BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
DEDICATED TO SHARING GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WITH THE WORLD
Volume 1, Issue 9
From the Pastor’s Desk
As adults we are often reminded
that we need to have the faith of
our children …
As a child I heard this poem
by M. Bentham-Edwards
many times. It is entitled “A
Child’s Prayer.”
“God make my life a little
light, within the world to
glow; a tiny flame that bur-
neth bright wherever I may
go.
God make my life a little
flower, that giveth joy to all,
content to bloom in native
bower, although its place be
Beginnings … longing to belong
Have you ever longed to
belong? Have you ever tried
to find your place in life?
What are you hungry for?
Have you ever wondered
what happens when we pray
together or if there really
are miracles in this world?
How can we as Christians get
along with each other; let
alone the world?
If you have ever found your-
self asking any of these
questions, then I encourage
small.
God make my life a little
song, that comforteth the
sad; that helpeth others to
be strong, and makes the
singer glad.
God make my life a little
staff, whereon the weak may
rest, that so what health and
strength I have may serve my
neighbors best” (The Chil-
dren’s Book of Virtues, 112).
William Bennett lists this
poem under the heading of
“compassion.” It is a good
reminder not of how we of-
ten live in this world, but of
you to join with me as we
look at “Beginnings - Longing
to Belong.” This study, edited
by Andy Langford [the edi-
tor of the Book of Worship],
Mark Ralls, and Rob Weber
looks at these and other
questions.
The foundations for this study
come from the fifth book of
the New Testament, Acts. It
was after the gift of the
Spirit came down at Pente-
cost that we find the church
September 2009
Special points of inter-
how God wishes us to live in est:
this word.
 THE FALL FESTIVAL WILL BE
In compassion, we as Chris-
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER
tians are called to show 19TH, 2009.
mercy and above all to

share the love of Jesus Christ. THE ADMINISTRATIVE
COUNCIL WILL MEET IN
A love that scripture tells us
EARLY OCTOBER TO COM-
is patient and kind; a love
PLETE CHARGE CONFER-
that never boasts, and
ENCE REQUIREMENTS.
above all, never ends.
 CHARGE CONFERENCE WILL
As we continue living in these
BE ON SUNDAY, NOVEM-
hard economic times, I pray
BER 1ST, 2009 AT BRIGHT
that each of us will be those HOPE LAUREL UMC BEGIN-
“little lights, flowers, songs, NING AT 2 PM.
and staffs” which share
God’s love with all of His
children each day.
Inside this issue:
THE FALL FESTIVAL 2
first becoming a community;
a family of believers. Fol- SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE 3
lowing there outline, we too READINGS
will study together and strive
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES 3
together to be the “living
body of Christ.”
STEWARDSHIP REPORT 3
Our study will be on the 1st
and 3rd Thursday evening
beginning on September THOSE SERVING IN SEP- 4-5
TEMBER
17th at 7 PM at the Church.
For more information, just HOLY CONFERENCING 5
contact the pastor (689-
5561 or 6
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
mail@brighthopelaurel.org).
Page 2
Volume 1, Issue 9
September Scripture Readings … “Your word is a lamp to guide my
September 6th HOLY COMMUNION - “Hunger Pot” Offering feet and a light for my path” (Psalm
Scripture Lesson: Jeremiah 18:1-6 119:105, New Living Translation).
Sermon: Just a Lump
September 13th
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 4:18-22
Sermon: Casting in New Creeks
September 20th WESLEY’S SIMPLE
Scripture Lesson: Jonah 4 RULES FOR LIFE:
Sermon: I Should Have Stayed in the Whale
September 27th 1. DO NO
Scripture Lesson: Luke 13:18-21 HARM
Sermon: Going and Going and Going
2. DO GOOD
3. STAY IN LOVE
Sharing About Our Church Family
WITH GOD!!!
September Birthdays :
9/3 Liz Benjamin 9/11 Shirley Bacon 9/25 Alice Owens
9/6 Carrie Luther 9/14 Solon O’Neal 9/25 Pat MacLean
9/7 Rev. Ed Ehresman 9/17 Devon Anders 9/26 Reid Wilson
9/7 Richard Mau 9/21 Nicki Lloyd 9/30 Chas Erickson
9/8 Allen Powell 9/22 Darren Naulty 9/30 Jacob Miller
9/10 Denise Powell 9/24 Deborah White

September Anniversaries: 9/3 Solon and Sherrill O’Neal

9/7 LaRae and Lee Weaver
9/26 David and Tammy English

Bright Hope Laurel’s

Attendance and Financial Recap - August 2009
Average Attendance each Sunday: 110*
Total Regular Giving for the Month: $10,545.97*
Average Regular Giving each week: $2,636.49* (needed to meet budget per week - $1,784.67)
Total Designated Giving: $1,394.97*
(Hunger Pot: $157.39; Memorial Garden: $50.00; Pictorial Directory: $5.00; Betty Martin Fund: $50.00;
Equitable Compensation from District: $607.58; and Fall Festival: $525.00).
* Indicates figures are for first four Sundays only.
“God loves a cheerful giver … We are blessed at Bright Hope Laurel with many!”

