo.com

VOCAL AUDITIONS BEGIN

Do you have a heart to lead praise and worship at New Hope? The worship ministry is holding open auditions on February 16. Contact Pastor Kumar Dixit at kumardixit@yahoo.com for details and to schedule an audition.

AREA MOTHER IN NEED

The following note is from Nancy Graham, of Laurel Advocacy Referral Services

We have a LARS client who is staying in a local hotel until we can move her into one of our transitional housing apartment this coming Monday (2/11). She is a young woman with four very young children, including a 9 month girl, 21 month old boy, 6 year old boy, and a 7 year old girl. This young parent has no family in the area, and no friends. She pretty much has the clothes on their backs and little else. I have donated a toddler bed and mattress (crib size) for the 21 month old (and will gather some clothes for the 9 month old and 21 month old this weekend), but can you help?

We need:

A crib with a mattress;

Crib size sheets and blankets for 2 beds;

Two twin mattresses and box springs with bed frames;

Sheets and bedding for the two twin beds;

A bed for Mom and the bedding (depending on the size of the bed we can get for her);

Kitchen table and chairs;

Plates, silverware, pots and pans, glasses, cooking utensils;

Sofa;

Coffee and end tables;

Lamps;

Nightstands;

Dressers;

Bookcase;

Decorations;

Anything to make it feel like a home…

This family would also benefit from gift card to Target, Wal Mart (for clothing and household needs) or Giant. I say Giant specifically because they do not have transportation, and although it is a bit of a walk, the closest grocery store to where they will live is a Giant.

I regret that LARS does not have a vehicle that can be used to move furniture (we all just have our personal vehicles). Donations of the big household items would have to include delivery. We may be able to coordinate with another volunteer to do the delivery/pick-up, but not in the time frame of the need.

If you think you can help, please email or call the LARS transitional housing case manager, Lori Timlin. She can be reached at (301) 776-9170 or ltimlin@laureladvocacy.org.

We are very thankful for the support you provide to us. It makes a significant difference in the community.

With Thanks,

Nancy Graham, LCSW-C, Executive Director

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc.

311 Laurel Avenue

Laurel, MD 20707

(301) 776-0442

www.laureladvocacy.org

MOTHER'S GROUP IS READING

You might be surprised to learn that a group of young New Hope mothers and a man who thinks Christianity is “a dangerous term” that he tries to avoid are traveling on the same spiritual journey. However, that is just what has been happening as the New Hope mothers’ book club reads Donald Miller’s Searching for God Knows What in an effort to intensify their pursuit of the Divine. Primarily an individual quest until now, the book club is planning a weekend of activities meant to enhance the concepts attained from the book and explore the ideas Miller presents. Through discussion of the book, the group effort will broaden ideas that Miller has coerced into substantial growth from that of mainstream Christian perspectives.

Miller’s point of view on Christianity is gaining popularity with many and angering many as well. These opposing viewpoints serve for dialogue that is both relevant and valuable. Recognized by The Washington Post on January 19, Kelli Kennedy writes that “Supporters say Miller’s authentic, graceful approach to God has given a voice to their brand of Christianity” and that he “emphasizes the individual’s faith experience and varied worship styles…” However, “Critics call Miller’s works casual and glib and say that he strays from biblical truths when he downplays homosexuality and other sins.” The controversy amongst Christians, caused by Miller’s views, is good in the sense that it forces people to re-evaluate what and why they believe the way they do. It certainly has caused me to re-think some of my own perspectives and I am looking forward to a weekend where others can share their own experience as well. ~ By Katina Chappell