Journey of Hope Community Church 8900 Pardee <> Taylor 48180 313-292-1660 www.journeyofhopecom.

com

Journey Of Hope
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF JOURNEY OF HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH OCTOBER 2011 OUR HEARTSONG: We are changing the World One life at a Time

Journey of Hope New Leadership Direction

New Mission Statement: Journey of Hope Community Church will include and unite all people in living, proclaiming, and instilling the message, spirit and transforming power of Jesus Christ, by both being and making Christ Followers with a faith that is alive, growing, and active.
Key leaders of Journey of Hope have literally spent hundreds of hours working with Marvelle Vannest of Concord, Michigan in formulating a strategic plan for our church and its ministries. Marvelle volunteered to work with Taylor as a subcommittee of one from the Conference Leadership Board of which she is an elected member. We had a very long day September 24th as we met for a Leadership Retreat which was held at Marvelles home September 24. 2011. The great hospitality of Marvelle and her grace-filled group of volunteers was nothing short of fantastic. They provided a beautiful and comfortable setting that was conducive to our task at hand. A delicious lunch and dinner was provided for us and the day was orchestrated by Marvelle leadership and this team. It was very obvious that Marvelle had spent time organizing the event and her close relationship with the Lord was a powerful influence throughout the day. The work was hard as we dreamed big dreams and hammered out a strategic plan including our new mission statement (shown above). Our seven purpose statements and our basic beliefs were reviewed

Typical Schedule
Sunday
8:30 am Sunday Service 9:45 am Adult Bible Study 9:45 am Praise Band 9:45 am All 4 Him Drama 11 a, Sunday Service 6 pm 1st&3rd Sun Stephens Ministry

Monday
7 pm Puppet Practice

Tuesday
7 pm Praise Band 1st & 3rd Young Couple Group

Wednesday
1 pm Bible Study 6:30 pm Family Night

Thursday
7 Celebrate Support Group 8:30 pm Jump Start AA Group Oct 1 SMC Womens Retreat Oct 18 Board Meeting Oct 20 Free Movie Night Oct 26 Pancake Dinner Oct 27 Harvest Party Oct 29 Mens Breakfast at Leos

Seven Things to Do Each and Every Day

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24 listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

5. Look Up!! To the Lord. 6. Reach Up

"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13

2
Jesus Our Best Friend
We all need a constant reminder that Jesus is our best friend. I guarantee that if you go through your day remembering that Jesus is indeed your best friend your life will change. I want to be with my best friend, I want to introduce others to my best friend, I love talking to my best friend. I want to please my best friend, Jesus. Pastor Bill

2. Dress Up!!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Sam 16:7

4. Stand Up!!

For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to

For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good." Galatians 6:9-10

7. Lift Up!!.

Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

Above all Love God and Love Others

JOURNEY OF HOPE
The stairway is one way to describe a persons journey. Where are you on this journey? I think you are terrific. To tell you the truth though, all of us should be taking steps on this journey. The Greatest Step is most important but you will notice it is early on the journey. There are many more steps to take, we call these steps making disciples of Christ. Pastor Bill

