December 21, 2014 MORNING WORSHIP 9:30 AM. God Calls Us to Worship. God Renews Us By Grace

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1 December 21, 2014 MORNING WORSHIP 9:30 AM God Calls Us to Worship Prelude Welcome and God s Greeting Advent Reading and Candle-Lighting *Songs of Worship: Come, O Redeemer, Come #331:3 (PH) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel God Renews Us By Grace Baptism: Grace Leigh Song of Dedication: #470:1,2 (WC) Jesus Loves Me, This I Know (children ages 3 - Kindergarten dismissed to prepare for singing) Children s Church Singing: Do You See What I See? Joy to the World Christmas, Christmas We Wish You a Merry Christmas *Song of Worship: #169 (WC) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (children ages 3 - Kindergarten are dismissed for Children s Church) Offertory Offering: God Speaks to Us Through His Word Lampstand Ministries Scripture: Nehemiah 1-2:6 (p. 472) Sermon: OLD TESTAMENT HEROES OF THE FAITH #14: NEHEMIAH THE GLORIOUS CITY OF GOD BUILT OUT OF RUBBLE God Blesses Us to Bless Others *Song of Response: #173:1,3 (WC) *Benediction *Doxology: #337:3 (PH) Postlude O Come, All Ye Faithful Joy to the World LEADING US IN WORSHIP Worship Leaders: Pastors Lanser & Schuringa Organ: Donna Erdman Sermon: Pastor Greg Schuringa Piano: Jan Slinkman Guitars: Matt Bulthuis, Mike Printz Bass Guitar: Cassidy Bulthuis Advent Participants: Spencer & Rebecca Anderson *Please stand if you are able (PH-Psalter Hymnal; WC-Worshiping Church)

2 CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP 6:00 PM We Worship the Newborn King Prelude *Welcome and God s Greeting *Songs of Praise: Sunday School Children Songs: Ministry of Music: *Songs of Worship: Offertory Offering: Christmas Offering Your Name O Come, All Ye Faithful Go Tell It on the Mountain Emmanuel Joy to the World Rejoice Mary Did You Know? What Child is This? We Will Exalt You My Brother s Kitchen We Hear the Word Become Flesh Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 (p. 1013) Sermon: MIGHTY AND MERCIFUL, FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION We Go Out with Great Joy *Benediction *Closing Song: Postlude Silent Night LEADING US IN WORSHIP Worship Leader: Sermon: Organ: Piano: Guitars: Bass Guitar: Violin: Harp: *Please stand if you are able Pastor Greg Schuringa Pastor Matthew Lanser Donna Erdman Jan Slinkman Matt Bulthuis, Mike Printz Cassidy Bulthuis Cassidy Bulthuis, Kristen Voss Sydney Bulthuis (PH-Psalter Hymnal; WC-Worshiping Church)

