1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany
February 1, 2015 Altar Color: Green
PRELUDE
Bill Kutz, Organist
All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name – Janet Linker
Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing – Gordon Young
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Monday, February 2, 2015
5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
*PROCESSIONAL (ORGAN)
I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord – Williams – Phillips
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINISTRY MOMENT
*MOMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Surely the Presence
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*OPENING PRAYER
*OPENING HYMN
Charis Sloan
328
O Worship the King
73
OFFERING
OFFERTORY (ANTHEM)
Remember Me – Grier – Everson
*DOXOLOGY
Sunday, February 1, 2015
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:10 p.m.
Chancel Choir
95
6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
3:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
6:05 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
8:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday School
Worship / Communion
Bold Believers Emmaus Reunion Group
Lunch (FH)
No UMYF
Centering Prayer (CR)
Education Committee Meeting (Library
Class)
Christian Believer (CR)
Laurens Area Methodist Women (FH)
Young Adult Small Group @ Tom &
Shannon Ashley’s Home
Activity for Children
Snack Supper
Bible Study for Children
Jimmy Townsend Handbell Ringers
Chancel Choir
Emmaus Training @ First UMC
Methodist Men’s Breakfast (FH)
Sunday School
Worship
UMYF
SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE
ATTENDANCE:
Philippians 3: 12-21 (The Message)
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
The First Song Of Isaiah – Jack Noble White
Jacob Wylie, Percussionist
SERMON
Setting Goals in Faith
Rev. Alice MacKeil
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
GIVING AND RECEIVING
*HYMN OF PARTING
One Bread, One Body
12
(vs. 1) 620
*BENEDICTION
*EXTINGUISHING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES
*CARRYING OUT OF THE LIGHT
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Shalom to You
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
Acolytes
Acolytes
666
*POSTLUDE
Bill Kutz, Organist
Toccata on “Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart” – Albert Travis
1/4
1/11
1/18
1/25
S. SCHOOL
38
42
43
42
WORSHIP
86
107
96 / 50
95
INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP
The first meeting of the Intercessory Prayer Group took place this
past Sunday with a good turnout. Also, our first group (not
physically present together but together in Spirit) prayed on this past
Monday from 1:00 – 1:10. Some were at home, at their office, in their cars,
and other places as well. This is how the group will operate each Monday.
The main thing this group was bound together by the Holy Spirit praying
for a wide variety of concerns. If you are interested in joining please
contact Alice at church (984-7696) or Don Hocker. Prayer is powerful!!!
WALK TO EMMAUS
The date for the Men’s Walk is March 5th – 8th and the date
for the Women’s Walk is March 12th – 15th.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in
attending the Spring Walk, please contact the church office, Alice or anyone
who has attended a Walk to Emmaus weekend.
UMYF SUPPERS
We are in need of individuals or groups to help with
UMYF supper on Sunday evenings. If you would like to
help, please sign-up on the bulletin board outside the
Church Office.
GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR HEALTH
Setting Goals in Faith
Why we need to set personal goals
1. Goal setting is a spiritual discipline
2. Goals focus energy
3. Goals stretch faith
4. Goals build character
5. Goals give hope
Godly Goals, the kind that God blesses
 bring glory to God
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory
of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
 are motivated by love
“Let love be your highest goal.” 1 Corinthians 16: 14 (NLT)
 fulfill one of God’s purposes for your life
Paul: “I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.”
1 Corinthians 9: 26 (NLT)
 are set in faith
“Without faith it is impossible to please God . . .”
Hebrews 11: 6 (NLT)
 are achieved with God’s power
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live
it.” Proverbs 16: 9 (MSG)
HEALTH MISSION PROJECT
This year the Mission Committee, with the help
of our church members, will be assisting The Laurens County Memorial
Home with items that the residents are limited in obtaining because of their
restricted budget.
Each month we will be collecting a different item and delivering them
to the Memorial Home. We will be the helping hands of God.
For the month of February we will be collecting boxes of Kleenex.
A box is located outside the Church Office to place your items in.
Please join the Mission Committee in being a part of our efforts to
help the residents of The Laurens County Memorial Home.
Thank you,
Donna Whitlock, Mission Committee Chairman
Thank You!!
To Our Church Family,
We are so grateful for your prayers, love, and support during
Bobby’s transition from his earthly life to his heavenly home. We feel so
blessed to have such a caring church family.
We love you!
Jackie, Robbie, Robin, Logan, & Zachary
MEMORIALS
In Memory of: Bobby O’Bryant
Given by: Barbara Brown; Buck & Teresa Crabtree;
Carol & Gene Curry; Randy, Kelly, & Gabriel Hillmann;
Sam & Ann Howell; Essie Mills; Jim & Jane Stroud;
Michael & Dianne Sutton; Betty Jo Templeton
In Memory of: Jack Sneed
Given by: Everett & Sarah Rampey
In Memory of: Bill Taylor
Given by: Sam & Ann Howell
In Memory of: Alice Ward
Given by: Bill & Esther Hogan;
Glenn & Debbie Morgan; Jim & Jane Stroud
SERVING THIS MORNING: Sunday, February 1, 2015
Sunday School Greeters: Jim & Louise Rambo; Emily Terrell
Ushers: John Young, Linda Brown, Jim Rambo,
Everett Rampey, Barry Sweat, Scott Tollison
Crucifer: Sarah Roberts
Acolytes: A.C. Blair, Gabriel Hillmann
Adult Helper: Susan Roberts
Lay Liturgist: Don Hocker
Nursery: Penny Pabst
No Children’s Church
Martha Franks Driver: Emily Terrell
Flowers: The flowers are given in honor of Hubert Lollar for the many
years of his dedicated service to our church and are placed by Sam & Ann
Howell.
