ADVENT SEASON HAS BEGUN
The Call to Worship last Sunday began “Make ready a pathway for our God!” and ended with “For Christ is coming!” Each Sunday this month we will light candles in the Advent wreath and sing much beloved carols as we look forward to His coming.
Advent Devotionals
Special daily meditations for the Advent season sponsored by CBF may be found at:
followingthestar.org

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
The New Hope Choir, led by Dennis Bucher and accompanied by Mary Ellen Galloway, will present a Christmas musical on Sunday evening, December 18 at 6:30 PM. Invite your friends and neighbors.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHTING SERVICE
The annual service of candles and carols will be Saturday, December 24 at 6:30 PM. Dr. Mulkey’s son and daughter, John Marc and Lydia Mulkey, will be singing. A time of fellowship will follow the service. If you have a favorite Christmas cookie, please bring a dozen to share.

CHRISTMAS DRAMA
A Christmas skit to be performed by the youth of New Hope led by Leesa Holloway is “in the works” for the night of the Choir musical.

CBF OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS and STATE MISSIONS
Plan now to make the annual missions offerings a part of your Christmas giving. Earlier this year the Missions Committee suggested combining the state and global offerings for 2011. This will be divided between CBF work in our state and support for global field personnel.
Dr. Mulkey will be showing brief mission videos on Wednesday evenings throughout December. Special envelopes for the offering will be available and will be collected through Christmas morning.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
As in previous years, a portion of the large bulletin board will be reserved for your greetings to the church family. Just use the push pins provided to attach your card.

LADIES LUNCH AND GIFT EXCHANGELadies, pull out that festive Christmas sweater or vest and join us for the Ladies Lunch on December 15, 11:45 AM at Vince Carter’s Restaurant on LPGA Blvd. Please bring a small gift or ornament, not to exceed $6-8.00, for the gift exchange. I have reserved the Owner’s Box, but would appreciate a head count by Sunday, December 11.
Linda Manners

SHOEBOX GIFTS WINGING THEIR WAY
Olivia McDougald reports, “There were 20 boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, 2 for local children and 2 checks totaling $20 for 10 Jesus loves me lambs.” We salute New Hope youth, led by Don and Paula Seebold, who filled 12 shoeboxes!

COOKIES FOR HUM
Cookie gifts for the homeless served by Halifax Urban Ministries need to be brought to the church on December 11 and placed on the table at the rear of the sanctuary. We will package the cookies in individual containers (Chinese takeout boxes decorated by New Hope youth) immediately after the 11:00 o’clock service and box them for transport to the Bay Street facility.

Thank you for your continued generosity in donating staple food items each month to those less fortunate. Canned goods including soup, stews, spaghetti sauce and baby food would be good choices right now.
Judy Hutchinson

COUNTRYSIDE LAKES ALF
Yes it’s a busy month, but we will be visiting Country-side Lakes residents celebrating December birthdays
on Wednesday, December 21 at noon. One of our own, Janelle Steen, has a birthday that week.
Bill Batchelor

2012 BUDGET APPROVED
The church in conference on Wednesday, November 30, adopted the 2012 budget of $140,985. Tithes and offerings in 2011 have exceeded budget requirements for the first time in many years. To date 31commitment cards from individuals and families have been collected with $89,352 committed for next year.

MUSIC AND WORSHIP
Events to Remember in December
Dec. 4 On the second Sunday in Advent Ben Collins will be with us and will sing at the 11:00 AM worship service. Leesa Holloway and I will sing the duet “Emmanuel” at the 9:00 AM service.
Dec. 18 The Choir will present a Christmas musical at 6:30 PM.
Dec. 24 Annual Candle lighting service, 6:30 PM.
Dec. 25 We will have only one service at 11:00 AM.

I would like to remind you of the many beautiful songs and hymns of Advent and Christmas. I am listing several with the stories of their writing. Please know that at this special time of the year, my wish for you and yours is “have a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.”

“Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” Charles Wesley’s fine Advent hymn appeared in the little book Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord in 1744. Because it was not included in the 1780 collection of Hymns for the Use of People called Methodists, it disappeared from English Wesleyan use until the revised edition of 1875. It first appeared in a Southern Baptist hymnal in 1956 where the first word is Hail instead of Come.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” This hymn is drawn from a group of seven medieval Latin texts known as the “Great” or “O” Antiphons, from the fact that each opens with the word “O.” The original prose versions of the antiphons date from the ninth century, or earlier. One antiphon was to be sung before or after the Magnificat at Vespers on each of the seven days from December 17 to 23. The antiphons were turned into Latin verse probably during the 12th century. John Mason Neale’s translations were turned into Latin verse and published in 1710.

“Emmanuel” The words and music for this song were written by Bob McGee about 1975. The author/composer has stated he was preparing for an interchurch family camp. While he was in prayer, the words and the music began forming in his mind. The first publication in a Southern Baptist hymnal was in 1991. The hymn tune McGee is named for the composer.

