PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP

Today Next Week

Greeters Sheri & Don Mathis Sheri & Don Mathis

Ushers Lisa & Mark Anderson Sylvia & Ed Brantley

Scripture Reader July Womble, Tom Monte Veal

Wrenn, Nicole and Rev.
Bruce Johnson

Children’s Message Elizabeth Hamrick Jenny Miller

Counters Rich Ashley and Monte Veal and Rich

Assistant Ashley

Nursery/Preschool Jenny Miller Angela Fox Bright Hope Laurel

United Methodist Church 
Communion Stewards n/a Frances & Ernest Powell

Audio-Visual Need Volunteer(s) Need Volunteer(s) Rev. Bruce Johnson, Pastor Andrea Bailey, Music Director
Elizabeth Hamrick, Pianist John Hamrick, Organist

Post Office Box 865 • Mars Hill, North Carolina 28754

Refreshments Kathy Wrenn and Cam- Deborah White & Dixie (828) 689-5486 (Church) • (828) 689-5561 (Parsonage)
mie Monroe Tipton (828) 380-0158 (Pastor’s Cell Phone)
Church Web Address: http://www.brighthopelaurel.org
E-mail: mail@brighthopelaurel.org
 Sunday, November 29th, 2009
OUR PRESENCE, GIFTS, AND SERVICE
The Hanging of the Greens
1st Sunday, Advent Our Presence for 11/22
“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabi- 55
tants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near”
(Joel 2:1, NRSV) God’s Tithes and Our Gifts
Regular Giving $1808.00
ENTRANCE AND PRAISE
God’s people come into His presence with Prayer and Praise Designated Giving
(We will be using The Celebration Hymnal)
Thanksgiving Baskets $32.00
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 10:50AM Christmas Wreaths $210.00
PRELUDE: 10:55AM Total Designated Giving $242.00
LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES: The Acolyte Total All Giving $2050.00
Bringing the Light of Christ into the Church
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP: “Call to Advent” Choir
WELCOME Opportunities to Serve and Announcements
Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the King?
People: With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty. Monday, November 30th
Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the eternal Pastor’s Office Hours 11 AM - 5 PM
Christ?
People: With garlands of pine and fir, whose leaves are ever living, Tuesday, December 1st
ever green. Administrative Assistant’s Hours 9 AM - 1 PM
Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our Savior? Pastor’s Office Hours 11 AM - 5 PM
People: With wreaths of holly and ivy, telling of his passion, death, and SPRC Meeting 5:30 PM
resurrection.
Leader: How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of Wednesday, December 2nd
God? Administrative Assistant’s Hours 9 AM - 1 PM
People: By hearing again the words of the prophets, who foretold the Pastor’s Office Hours 11 AM - 5 PM
saving work of God. Hand Bell Practice 5:45 PM
Leader: For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the Choir Practice 6:45 PM
world, but that the world through him might be saved.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Thursday, December 3rd
Pastor’s Office Hours 1 PM - 5 PM
GOD WILL SEND A RIGHTEIOUS KING Judy Womble
Jeremiah 23:5-6
In ancient times the cedar was revered as the tree of royalty. It also signi-
fied immortality and was used for purification. We place this cedar branch
as a sign of Christ, who reigns as King for ever, and whose coming, in jus-
tice and righteousness, will purify our hearts.
 *LIFTING OUR PRAISE BEFORE THE LORD
PRAYING AND CARING FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY “GOD WITH US”
“Emmanuel” # 243
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” # 244
Joanne Jackson, Jessica (medical issues) Frank (cancer); Peggy Hancock and Cathy
Willard (patients at CarePartners Rehab); Bill Ward, Joanne Fox, Ken Driggers, MORNING PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Ronnie Smith, Baylor Joel Teal and Carey Heaver (children w/cancer), Dixie Tipton, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
Mabel & Ed Ehresman, John Scott (brother of Pat MacLean), Vivian Washington, Kelly will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
Bender, Todd Johnson, Martha Miles, Benjamin Bailey (Snider’s grandson), Dennis forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
Armstrong and family, Scott, Martha, Randy, and unnamed others.
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the
(If you know of someone who should be added to our prayer list, please write it on a power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
piece of paper and place it in the offering plate or give it to the pastor)
THE PROPHET DECLARES A CHILD WILL BE BORN Tom Wrenn
Isaiah 9:2; 6-7
COMING IN DECEMBER … Because the needles of pine and fir trees appear not to die each season,
the ancients saw them as signs of things that last for ever. Isaiah tells us
that there will be no end to the reign of the Messiah. Therefore, we hang
As you begin planning your holiday schedules, I invite you to add these two
to your calendar … this wreath of evergreens shaped in a circle, which itself has no end, to
signify the eternal reign of Jesus, the Christ.
Sunday, December 20th — We will be having a Christmas Concert followed
by a meal. The Hand Bell Choir, Chancel Choir, and Children’s Choir will be ANTHEM Choir
performing.
Thursday, December 24th — There will be a Christmas Candle Service. This PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
year the service will be based on the Latin Service of Las Posadas (Service of God’s people hear and respond to the Word
Shelter for the Holy Family). This Hispanic Tradition was used to introduce
Christianity to the New World and began around 1587. There will be more CHILDREN’S CHOIR
information in the Church Newsletter and during the announcements in the “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
coming weeks. “Away in a Manger”

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

GIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.”
THE FOURTH SERVANT SONG Nicole Johnson
Isaiah 53:1-6
For Christians, this passage from Isaiah reflects the sufferings of Jesus,
who saved us from our sins by his death on the cross, and by his resurrec-
tion from the dead. In ancient times, holly and ivy were considered signs of
Christ’s passion. Their prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns, the
red berries the blood of the Savior, and the bitter bark the drink offered to
Jesus on the cross. As we hang the holly and ivy, let us rejoice in the
coming of Jesus our Savior.

*HYMN OF PREPARATION See Next Page

"The Promise” (Tune: The Holly and the Ivy)

MEDITATION Rev. Bruce E Johnson

No Shepherds, No Angels, No Confusion

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION Rev. Bruce E Johnson

John 1:1-5, 9-14
As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, we light the
Chrismon tree. During this Advent, wherever you see a lighted Christmas
tree, let it call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness, healing to
our brokenness, and peace to all who receive him.

THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISMON TREE

SENDING FORTH
The people are sent into Ministry with God’s blessing.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” # 245

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ENTERS THE WORLD The Acolyte

*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
*Indicates the Congregation shall stand, as able

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We welcome our visitors today as you worship with us! We hope you will come
again! If you are looking for a church home and want to feel and experience the
love of God, Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church is the place for you!