Prayer Concerns
Nancy Babb – recuperating at Martha Franks
Scott Bigham – has Esophageal cancer & Liver cancer – beginning Chemo
treatments on Wed., Feb. 4
June Templeton – recuperating at home
Larry Vlock – lives in Jefferson, Ohio – Prostate Cancer – (father of Annette
Elwood)
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to:
 Jackie O’Bryant & Family on the death of her husband, Bobby
O’Bryant. Bobby passed away on January 23 at the Hospice House
in Clinton.
MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Libby Boone – 113 Forest Dr., Laurens, SC 29360
Rev. Bill Vines – P.O. Box 1398, Laurens, SC 29360
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Sunday, February 1, 2015
“First UMC’s UMYF is excited to be doing Souper Bowl
Sunday once again this year. A few weeks back, our youth had an awesome
experience at Broad Street UMC, in which we experienced in a very real
way how the homeless feel hopeless and ignored. We learned a powerful
lesson about how Christians can interact with the homeless in a way that
recognizes that we are all made in the image of God. With our hearts
warmed to the needs of the homeless, we have decided to support Miracle
Hill Ministries (out of Greenville), with any donations that you would be so
generous to give as you leave the service today. Miracle Hill is a wellestablished ministry in the Upstate that seeks to provide food, shelter, and
Christ’s message of hope for homeless adults, youth and children. Thank
you for your support!”
EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, February 2 – 5:00 p.m. – Library Class
*******************
In Memoriam
Bobby Eugene O’Bryant, Sr.
November 17, 1934 – January 23, 2015
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
At First United Methodist Church
we challenge each other to be BOLD,
to step out in faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.
BIBLE VERSE FOR FEBRUARY
The plans I have for you are plans to prosper you,
not to harm you.
They are plans to give you hope and a future.
Jerimiah 29: 11 NIV
THE
FIRST
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
LAURENS, SOUTH CAROLINA
LAURENS AREA
METHODIST WOMEN’S CIRCLE
Tuesday, February 3rd at 3:00 p.m.
First UMC Fellowship Hall
We will be making Sunshine bags for homebound members and
deciding on outreach plans for sharing our love and support with needy
groups or organizations in our community. Please join us!
Vol. XXXIII
February 1, 2015
No. 05
343530262723N2221No.1010091006070351515515051
No.N484744342438393738373673637
METHODIST MEN’S BREAKFAST
Sunday, February 8th
at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Please sign-up on the sheet on bulletin board outside Church Office.
VEGETABLE-BEEF SOUP
The Missions Committee would like to thank everyone who
helped make their recent vegetable-beef soup sale such a
success.
We still have some available for sale. It has been frozen and is $8
per quart. Please check with the Church Office if interested.
FINANCIAL REPORT
January 28, 2015
MONTH TO DATE
Revenue - - - - - - $ 16,798.68
Expenses - - - - - -$ 12,533.59
Net - - - - - - - - - -$ 4,265.09
STAFF MEMBERS
Pastor
Financial Secretary
Director of Music/Organist
Church Secretary
Ministers
Alice MacKeil
Lucy Crowder
Bill Kutz
Karen Reeder
Entire Congregation
Church Phone Numbers
984-7696 or 984-2067
984-2969 (fax)
715-0430 (Parsonage)
864-420-0004 (Pastor’s Cell)
e-mail addresses
[email protected]
[email protected]
Web Page Address
firstmethodistlaurens.com
YEAR TO DATE
$ 16,798.68
$ 12,533.59
$ 4,265.09
GETTING TO KNOW
NANCY & DICK ALTHOUSE
Dick is one person who can honestly sing “I’ve been
working on the Railroad” having been a Fireman on a coal Fired
Locomotive for 12 years. A WW II veteran, he started working there
the day after being discharged. He also owned a Deli Style
Restaurant for 15 years and then opened his own Painting Company
in NJ where they are originally from. Not only did he make a career
as a Commercial Painter, he enjoyed pen/ink drawing as well as
years as a woodworker creating beautiful furniture of all kinds
including dressers, tables and end tables, and all this without plans
or templates.
Nancy spent many years working in business and as a
Secretary to the VP at Chemical Bank in Camden, NJ. She then
went on to become a stay at home mom raising their three sons who
have 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. In her spare time
she enjoys reading. After leaving NJ they moved to Florida for
twelve years before settling into Laurens 9 years ago where they
have found a place they can garden, raise chickens, gather fresh eggs
and avoid snowstorms.