BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

DEDICATED TO SHARING GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WITH THE WORLD

Volume 2, Issue 4 APRIL, 2010

From the Pastor’s Desk - An Empty Grave

the Cross at Golgotha.
A few years ago, I was given
the opportunity to see “The
Passion of the Christ” one
month before it was released
to the general public. I sat
“But on the first day of the week, at with a group of Clergy, Laity,
early dawn, they came to the tomb, reporters, and politicians and
taking the spices that they had pre-
pared. They found the stone rolled saw on screen an attempt to
away from the tomb, but when they show the pain and suffering
went in, they did not find the which our Lord was willing
body” (Luke 24:1-3).
to endure for each of us.
To say the least, it was heart
It is that time of year again wrenching (at least for me). I
when we look at both the watched the movie in horror
darkest point in Christianity as they portrayed the cruci-
and the greatest sign of light, fixion and then sat in horror
of hope, of mercy, and of as others could sit back and
love. eat popcorn and nachos while
watching the same scene
It is during this last month of
even though I know how de-
March that Christians around
sensitized our society has
the world follow Jesus Christ
become violence.
from His triumphal entry
into Jerusalem as a king to It is my hope that this next
week, you struggle as I did. I
hope that you too see the true
horror in these events which
lead to the death of God.
Yet it is also my hope that Special points of
you do not let this horror Interest
become your foundation for
this season. It is not the cross
 THERE WILL BE A CHURCH
which we celebrate. It is not “WORK DAY” ON SATURDAY,
the grave which we celebrate. APRIL 10TH
IT IS THAT THE GRAVE (APRIL 17TH RAIN DAY).
WAS EMPTY!  The Trustees’ will be meet-
ing on Tuesday, April 13th
Give praise to God this week at 6:30 PM.
because the grave was empty.  The UMW will be meeting
Give thanks because Jesus on Tuesday, April 20th.
said I am the resurrection and
the life. Give thanks because
Jesus’ promise to you and I is
simply this: Because I live,
YOU WILL LIVE ALSO!
Rejoice and give thanks this
week, this season, and all
seasons because Jesus Christ Inside this issue:
is Lord!
APRIL SCRIPTURE AND 2
SERMONS

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVER- 2

A Holy Land Adventure SARIES

It may seem a little early, ment to let you know a little the creek being “our little STEWARDSHIP AND ATTEN- 2
but it is never too early to about it. Nile.” We will have pyra- DANCE REPORT

start for Vacation Bible
School!
As I have learned from
several members of the
church, Bright Hope Laurel
has never participated in
“Holy Land Adventures” from
Group Publishing. So I
thought I would take a mo-
mids and shops as we all get THOSE SERVING IN APRIL 3
Unlike “traditional” VBS,
to “live” for a week in Egypt
this VBS is for all ages. Chil-
and immerse ourselves in the
dren, Youth, and Adults are APRIL CALENDAR 4
culture of Egypt during Jo-
together; learning together,
seph’s time.
about God’s Word.
Starting April 1st, more
This year’s VBS deals with
information will be available
the story of Joseph. As such,
on our church website.
Bright Hope Laurel will be-
come Egypt this summer with
Volume 2, Issue 4

“Your word is a lamp to guide my

feet and a light for my path” (Psalm
April 2010 Scripture Readings … 119:105, New Living Translation).

April 4 HOLY COMMUNION - “Hunger Pot” Offering

Scripture Lesson: Luke 24:1-12
Sermon: The Tomb is Empty
WESLEY’S SIMPLE
April 11 Scripture Lesson: John 20:19-31 RULES FOR LIFE:
Sermon: Training Wheels

April 18 Scripture Lesson: Acts 9:1-20 1. DO NO

Sermon: God’s Paintbrush HARM
April 25 Scripture Lesson: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 2. DO GOOD
Sermon: Things are not what they always seem … 3. STAY IN
LOVE WITH
GOD!!!

