Director of Music: Craig Robertson Organist: Betty Winslow

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 Chris Sutton 11:00 Kayla Lassiter

Next Week: 8:30 Raymond Stutz 11:00 Carlee Barnes

Children’s Church: 8:30 Anne-Marie Giroud 11:00 Kerri Land

Next Week: 8:30 Pam Davis 11:00 Kathleen Barnard

Offering Counters: Glen Lester & Kathleen Barnard

Next Week: Jon Marshall & Sharon Magyar

Bread Ministry for January: Amy Curling, Margaret Norfleet & Lynn Sorey

Autumn Care Leaders for February: Alan Foster & Betty Winslow

C H U R C H C A L E N D A R

Sunday	4:30-6:00 p.m.	God’s Kids Meeting
	4:30-6:30 p.m.	Youth Meeting
	5:00 p.m.	Choir Practice
Tuesday	6:30 p.m.	Mature Men’s Pickup Basketball
	7:00 p.m.	Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday	7:00 p.m.	Youth Bible Study
	7:00 p.m.	Disciple 2 Class
Thursday	7:00 p.m.	UM Women’s Meeting
	7:00 p.m.	Volleyball

Talent Show to benefit the Laura Marie Etzell Scholarship Fund: Sunday, March 21^st, 5 pm.

Great Bridge Food Closet Hotline: 757-456-1220

Looking for Hickory UMC on You Tube?  Here is the link: www.youtube.com/HickoryUMC.

Have an event you want to announce on this site, contact Cheryl Best @ cherylbest07@verizon.net.

HUMC AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE PROGRAM: Farm Fresh Receipts: Collection containers are available on the piano and on the table in the Welcome Center. Thank you!

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

Second Sunday after the Epiphany – January 17, 2010

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.

If you need help hearing today’s service, hearing aids are available. Please see an usher.

After the 8:30 service and just before Sunday School there is a social time with light refreshments in the Welcome Center. You are invited to meet and greet.

The flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Laura Etzell by Sharon, Steve & Matt Etzell.

Christian love and sympathy is extended to Marci Strosnider and family upon the death of her mother.

Doris Carawan would like to thank the congregation for their many acts of kindness following her recent surgery.

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, Curtis Tasker, Trip Cofield, Pat Locke, Robin Gronemus, Michele Sutton, Margaret Lanier, Celia White, Don Brewer, and Leo Lewis.

Invitation to John DVD Bible Study: John has a unique way of introducing us to Jesus. He invites each of us to take heed of the signs (turning water into wine through raising the dead) that point to Jesus as the Son of God. Prayerfully consider joining us for this short term Disciple Bible Study. It will run 12 Wednesday nights from 7-9 pm to study the entire gospel of John. We will take 3 nights off during the study to accommodate the church calendar, so please accept this Invitation to John. The sign-up sheet is in the Welcome Center. Please register by January 24^th, if you plan to attend. The study guide will be handed out at the first meeting.

District Training: Sat., Jan 23^rd, 8:30 am – 12:15 pm, at Lynnhaven UMC. See the flyer on the bulletin board in the Welcome Center. Last day to register: Mon., Jan 18^th.

Confirmation Class: Confirmation Class for Youth ages 12 and up (must be 12 before Jan.1, 2011) will be held on Feb. 21^st, 28^th, and March 7^th, from 3-4 pm. Please see the Pastor or call the church office to register.

Class on Christian Beliefs & United Methodism: The Pastor will lead a class on United Methodist Christian beliefs, church structure, United Methodist history and Hickory Church history on Sunday, March 7^th, 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.

New Sunday School Study: All of us will experience suffering.  Suffering and evil beg questions about God - Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering?  Some people ask how there can be a God if evil and suffering exist.  These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well, which will be dealt with in a new series beginning this month in the MAY class.  The series is entitled, "If God is Good (Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil)" utilizing Randy Alcorn's latest book, If God is Good.  The MAY class will delve deeply into this subject through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding.  We invite anyone who feels they would benefit from this class to join us in the Walston room.

There is a collection box in the Welcome Center for donations of used glasses and hearing aids which will be collected by the Lions Club. Also, Sandy Carawan is selling Lions Club brooms with all profits going to assist the blind. If interested, please call Sandy at 547-5479.