DANCING WITH GOD

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
Cont. From Page One and adopted as part of our plan. A class will soon be offered outlining all of this work. Prior to the event we had worked diligently on a vision statement. A vision statement is a paragraph that gives a mental picture of what we want our ministry to look like. Our vision statement is : Our ministry is freely investing in people, organizations, and projects that promote the work of making Christ followers and meeting the needs of our community and beyond (our Jerusalem, Judea, and World). Being Holy Spirit led, we are unified and inclusive as we grow physically, spiritually, mentally, and relationally through programs and ministries that transform people into the likeness of Christ. Our church is balanced in Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Worship and Fellowship. The new plan includes specific goals and benchmarks that our Pastor will closely monitor and we will be held accountable for. The goals are not simple; they stretch us to a new level but they are very doable. The goals for yourself asking God what He are SMART Goals in that they have wants you to do. This is your time been Stated (w ritten down), to carry the ball. This is your Measurable (with benchmarks along time to take the Good news of the way), Attainable (Something we the Gospel to the world. can do), Reasonable (with wise 2. Be thankful as you consider the progression), and Trackable (We will 1.75 billion people who exist on k now w hen goal s a re being less than one dollar a day; or the accomplished). These goals are a big one billion people who are right part of the strategic plan. now hungry; or the 27,000 people We studied an environmental scan of who will die today of a curable where we are and we admit times are disease. Be thankful that you can tough for many people. When times help and remember you are are rough however, it creates blessed for the purpose of tremendous opportunity for the blessing others. church to step up and step in to step 3. Become involved in the ministry over all of these obstacles and help God has called us to do. You cannot people on their journey of Hope. do everything, that is true, but you As your Pastor there are three can do something and it is probably things that I want to admonish you more than what you are doing right to think about and do. now. What a blessing it is to 1. Pray for me and for the leaders become the answer by allowing God of our church as we are to use you in a powerful way as We representing you. Pray for our give more of our time, talent and church that there would be treasure to things that really have revival and renewal and that we eternal purpose. I invite you on would join hands and hearts as this exciting Journey of hope, Gods Holy Spirit leads us all. Pray faith and love. Pastor Bill Fix

Ariel Samantha Parks has been a part of Journey of Hope Community Church for quite a few years. She was born on June 30,1998 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She comes from a great family. Her parents are Matt and Lori Parks and she has an older brother, Michael. Ariel often volunteers to help in preschool or the nursery and is very active in the church youth group. Her favorite Bible Verse is Hebrews 2:1, We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Ariel admires her 92 year old grandpa, who fought in World War 2. Ariel is a face painter and enjoys gymnastics. She has a face painting business and books birthday parties, church events, and other types of gatherings. Ariels ambition is to become a veterinarian. We believe God is doing something really great in young people like Ariel Parks. She is an actress, having played parts in various musicales and dramas. We are all proud that Ariel is on a journey and is part of Journey of Hope Church.

Ariel Parks by Pastor Hank Sower

October 27 6:30-8:00 pm

Games, Free Candy Bag to Everyone, Fun, Refreshments In Our Gym

Did I Read That Sign Right?

Smile on the Journey

TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT In a London department store: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN? Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS Spotted in a safari park: (I sure hope so) ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR Seen during a conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1st FLOOR Notice in a farmer's field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES. Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
By a Third Grader God Bless her little heart. The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. Sister made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching" Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
Journey of Hope Community Church 8900 Pardee <> Taylor 48180 313-292-1660 or www.journeyofhopecom.com

Apples & Cookies

God wants full custody of His children. Not just weekend visitation.
From Leona Hunt

Humor for Lexophiles (Lovers of Words):

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. Police were called to a day care center where a 3-year-old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

October 2011
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sun

1
Ladies RetreatAll Day

All for Him Drama Team will rehearse every Sunday at 9:45 am

We normally try to protect Fridays as a family night. We try to close the office on Fridays

2
Young Couples Group 6:30 at Grant and Holly Smiths Praise band Practice 7 pm Celebrate Support Grp 7 pm Jump Start AA 8:30 pm

3
1pm Open Bible Study 6:30 pm Family Night 6 pm Pastor Mtg. Jackson

4 11
Joyfest planning Meeting 7 pm Praise band Practice 7 pm

5 12
1pm Open Bible Study 6:30 pm Family Night

6 13
Celebrate Support Grp 7 pm Jump Start AA 8:30 pm

7 14 21

8 15
Moving The Church Offices 8 am Need a Few Good Men

8:30 & 11 Services 9:45 am Adult Group Stephens Ministry 6

Christmas Cantata Practice 7 pm at Allen Park Nazarene 7 pm Puppet Rehearsal

9 18
Young Couples Group 6:30 at Grant and Holly Smiths Praise band Practice 7 pm

