October 2009 Web Newsletter

BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DEDICATED TO SHARING GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WITH THE WORLD October 2009

Volume 1, Issue 10

From the Pastor’s Desk — What Wondrous Love Is This

“When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (John 11:43).

As I have been looking at the news the past few weeks, I have seen example after example of how people are hurting and ‘losing faith’ that the country will ever again be what it was.

‘ghost towns’ as the industries have left and people have been forced to move (if they can) to find new occupations, new ways to provide for their families. In many areas the situation is bleak and jobs are non-existent. What hope many have had has turned to hopelessness.

The truth is that in many places the economy has not improved and with each day more and more people are slipping into the abyss of poverty and despair.

As you bear that in mind, I share with you all the story of Lazarus (John 11). Most of you probably know this story of Lazarus getting sick, his sisters sending word for Jesus to come, Jesus waiting too long, and Lazarus dying.

In North Carolina, we have many areas which once thrived with textiles, tobacco, and furniture now becoming

With each moment, I am sure that the sisters felt the darkness surround them more. They had pain and

doubt and were all but ready to give up. Yet Jesus came. Jesus came and with Him came new hope and new joy as their brother who was dead is once more alive. But God’s love does not stop there. Lazarus was but a small example of God’s love and what God’s love means to each of us. Because of sin, we all become “dead” to God. Yet when Jesus comes into our lives and we place our trust in Him, we too who were dead are made alive once more. This is our hope. This is the promise of God: That we too may live again!

Special points of interest: 

BIBLE STUDY WILL BE AT 7 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST AND 22ND.

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THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH, AT 7 :30 PM.

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CHARGE CONFERENCE WILL BE ON SUNDAY,

NOVEMBER 1ST, 2009 AT BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UMC BEGINNING AT 2 PM.

Inside this issue: SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE READINGS

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BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES 2

Searching for the answers … This month we will be looking at several of the great “mysteries” which can be found in God’s Word. Just as the old scifi show “The X-Files” states: “The truth is out there.” The truth is the Word of God, a book which each of us can easily acquire and read in this

country. Yet as with any great book, there are many questions that arise as we read. Over the last eleven years as I have served as a pastor, I have heard several which I consider to be “large questions” which deal with each of our lives.

I invite each of you to join me in worship on Sunday mornings this October as we lift our praise before the Lord and as we look at several of these questions. For more information, just contact the pastor (6895561 or [email protected]).

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

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THOSE SERVING IN BER

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OCTO-

OCTOBER CALENDAR

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Volume 1, Issue 10 October Sermon Series - The Christian X-Files The Truth is Out There …

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105, New Living Translation).

Scripture Readings October 4th

HOLY COMMUNION - “Hunger Pot” Offering Scripture Lesson: Luke 22: 7-13 Sermon: The Night that Passover Changed

October 11th

Rev. John Gatewood will be speaking. Pastor Bruce will be on vacation from October 9th - 16th.

October 18th

Scripture Lesson: John 3: 1-21 Sermon: Is There Hope For Me?

October 25th

Scripture Lesson: Acts 7: 54-8: 3 Sermon: How Could God Use Me?

WESLEY’S SIMPLE RULES FOR LIFE: 1. DO NO HARM 2. DO GOOD 3. STAY IN LOVE

Sharing About Our Church Family October Birthdays : 10/3 Bob Seaman 10/6 Tom Wrenn 10/7 Sue Miller 10/11 Sally Ling 10/11 Howard Orebaugh 10/14 Tom Lesley October Anniversaries:

10/17 10/19 10/21 10/26 10/27 10/30

WITH GOD!!!

Martha Tate Frieda Mercer Sherrill O’Neal Irving Washington Ernie Powell Sue Newhall

10/ Cline and Magaline Shelton 10/2 Bill and Nicki Lloyd 10/20 Frank and Angela Fox Bright Hope Laurel’s Attendance and Financial Recap - September 2009

Average Attendance each Sunday:

106*

Total Regular Giving for the Month:

$6,449.00*

Average Regular Giving each week:

$2,149.67* (needed to meet budget per week - $1,784.67)

Total Designated Giving:

$9,785.88*

(Hunger Pot: $181.00; Memorial Garden: $358.00; Pictorial Directory: $5.00; Betty Martin Fund: $50.00; Equitable Compensation from District: $607.58; and Fall Festival: $7,097.30). * Indicates figures are for first three Sundays only. “God loves a cheerful giver … We are blessed at Bright Hope Laurel with many!”

