PRELUDE Sing for Joy, by Purcell Choral Anthem GATHERING CALL TO WORSHIP. *This is My Father s World PsH 436

Transcription

1 Welcome to Star of Creation Second Sunday of Advent November 24, 2013 PRELUDE Sing for Joy, by Purcell Choral Anthem GATHERING CALL TO WORSHIP Video *This is My Father s World PsH 436 WELCOME & LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE THE STAR OF CREATION Laura De Jong Leader: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. People: and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the deep. Leader: And God said, Let there be light! People: and there was light. Leader: And God said, Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth. People: and it was so. Leader: He also made the stars to give light on the earth, People: and God saw that it was good. Leader: From the fullness of God's grace we have all received these blessings, one after another. People: How many are your works, Lord -- in wisdom you made them all! Leader: As we light this second Advent candle, we remember that Christ was with God in the beginning, involved in all the work of creation. He knows how we are made, how much we need his light in our lives. People: Lord, create a new heart in us, a heart filled with the light of your glory. Give us the strength to grow in that light every day, rejoicing in your creative presence, recognizing your eternal power and divine nature in all of creation, and welcoming the light of your truth. Amen. *The Earth is Yours Your voice, it thunders; the oaks start twisting. The forest sounds with cedar breaking. The waters see you, and start their writhing: from the depths, a song is rising. -Gungor Refrain: Now, it s rising from the ground. Holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord: The earth is yours and singing! Holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord: The earth is yours, the earth is yours.

2 Your voice it thunders; the ground is shaking. The mighty mountains now are trembling. Creation sees you, and starts composing: the fields and trees, they start rejoicing. And now, it s rising from the ground. Refrain: Now, it s rising from the ground. Hear us crying out. Hear us crying out. Holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord: The earth is yours and singing! Holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord: The earth is yours, the earth is yours. *For the Beauty of the Earth PsH 432 The Creation *God of Wonders Lord of all creation, of water, earth and sky; The heavens are Your tabernacle; glory to the Lord on high! Chorus: God of wonders beyond your galaxy, You are holy, holy. The universe declares your majesty, You are holy, holy. Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of heaven and earth. Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light. When I stumble in the darkness I will call Your name by night. Coda: Hallelujah, to the Lord of heaven and earth. Hallelujah, to the Lord of heaven and earth. Hallelujah, to the Lord of heaven and earth. From God s Trombones, by James Weldon Johnson -Byrd PRAYER WITH THE CHILDREN OFFERING Benevolence Fund Cash and checks in offering envelopes, unless specified, will be applied to the Shawnee Park Ministry Fund. Loose cash and checks will be designated to today s offering. Susan Verwys OFFERTORY Great is Thy Faithfulness Choral Anthem PRAYER OF GOD S PEOPLE Gord DeBlaey *O Come, O Come, Immanuel PsH 328:2 & 6 WORD SCRIPTURE TEXT Genesis 1:1-5, Philippians 2:14-16 SERMON STAR OF CREATION SHINING LIKE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE PRAYER OF APPLICATION

3 RESPONSE LITANY OF RESPONSE Leaders: As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world People: which some seek to control, but which others view with despair Leaders: we declare with joy and trust: ALL: OUR WORLD BELONGS TO GOD Leaders: From the beginning, Women: through all the crises of our times, Men: until his kingdom fully comes, People: Our world belongs to him! ALL: GOD IS KING! LET THE EARTH REJOICE! Leaders: Christ is Victor; People: His rule has begun. ALL: HALLELUJAH! SENDING *BLESSING *CLOSING PRAISE Salvation Belongs to Our God -Howard Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. Refrain Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks, Honor and power and strength be to our God Forever and ever, be to our God forever and ever, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen. And we, the redeemed, shall be strong in purpose and unity, declaring aloud: *POSTLUDE *Indicates to stand if you are able. THIS MORNING S WORSHIP MINISTERS GUEST PREACHER INSTRUMENTALISTS VOCALISTS Sandra Nikkel Barb Banaszak, Joel Altena Joel Gustafson Phil Van Eck Matt Kraker, Kendra Altena Shawnee Choir CHOIR DIRECTOR THE CREATION READERS VISUALS Jan VanKooten Johnny Liu Sandra Clevenger Robin Jensen

