BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL BUSINESS NAME
DEDICATED TO SHARING GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WITH THE WORLD
Volume 2, Issue 1
From the Pastor’s Desk -
“In Him was life, and the life was the
Light of men. The Light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness did not
comprehend it. And the Word be-
came flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we saw His glory, glory as of
the only begotten from the Father,
full of grace and truth” (John 1: 4-5,
7 New American Standard Bible).
“Light of the World,
You stepped down into
darkness, opened my
eyes, let me see. Beauty
that made this heart
adore You, hope of a life
spent with You” (Light
Immanuel (by Max Lucado)
The King walked over and
reached for the book. He
turned it toward Lucifer and
commanded, “Come, De-
ceiver, read the name of the
One who will call your bluff.
Read the name of the One
who will storm your gates.”
Satan rose slowly off his
haunches. Like a wary wolf,
he walked a wide circle to-
ward the desk until he stood
before the volume and read
the word:
of the World by Tim
Hughes).
These are the opening
words of Light of the
World, one of my favor-
ite Christian songs. Mr.
Hughes’ song speaks of
what God has done,
what God does for each
of us and what our reply
to that love should be.
The “Light of the
World”, our Savior, has
come down into this
world of sin and dark-
ness to open “my eyes”
and to let “me see” the
truth.
“Immanuel?” he muttered to
himself, then spoke in a tone
of disbelief. “God with us?”
For the first time the hooded
head turned squarely to-
ward the face of the Father.
“No. Not even You would do
that. Not even You would go
so far.”
“You’ve never believed me,
Satan.”
“But Immanuel? The plan is
bizarre! You don’t know
what it’s like on Earth! You
JANUARY, 2010
God came for me. God
came for you. Jesus
Christ came into this
Special points of
world without sin and
Interest
died without sin, yet
chose to take our sins
 CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND PLAY
upon Himself when he
SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH , 4 P.M.
died so that we may be
free.  .Administrative Council
Meeting/Church Planning
As Mr. Hughes says,
Meeting - January 20th,
this should be our re- 2010 (7 PM)
sponse: We should come
before the Lord: wor-
shipping, bowing down
before, and praising
God: the divine presence
who is “altogether
(Continued on page 4)
Inside this issue:
don’t know how dark I’ve
made it. It’s putrid. It’s evil. JANUARY SCRIPTURE 2
It’s…” AND SERMONS
“IT IS MINE,” proclaimed BIRTHDAYS AND 2
ANNIVERSARIES
the King. “AND I WILL RE-
CLAIM WHAT IS MINE. I
THOSE SERVING IN 3
WILL BECOME FLESH. I WILL JANUARY
FEEL WHAT MY CREATURES
FEEL. I WILL SEE WHAT THEY STEWARDSHIP AND 2
SEE.” ATTENDANCE REPORT
“But what of their sin?” JANUARY CALENDAR 5
“I will bring mercy.”
(Continued on page 4)
Volume 2, Issue 1
January 2010 Scripture Readings …
January 3 HOLY COMMUNION - “Hunger Pot” Offering “Your word is a lamp to guide my
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 2: 1-12 feet and a light for my path” (Psalm
Sermon: The Gifts They Bring 119:105, New Living Translation).
Why the Magi Gave the Gifts they did?

January 10 Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 43: 1-7

Sermon: The Lord of the Seas
What kind of protection does the Lord really offer when bad things happen to good people?

January 17 Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11 WESLEY’S SIMPLE

Sermon: This is Christ’s Church RULES FOR LIFE:
A Small Sign of the Kingdom

January 24 Scripture Lesson: Luke 4: 1-13 1. DO NO

Sermon: The Fork in the Road
The Importance of Trusting in and Following God’s Will HARM
2. DO GOOD
January 31 Scripture Lesson: Luke 4: 14-30
Sermon: The Importance of The WORD 3. STAY IN LOVE
Not just hearing God’s Word, but knowing God’s Word … WITH GOD!!!

Sharing About Our Church Family

January Birthdays :

1/4 Joanne Jackson 1/18 David English

1/5 LaRae Weaver 1/19 Brent Fry
1/8 Carolyn Galphin 1/22 Sabrina Lee Shelton
1/15 Barbara Merrill 1/23 Stu MacLean
1/16 Mike Miller 1/25 Lisa Marie Driggers
1/16 Johanna Smith 1/25 Gene English
1/17 Bill Ward 1/27 Lee Moeller
1/28 Caleb Miller
January Anniversaries: 1/2 Barbara and Richard Jennings
1/8 Chuck and Sally Ling

ATTENDANCE AND FINANCIAL GIVING

11/29/09 Attendance: 73 Regular Giving: $ 2362.50

December 2009 Average Attendance: 44 Regular Giving for Dec.: $ 4,332.73 (No service 12/20)
Average Regular Giving : $ 1,444.24
Designated Giving: $ 202.00
(Hunger Pot $22.00; Thanksgiving baskets $55.00’;
Memorial Garden $25.00; and Love Gift for Pastor: $100.00)