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Connections Those Serving in October… Blessed are those who volunteer to serve in the church in so many different ways. It is what makes our church so strong!! ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

GREETERS: 4th and 11th 18th and 25th

Irving Washington and Monte or Mary Alice Veal Irving Washington and Larry & Sue Smith

USHERS: 4th and 11th 18th and 25th

Ed & Sylvia Brantley Frank & Angela Fox

OFFERTORY PRAYER:

Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

SCRIPTURE READERS: 4th Nicole Johnson 11th Rich Ashley 18th Judy Womble 25th Monte Veal

“AND THE KING WILL SAY, ‘I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHEN YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,[A] YOU WERE DOING IT TO ME!’ (MATTHEW

CHILDREN’S TIME: 4th Dixie Tipton 11th Linda Gatewood 18th Jenny Miller 25th Cammie Monroe CHILDREN’S CHURCH:

Carolyn Ponder; Substitute: Lisa Anderson. If you would like to help, please let Carolyn know.

NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL: 4th Angela Fox 11th Judy Womble 18th Marsha Boyd 25th Liz Benjamin

25:40, NLT). “TWEENS CLASS”:

Kathy Wrenn, Lois Lynn Bellemare, and Cammie Monroe

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: COUNTERS: 4th and 11th 18th and 25th

Marsha Boyd and Rich Ashley

Solon O’Neal and Assistant Don Mathis and Tom Wrenn

AUDIO/VISIAL: We need a volunteer for this important service. (As you know, both Ward Roberts and Taylor Dodge, who have been faithful to serve in this area, are now attending college.) (Should you be unable to serve when indicated above, please ask someone to take your place and advise the Pastor or the Administrative Assistant. We thank you for your service and dedication to Bright Hope Laurel). Photo taken from http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media site36/2007/1212/20071212__KneelingMemorial~p1.jpg. Used with permission.

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Providing God's Love to a World in need ... BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

1 Bonnie is in Florida until October 11th …

Pastor’s Hours (1:00 - 5:30 PM)

Charge Conference will be on Sunday, November 1st at 2 PM here at Bright Hope Laurel. Pastor Bruce needs the committee reports this week!

Bible Study (7:00 PM)

4 5 World Communion Pastor’s Hours Sunday (10:30 - 5:30 UMM Breakfast PM) 7:46 AM Sun. School(9:30) Worship (11:00)

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Pastor’s Hours (10:30 - 5:30 PM)

FRI

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7 Pastor’s Hours 8 9 (1:00 - 5:30 PM) Pastor’s Hours Pastor Bruce on Hand bells (5:45) (1:00 - 5:30 PM) <—————— Choir (6:45) Admin. Council (7:30)

SAT

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10 Vacation ———————

11 12 13 14 15 16 ——————— ——————— ——————— ——————— ——————— ——————> Sun. School(9:30) Admin. Ass. Hours Admin. Ass. Hours Worship (11:00) (9-1) (9-1) Rev. Gatewood will be speaking.

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18 19 Laity Sunday Pastor’s Hours Sun. School(9:30) (10:30 - 5:30 Worship (11:00) PM)

20 Admin. Ass. Hours (9-1) Pastor’s Hours (10:30 - 5:30 PM)

21 22 23 Admin. Ass. Hours Pastor’s Hours (9-1) (1:00 - 5:30 PM) Pastor’s Hours (1:00 - 5:30 PM) Bible Study Hand bells (5:45) (7:00 PM) Choir (6:45)

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25 26 Sun. School(9:30) Pastor’s Hours Worship (11:00) (10:30 - 5:30 PM) District Youth Fling 4-H Meeting (6:30)

27 Pastor’s Hours (10:30 - 5:30 PM)

28 29 30 Pastor’s Hours Pastor’s Hours (1:00 - 5:30 PM) (1:00 - 5:30 PM) Hand bells (5:45) Choir (6:45)

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Wedding

PO Box 865, Mars Hill, NC 28754 Phone: 828-689-5486 (Church Office) 828-689-5561 (Parsonage) Fax: 509-695-6570 http://www.brighthopelaurel.org/ E-mail: [email protected]