The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 * Closing Blue Hymnal #243 Emmanuel Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His Name is called Emmanuel God with us, revealed in us; His name is called Emmanuel. The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ *Benediction *Pastor: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregation: And also with you. *Postlude Sing We Now of Christmas Mark Hayes Pastor Rev. Raymond Dekker (home & cell phone) ( ) Organist Jackson Brooks Creative Ministries Mat Emerick Facilitator ( ) Music Facilitator Deb Emerick Secretary Lorene Witte Website: Church: Hillcrest Drive Fremont, MI 49412

2 December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent * those who are able, please stand As you enter the sanctuary, please be mindful of those already seated who want a quiet place to pray. The Order of Worship Prelude Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Still, Still, Still Ukranian Bell Carol Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Chimes Call to Worship Welcome 10:00 a.m. Fred Bock Joseph Martin Joseph Martin Joel Raney *Opening Hymn Blue Hymnal #244 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Opening Prayer Story Bell Tis the Season Advent Candle Hope Mat Emerick Guy Redinger Hymn of Preparation Blue Hymnal #278 Angels We Have Heard on High (refrain only) Glo...ria in excelsis Deo, Glo...ria in excelsis Deo. Scripture Reading Guy Redinger, Reader Matthew 1: N.T. Message Joseph, Honorable Man *Hymn Blue Hymnal #82 Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him Sacrament of Holy Communion Communion Music Christ be beside me Don Wyrtzen *Apostle s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen Prayers of the People and Silent Prayers 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen Offertory Arioso *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication Bach/Barth continued on back page

3 A blessed Advent to you! Today as we worship, we begin the season of anticipation, hop and preparation for the coming Messiah. Welcome *Visitors ~ Welcome! There is a Welcome Packet in the pew rack for you. Please fill out the Guest Information insert, place it in the offering plate and take the packet home for review of the other information. We are thankful you are here and hope that your time here is a special blessing to you and your family. Please let us know how we can best serve you. *Large print Bibles, bulletins, and Children s bulletins are available from the ushers. Quiet bags for children to use while they are in the worship service are available on the table in the narthex. *Children are an important segment of the living body of Christ, so we welcome them in our worship services and grant to them the blessing of worshiping along side their parents, siblings and family in Christ. Families with young nursery age children are also welcome to use the nd Family Room in the balcony located on the 2 floor. *Our sanctuary is equipped with a T-Coil Hearing Loop. Please turn your hearing aid to the T-Coil position to access this feature. Other hearing devices are available at the sound booth upon request. *The Deacons invite you to join us for a few moments of prayer in the library at 9:40 a.m. each Sunday morning. We want to ask God to prepare our hearts for worship, to guide those leading worship in word and song and invite the Holy Spirit to minister to our church family and visitors. Please come and pray! Following the worship service you are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall. Come meet new friends and have some refreshments. We look forward to meeting you. Serving Us: Altar Rep: Jim Rynberg Altar Flowers: Poinsettias(today) Poinsettias(next week) Greeters: Jack & Mary Butterick(today) (next week) Ushers: (today) Barb Veldman(next week) Compassion: Judy Clapp Organist: Sound System: Coffee Hosts: Towel Washer: Rick St. Peter Jack & Mary Butterick(today) (next week) Celebrating this week: Happy Birthday to ~ Robin DeKleva, Bonnie Erber (2), Judy Clapp (3), Dick Ramm (5), Jerry Miller, Justin Zeerip (7) Happy Anniversary to ~ Prayer Requests ~ (Prayer requests will be printed for two weeks. The person or family requesting prayer must call the church office or Pastor Ray in order to have the request printed) Siria Pinnick - fell and broke her pelvis This Week s Calendar Sunday, December 2 - First Sunday of Advent 9:40 a.m. Prayer Time - Library 10:00 a.m. Worship with communion 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time Monday, December 3 6:30 p.m. Executive Council - Fellowship Hall Tuesday, December 4 - Church Office Closed 2:00 p.m. Women s Fellowship Board Meeting - Fellowship Hall 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Violin Lessons - Fellowship Hall Wednesday, December 5 6:30 p.m. Praise Group Rehearsal - sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal - choir loft Thursday, December 6 - Church Office Closed 9:00 a.m. Woodshop Open Friday, December 7 Saturday, December 8 9:00 a.m. Woodshop Open nd Sunday, December 9-2 Sunday of Advent 9:40 a.m. Prayer Time - Library 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time The Craft rooms will be open for shopping following the worship service this morning.

4 Our Church News Look What s New!! - Your Board of Trustees have approved and instituted a convenient additional way of donating or paying pledges. You can view it by either clicking on the link at the bottom of our church s or go to our website ( and click on the donate button at the top of the page. This gives you a new freedom to donate with a credit card. We encourage you to look at it and try it. If you have questions call the church office and ask. On Friday, December 7, the American Decency Association is sponsoring the faith-based movie God Bless the Broken Road at their location on Main Street in Fremont. The times for the free showings are 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. This movie co-written by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, a native of Fremont, is the story of an Afghanistan widow who now has to raise her daughter without her husband. Amber looses her faith in God throughout her grieving process. However, through the problems she experiences with her daughter and getting to the end of her rope, she comes back from the broken road she has been on to accept that she hasn t lost the greatest gifts of all, her God, her daughter, and her church family. Jennifer will also be there to introduce the movie and to meet and greet all of you who come to see it. Jennifer is the daughter of Dr. Ron and Gail Graeser. Refreshments will be served. Our Deacon s Fund needs to be replenished. The Deacon s Fund is used to help people in church in financial crisis. SCRIP is available in Fellowship Hall following worship. Requested Announcements Mistle Toe and Music to benefit United Way, Wednesday, December 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $40 per person or a table of 8 for $300. Contact Jim Rynberg The 30th Annual Christmas Concert will happen on Sunday, Dec. 9. The newly named River Country Community Christmas Choir totals over 50 singers and invites you to a wonderful evening of sacred Christmas Music. The concert will be at Grant Fine Arts Center, Dec. 9 starting at 6 p.m. A freewill offering will be taken for Love in the Name of Christ. Come and celebrate the birth of Jesus! Following the concert, there is a time of refreshments and fellowship. Singing from our church is Al Smalligan. Fremont First Congregational Church invites all to attend a special Christmas presentation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" as part of the Sunday morning service on Dec 16. Afterwards children are invited to pay a visit to Santa and each child will receive a delicious Christmas treat and a fun toy. The presentation will feature the beloved poem, a whimsical St. Nicholas as well as a colorful "Dance of Toys" with wonderful costuming by Lion Heart Productions. The presentation also includes a charming Children's Christmas Pageant to share the true meaning of Christmas. Along with that will be heartwarming traditional Christmas carols and music. Any child interested in participating in the pageant is welcome to. If interested please contact Mat Emerick. Invite your grandchildren and any child you can think of! Announcing ConGo Enjoy-Meant Events We are ConGo (Christians on the Go) and meant to go and enjoy good food and fun activities together! Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh. 8:10 Go and enjoy : Sunday, December 16 5:30-7:00pm- "Chrismas Carolrama!"- More singing together! This time of course it s Christmas Carols! Please bring a festive finger food. Please RSVP with Mat,

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