Director of Music: Craig Robertson                                                       Organist: Janice Gross

Directors of Youth: Cheryl Best & Randy Finck                            Custodian: Michael Colbert

Church Secretary: Susan Coard                                               Nursery Worker: Rebecca Burcher Jones

Directors of Children’s Ministry: Donna Mishler

Acolyte: 8:30 John Jennings  11:00 Kayla Lassiter

   Next Week: 8:30 Caleb Mercer  11:00 Wes Sorey

Greeters: 8:30 Ben & Betty Benson    

Children’s Church: 8:30 Jennifer Dudley  11:00 Kathleen Barnard

  Next Week: 8:30 Cindy Feldman  11:00 Patsy Hoar

Offering Counters: G. B. Pendleton & Ann Tasker

  Next Week: Debbie Marable & Jennifer Foster

 

 

 

 

 

 

   C H U R C H   C A L E N D A R

Sunday

4:30-7:30 p.m.

Youth Activities

 

5:00 p.m.

Choir Practice

 

5:00-6:00 p.m.

God’s Kids Meeting

Monday

7:30 p.m.

Administrative Council Meeting

Tuesday

7:00 p.m.

Norfolk District Youth Council Meeting

Wednesday

7:00 p.m.

Men’s Bible Study

Thursday

7:00 p.m.

Volleyball

Saturday

7:00 p.m.

Gospel Concert

 

 

 

 

Hickory United Methodist Church Mission Statement

“To live and proclaim the Gospel, seeking, encouraging and equipping all to become disciples of Jesus Christ.”

 

 

 

      

2708 Battlefield Boulevard, South, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

                         Thomas L. Mercer, Sr., Pastor

   Church 421-2778 – Parsonage 421-2777 – Cellular 287-8420

    Worship Services: 8:30 & 11:00 am-Sunday School 9:45 am

                   Epiphany of the Lord – January 6, 2008

                               

Welcome to Hickory United Methodist Church!  We hope today is a blessing and invite you to worship with us again soon. The Pastor, Staff and people of Hickory will be glad to share with you information about opportunities for Christian growth. Please call the church office (421-2778) for more information.  You may also email the church at office@hickoryumc.org or visit our website at www.hickoryumc.org.

 

Christian love and sympathy is extended to Amy Harris and family upon the death of her father.

 

Administrative Council Meeting: Monday, January 7th, 7:30 p.m.

 

Dedication of Parsonage: We will be dedicating the parsonage on Sunday, January 13th, immediately following the 11:00 service.

 

There will be a Staff/Parish Committee Meeting TODAY at 12:15 p.m.  The Book of Discipline of the UM Church mandates that the committee meet annually to review the clergy leadership for our church.  As a result of this meeting, the committee must advise the Bishop via the District Superintendent as to whether the congregation would be best served by the Pastor serving another year or that a change in clergy leadership may best benefit the church.  The Staff/Parish Committee will meet to consider this important decision in the life of the church.  You are welcome to contact any of the members of the committee with input (praise and/or concern) you believe would be beneficial in making a recommendation.  The members of this committee are: Alan Foster, Chair, (410-2836), Buddy Barnard (421-7801), Denise Monroe (421-9697), Curtis Tasker (421-4700), Carolyn Warner (482-7163), Amy Harris (421-7381), Debbie Marable (421-4614), Scott Williams (421-4193), Trip Cofield (546-9899), Leo Lewis (421-9180), and Jennifer Foster (410-2836).

 

Parsonage Fundraiser: “How Low Can Pastor Tom Go”?  Please see the flyers on the piano or on the table in the Welcome Center and also in the bulletin. 

 

Advent Offering: Thank you for helping Hickory UMC to not only reach our goal but to exceed it. 

 

Living Nativity: Ann Tasker would like to thank everyone that helped make the Living Nativity so special this year.  It takes a team to make this event successful. This includes the help from the HUMM with setup and teardown, the precious children, youth and adults that participated in the Nativity, the folks that provided the animals and those that helped with refreshments and cleanup. There are too many to mention by name, but you know who you are and so does the Lord. May you be blessed richly for your service to this church and the outreach to our community.