3 TODAY AT FAITH Today is the fourth of four Sundays of Advent. On these Sundays in worship we anticipate Christmas in many different ways. Our prayer as a church is that Christ would come to you this Christmas in a special way. May the Christ of Christmas be worshiped, adored, shared and served at Faith Church! This morning we celebrate God s covenant faithfulness in the sacrament of baptism as little Grace Leigh joins the Faith Church family under the spiritual care of the Al & Pat Tobin family. In worship we will also hear Christmas songs from our littlest ones, the Children s Church children. In the message we conclude our Heroes of the Faith series with Nehemiah, who led the people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. This project gives us a picture of the Kingdom that Christ came at Christmas to build. Nehemiah shows us what the work of God s people looks like today. This evening we celebrate Christ s coming at our Candlelight service at 6:00 PM. Join in for this special time of contemplative Christmas worship. Our Sunday School children s choir will participate too. UPCOMING WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS Sunday, December 21, 6:00 PM: Candlelight Christmas with Sunday School Children Thursday, December 25, 10:00 AM: Christmas Morning Worship Sunday, December 28, 9:30 AM & 6:00 PM: Old Year s Sunday with a hymn sing in evening worship. Sunday, January 4: New Year s Sunday including 6:00 PM Service NEW SERMON SERIES STARTING IN JANUARY Pastors Greg and Matthew are excited to announce our new winter sermon series starting on January 11: In the morning our series Who is He? will explore the incredible impact of Jesus on the world, society and people s lives. We ll loosely follow a book by John Ortberg, called Who is This Man? Please consider reading this book and even discussing it in your small group January through March of In the evening our series will be The Book of Romans: Our Journey of Faith. Journey along with the pastors as we explore the depths and practical applications of our faith as summarized in Paul s magnum opus, Romans. PRAYER & PRAISE After the morning service, if you have prayer needs, please visit room 1 on the north side of the sanctuary. Diane Dash went to be with her Lord on December 13. We express our sympathy to her family and friends. A funeral service was held on Wednesday. On Wednesday evening Tom Tazelaar went to be with his Lord after a struggle with cancer. We extend our sympathy to his wife Ruth, children Sarah (& Eric) Faison, Rachel (& Dave) Baron, Jennifer (& Dan) Bernahl, and Matt (& Niki) Tazelaar, grandchildren, siblings and extended family. May God grant His perfect peace, brought into the world and our lives through His Son, Jesus. A memorial service was held yesterday at church.

4 Kathy De Vries returned home on Tuesday where she is continuing to slowly recover from her surgery. Kathy is thankful to God for all the blessing she received and knows He will be with her in the coming days and weeks. Genevieve Torringa s health has been declining, and she is currently on hospice care. Garry Wieringa has been having some kidney issues, so he was in Good Samaritan Hospital this week for a procedure. Pray that Garry s health takes a turn for the better, and also for comfort for him and his family in the midst of a long recovery process. Remember to pray for those who are unable to join us in worship. Today we think of Marian Boersema who lives in Providence Healthcare. Marian Slinkman has moved into Lexington Square and her new address is Lexington Square, 400 W. Butterfield Road # 2049, Elmhurst, IL 60126; phone # Please make note of this in your church directory. OFFERINGS Today: AM: Lampstand Ministries. PM: My Brother s Kitchen. December 25: All God s Children. December 28: AM: Timothy Tuition Assistance Fund. PM: Faith Education Fund. ANNOUNCEMENTS Bulletin announcements need to be in the office by Tuesday at 10:00 AM for the next two weeks. Parents: The Sunday school students in grades 1-6 will be presenting their Christmas program during our candlelight service tonight at 6:00 PM. We will continue to practice this morning for the whole Sunday School time children will be dismissed at 11:30 AM, so please have your kids be there if possible. We would love full participation to make this night even more special and honoring to Jesus. Thanks so much and we look forward to praising our Lord and Savior with you and the rest of the congregation! The Choir and Instruments will be participating in the Christmas Day service. Rehearsals will be today, with the Choir rehearsing after morning worship and the instruments rehearsing at 4:00 PM. Even if you didn t participate in the Thanksgiving service, you are welcome to join the Choir or Instruments for Christmas Day. Contact Donna Erdman, , for more information. This year we are inviting our congregation to decorate our Giving Tree/Angel Tree with hats, gloves, and mittens for children. We would also like NEW books appropriate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. These unwrapped items can be placed on or under our tree throughout December. Attention Gathering Alumni: On Tuesday night, December 30, the Gathering Alumni students and staff are invited to a get together at Anyways restaurant. Melvin and Kimberly Kim will be there. The evening starts at 8:00 PM and food is included. If you have any questions, contact Dan Roelofs at , or check out Dan's facebook page.

