About Our Mission We are committed to being a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ who glorify our Triune God and practice positive Christian living by growing in God s Word, caring for each other, and reaching out with God s love by responding to the physical and spiritual needs of others. Our Values As members of the Evangelical Covenant Church, we gladly affirm the following as essential to who we are as a community: * The centrality of the Word of God * The necessity of New Birth * A commitment to the whole mission of the Church * The Church as a fellowship of believers * A conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit * The reality of freedom in Christ Please visit the denominational website at www.covchurch.org. Our People We are ordinary people, united by our mission, our values, and our desire to serve others. Here are the people serving you today: Senior Pastor: Becky Poor pastorbecky@saranacchurch.org Associate Pastor: Jeff Kahl pastorjeff@saranacchurch.org Secretary: Kathy Hawkins churchoffice@saranacchurch.org Wise Stewards Seek Jesus Christ The King! Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us come before him with thanksgiving; Come, let us bow down in worship, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:1,2,6 This Week at SCC Sunday: Jr./Sr. High Youth Group 4-6:00pm Monday: Boy Scouts 7:00pm Tuesday: Food Pantry (in place of Thursday) 2-4pm Administrative Council Meeting 6:30pm Wednesday: Ladies Bible Study 9:30am Knitting/Sewing/Crafts 11:00am Thursday: HAPPY THANKSGIVING - offices closed Friday: Red Cross Blood Drive 12:30-6:30pm 125 S. Bridge Street, PO Box 47 Saranac, MI 48881 616-642-6322 Fax: 616-642-9659 November 23, 2014 Missed a Sermon? Sermons are available on our website. www.saranacchurch.org
Prelude Announcements Moment of Silence *Call to Worship * In Christ Alone * You Are My King *Invocation Stewardship Ministry Moment - Julie Gage First Reading: Psalm 95:1-7a Pew Bible Pg. 547 Children s Message - Christ the King! Children Go and Grow Prayers for Our Life Together Response - Give Thanks CH#74 Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 Pew Bible Pg. 1057 Sermon Wise Stewards Seek Jesus Christ The King! Offertory Pastor Becky Poor Offertory Song - Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated *Doxology and Offertory Prayer * 10,000 Reasons *Going Out to Seek, Connect, and Care *Congregation please stand if you are able November 23, 2014 10:00am Worship Service Christ the King MH#380 Prayer Concerns Teresa McCarty and family with the loss of her Aunt Hildegarde Pierce Curt Chadwick Senior Citizens of the Week: Marlene Vreeland, Nelson & Kathy TerBurgh SCC Leaders of the Week: Pastor Becky, Senior Pastor Church of the Week: West Berlin Wesleyan Church Mission of the Week: Helen s House Covenant Leader of the Week: Mission Meadows Bibles Community Group of the Week: Jones Farm Market, supportive of community events as well as our Food Pantry Military Friends around the World THIS WEEK: November 23 THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS Lay Leader: Jim McCarty Readers: Dean Gage Jr., Sharon Pratt Ushers: Beth Simpson, Dean Gage Sr., need volunteers Praise Team: Chris Roberts, Virgil Biggs Instrumentalists: Ken Poor, Nancy Downs, Joel Fritsma PreK-1 Teachers: Heather Hemmingsen, Kenzie Roberts 2nd-6th Grade Teacher: Jim and Becca Lóser Nursery: Cherith Kahl, Jillian Merrifield Greeters: Ginger Roberts, Jeff Farr Snack: Cathy Merrifield Coffee: Teresa McCarty Soundboard: Dave Washburn Projector: Nathan LaWarre Lock-Up: Doug VanProoyen NEXT WEEK: November 30 - First Sunday of Advent Lay Leader: youth Readers: youth Acolytes: Desiree Smith, Jeremiah Smith Ushers: youth Praise Team: Virgil Biggs, Hope Helminski Instrumentalists: Ken Poor, Nancy Downs, Joel Fritsma PreK-1 Teachers: TBD, Jillian Merrifield 2nd-6th Grade Teacher: Deb Tribbett, Aaron Fritsma Nursery: Sharon Pratt, Sydney Gage Greeters: Ginger Roberts, Jeff Farr Snack: Marcia Culver Coffee: Margaret Chadwick Soundboard: Dave Washburn Projector: Nathan LaWarre Lock-Up: Doug VanProoyen