UM WOMEN

Cookbooks reduced to $5.00. Next Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 21^st, 7 pm.

UM MEN

Men’s Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the church. All men are invited to attend.

YOUTH

2010 Calendars! The Youth are selling beautiful wall calendars for $8 each. These calendars come with plenty of space to write important dates down plus scriptures on each month. Proceeds from the sale will go to help defray the cost of the Blackstone Retreat coming up in January. See any youth member or Cheryl Best to purchase yours today.

GOD’S KIDS

Next Meeting: Today, 4:30-6:00 pm.

Prayer Requests for a Praying Church

New Requests for Members

Kenny Hobbs Carolyn Rittenberry

New Requests Beyond our Congregation

Janet Coward Kathy Devine – friend of Marty Hutto

Danielle Miller – friend of Marty Hutto Roberta Steiner – Jennifer Foster’s friend

Members with Continued Concerns

Taylor Trowbridge Shirley Harrell Doris Carawan

Don Umphlett Alma Hooper Jessie Smith Claire Ferguson

Thomas “T” Blake Jean Thompson James Walston Nancy Edney

Eunice Boyette Betty Benson Dorcas Hanbury Andy Barnard

Bonnie Harrell John Harding Stephanie Stahler Dalton Finck

Continued Concerns Beyond our Congregation

Frankie Everton

Louise Jones Edward Hudgins Kathy Mustain Adrian Robertson

Nick Doize Richard Danko Betty Chappell Ewan Rutherford

Dr. William Russell Jeanette Charlton Richard Piper Ronnie Jackson

George Bowers Maryanne Perkins Megan Wiggs Ellie Parker

Ella Newmiller Erin Bailey Ella Wells Ira Marshall

Ralph E. Nichols, Sr. – Ralph Nichols’ father

Gerald Vaughn – Cindy Feldman’s uncle Geraldine Webb – Cindy Feldman’s aunt

The Crook Family – Rebecca Jones’ nephew Stacy Flores – Dave Feldman’s daughter

Kim Baratta – Sand De Ferebee’s friend Joy Longworth – Cindy Feldman’s aunt

David Ortiz – Christy Feldman’s friend Dave Lokie – Amy Harris’ friend

Bernard Thomas-Ron & Joyce Stukey’s friend Lindsey Gardner – Ginny Owen’s father

Brenda Eckman-Debbie Sweigart’s sister-in-law Edna Carroll – Eva Delfenthal’s friend

Mabel Grant – Kathy Moyer’s mother Bob Newell – Margaret Norfleet’s cousin

Gene & Doris Bryan – Cindy Feldman’s parents Elizabeth Wright – Nancy Oyler’s mother

Cordis Dudley – Carolyn Everton’s mother Jenny Friedman – Margaret Norfleet’s friend

Effie Day – Lynn Sorey’s grandmother Bill Haley – Natalie Robertson’s father

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

2LT John B. Forehand Zach Strausser Daniel Feldman Carl Siebenschuh

Our Friends in Continued Care

Autumn Care Residents Dave Desler – Sentara Oak Grove

James Boyette - Allzwell Assisted Living Mary Martin – Acredale Assisted Living

Lillian Mercer – Beth Shalom Virginia Burcher – Warwick Forest Assisted Living

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 “Thy Word” Chancel Choir

*PRAISE SONGS “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” see insert

“Shine, Jesus Shine”

*THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “Affirmation from Romans 8:35, 37-39” No. 887

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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen

“On Eagle’s Wings”

And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn,

make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.

THE OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS AND TITHES

(In addition to your offering, the person on the center aisle is asked to hand the attendance sheet

from their row to the usher. Thank You.)

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: “The Church’s One Foundation” No. 545

ANTHEM “He’s Been Faithful” Chancel Choir

THE SCRIPTURE READING John 2:1-11 & I Corinthians 12:1-11

In blue pew Bibles pages 1050 & 1136

THE MESSAGE “Wedding Bell Blues” Pastor

*THE HYMN OF CELEBRATION AND COMMITMENT No. 144

“This Is My Father’s World”

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.

NEXT WEEK:

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21 & Isaiah 61:1-7

Message: “Jubilee”