5 Family Movie Night Hey Kids! Grab a parent (or another adult) and come to church to watch Rio 2 on Saturday January 3, Doors will open at 6:00 PM, and the movie starts at 6:30 PM. We ll have popcorn and drinks. Be sure to invite your friends. Adults, there will be snacks for you too. This will be a great opportunity to get out of the house for a fun evening at the end of Christmas break. It s also a great non-threatening way to invite your neighbors to something at church. So invite your neighbors and friends and get ready for a fun night. Questions? Talk to Sue Isenhoff, Matthew or Laura Lanser or Kelly Cornelisse. The Faith CRC Council will be meeting on January 5 to initiate the elderdeacon nomination process for the service term starting in June The process starts with the Council selecting nominees for each office, and culminates on May 4 at our annual Congregational Meeting with the congregation voting from among the Council nominees. In preparation, the Council asks the congregation to suggest names for each office. We value your thoughtful and prayerful input on who would qualify as elders and deacons. We are guided in this process by the insight provided in God s word regarding the qualifications for each office, found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 (elders) and 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (deacons). To make a recommendation, please put the nominee s name and the office for which you are nominating him on a signed piece of paper and put it in the church mailbox of Chuck Slinkman, Clerk of Council. Thank you for your help in this important matter! TODAY Sunday School and Catechism from 10:45 11:30 AM. Choir Rehearsal following morning worship. Sermon Discussion Group will meet in room 4/5 at 11:00 AM. Instrument Rehearsal will be at 4:00 PM in the Choir Room. Candlelight Service at 6:00 PM. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Men s Group will meet from 7:00 8:00 AM. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Worship at 10:00 AM. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 Children s Church, Sunday School & Catechism will be on Christmas break until January 11. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Gathering Alumni at Anyways at 8:00 PM. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 Men s Group will meet from 7:00 8:00 AM. SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 Movie Night at 6:30 PM. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 The Gathering at Lombard CRC from 2:00 5:00 PM.

6 YOUTH NEWS Parents: A new Parent Update is in your mailboxes this week! 1/4 The Gathering has been invited to play in a Broomball Tournament at Lombard CRC from 2:00-5:00 PM. There will be food and snacks. There will also be other games to play if you don t want to play broomball but want to come. Let Kelly know if you are planning on going and if you need a ride there! 1/11 The Gathering will have its next regular meeting. 1/16 Asylum will have its next meeting from 7:00 9:00 PM at the House. If you didn t get forms for Dare 2 Share please talk to Kelly! STEPHEN MINISTRY Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11 SERVING FAITH CHURCH Welcome Center: Marlene Vos Next Week: Cathy Bulthuis Greeters: Jon & Rachel Kinnas, Adam & Kelly Zarek Next Week: Steve & Jen David, Todd & Heather Lindemulder Saratoga Driver: Ken Teune Christmas Day: Bill Ridder Next Week: Ron Tazelaar Kitchen: Steve & Sue Weglarz, Adam & Kelly Zarek Next Week: Al & Karen De Los Santos, Bill & Alyssa Ridder Kitchen Servers: Harry & Alida Boerman Next Week: Evelyn Bertini, Barb Vroom Library: Kathleen Glaubke, Laurie Wieringa Next Week: Jeri Cook, Betty Klaassens Audio Visual: Sue Folkerts, Ryan Swanson, Matt Huizinga Christmas Day: Steve David, Chris Kakabeeke, Charles Hooker Next Week: Steve De Boer, Mike Speelman, Adam Zarek Infant Nursery: Joy Koopmans, Ashley Van Byssum Ashley Allen, Kelli Van Dahm Christmas Day: Emily Frank, Rachel Kinnas, Sarah Printz, Olivia Schuringa Next Week: Sue Boonstra, Grace Harbaugh, Alison De Boer, Heidi Huiner Toddler Nursery: Sue Dillon, Mindy Slinkman Ryan De Boer, Samantha David Christmas Day: Cathy Canelos, Jamie Glover Morgan Hoving, Ernie Monaco Next Week: Jen Bernahl, Val Hoving, Carli Allen, Heather Holtrop PM Nursery: Bethany Voss, Etta Veenstra Next Week: Jill Veenstra, Marta Veenstra