10 19
1pm Open Bible Study 6:30 pm Family Night

8:30 & 11 Services 9:45 am Adult Group

Christmas Cantata Practice 7 pm at APCN 7 pm Puppet Rehearsal

16 25
Official Board Meeting 7 pm Praise band Practice 7 pm Salt and Light Day 9 am 2 pm

17 26

20
Movie Night 7 pm Grace Card Jump Start AA 8:30 pm

22 27 28 29

8:30 & 11 Services 9:45 am Adult Group Stephens Ministry 6

Christmas Cantata Practice 7 pm at APCN 7 pm Puppet Rehearsal

23

24

8:30 & 11 Services 9:45 am Adult Group

Christmas Cantata Practice 7 pm at APCN 7 pm Puppet Rehearsal

Harvest Party 6:308 pm In 1pm Open Bible Study 630 pm Pancake Meal and the Gym Jump Start AA 8:30 pm Family Night

Mens Breakfast 8 am at Leos

308:30 & 11 Services 31

9:45 am Adult Group 6 pm Puppets at New Hope Assembly of God

Christmas Cantata Practice 7 pm at APCN 7 pm Puppet Rehearsal

New Members Baptized at JOH

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks. Everyone smiles when we have a membership and baptism service.

September 11, 2011, was an exciting day for our Journey of Hope as six people were baptized and added as members of our church. New members include: John and Dorothy Hodges , Brad and Jenny Hodges and Jim and Cheri Shanaver. Senior Pastor Bill Fix encouraged the new members to unite with us in praise, prayer, and purpose. To be blessed by the church but to also be a blessing to the church. Pastor Hank was given the awesome privilege of baptizing each of these new members, some for the first time, others reaffirming their faith. It was so exciting to hear the testimonies of changed and dedicated lives .

Sure Direction:
He's so slow that he takes an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes.
Edwin W. Edwards

In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths Proverbs 3:6 CHURCH CLEAN UP DAY OCT 15 Bring Cleaning Stuff MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN From 8 amNoon

Win The Lost At Any Cost

Adult Support Group
Open to Everyone

Eight of Journey of Hopes All-4-Him Drama and Dance Team members, performed at the 2011 Southern Michigan Conference Womens Retreat. This is the third year that the team has been invited to perform at this all ladies event. This year they performed an interpretive dance routine to a song Its Beautiful to Me. The team is rehearsing for competition, Joyfest and the Christmas Cantata. If you are interested in joining All-4-Him Drama and Dance Team, please see or one of the team members or call 313-292-1660.

ALL-4-HIM Drama and Dance Team Performs at Womens Conference October 1st

In Golf, What is a rider?

Four old men went into the pro shop after playing 18 holes of golf. The pro asked, "Did you guys have a good game today?" The first old guy said, "Yes, I had three riders today." The second old guy said, "I had the most riders ever. I had five." The third old guy said, "I had 7 riders, the same as last time." The last old man said, "I beat my old record. I had 12 riders today." After they went into the locker room, another golfer who had heard the old guys talking about their game went to the pro and said, "I have been playing golf for a long time and thought I knew all the terminology of the game, but what's a rider?" The pro said, "A rider is when you hit the ball far enough to get in the golf cart and ride to it."

Celebrate Support Group

Every Thursday Night 7:00 PM Please Come and Bring a Friend Refreshment<>Sharing<>Singing

October 5Friend Night Bring a friend for food and fun October 12Crossing Barriers John 4:1-42 $25 deposit due for Somerset Winter Youth Retreat October 19Be Careful What You Say Matthew 12:35-37 October 26Looking Good on the Pastor Hank Sower Baptizing Outside Luke 11:39-52 Brad Hodges September 11. JOYFEST NOVEMBER 19 Six people were baptized and Somerset Winter Youth Retreat became members of Journey January 27-29, 2012
of Hope that day.

