Some Changes

This year has been a busy one! The Lord has been opening new opportunities in His service, which have been amazing. I've been asked to share my testimony with women from different churches on behalf of First Choice Women's Resource Centers, where I volunteer and it has been a privilege to serve in this way. Psalm 51:15 says, Unseal my lips O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. I have found that telling about what the Lord has done in my life, is a way to praise him. So far I have been answering the call, as He leads and trusting my schedule to Him.

In the next few months, there are going to be some changes to the Women of Hope meeting dates, for which I apologize in advance. I do hope you will still plan to join us, as the Lord leads. May your life be a testimony of His grace and power.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday morning March 20th at 9:30am

Happy New Year!

The Women of Hope ministry looks forward to 2010! This year I'd like to encourage all the women who read this to make a different kind of resolution for the new year.

Along with possible goals for a new body or better finance management, include a resolution prayer. Ask God to create a deeper hunger for His Word. It's a fail proof resolution. God loves to answer these kinds or prayers and requests!

Father, create in me in a deeper hunger for your Word this year. Cause me to greatly desire to know you more than ever before, through your eternal Word and in his name, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Let me know what happens!

Our Christmas Gathering

The Women of Hope had a Christmas gathering with lots of sweet treats, laughs and we spent time writing out Christmas cards to injured soldiers. Thank you Kathy for that idea and information!

We played a game that was a mix of Boggle and Scattegories. We rolled for a letter and I gave a category. Then the ladies had to list words that started with that letter and for the category. One example that stuck out was the category: Flowers and the letter was R. Of course we had Roses, Rhododendron, etc. but then it started getting shaky, when Marie tried to include the ever rare flower, Rosacea!!! You can imagine how much laughing was taking place.

It was truly a blessing to spend time with these great and very funny ladies. Thank you all for the gift of laughter and fellowship. May the Lord greatly bless you all with His peace and joy this Christmas and in the new year!

A Christmas Gathering

Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body - Proverbs 16:4

Join the Women of Hope for a time of sharing holiday desserts and writing Christmas blessings to injured soldiers on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.

For event location details and to r.s.v.p please call Anita Perez at 973-979-1996 by December 1st.

Let Us Keep To The Point

The first meeting of the Women of Hope was such a blessing. We had a wonderful turn out of 10 women and one of them joined us via the Internet! It was so much fun having Rose's shining face smiling back over the computer screen, thanks to the technology we have these days. We could see her and she could see us! We even sat the laptop on a chair. :-)

We discussed the Jan. 1st devotional of the book we are reading. Let Us Keep To The Point, was the title and it described how Paul wanted to do his very best in everything, for the glory and honour of God, in life and in death, no matter what. Are we ready to do our utmost for His highest? In our families, workplace, relationships, finances and even our very thought? Are we ready to keep to the point? The point that in order for God to be glorified to the highest, we must surrender all to Him and for Him alone.

My prayer is that God drives this desire home to our hearts and seals it in our minds to be this kind of woman.

If you are following along, we started our own personal devotional times last night with Oct. 1st. NEXT MEETING: Saturday, Oct. 17th - 9:30am-10:30

Begin Anew!

The Women of Hope will begin anew and now twice a month! Please consider joining us on the first Thursday and/or third Saturday of the month. Our Thursday meetings will take place from 7:30pm - 8:30pm and Saturday meetings from 9:30am - 10:30am.

What are we studying? We will be reading and discussing My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. This timeless Christian classic devotional will help you to see God as He really is and bring you nearer to Him. Women who participate are encouraged to read the daily devotional, beginning with Oct. 1st and journal about what God is speaking into their lives. When we meet together we will share and discuss what He is doing and showing us.

Would you like to participate? This book can be found in any Christian bookstore or ordered from www.cbd.com for as little as $4.00.

The Women of Hope ministry warmly invites you to joins us once a month or twice, if you can, to deepend your walk with God or start a new journey. May the love of Christ be irresistable to you and lead you to an abundant life, where you can give your all, to the Savior who gave His.

Please call Anita Perez at 973-979-1996 or email her at anitalicia@optonline.net with any questions.

River Trip

Our annual Day on the River proved to be another great time together with the ladies. Many came out and we floated down the river, ate some great food, and some of us fell asleep in front of the fire. Thank you Carolyn, Bob and the whole Howe family for hosting this each year and making it so very special. You guys are true servants of God!!