Page 2
 Connections …
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:
3rd: Danny Burnette and Sherry Lesley
10th: Danny Burnette and Sherry Lesley
17th: Judy Womble and Bonnie English
24th: Monte and Mary Alice Veal
31st: Lisa and Ken Driggers

USHERS:
3rd: Lisa and Mark Anderson
10th: Frank and Angela Fox
17th: Ed Ponder and Harold Tipton
24th: Ed Ponder and Harold Tipton
31st: Monte and Mary Alice Veal

OFFERTORY PRAYER: Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

SCRIPTURE READERS:
3rd: Bonnie English
10th: Rich Ashley
17th: Monte Veal
24th: Tom Wrenn
31st: Elizabeth Hamrick

CHILDREN’S TIME: Jenny Miller, Dixie Tipton, Cammie Monroe

& Elizabeth Hamrick

CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Carolyn Ponder; Substitute: Lisa Anderson

NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL:
3rd: Jenny Miller
10th: J.B. Wallin
17th: Mary Alice Veal
24th: Dot Cody
31st: Jenny Miller

“TWEENS CLASS”: Kathy Wrenn, Lois Lynn Bellemare, & Cammie Monroe

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Ernie and Frances Powell

COUNTERS:
3rd: Rich Ashley and Assistant
10th: Rich Ashley and Assistant
17th: John Hamrick and Bonnie English
24th: Monte Veal and Tom Wrenn
31st: Monte Veal and Tom Wrenn

AUDIO/VISIAL: Brian Dodge

(If you are 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).

Page 3
 Connections …
From the Pastor’s Desk -
(Continued from page 1)

lovely and worthy and wonderful to me.”

It is my hope and prayer that 2010 will be a year where we focus solely on Jesus Christ: allowing the love of
God to flow in us, through us, and around us.
As God sent his light; Himself, to this world, it is my hopes that Bright Hope Laurel will send His light into
this world. Let us become that “Beacon of Bright Hope” as we show those around us what the love of Jesus
Christ looks like in a world of sin and death.
Let us help others to come into the presence of God feeling God’s love. Let us help them to experience God
in their lives so they too can come in worship and praise knowing in their hearts that God sent His light into
this World so that they; so that we all, may not perish, but live in the presence of the Creator for ever and ever.
Amen ….

Immanuel (by Max Lucado)

(Continued from page 1)

“What of their death?”

“I will give life.”
Satan stood speechless.
God spoke, “I love my children. Love does not take away the beloved’s freedom. But love takes away fear. And Immanuel will
leave behind a tribe of fearless children. They will not fear you or your hell.”
Satan stepped back at the thought. His retort was childish. “Th-th-they will too!”
“I will take away all sin. I will take away death. Without sin and without death, you have no power.”
Around and around in a circle Satan paced, clenching and unclenching his wiry fingers. When he finally stopped, he asked a
question that even I was thinking. “Why? Why would You do this?”
The Father’s voice was deep and soft. “Because I love them.”

From An Angel's Story

(originally published as Cosmic Christmas)
Copyright (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002, 2004) Max Lucado

Page 4
 BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL BUSINESS NAME

Rev. Bruce E Johnson, Pastor Elizabeth Hamrick, Pianist

Andrea Bailey, Music Director 1 John Hamrick, Organist

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2

3 4 5 6 Pastor’s Hours 7 8 9
Men’s Breakfast Pastor on Office Hours (9-1) (1-8) Pastor’s Hours
7:46 a.m. Visitations Office Hours (9-1) (3-9)
Sun School 9:30 Pastor with semi- Hand bells (5:45)
Worship 11:00 narian today … Choir (6:45) Bible Study 7 PM

10 11 12 12 Pastor’s Hours 14 15 16
Sun School 9:30 Pastor on Pastor’s Hours (1-8) Pastor’s Hours
Worship 11:00 Visitations (11-5) Office Hours (9-1) (9-1 parsonage)
Christmas Concert Office Hours (9-1) Hand bells (5:45) (4-6 church)
and Play (4 PM) Choir (6:45)

17 18 19 20 Pastor’s Hours 21 22 23
Sun School 9:30 Pastor on Pastor’s Hours (1-8) Pastor’s Hours
Worship 11:00 Visitations (11-5) Office Hours (9-1) (3-9)
Office Hours (9-1) Hand bells (5:45)
METHODIST Choir (6:45) Bible Study 7 PM
WOMEN—6P.M. COUNCIL (7:00)

24 25 26 27 Pastor’s Hours 28 29 30
Sun School 9:30 Pastor on Pastor’s Hours (1-8) Pastor’s Hours
Worship 11:00 Visitations (11-5) Office Hours (9-1) (9-1 parsonage)
Office Hours (9-1) Hand bells (5:45) (4-6 church)
Choir (6:45)

31
Sun School 9:30
Worship 11:00

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: mail@brighthopelaurel.org