Youth Calendar

Journey of Hopes All 4 Him Drama Team

By Dottie Fix
All 4 Him ladies went to share their gift with the Southern Michigan Ladies Retreat Sept.29th and Oct. 1st. The ladies retreat offers many lectures, fun times and they always have great special speakers. The theme this year was how we look at ourselves and how we tend to let outside objects tell us how we should think. God made us and he tells us we are beautiful to Him. We practice on Sunday mornings. We pray for each other and then we work on the songs we are getting ready to perform. We enjoy doing our ministry and soon hope to have a DVD that will give a sample of some of our performances to use as a promotion for the team.

WOW! A big thank you goes to Jimmy Bolton who donated our new sign. Jimmy and Jeanette Bolton are long time members of Journey of Hope Community Church. The sign was made to cover the old sign. Ezio Panone and his brother John put the sign up Saturday September 10 immediately before the Taylor Summer Fun Day. Thanks Everyone!

Beautiful New Sign Displaying Our New Name

Good Idea? I take a very practical view of raising children I put a sign in each of their rooms, Check out time is 18 years. Erma Bombeck

Taylor Summer Fun Is Back Big Hit For Taylor Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force

OD O

UN F

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HANDFULS OF PURPOSE PUPPET TEAM By Wendy Diebel The Journey of Hope puppet team, Handfuls of Purpose, is busy making props and practicing for our upcoming competition. The competition, held on November 11, has a theme of Through the eyes of God. We have chosen the song, Through Your Eyes, by Brandon Heath. The song is about going through life and letting it all pass you by. We need to ask God to open our eyes and see people for who they really are, and what they are going through. We have ran through the song a few times, and I think we can do a great performance. We are always looking for new team members, so if you are interested, give Dottie a call at the church office. The Church office telephone number is 313-292-1660.

11

Sharing the Gift of Stephen Ministry with Others

By Laura Wasson Warfel "When

you first hear that diagnosis of cancer, you wonder if you're going to die," said the Rev. Dr. Linda Line. "I needed someone to pray with me. I needed someone to listen and care." While Dr. Line had known of Stephen Ministry for 14 years and had always wanted to have this ministry in her congregation, she first experienced this one-to-one distinctively Christian care as a care receiver at First Presbyterian Church, Visalia, California. "When I was in the hospital, my Stephen Minister came and visited me there. When I went to sleep at night, I never knew whether I would wake up in my hospital bed or in heaven. She got me through those difficult times. She couldn't fix or change anything, but I knew I could share my fear, anxiety, and concern about life and death with her. I always knew I could call her, that I wasn't alone." Check out Journey of Hopes Stephen Ministry opportunities, by calling our office at 313-292-1660.

One of the goals our leadership team is working on is a School of the arts. The school is still in the dreaming stage but we envision it to be made up of five areas, Dance, Music, Drama, All other arts and Athletics. Each area will have a Director and each director will be responsible for providing instructors, helpers, pricing and scheduling classes. Dance for example may have various dance classes throughout the week, ballet, jazz, creative dance, etc. The classes may culminate in a recital night. Music may include private or ensemble type classes and voice as well as piano, violin, brass, woodwind, guitar, and percussion may be offered, In drama we may offer classes in acting but probably we would have auditions for a play that we would present in the Journey of Hope Auditorium or upper room. The all other arts will be things like puppetry, magic, ventriloquism, clowning, simple art, painting classes, sketching, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, etc. Finally the Sports portion of the School would have sports camps, basketball leagues, volleyball, kickball, open gym nights, etc. We are very excited about the possibilities of The School of the Arts. We ask for you to do a couple of things as we work on this. We are currently looking for key people to partner with Journey of Hope on this exciting opportunity and adventure.

12 Journey of Hope School of the Arts

Senior Pastor Bill and Dottie Fix Youth Pastor Hank Sower Location: 8900 Pardee Rd., Taylor, Mi 48180

Journey of Hope Community Church

www.journeyofhopecom.com 313-292-1660