FEELING SCRAPPY - June Event

Join us on Friday, June 26th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm for our last Women of Hope big event until the Fall. Feeling Scrappy takes place at Hope Church in the basement and Scrapbooking is the name of the game. All beginners and experts are welcome to come out and have a great time with a wonderful group of ladies!

Alyson Miller and Kathy Howe, both Women of Hope themselves, have offered to share with us their knowledge on Scrapbooking. The evening will include a short lesson and lots of hands on time to create something personal of your own. We will be having a baby photo contest with giveaways.

Our menu for the evening includes:
Button Burgers, Photato Salad, Krinkle Cut Carrots, Say Cheese Ziti with Memoreatballs and for dessert we'll enjoy Picture Pie and Ice Cream with Embellishments.

What to Bring:
Baby/Child Photo of Yourself (1)
Photos for scrapping (8 or less)
Photo frame or scrapbook (8x10 or larger)

Please R.S.V.P. by calling Anita Perez at 973-246-4117 or emailing her at anitalicia@optonline.net by June 22nd.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. Malachi 3:16

2009 Women of Hope Retreat Recap

Click on the link below to view the pictures of our 2009 Women of Hope Retreat. We had an amazingly blessed time together. We learned about the blessings in Matthew by a very gifted teacher, Mel Web. We acted like fools at time with games like blind manicure and a scavenger hunt. We even did the smores thing! I got to serve a beautiful group of women who love the Lord and it was my sincere privilege to be with them, love them, share and laugh with them too. Can't wait to do it again!

RETREAT PICTURES

Women of Hope - Retreat - March 2009

The Women of Hope ministry will be having a retreat in March.

Dates: March 13th and 14th
Location: Howe Family home in Port Jervis, NY

Guest Teacher: Melanie Webb
Weekend Lesson: The Beautiful Attitudes of Matthew's Gospel (A study on the Beatitudes)

Cost: $50.00/person
Registration Details: Space is limited so registration is necessary. We have space for about 15 women and it's filling fast. To register for the event, please pick up a form at church or call Anita Perez at 973-979-1996.

Cookie Exchange December 6, 2008

Our second annual cookie exchange will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at 2pm at Hope Reformed Church. Cathy Cook will be coordinating the details for our event and we will have special guest, Karin Drosdick of Everyday Gourmet.

Stay tuned for more details and be sure to save the date!

First Meeting - October 18, 2008

The Lord has great plans in store for the Women of Hope in the 08-09 season! I'm excited to begin. Be sure to mark your calendars for Oct. 18th at 9:30am in the church basement, for the first meeting of Women of Hope.
NOTE: We usually meet the first Saturday of the month, but because our pastor and his wife's baby is due on Nov. 4th, we are having a baby shower that first weekend.

We'll be looking at what's in store for 2008 and 2009. Some events include a Delectable Desserts and Cookie Exchange, Worship Around the World, a March Retreat and more.

I hope to see many of the ladies from Hope and the surrounding community come and join us to see what the Lord has in store!

If you have any questions, please post it under Comments and I'll be sure to reply.

2008 - 2009 What Does God Have in Store?

The Women of Hope will be planning the upcoming 2008-2009 events and studies. Our first meeting will be taking place on October 18th at 9:30am in the church basement of Hope Reformed church. Please consider joining us!!

Day on the Lake

Last Women of Hope Meeting - June 28th

Join us for the last Women of Hope meeting on Saturday, June 28th at 9:30am in the church basement. We'll be in the Word and in prayer for each other, as well as brainstorming for next season's schedule of events. Hope to see you there!

Worship Around the World

Women of Hope - May Lunch - Worship Around the World

Psalm 86:9 - All the nations you have made will come and worship before you; O Lord. They will bring glory to your name.

Worship Around the World is an annual event where we celebrate a different culture from our richly diverse church community. Join us on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 11:30am - 1:30pm for lunch and worship!

On May 17th we will look at worship in the Hispanic culture, as well as have some tasty traditional Hispanic food. We will get a cooking lesson from Agustina Perez, who will be teaching us to make Arroz Con Gandules. Our day will start out with a short field trip to the local Shoprite to learn about the different foods that go into making Hispanic dishes. We will then head back to Hope Church to cook and share lunch toghether. Our afternoon will be capped off by a time of worshipping the living God in both English and Spanish.

Please R.S.V.P. by Wed. May 15th by emailing Anita Perez at anitalicia@optonline.net or calling 973-979-1996. All are welcome, so please invite your lady friends and family to join us, the Women of Hope, or in Spanish - Mujeres de Esperanza!

Hope to see you there!