Each Christmas we have asked the congregation to purchase poinsettias in honor or memory of someone. This year, instead of buying poinsettias, we are asking folks to make a $5 contribution in memory or in honor of someone. This money will be used for our Fisherman’s Fund to help with our outreach ministry. A donation designation form will be in our Sunday bulletins for the next three Sundays. more…

Many thanks to those of you who donated non-perishable food items for our annual Thanksgiving ‘delivery’ to East ,ashville Cooperative Ministries and a big ‘thank you’ to Joan Williams for delivering these items to the Ministry. She reports that many of their shelves are completely bare and folks who need help are standing in long, long lines.  more…

Children ll and under are invited to eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult on December 17 at the Good Grub Café All-Church Christmas party. Santa will be a special guest of the evening and is looking forward to greeting all his friends at Hickory Bend.

Good Grubbies, Swedish Meatballs and Noodles, Chicken Enchilada Dip and Chips, Cool Veggie Pizza, Oyster Cracker Snacks, Chipped Beef Cheese Ball and Crackers, Little Smokies, Spiced Pecans, Powdered Sugar Honey Balls, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, Oats in a Jam Squares, and special guest Santa!

Please consider donating just one side dish or one dessert to the Christmas dinner this year. Many hanks to those of you who have contributed money toward purchase of the hams for the entree. We plan on delivering the meal on Christmas Eve at about noon, and the menu will be posted on the back bulletin board.

Once again this year, Hickory Bend UMC is participating in the Bethlehem Center’s Toys for Tots program. If you’d like to donate a toy or toys, please bring them (unwrapped ) to the church by December 7th and Becky Williamson will get them to the Bethlehem Center for us. Suggestions for toys are . . . toys for infants & toddles, baby dolls, board games, boy and girl gift sets, books, age appropriate card games, sport items (basketballs, footballs, baseballs & gloves), computer & video games, age appropriate CD’s, MP3 Players, CD & DVD Players, Action Figures, Purses, Make-up sets, scrapbook sets, sleeping bags, toy cooking sets.
This holiday season, remember those who are less fortunate and join us in our efforts to make this
a great Christmas for our community! If you have any questions, give Becky a call.

Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:21, Luke 2:25-35

The birth: and his name shall be called Jesus, Son of God.  The Lord is with you.

The blessing in the Temple:  the Nunc Dimittis

• Christ is “the glory of Israel.”
• Christ is “the light for all people.”
• Christ is a Presence that will bring about human resistance and rejection.
• Christ offers a “future with hope.”

The birth and the blessing allow us to contemplate the person of the Savior Himself.  Here is found the Messianic hope at its highest.  Old Testament prophecy finds New Testament fulfillment.   The careful reader will discover all kinds of hints as to what the future holds for this One whose Presence cannot simply be ignored.  A response is demanded.

BY: Gabby Troster

I’ve been promising this for several months and the time is here. The next 8-10 weeks are going to be a whirlwind of activity so we suggest you take a seat and hang on tight. It’s going to be a wild ride but one I’m sure you will enjoy. When we emerge on the other side in 2009 we’ll be that much richer for having been here. Usually I try to highlight the Sundays of special interest for the month, however, there is a special service planned for every Sunday this month! December is looking about the same! more…