 

2008 Offering Envelopes: Offering Envelopes are available in the Welcome Center.  Please call the church office if you do not find your envelopes or if you need additional envelopes for your family.

 

If you or someone you know would like a poinsettia, please pick one up as you leave today.  This will be the last Sunday they will be available.

 

New Bible Study to Begin: Pastor Tom will begin a new Bible Study.  It will be a continuation of the Mayberry Bible Study series.  It will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., beginning on January 16th.

 

Confirmation Class: Confirmation Class for Youth ages 12 and up (must be 12 before Jan. 1, 2009) will be held during Sunday School (9:45 a.m.) on Feb. 10th, 17th, and 24th.  Please see the Pastor or call the church office to register.

 

Class on Christian Beliefs & United Methodism – Sunday, Feb. 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.  The Pastor will lead a class on United Methodist Christian beliefs, church structure, United Methodist history and Hickory Church history on Sunday, Feb. 3rd, at 7 p.m.  All interested persons, including members and prospective members, are invited.  While not necessary, notifying the Pastor of your intention to attend will help make sure sufficient materials are available.  A nursery will be provided if you notify the Pastor.

 

Flower Chart: The new flower chart for 2008 has been posted.  Please take a moment to sign up for the Sunday of your choice.  Directions are posted at the top of the chart.  Thank you for helping the sanctuary look even more beautiful for worship.

 

Important Nursery Information: As required by the Book of Discipline, the nursery should be staffed by 2 people at all times regardless of the number of children.  We are recruiting volunteers to assist Rebecca in the nursery.  There is a need during the 11:00 service.  Volunteers are asked to serve quarterly.  Also, we would like to send out a friendly reminder that teenage & young adult volunteers must be pre-approved by the Staff Parish Comm.  We are extremely grateful for our volunteers; however, baby-sitting training and/or experience is preferred for our younger volunteers.  For more info. or to volunteer, please contact Amy Harris at 421-7381 or at tallencon@aol.com.

 

UM MEN

Methodist Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at 7 pm.

 

         UM WOMEN

Pecans are available; $8 halves/pieces, $9 chocolate.  Cookbooks are still available for $8.00.

 

YOUTH

Happy New Year Youth!  With a new year comes new changes; in January, we will be meeting from 4:30 to 7:30 pm on Jan. 6th and Jan. 13th.   Then on Jan. 20th, we will have a special meeting from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  During those three hours, we will be feeding our souls with power prayer, studying in Bible Study and fellowshipping together with food and fun.  Come and join us!  Our special event, Blackstone Retreat, will be the weekend of Jan. 25th – 28th.  Please see the January Calendar for all the details.

 

                                                       GOD’S KIDS

Next Meeting: Today, 5-6 pm.

 

 

Prayer Requests for a Praying Church

New Requests for Members
                       
New Requests Beyond our Congregation
Bettye Prindle – Stephanie Stahler’s friend                    
Members with Continued Concerns
Alma Hooper                Sabrina Knight              Donnie Gray                 Mickey Jennings

Debbie Childers             Wyatt Dudley                Eunice Boyette              Pat Locke        

Claire Ferguson             Frances Gregory           Steve Culross                George Hathaway

Bill Furlough                  Joe McKee                   Luke Mercer                 Andy Barnard  

Dave Desler                 Bonnie Harrell               John Harding                 Jon Marshall      

Stephanie Stahler           Dalton Finck                  Ron & Alice Jarman      Ben & Betty Benson      
Continued Concerns Beyond our Congregation
Debbie Nichols              Nellie Croft                   Lillie Mae Renfrow       Doug Lewis     
Heather Bailey              Sarah Willis                   Chris Hoskins                Debra & Ed Croft
Erin Bailey                    Ella Wells                     Ed Jenkins                    Kay Downing               
Charlie Craig                 Bill Ferrell                     Mike & Perry Adkins    Ira Marshall     
Elizabeth Hanbury         Debbie Gordon              Adrian Robertson          Lindsay Ess     
Casey Bryan                 Matthew Adams           Beth Brinn                    Tiffany Cormier           
Carter Butts                  Julian & Arline Winn    Olly Bishop & Family    Mike & Frances Allen
Rev. Carmen Colona     Noah Addesa                Adam Salzberg              Cliff Bernard
Jennifer Bessey – Dave Feldman’s niece           
Adam Evans – Pam Evans’s husband                 Leon Brownley – Bill Brownley’s father
Gene Bryan – Cindy Feldman’s father                Anna Medel – Emily Perdue’s friend     
Pat Salvant – Scott Williams’ aunt          Andrea & Danielle Miller – Michele Sutton’s sister & niece
Irma Vinson – June Vinson’s sister-in-law       Melissa Furlough – Elaine Furlough’s daughter-in-law
June Boykins – Debbie Marable’s mother           Brian Evaldi – Joyce & Ron Stukey’s grandson    
Ronnie Britton – Randy Finck’s uncle                 Betsey Knudsen – June Vinson’s friend 

