HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Choir Cantata
The Church Choir, under the leadership of Dennis Bucher, will present a cantata titled “The Triumphs of His Grace” tonight, April 1 at 5:30 PM. The choir has previewed some of the songs at recent Sunday services and we look forward to the full cantata.
Good Friday Service Noon - 3:00pm
Grace Episcopal Church, 4110 S. Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange
The service will consist of meditations on "The Seven Last Words of Christ." Pastor Mulkey will speak on "Today you will be with me in Paradise," and Dennis Bucher will sing "Eternal Life."

REFLECTIONS: THE GROWTH OF NEW HOPE
On Sunday, March 25th, five people who are interested in our church and attending faithfully were with me for New Hope 101. We had some lively discussion. I appreciated their interest in where our church is headed. One thing that I've been thinking about lately became very clear in that conversation. Our church needs to become a "program church." We need more small groups. We need more Bible study groups. We need to find more ways to involve our members in the ministry of our church.

New Hope is no longer a "pastor-centered" church. That is, everything cannot be done by the pastor. That has always been true, of course, but it is becoming more and more true as we grow.

Recently, I had coffee with my friend Sonny Gallman, Pastor of Central Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. When he asked me how we are doing at New Hope, I told him, "We are becoming a program church." Sonny said that we seem to be among the few churches that are growing. I think he's right. And we are going to need to continue to expand not only our facilities but also our leadership and our ministries in order to continue to reach new people for Christ. When you pray, ask God to help us find the leaders with the right mix of spiritual gifts and abilities to lead the ministry programs we will develop at New Hope.
Bob

APRIL SERMONS
April 1 We Need a King, Mark 11:1-11
April 8 Scary Good News. Mark 16:1-8
April 15 One Heart, One Mind, One Pocketbook, Acts 4:32-35
April 22 It’s Time to Turn to Face God, Acts 3:12-19
April 29 No Keeping Quiet, Acts 4:5-12

MISSIONS
Feed 5,000
New Hope members donated a total of $1300 last month to Halifax Urban Ministries in our “Feed 5,000” mission effort. HUM can feed 5,000 for $715. A HUM repre- sentative will present a Certificate of Recognition to the church on Sunday, April 15, at the 11:00 AM service.
Food Donations
For those new to the area: We at New Hope collect canned goods and staple food items on the first Sunday of each month for Halifax Urban Ministries. HUM was founded in 1980 by the Halifax Area Ministerial Association. From its beginning it has served as a direct extension of local faith communities by developing community outreach programs. Since 1990 HUM has taken a leadership role in developing services for and advocating for the homeless and poor of our community. The prime mission is to prevent homelessness through the distribution of food and emergency financial support.
Countryside Lakes ALF
We are praying for rain, but don’t let April showers keep you from visiting birthday celebrants at the assisted living facility on Wednesday, April 18. Let’s shower them with love.

MUSIC AND WORSHIP
New Hymnals
New hymnals called Celebrating Grace have been ordered for our church. "Released in 2010, this hymnal is a rich collection of time honored hymns and new expressions of the Christian faith. It glorifies God and encourages strong worship and singing. It is current but not trendy. The Celebrating Grace Hymnal includes classic hymns, new hymns, congregational songs, scripture songs, and worship readings. The Celebrating Grace Hymnal is a comprehensive and practical worship resource."

These new hymnals are being placed in our sanctuary in memory of Lou Herouart who sang in New Hope's choir for many years, served as chairman of deacons, and loved to take pictures for us. New Hope Baptist Church has received $1247 in memorials for Lou.
Dennis Bucher

Choir Party
The choir members will come together on April 14 at Leesa and George Holloway's home for a cookout. They will be honoring our winter members before they migrate back north.

ART AND CRAFT WALK
and BAKE SALE
Sunday, April 15, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
The purpose of the upcoming Art and Craft Walk is to celebrate the gifts with which God has blessed us. If you paint, quilt, make jewelry, do cross stitch or woodworking sign up soon to display your work. So far entries include photography, painting, pastels, sewing and stained glass. It’s going to be an interesting, free drop-in afternoon for our church and the community. Invite your friends and neighbors.

Don Seebold is donating small wooden handcrafted wishing wells for sale at the event. Artists, if you would like to donate an item, see Elaine Hardy for details. You may donate an item outright or choose 50/50 which would allow you to recoup expenses for your materials.