4 elcome to Shawnee Park. We are glad you have chosen to worship with us and pray God will bless your time here. May you be filled to overflowing with the joy and love that comes from Jesus Christ. We invite you to stay after the service for coffee, which is served in the Great Room. CONGREGATIONAL NEWS FROM WORSHIP ADVENT 2013 As you read, prayed and sang through this past week s Advent meditations in our home-grown devotional book, did you learn new things about Advent, perhaps about some of the folks that share Shawnee s pews with you, perhaps even about God s Word? Our Advent observance continues this week with a focus on creation: God creates light, his people, a special star and creation responds! Join in the waiting, the anticipation, the celebration and our advent prayer: come quickly, Lord Jesus! Christmas Program, the morning of Sunday December 15 Attention Parents! Would your child, middle-schooler, or high-schooler, like to play an instrument, act, read or sing? Please contact the church office with questions. FROM EDUCATION Please join us again for adult education TODAY as our own Sandra Clevenger, professor of Spanish at Calvin College, presents a history of American quilting. At 10:45, Sandra Clevenger will offer a brief overview of the art form, including examples of different types of quilting styles and how they were affected by social changes and current events. Yes, there is a reason why so many churches have sewing circles. Come and learn a little of your historical heritage. At 11:45, please join us for a potluck lunch. Bring a dish if you can (see below), and bring examples of your own quilting or quilts that belong in your families, as there will be an opportunity for show and tell during the meal. The Education and Discipleship Team will provide beverages and other extras. Potluck dish guidelines by first letter of family name: A-F (fruit or dessert), G-M (salad or vegetable), N-U (main dish), and V-Z (bread, potatoes, chips). Women s Bible Study, Tues. Nov 26, 9:30A Study: God s Glory: What Life is All About, led by Jackie Timmer Lesson 8: God s Glory Fully Revealed, Servers: Mary Van Dyke, Faith Van t Land Mark Your Calendars! Women s Bible Study Christmas Luncheon All Women of Shawnee Park Church are invited to the Christmas lunch on Tuesday, December 17, at 10:30 a.m. Bring your friends or neighbors. The South Christian Madrigals will give a performance at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow after the program.

5 AUCTION CHRISTMAS PARTY TICKET HOLDERS Those who purchased tickets for Christmas Party at the Christian Education Auction, the party is on Friday, December 13 at Quail Crest party house at 6 PM. Please see your ticket for information. Call Judy Bielema if you have any questions, SAVE THE DATE November 17, 9:30 AM 1 st Sunday of Advent: Star of Hope November 24, 9:30 AM 2 nd Sunday of Advent: Star of Creation Guest Preacher: Sandra Nikkel Classis GR East Ministry Coordinator November 28, 9:30 AM Thanksgiving Service December 1, 9:30 AM 3 rd Sunday of Advent: Star of Joy December 8, 9:30 AM 4 th Sunday of Advent: Star of Unity December 15, 9:30 AM Kid s Christmas Program December 22, 9:30 AM Christmastide Service December 24, 7:00 PM Christmas with the Hopkins Family With special guests: Prism! December 25, 9:30 AM Christmas Day Service December 29, 9:30 AM Christmastide Service December 31, 7:00 PM New Year s Eve Service FROM CLASSIS GRAND RAPIDS EAST Next Sunday evening, December 1, you are invited to attend a Classis Grand Rapids East combined service of worship at Church of the Servant CRC (3835 Burton St SE). The service will be held at 6:00pm, with Rev. Louis Tamminga preaching. An offering will be received for World Renew to support the disaster relief work in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan. A time of fellowship with refreshments will follow the service. PRAISES & CONCERNS Continue praying for those on your Top 10 Most Wanted (evangelistic prayer) List. Annie Struyk wishes to say thanks for the many cards and inquiries about her health. She also thanks WOW and Soup Sisters for their delicious meals. Her problems of double vision and 3 rd nerve palsy will be with her for awhile so she asks for continued prayer. Continue praying for Calvin Van Reken and Lauren Lake who are recovering after cancer treatments. Pray for a quick recoveries and successful outcomes. Mary Abbott recently had foot surgery and will be recovering over the next few months. Please pray that the surgery will alleviate the pain she had been experiencing. Please, continue praying for Ben Rietema and Randy Ruiter who are both recovering from recent hip replacement surgeries. Shawnee Family Thoughts Remembering Home Bound Members We pray for our Shawnee family members who are not able to worship with us (regularly or at all) as they are home bound. We remember and pray for Gladys Aalbers, Helen Helder, Joan Hoekstra, and Edene Hofman. MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH: Go and make disciples of all nations During the month of November pray for Larry and Pam Moeser, our new missionaries, as they raise support and make preparations to leave for northern Thailand in the spring to work in community development and evangelism.