Millie Holloran – Betty Benson’s friend             Darla Bombard–Ben & Betty Benson’s daughter           

Our Deployed Military - Send a note of thanks to military overseas, go to www.letssaythanks.com .

Dave Reed                   Joseph Kent                  2LT John B. Forehand               Shawn White

Our Friends in Continued Care

Virginia Burcher - Warwick Forest Assisted Living         Nellie Hobbs - Allzwell Assisted Living

Jim Boyette - Chesapeake Place                                          Mary Elizabeth Hendricks - Carolina Living 

Dusty Rhodes - Georgian Manor                                                Mary Martin - Sentara Nursing Center

Lillian Mercer - Oakwood Nursing Center         

Our congregation hears all prayer requests during Sunday services.  Please feel free to voice your request during the service.  Please indicate your request on the Prayer Request cards found in the pews or call the church office (421-2778). On the Prayer Card, please list the person’s name you would like to add to our Prayer List, their relationship to you, and the prayer concern.  Place the card in the offering plate or the Prayer Request box on the organ.  Names will remain on the List for 4 weeks unless otherwise requested. 

 

                                           Order of Worship

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

THE PIANO AND ORGAN PRELUDE

THE WELCOME OF VISITORS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

THE BRINGING IN OF THE LIGHT                                                       Acolyte

THE CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP  “Sing Unto the Lord”                     Chancel Choir

 

*HYMN:                                                  “We Three Kings”                                    No. 254

 

*THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH    “The Nicene Creed”                                     No. 880

 

THE ORGAN INTERLUDE              

  Please register your attendance by using the form found in the red folder on each pew at the middle aisle.

  Visitors are asked to please include your complete address and phone number.  Please print.

 

THE SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS OF OUR CONGREGATION

THE PASTORAL PRAYER

 

THE OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS AND TITHES

(The person on the center aisle is asked to hand the attendance sheet from their row to the usher.)

        The Organ Offertory         

      *The Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

 

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE:                                                                     Donna Mishler                         

   (During the singing of the hymn, children, preschool-2nd grade may go to Children’s Church.)

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR CHILD(REN) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE CLASSROOM(S) BEHIND THE SANCTUARY.

 

*HYMN:                                          “Fill My Cup, Lord” (twice)                             No. 641

 

THE SCRIPTURE READING                                                                    Matthew 2:1-12

THE MESSAGE                                                                                                           Pastor

 

ANTHEM                                            “Love Was When”                             Chancel Choir

 

HOLY COMMUNION                 

   (You are invited to leave a freewill offering at the Communion Rail.  These funds are used for Missions.)

 

 

*THE HYMN OF CELEBRATION AND COMMITMENT                                      No. 219   “What Child Is This”

(During the singing of this hymn, you are invited to spend time at the altar rail in prayer or dedication of

     your life to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.)

 

*THE BENEDICTION

 

 

*THE CHORAL RESPONSE      “O How He Loves You and Me”                           All

      Oh, how He loves you and me, Oh, how He loves you and me.  He gave His life, what more could He give?

       Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me.

 

*THE TAKING OF THE LIGHT INTO THE WORLD                                        Acolyte

*THE ORGAN POSTLUDE  

                                               

*Denotes the Congregation Standing

 

Memory Verse:

His Faithfulness                                  Lamentations 3:22-23     (NIV)

22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.