Christmas Fellowship

Last Sunday we hosted "Hopewell's Christmas Celebration".

What a glorious time it was from the very beginning to the end. Our choir, under the direction of Dona Prophitt, blessed us with songs from a beautiful cantata entitled "Behold Emmanuel".

In the evening we enjoyed food & fellowship together in our Outreach Center.

Being blessed with Bro. Joey & Sis. Lisa, Christa, Catarina, and Micah

as our Pastorate family, we blessed them with a love offering to show

them how much we truly appreciate them.

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

College & Career Christmas Party

College & Career

"Ugly Sweater" Christmas Party

Front Row (l to r) Bro. Randy, Evan, Ian, Nick, Robin, Wesley

Back Row (l to r) Mary Elizabeth, Christa, Marissa, Stephany, Amanda

Food, Fun & Games

Christa blew everyone away and won the Christmas Trivia game!

Marissa won "hands down" with the Ugliest Sweater.

Merry Christmas from all of us!

Children's Ministry October Happenings

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In October our children attended Boo at the Zoo at the Birmingham Zoo. They had an amazing time. Josh & Angie Jones were blessed with FREE tickets to this event. This was such an awesome gift from the Lord that allowed ALL our children to attend. Each ticket was priced at around $20. What a GREAT GOD we serve who gives our kids GREAT GIFTS!! Praise the Lord!!

Children's Ministry

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Just wanted to share some fun summer times with our children!

Wedding Tea

Susan & Randall Sudduth, daughter-in-law & son of Deacon Bill & Margaret Sudduth, were blessed with a wedding tea in November. We pray the Lord will bless their marriage with joy and love through many years.

Finding JOY in the journey

Rather than allow ourselves to get caught up with the hustle and bustle, let us purpose ourselves to look for the joy God sends our way everyday in ordinary moments; things we would otherwise miss if we were not paying attention.

They are all around us - little nuggets of joy, pebbles on the rocks, small moments of blessing - just waiting to be gathered up. Pocket-size joys, like an unexpected smile or a kind gesture. A quiet morning with an old friend.

Joy is a choice. Either we choose to dwell on the negatives or we stop and look for the joy. There is joy in the journey, And most remarkable of all, we are loved by the Father. What greater joy could there be?

Youth Trip to Hackleburg

Bessemer Police Department November Meeting

The Bessemer Police Department held its November meeting at our Outreach Center. Members of our community and local congregation attended this meeting to learn more about our Police Department and discuss community issues. We are so thankful for each member of our Police Force for their courage and bravery in protecting our city.

Family Prayer Circle Service

Sunday Service

This past Sunday we gathered together for a special time of prayer for our families. Our pastor and deacons ministered to each family through times of worship, cleansing and renewal, and prayer. The presence of the Lord was sweet and powerful as God blessed each family in His House of Prayer.

Community Thanksgiving Service

Our annual Community Thanksgiving Service involving a cluster of churches participating to combine manpower and resources to hold an interfaith service in the Hopewell community was held Sunday, November 21st at Canaan Baptist Church on Morgan Road. What a tremendous success it was with attendance in excess of 300. What a wonderful way to start the Thanksgiving holiday with believers from all denominations coming together to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving.

The service featured musical selections from the Canaan Baptist Church Choir as well as congregational worship led by Hopewell Road COGOP Praise & Worship Team.

Our very own Pastor Joey delivered a Thanksgiving message reminding us of how thankful we should be even in unfortunate circumstances. It is then that we truly realize our faith is increased as HE brings us through difficult times and situations. HE IS THERE ALL THE TIME.

Fellowship and refreshments followed the service.

Thanks to all who were able to attend and/or provide refreshments. We also appreciate our public officials and community leaders who were able to attend to support this event as well as worship with us in offering Thanksgiving to the giver of all blessings.

The beauty of the Thanksgiving service is that everybody celebrates Thanksgiving. It doesn't matter what religion or faith you belong to, it's a way to give thanks to God for all the blessings we have had throughout the years.

* Participating churches included Canaan Baptist Church, Hopewell Road Church of God of Prophecy, Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian, Hopewell First Baptist Church, Morgan United Methodist Church and South Crest Baptist Church.

Community Thanksgiving Service

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Pastor Appreciation

(L to R) Sis. Dona presenting Pastor Joey with gifts of appreciation

Our Shepherd

The Lord gave us a shepherd, We're no longer in want.
He helps us find God's green pastures,
He leads us along still waters, And he is used by God to restore our souls.
He guides us by straight pathways, Bringing honor to God's name.
When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
We are not afraid because he walks with us.
His teaching and correction comfort and strengthen us.
He helps us stand strong in the face of evil.
He is the oil of healing and health in our souls.
Through him God has overflowed our lives with blessing.
Goodness and mercy are sure to follow us all our days,
And we are secure in eternal life, Because the Lord gave us a shepherd.

(Adapted from Psalm 23 by Daniel Sherman)

(L to R) Misty Echols - Children's Ministries, Jason & Laura Cobb - Youth Pastors, Becky Mojica - Ladies / Family Ministries, Doug Tyler - Licensed Minister, Randy Jones - Student Ministries / College & Career Pastor

Pastor Appreciation is a vital part of a church's successful ministry. Any time is the right time for us to show our appreciation to our pastor in a card or with a word of thanks. Simple things mean as much or more than expensive expressions . . . though I don't think our pastor would argue if you blessed him with a gift certificate, etc!

Also, take take to share a special measure of appreciation to our Pastor's wife, Sis. Lisa. Gifts, cards, flowers, etc. are a few ways for us to shower Sis. Lisa on a Sunday morning.

Don't forget that Prayer is the greatest blessing. Let's not forget to PRAY for our Pastor and his family.

We are truly blessed with a Pastor and pastor's wife that go above and beyond the call. Take time to let them know how much you love and appreciate them.

Wedding Shower

Our church hosted a Wedding Shower for Keith & Eugenia Phillips at the hope of Joey & Lisa Mojica. Bro. Joey & Sis. Lisa were to kind to open their home for us to bless this couple.

Keith is the grandson of Verniece Phillips. Eugenia is not only new to our church family and a new bride, but she also a newcomer to our country. The couple met while Keith was working in Liberia. We are so proud and blessed that Keith & Engenia are a part of our family.

Beautiful Home, Beautiful family & friends, Beautiful Couple

Congratulations Keith & Eugenia

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's spiritual life. There is no better way to reset your spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of your life than through fasting.

Are there issues in your life that you need to address? Are their needs in your family or ministry that can use special attention? Are you seeking healing? Do you feel oppressed by financial bandages?

As you go through your 21-day fast, I trust you will be encouraged and strengthened. Here you will find 21 daily devotions that are intended to enrich your understanding of the purpose of New Testament fasting and to give you a launching point for your own prayer time.

I pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you as you set aside this time to seek Him first. He rewards those who diligently seek Him so keep your mind on Christ and your focus on righteousness.

Communion

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Just a glimpse of a special past Communion Service. How beautiful and humbling to share in the Lord's Supper.

Discovery Camp

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