6 FROM THE DEACONS Our Gifts 2013: NOVEMBER 17 Ministry Fund $6, Christian Education Day School Fund Benevolence Building Fund WOW Bethany World Renew Haiyan Philippines Total $8, Today s offering is for: Benevolence Fund Next Sunday s offering: World Renew: Disaster Relief Philippines Next Sunday, December 1, an offering will be received for World Renew to support disaster relief work in Panay Island, Philippines after the Typhoon Haiyan. If you like you can also designate World Renew Disaster Relief Philippines in your Thanksgiving offering envelope. SPECIAL OFFERING ENVELOPE FOR THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE Please pick up an envelope for our special Thanksgiving offering from the table in the back of the sanctuary. You may designate your gift to one of the causes listed or there is a blank line for other causes. Envelopes will be available from today through Sunday, December 1. YEAR TO DATE GIVING REPORT Dear Congregation, Thank you for your faithful giving so far this year. Below is a summary of the Budgeted vs Actual giving to date for this fiscal year: Ministry Fund Christian Fund Ed. Fund Budgeted Collections through 11/17/13 $170, $22, Actual Collections through 11/17/13 $137, $21, Surplus/(Deficit) ($33,532.00) $ Preferably, we would like to collect 60% of this year s budget ($271,800) in the first six months of the year, because giving tends to dip down a bit during the winter months. So we need to collect a little over $100,000 to reach that goal by year end; that breaks down to approximately $17,000 per week for the remainder of the year. Thanks be to the Lord for His goodness and blessings! ~Sherie Vandenberg, Deacon for Stewardship SHAWNEE PARK SENIORS December 5 at 5 p.m. Senior Christmas Dinner at Breton Ridge followed by Varsity Voices of East Kentwood High School. The cost $25 per person. Sign-up sheet and drop box is in the back of the church. Last day to sign up is on TODAY, November 24.

7 Church Calendar 2013 This Week November SUN SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Guest Preacher: Sandra Nikkel, Classis GR East Ministry Coordinator Title: Star of Creation: Shining Like Stars in the Universe Text: Genesis 1:1-5, Philippians 2:14:16 GREETERS Gary & Wendy Draving USHERS Steve Groenenboom, Jack Van Manen, Rob Banaszak (Thanksgiving Day) Ray Vander Weele, Jonathan Stehouwer, Phyllis Vander Weele NURSERY Anne Teitsma, Se Blu, Dan Lubben, (Monitor: Renee R.) (Thanksgiving Day) Brad Aupperlee, Dave Ames, Elena Groenenboom, (Monitor: Bernice) OFFERING Brian Kreisman, Peter Borgdorff, Janet Borgdorff, Sherie Vandenberg CW Sheryl Ruiter, Anna Kreisman - Helper; Eh Sho Nar- Bible Bearer SOUND Dan Alderink PPT Bob Rietema, Chris Larsen (Thanksgiving Day) COFFEE Dwayne & Mary Abbott COUNCIL GREETERS Wendy Draving, Faith Van t Land 5:00 PM Youth Group, Meal Groenenboom, Ridgeway 6:00 PM Deepening Your Roots: Session 8 26 Tues 9:30 AM Women s Bible Study 27 Wed 4 PM Worship Planning, 6 PM Worship Leaders Team 28 Thurs 9:30 AM Thanksgiving Day Service 29 Fri Next Week December SUN THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Preacher: Pastor Nicholas Hopkins Title: Star of Joy Text: Isaiah 60 GREETERS John & Judy Bielema USHERS Rosemary Vroon, Bryan Ridgeway, Mike Verwys NURSERY Brad Aupperlee, Bernice Weima, Sierra Mennega, (Monitor: Jacqueline H.) OFFERING Bill Vandenberg, Sherie Vandenberg, Randy Ruiter, Sheryl Ruiter CW Megan Hopkins, Rachel Aupperlee - Helper; Ejilon Broekhuizen - Bible Bearer SOUND Dan Alderink PPT Johnny Liu COFFEE Peter & Janet Borgdorff COUNCIL GREETERS Becky Arndt, Bryan Ridgeway 6:00 PM Deepening Your Roots: Session 9 3 Tues 9:30 AM Women s Bible Study 4 Wed 4 PM Worship Planning, 5:15 PM WOW, 6 PM Worship Leaders Team 6:30 PM GEMS, 7 PM Choir 5 Thurs 7 PM Friendship 6 Fri