Page 3
 Connections

Those Serving in September …

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:
6th and 13th Irving Washington and Mary Alice Veal
20th and 27th Irving Washington and Don Mathis

USHERS:
6th Jerry and Peg Cavanaugh
13th Al and June Tapio
20th Solon O’Neal and Ed Ponder
27th Reed Barnett and Dot Cody

OFFERTORY PRAYER: Rich Ashley, Lay Leader

SCRIPTURE READERS:
6th Nicole Johnson
13th Elizabeth Hamrick
“AND THE KING 20th Judy Womble
27th George Barrett
WILL SAY, ‘I TELL
YOU THE TRUTH, CHILDREN’S TIME: Jenny Miller, Dixie Tipton, Cammie Monroe
WHEN YOU DID IT & Elizabeth Hamrick (rotate)
TO ONE OF THE CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Carolyn Ponder; Substitute: Lisa Anderson.
LEAST OF THESE If you would like to help, please let Carolyn know.
MY BROTHERS AND NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL:
6th Jenny Miller
SISTERS,[A] YOU 13th J.B. Wallin
WERE DOING IT 20th Lee Moeller
27th Dot Cody
TO ME!’ (MATTHEW
25:40, NLT). “TWEENS CLASS”: Kathy Wrenn, Lois Lynn Bellemare, and Cammie Monroe

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Marsha Boyd and Rich Ashley

COUNTERS:
6nd Monte Veal and John Hamrick
13th Don Mathis and Tom Wrenn
20th Bonnie English and Solon O’Neal
27th Rich Ashley and Assistant

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.)

(Continued on page 5)

Photo taken from http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media site36/2007/1212/20071212__KneelingMemorial~p1.jpg. Used with permission.

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Volume 1, Issue 9
(Continued from page 4)
 Those who serve in worship have previously indicated that area in which they are willing to assist. We would like to
again give an open invitation for those who would like to take an active part of our morning worship services. If you
would like to serve:
 Please indicate what you are willing to do by listing this information on the plain paper which are in the pew racks
and then place this paper in the offering plates during the morning offering.

(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).

Preparing for a time of Holy Conferencing

As many of you know, it is time once again for Charge Conference. I once was asked why we had to have this meeting every sin-
gle year doing the same stuff each year. For those that do not know, I would like to share with you the main reasons.
First; it is required. ¶ 246 of the Book of Discipline requires the local church to meet annually in order to meet the purposes set
forth in ¶247. You may ask: “What are these purposes?” The Charge Conference is the link between the local church congregation
and the general Church. The conference is given the responsibility of general oversight over church council. The primary responsi-
bilities of the charge conference is to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the local church (¶ ¶ 120-124), receive
reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United
Methodist Church.
Yet beyond this legalize, it is so much more. Like Annual Conference, it should always be a time of “Holy Conferencing”; a time
when we come into God’s presence worshipping Him and laying our gifts of talent and service before Him as we attain to one
goal: To Follow Jesus Christ, To Make Disicples of all of Humanity, and through God’s Word, our actions, and our deeds,
Transform the World one soul at a time. Charge Conference gives us as a local church an opportunity to examine the ways in
which we are fulling God’s great commandment within our community and world. It gives us a chance to speak with the larger
church to which we are connected and to learn from one another how best to accomplish God’s mission here at Bright Hope Laurel.
If you are a member of the Church Council, a retired member of the ordained clergy, or a diaconal minister, you have a vote
within this body. If you are not, you do have a voice. It is my hope that in the coming weeks you make your voices known. The
separate committees within our church will be meeting in preparation for Charge Conference. If you are one of those committees, I
urge you to attend. If you are not and would like to come and sit in on these meetings (all meetings except the Staff Parish
Committee are open meetings within The United Methodist Church), I urge you to attend. If you have any concerns or suggestions
on how we can be better Disciples, stronger Stewards, and greater Witnesses, please share your ideas with the appropriate
committee chairpersons. Finally, if you are not on a committee and feel led to explore the possibility of joining, please let the
pastor know before the Lay Leadership Committee Meets. (see September Calendar)
Finally, it is my hope that you look at this season not as a time of paperwork but as a time when we can come together and
plan for the future of our church and of God’s Kingdom. If God is our focus, it will be a time of “Holy Conferencing.”
Committee Chairpersons:
Church Council- Elizabeth Hamrick Finance Committee - Solon O’Neal
The Board of Trustes - Marsha Boyd Staff Parish Committee - Monte Veal
Parsonage Committee - Dick Moeller Lay Leadership Committee - Rev. Bruce Johnson
Worship Committee - Marsha Boyd Nurture/Christian Education - Carolyn Ponder
Outreach/Witnessing - Larry Smith United Methodist Men - Ed Ponder
United Methodist Women - Lee Moeller United Methodist Youth Fellowship - Kathy Wrenn
Lois Lynn Bellemare

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 Providing God's Love to a World in need ...
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 4 5
Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office
Hours (10-5) Hours (1-6)
Handbell Practice
(5:45 PM)
Choir Practice
(6:45 PM)

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
UM Men’s Break- Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Preparing Apples Cooking
fast Meeting Hours (10-5) Hours (10-5) Hours (1-6) Hours (10-5)
(7:46 AM) Handbell Practice ***Work Days***
Lay Leadership (5:45 PM)
Committee Choir Practice
(6:30 PM) (6:45 PM)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office FALL FESTIVAL
Hours (10-5) Hours (10-5) Hours (1-6) Hours (10-5)
United Methodist Handbell Practice
Women’s Meeting (5:45 PM)
(6:00 PM) Choir Practice
(6:45 PM)

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office
Hours (10-5) Hours (10-5) Hours (1-6) Hours (10-5)
Handbell Practice
(5:45 PM) Finance Commit-
Choir Practice tee (7 PM)
(6:45 PM)

27 28 29 30 The Church Council will be meeting in early Oc-

Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office Pastor’s Office
tober in order to vote on Charge Conference
Hours (10-5) Hours (10-5) Hours (1-6)
Handbell Practice items.
4-H Meeting (5:45 PM)
(6:30 PM) Choir Practice Charge Conference will be on Sunday, Novem-
(6:45 PM) ber 1st at 2 PM here at Bright Hope Laurel.

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