April Birthdays and Anniversaries

4/2 Sue Smith 4/13 Carolyn Talley 4/27 Jackie Mau

4/3 James Naulty 4/13 Dorothy Cody 4/27 Michael Whitt
4/3 Kay Burns 4/13 Tammy English 4/28 Debbie Erickson
4/9 Bill Queen 4/15 Christy Naulty 4/28 Lee Weaver
4/10 Louis Bellemare 4/17 Chris Armstrong 4/28 Mary Whitt
4/11 Judy Womble 4/19 Joe Veeder 4/29 Tanner Anderson
4/11 Chuck Ling 4/20 Misty Shelton 4/29 Carol Bailey
4/11 Ann Young 4/22 Ben Powell
4/12 Dorothy Barnett 4/24 Donald Sanders
4/12 Harry Miles 4/26 Nadine Robinson
________

4/22 Monte & Mary Alice Veal 4/28 Cary and Cammie Monroe 4/29 Rev. John & Linda Gatewood

ATTENDANCE AND FINANCIAL GIVING

March 7, 14 and 21, 2010
Average Attendance: 40
Regular Giving for March: $ 4,458.08
Average Regular Giving : $ 1,486.03
Designated Giving: $ 266.00

Page 2
 Connections …
Blessed are those who volunteer to serve in the church in so
many different ways.
I It is what makes our church so strong!!

Those Assisting in Worship for APRIL

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

GREETERS:
4th: Dot Cody and Angela Fox
11th: Danny Burnette and Bonnie English
18th: Jenny and Mike Miller
25th: Judy Womble and Liz Benjamin

USHERS:
4th: Harold and Dixie Tipton
11th: Ed Ponder and Bonnie English
18th: Frank Fox and Ed Ponder
25th: Lisa and Mark Anderson

OFFERTORY PRAYER: Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

SCRIPTURE READERS:
4th: Monte Veal
11th: Elizabeth Hamrick
18th: Tom Wrenn
25th Rich Ashley

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

& Elizabeth Hamrick

CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Carolyn Ponder; Lisa Anderson

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

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

COMMUNION STEWARDS: Ernie and Frances Powell

COUNTERS:
4th: Bonnie English and Assistant
11th: Tom Wrenn and Assistant
18th: John Hamrick and Rich Ashley
25th Don Mathis and Bonnie English

AUDIO VISUAL: Danny Burnette and 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.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE IN ANY CAPACITY, PLEASE TELL THE PASTOR .
We thank you for your service and dedication to Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist
Church!
Page 3
Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church

July 18th—July 22nd

(Cookout July 18th and Closing Service July 25th)

6:00 PM

8:00 PM

828-689-5486 or mail@brighthopelaurel.org
 BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Rev. Bruce E Johnson, Pastor Elizabeth Hamrick, Pianist

Andrea Bailey, Music Director John Hamrick, Organist

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3
Maundy Thursday Church Open for Easter Egg Hunt
Service ( 7 PM) Prayer (12 - 7) (1:30 PM)

Tenebrae Service
( 7 PM)

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EASTER Sunrise Admin. Admin. Church
(7 AM) Assistant (9-1) Assistant (9-1) “Work Day”
Breakfast Hand Bells (5:45)
EASTER Worship Choir (6:45)
(11AM)
Pastor on Vacation

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Sun School 9:30 Admin. Admin. Pastor’s Hours Church
Worship 11:00 Assistant (9-1) Assistant (9-1) Parsonage (9-1) “Work Day”
Pastor (11-5) Pastor (1-8) Church (3-9) (Rain Date)
TRUSTEES MEET Hand Bells (5:45) BIBLE STUDY
(6:30 PM) Choir (6:45) (7:00)

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Sun School 9:30 Pastor out on Admin. Admin. Pastor’s Hours
Worship 11:00 Visitations. Assistant (9-1) Assistant (9-1) Parsonage (9-5)
Pastor (11-5) Pastor (1-8)
Hand Bells (5:45)
UMW (6:00) Choir (6:45)

25 26 27 28 29 30
Sun School 9:30 Pastor out on Admin. Admin. Pastor’s Hours
Worship 11:00 Visitations. Assistant (9-1) Assistant (9-1) Parsonage (9-1)
Fellowship Meal Pastor (11-5) Pastor (1-8) Church (3-6)
(5 PM) Hand Bells (5:45)
Choir (6:45)
Native American
Ministries Sunday

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