We also need donated baked goods for the Bake Sale. Proceeds will benefit New Hope’s Building Fund. Please sign up on the poster at the rear of the sanctuary
Elaine Hardy & Kathy Stryker

POTPOURRI
Want to be “connected” more frequently than the monthly newsletter? Give your e-mail addy to Judy Hutchinson. Judy mails HUM reminders and other memos during the month. Her address is Jhutchinson9@cfl.rr.com.
Thanks to Leesa Holloway, the youth and their parents and all participants in Sunday Night Live last month. What an enjoyable evening!
It’s not Christmas in July, but we are starting early to cross stitch Chrismons (Christian symbols) for use on a tree in the sanctuary during the Christmas season. See Wanda Buchanan for patterns. If you don’t cross stitch, you may help by having the ornaments framed.
Did you know New Hope is on Facebook?
Earth Day is April 22. Do you recycle, repurpose and reuse? Are you a good steward of the resources God has given?
The next opportunity to participate in New Hope 101 will be April 29 at 4:00 PM. This is a one session introduction to Baptists and to New Hope Baptist Church taught by the pastor open to new members or anyone interested in learning more about the church.
The Planning Committee has met with two companies regarding a modular building to house four classrooms. Drawings and details will be brought to a business meeting.


STEPPING STONES ON THE JOURNEY
Pastor Mulkey has been teaching us to think about Heaven as all around us, not as some distant place “up there.” He has also been talking about living in the Kingdom of God here and now, not just in the next life. I have started to picture life in a different way. The Kingdom of God is a large house—a mansion, the Bible tells us. In this life we are confined to one small room with one tiny window that lets in a little light and gives us a glimpse now and then of the bigger world. It’s a wonderful room, and we are quite happy there, but we know much more exists beyond it. At the moment that this life ends, a door opens and we step through the doorway into the rest of the mansion, with all of its immense splendor that we could barely imagine before. It is full of light and beautiful music and a sumptuous banquet prepared to celebrate our arrival. Best of all, our dear Jesus stands with open arms to welcome us into the fullness of eternal life with Him. All past pain, sorrow, fear and worry are forgotten, and we are ready to experience fully all the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This image has relieved me of all uncertainty about death. I pray it gives you a new assurance as well.
A Fellow Traveler
“Where Did You Get That Shirt?”
That was the question Bill Batchelor heard while sporting his New Hope shirt at a recent Wednesday night supper. In response Janice Rising will be placing a new order for tees soon. There will be an order sheet and a sample of what the shirts will look like on the bulletin board. Children’s sizes and adults through XXL will be available. The color choices will be blue, green, purple and white. Cost will be determined based on the number of shirts ordered. (Several years ago they were only $5.00)

LADIES LUNCH
April 24, 2012, 11:45 AM
D. B. Pickles Deli and Bakery,
Ormond Beach

Healing Music,
Wednesdays 12:15-12:45
All Saints Lutheran Church
April 4 Wanda Ross, piano
April 11 Barbara Kaufmann, organ
April 18 Casey Baker, piano
April 25 Judy Brown, piano; Host: Dennis Bucher

CBF Florida’s 2012 Annual Spring Celebration
April 27-28 at First Baptist Church, Gainesville

WHAT’S COOKING?
Easy Spring Salad
1-5 oz. bag of Spring Mix salad blend
8 oz. strawberries, sliced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
Hormel bacon bits or real bacon pieces
or chopped pecans
raspberry vinaigrette dressing
Optional: Feta cheese
Top salad greens with sliced strawberries and oranges. Add either bacon pieces or chopped pecans. Drizzle individual servings with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Serves 4.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
EASTER EGG HUNT PLANNED
There will be a children’s Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday after the 11 o'clock worship service. Anyone who would like to contribute decorated or plastic eggs may do so. New Hope’s youth will be in charge of hiding the Easter eggs. Light refreshments will be served.

OPERATION OVERBOARD
Mark your calendar and save the dates! The week of June 25-28 promises to bring lots of fun and excitement to New Hope Baptist as Operation Overboard Vacation Bible School gets underway. Details for ways members can be involved will be in the May edition of Connections.

YOUTH UPDATE
The youth will be taking an active role in leading the worship service on Sunday morning, April 15, at the 11 AM service. They will also be providing special music during this service.

EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES
We expect a large crowd on Easter Sunday and would appreciate some members who normally attend the 11:00 AM service to worship at 9:00 that morning. This will allow more seats for guests at the second service. The 9:00 o’clock service will be a full hour and with a small choir.

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday morning, March 31, to weed, plant and spiff up the grounds for the Easter season.