“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come.” Perhaps the most significant attempt to make David sing like a Christian was Isaac Watts’ Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament. (London, 1719) Antioch, the hymn tune is adapted from Handel’s MESSIAH.
Dennis Bucher

DECEMBER SERMONS
Dec. 4 Prepare the Way of the Lord, Isaiah 40:1-11; Philippians 2:9-11
Dec. 11 Heal the Heartbroken, Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 4:18-21
Dec. 18 The House of Grace, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:26-38
Dec. 25 A Light to Walk By, Isaiah 9:2-7; John 1:1-9
Jan. 1 Crying Out, “Papa! Father!” Galatians 4:4-7

HEALING MUSIC
All Saints Lutheran Church, Dunlawton Avenue
Wednesdays, 12:15-12:45
♫ Dec. 7 Rick Shaw, piano
♫ Dec. 14 Judy Brown, Piano
♫ Dec. 21 Joan Hines & Ami Rutledge, hammered dulcimer and guitar
♫ Dec. 28 Amy Crane, piano
Host: Dennis Bucher
♫ Jan. 4 Don Roy, organ/piano

LADIES BIBLE STUDY
The Ladies Bible Study group will meet Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 PM studying lesson 9 in Growing in Wisdom and Faith. Donna Walker will lead the lesson and Jeanne Mathieson will provide dessert. After a holiday break, the next meeting will be January 17.

FILM REVIEW
The Muppets
How long has it been since you've seen a family film that is entertaining for both children and adults? One that doesn't include the kids hearing bad language or sexual innuendo but is still witty and nostalgic enough for adults to appreciate? The answer is too long.

In "The Muppets" writer and actor Jason Segel has produced a story about 3 Muppet fans who find out a rich oilman played by Chris Cooper wants to destroy the old Muppet theater to drill for oil. Tex Richman is a character who values money over people. He is a humorous depiction of greed.

Segel plays Gary who along with girlfriend Mary and brother Walter search out the Muppets to reunite them to save the theater. Walter is actually portrayed as a puppet and is aware that he is different. But human brother Gary encourages him and stays by his side no matter what challenges he faces.

They find Kermit living alone and depressed, Gonzo is a high end plumber and Fozzie performs in a band called the Moopets. Miss Piggy works for Vogue in Paris. The friends come together to eventually produce a telethon to try to save the theater. There are many cameos of current and past celebrities who add to the fun.

The reason the Muppets are so beloved is their positive outlook on life and ability to find humor in every situation. Even though none of them are perfect alone and each of them have flaws, they work together to find solutions to problems. Kermit the Frog is easily discouraged, Fozzy Bear is naive, Miss Piggy is vain and selfish, and Animal has anger management issues.

As friends however, they form a formidable and cohesive unit. Even though this sounds like a children's film, it speaks to all of us. We are weak individually but together we are much stronger. We complement each other rather than compete with each other. We can also have fun together while accomplishing much with a common vision. Long live the Muppets!
Sandra Kleinschmidt

MEN’S BREAKFAST
The next Men’s Fellowship time will be a breakfast on Saturday, January 21. There will not be a breakfast this month.
Dalton Kirk

BOOK EXCHANGE
New on our shelves is Billy Graham’s latest book, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well. You will also find Just as I Am, Graham’s autobiography and an older book by Graham’s son Franklin, Living Beyond the Limits, which includes memories of his first opportunity to preach with his dad in a crusade.

THANKS FROM THE STAFF
Dear New Hope Church Family,
Thank you for your generous love offering presented to us at our Thanksgiving celebration. You are a caring and supportive congregation. We feel blessed that God brought us here to serve in New Hope’s ministries with you.
Love in Christ,
Bob Mulkey, Dennis Bucher,
Mary Ellen Galloway, Vernon Buchanan

A WALK IN THE PARK
Appreciation to Vernon Buchanan for the attractive stepping stone walk from the sanctuary doors down to the playground and grassy parking area on the northwest side of the building. Well done!

WHAT’S COOKING?
A one-frame comic in last Friday’s News-Journal proclaimed, “It’s December! Time to ditch the Jenny Craig recipes and break out the Paula Deen recipes.”
Fresh Apple Cake from Georgia
2 c sugar
3 large eggs
1 ½ c vegetable oil
¼ c orange juice
3 c all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
¼ t salt
1 T cinnamon
1 T vanilla extract
3 c peeled and finely chopped apples
1 c shredded coconut
1 c chopped pecans

Sauce:
½ c (1 stick) butter
1 c sugar
½ c buttermilk
½ t baking soda

Preheat oven to 325º. Generously grease a Bundt pan.
Combine cake ingredients in a large bowl in the order listed and mix well. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 1 ½ hours.

Remove cake from oven; let cool 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and place on a wire rack.

To make sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan, stir in sugar, buttermilk and baking soda. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Pour sauce over the warm cake.
Cooking with Paula Deen, vol. 2, issue 6.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Due to holiday schedules the January issue of Connections will be distributed on the second Sunday of January rather than on New Year’s Day.