Announcements & Events Welcome Visitors Are you new to? We're so glad that you're here! Please stop by the Welcome Center today to receive a small gift and learn how you can get connected with God and others in our faith community. We hope this will be a place where you will feel welcomed, loved and encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Announcements & Events Welcome Visitors Are you new to? We're so glad that you're here! Please stop by the Welcome Center today to receive a small gift and learn how you can get connected with God and others in our faith community. We hope this will be a place where you will feel welcomed, loved and encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Monday, Nov. 24 5:00-7:00pm Celebrity Server Night at Big Boy, Ionia 10% of the daily sales, plus all tips collected by Celebrity Servers will be given to Ionia Area Toys for Tots Bring in a toy during that time and get a free piece of pumpkin pie Monday, Nov. 24 5:00-7:00pm Celebrity Server Night at Big Boy, Ionia 10% of the daily sales, plus all tips collected by Celebrity Servers will be given to Ionia Area Toys for Tots Bring in a toy during that time and get a free piece of pumpkin pie SCC will be hosting the next blood drive on Friday, November 28 from 12:30-6:30pm. Schedule an appointment online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 (redcross). Volunteers are needed to help with set-up at 10am and take down at 6:30pm, and food at 10am and 1pm. SCC will be hosting the next blood drive on Friday, November 28 from 12:30-6:30pm. Schedule an appointment online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 (redcross). Volunteers are needed to help with set-up at 10am and take down at 6:30pm, and food at 10am and 1pm. The rosebud on the altar is in honor of Bentley Rece Smith who was born on November 12 to Jr. and Casey Smith. The rosebud on the altar is in honor of Bentley Rece Smith who was born on November 12 to Jr. and Casey Smith. Many thanks to all who put together shoeboxes, donated supplies and contributed money for Operation Christmas Child. We were able to collect 72 boxes this year!! Many thanks to all who put together shoeboxes, donated supplies and contributed money for Operation Christmas Child. We were able to collect 72 boxes this year!! 25 - Cheryl Knutson 28 - Izaiah Smith Estelle Stark 25 - Cheryl Knutson 28 - Izaiah Smith Estelle Stark
Advent Wreaths Nov. 30 Come and make an Advent Wreath after worship service. If you don t need one, make one for a shut-in and we will deliver it. All supplies are provided - sign-up sheets are in the narthex Advent Wreaths Nov. 30 Come and make an Advent Wreath after worship service. If you don t need one, make one for a shut-in and we will deliver it. All supplies are provided - sign-up sheets are in the narthex Community Christmas Care Center 2014 December 16 and 17 The Community Christmas Care Center will soon be open to help Christmas time be happier for Saranac are residents. Last year we served 120 families and we are anticipating a greater need this year. You can help by praying for our Care Center, the people who will be working, and especially the families who receive food and gifts. You may also take some tags from the tree in the narthex and bring back the items listed. Money to buy perishables is also needed: Checks made out to SCC - Christmas Care are tax deductible. Please return the items by Friday, December 12. Thank you, SCC Family, for your great response to the people in need in our community! Community Christmas Care Center 2014 December 16 and 17 The Community Christmas Care Center will soon be open to help Christmas time be happier for Saranac are residents. Last year we served 120 families and we are anticipating a greater need this year. You can help by praying for our Care Center, the people who will be working, and especially the families who receive food and gifts. You may also take some tags from the tree in the narthex and bring back the items listed. Money to buy perishables is also needed: Checks made out to SCC - Christmas Care are tax deductible. Please return the items by Friday, December 12. Thank you, SCC Family, for your great response to the people in need in our community! If you are interested in going to the Gather Homecoming Concert at VanAndel Arena on December 13 please see Jerry Paton to car pool together. Please order your own tickets thru Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/gaither-christmas-homecoming-tickets If you are interested in going to the Gather Homecoming Concert at VanAndel Arena on December 13 please see Jerry Paton to car pool together. Please order your own tickets thru Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/gaither-christmas-homecoming-tickets
ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS A Clear View of the Birth of Jesus ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS A Clear View of the Birth of Jesus Led by Pastor Jeff Kahl We will watch video lectures by renowned scholar Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey who lived and taught for 50 years in the Middle East. Through his insights into traditional Middle Eastern culture, Dr. Bailey helps us to rescue truth from familiarity by reading the Biblical texts accurately and finding many surprising new details! Come and learn Where Jesus was really born How evil King Herod really was Surprising details from Jesus family tree What Scripture really says about Mary and Joseph...and more! November 23, December 7, 14, 21 Led by Pastor Jeff Kahl We will watch video lectures by renowned scholar Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey who lived and taught for 50 years in the Middle East. Through his insights into traditional Middle Eastern culture, Dr. Bailey helps us to rescue truth from familiarity by reading the Biblical texts accurately and finding many surprising new details! Come and learn Where Jesus was really born How evil King Herod really was Surprising details from Jesus family tree What Scripture really says about Mary and Joseph...and more! November 23, December 7, 14, 21
Advent Events at Please see information in the narthex regarding the following events or call the church office! Sunday, Nov. 30: Wreath Making Get into the holiday spirit after the worship service on the first Sunday in Advent. Join us downstairs for our annual wreath making event. Come and make a wreath for your home and/or a shut-in if you wish. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Coffee & cookies will be provided. Tues. & Wed. Dec. 16th-17th: Community Christmas Care Center We are hosting the annual Christmas Care Center for needy Saranac residents. We need volunteers, gift items and prayers. Thursday, Dec. 18: Holiday Service of Hope & Remembrance 7:00pm We are having a special service to provide comfort and hope to our friends who have experienced loss. During this time we ll express our grief and pain to God and seek to experience the hope and reality of Emmanuel...God with us. In addition to lifting up the names of our loved ones, we ll also have a time to reflect on our favorite memories. If you would like to share a brief memory or give a testimony about God s healing help and hope in your life, please see Pastor Becky or Barb Augustine-Hayes by Dec. 10. December 14th 3-5pm Pastor s Christmas Connection at the Poor s On December 14th from 3-5pm Pastor Becky, Pastor Jeff and their families would like to invite you, our church family, to join us for a special Christmas Celebration filled with food, fellowship, games and Christmas joy. This event will be held at the Poor s House, 356 Parsonage St in Saranac. As we host this event, might it be our Christmas gift to you; reminding you of our deep gratitude for your wonderful partnership in ministry! With Hope in Christ and Love for you! Pastor Becky and Pastor Jeff Christmas Eve, December 24: 6:00pm For God s Children of all ages 11:00pm Candlelit Service with communion Advent Events at Please see information in the narthex regarding the following events or call the church office! Sunday, Nov. 30: Wreath Making Get into the holiday spirit after the worship service on the first Sunday in Advent. Join us downstairs for our annual wreath making event. Come and make a wreath for your home and/or a shut-in if you wish. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Coffee & cookies will be provided. Tues. & Wed. Dec. 16th-17th: Community Christmas Care Center We are hosting the annual Christmas Care Center for needy Saranac residents. We need volunteers, gift items and prayers. Thursday, Dec. 18: Holiday Service of Hope & Remembrance 7:00pm We are having a special service to provide comfort and hope to our friends who have experienced loss. During this time we ll express our grief and pain to God and seek to experience the hope and reality of Emmanuel...God with us. In addition to lifting up the names of our loved ones, we ll also have a time to reflect on our favorite memories. If you would like to share a brief memory or give a testimony about God s healing help and hope in your life, please see Pastor Becky or Barb Augustine-Hayes by Dec. 10. December 14th 3-5pm Pastor s Christmas Connection at the Poor s On December 14th from 3-5pm Pastor Becky, Pastor Jeff and their families would like to invite you, our church family, to join us for a special Christmas Celebration filled with food, fellowship, games and Christmas joy. This event will be held at the Poor s House, 356 Parsonage St in Saranac. As we host this event, might it be our Christmas gift to you; reminding you of our deep gratitude for your wonderful partnership in ministry! With Hope in Christ and Love for you! Pastor Becky and Pastor Jeff Christmas Eve, December 24: 6:00pm For God s Children of all ages 11:00pm Candlelit Service with communion