The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Pastor Rev. Raymond Dekker (home & cell phone)231-670-3438 (e-mail) raydekker@fremontfcc.org Organist Jackson Brooks 924-3617 Creative Ministries Mat Emerick 924-9558 Facilitator (e-mail) matemerick@fremontfcc.org Music Facilitator Deb Emerick 924-9558 Secretary Lorene Witte 924-4710 Website: www.fremontfcc.org Email: congo@fremontfcc.org Church: 231-924-4710 714 Hillcrest Drive Fax: 231-928-1210 Fremont, MI 49412 CCLI: 1401200
Third Sunday of Advent December 13,2015 10:00 a.m. * 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 Jack Brooks Chorale: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Wake, awake, for night is flying J.S. Bach The Annunciation Joseph Jongen The King Shall Come Charles Ore tune: Consolation Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel Charles Ore tune: Veni Emmanuel Chimes Call to Worship Chancel Choir Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look East, and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way! People, look East. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the heart and set the table. People, look East, and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way! Welcome Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Blue Hymnal #244 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Prayer of Confession *Response Glo...ri-a in excel-sis De-o, Glo...ri-a in excel-sis De-o. Anthem Chancel Choir Celtic Advent Carol (selection from Festival of Carols by Joseph Martin) Advent Candle - Joy Story Bell Mat Emerick Outbreak of Influencea Following the Story Bell - Children are dismissed for Junior Worship Hymn of Preparation Blue Hymnal #274 O Harken Ye O hearken ye who would believe, The gracious tidings now receive: gloria, gloria, In excelsis Deo. The mighty Lord of heav n and earth Today is come to human birth. Gloria, gloria, In excelsis Deo. Scripture Reading Luke 2 Hebrews 1 Message What Love Looks Like 58 N.T. 218. N.T. Pastor Ray Dekker *Hymn Blue Hymnal #269 How Great Our Joy 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 Chancel Choir Come Emmanuel Nancy Price & Don Gesig *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 *Closing Response Blue Hymnal #245 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (refrain only) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! *Benediction *Pastor: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregation: And also with you. *Postlude Jack Brooks People, Look East Robert Hobby tune: Besancon
How we appreciate this chance, during a busy season, to abide in your presence, heavenly Father. Thank you for this time of worship. *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. *Families with young nursery age children are welcome to use the Family Room in the balcony located on the 2 nd 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. 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) Greeter: Jack Butterick(today) Jack Butterick(next week) Ushers: Jon & Judy Clap, Jill Sondeen(today) John & Gail Cooper, Kendra Lachniet, Gwen Hoffman(next week) Jack Butterick, Clair Shively, Jon & Judy Clapp (Christmas Eve) Compassion: Michelle Sweet & Pat Krehn Organist: Jack Brooks Sound System: Coffee Hosts: Rick St. Peter Jim Rynberg(today) Dick & Judy Ramm(next week) In Our Prayers (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). Jeannie Caris - Sandy & Pastor Ray - loss of Sandy s brother, Duane Van Harden - transitional health This Week s Schedule Sunday, December 13-3 rd Sunday of Advent 8:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal - sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time - Fellowship Hall 11:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School - Library Monday, December 14 Tuesday, December 15 (Lorene will be in the office late afternoon) 3:00-8:00 pm Violin Lessons - Fellowship Hall Wednesday, December 16 6:30 p.m. Christmas Caroling at Fountain View 6:30 p.m. Praise Group Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal Thursday, December 17 9:00 a.m. Woodshop Open No Crafters 6:30 p.m. Deacons Meeting - Fellowship Hall Friday, December 18 Saturday, December 19 Sunday, December 20-4 th Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. Gospel Singers Rehearsal - sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time - Fellowship Hall 11:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School - Library Celebrating this week: Happy Birthday to ~ Wendy St. Peter, Rebecca Tuuk (14), Kelly Parks (18) Happy Anniversary to ~ Harlow & Heidi Redding (15)
Our Church News The contribution of delicious goodies was fantastic. Thank you SO much for your time generosity and baking talents. It could not have been done without you. Gwen Hoffman, Tea Time Do you have someone special on your Christmas List that you are looking for just the right gift? We have four sterling Circle of Life crosses that would make the perfect gift. Call Georgia at 924-5913. Altar Flowers - Coffee Hosts - Ushers - 2016 is just around the corner and new calendars have been made for your convenience to sign up for Altar Flowers, Coffee Hosts, Ushers and Greeters. If you are able and willing to help in any of these capacities please sign up or call the church office and Lorene will sign up for you. Today the calendars are located in the church office. After December the calendars will be on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Thank you! Put a smile on a child's face... several children in the Walkerville schools really need socks, mittens, under and outer garments, etc. especially as the temperature falls and snow begins to fall. The Deacons ask that we extend our Christian caring to these children. Please ask Michelle Sweet for the name of a child (includes age, gender and specific need). Return a wrapped gift (around $20) with the child's name attached to church by December 17 (note date change). The children will be glad you did, and so will we! For the Deacons, Jack Butterick. Christmas is Coming, and the SCRIP committee hopes that you have approached your families to get ideas of cards that you can purchase from us that will be just what they want waiting for them under the tree. We ask that you turn in your orders to us by December 13 so that we can be sure to have the cards to you before Christmas. Thanks for helping us earn the $2,500 that we pledge to the church budget! Ruth & Becky Gary Hooker will be going to Guatemala again with the Reeman CRC mission group this winter and would appreciate your donations toward the last $600 that he needs for his travel expenses. Please write checks to Reeman CRC with Gary Hooker in the memo line and give your check to Gary or mail it to Reeman CRC, 6121 S. Fitzgerald, Fremont, MI 49412. First Congregational Church Creative Ministries Special Youth Performing Arts Presentation: Christmas Juggler Christmas Drama for Worship based on an old medieval legend. It tells the story of a juggler who has no gift to offer the Baby Jesus except for his ability to juggle. The program will include circus arts, dramatic scenes, colorful costumes and special music. Presentation- Sunday Dec.20, 10:00-11:00am Location- First Congregational Church (714 Hillcrest, Fremont) Requested Announcements You are invited to a Christmas Concert TODAY Sunday, December13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grant Fine Arts Center. Music will be presented by the Newaygo Community Choir and a group of children. The choir is directed by the Rev. Barb Boss. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit ministries of Love INC and Vera s House. Wellspring is a new ministry in Newaygo County starting in April, 2016. The mission of Wellspring is to provide safe, Christian, supportive and stimulating care for senior adults who need supervision. This will provide respite for their caregivers during daytime hours. You are invited to attend an informative lunch at Reeman CRC on January 13 at 12 noon. Please RSVP to 924-3451 by January 4, 2016. Indoor Christmas Caroling at Fountain View All are invited to Fountain View on Wednesday - December 16 for Caroling. We will meet there at 6:30 p.m. Please come and help share some Christmas joy to the residents at Fountain View, bring a friend!
Thank you to each one who donated poinsettias to help make our sanctuary a lovely place in which to celebrate our Lord s birth. Bill and Carol Black in memory of our parents. Barbara Blass-Frisbey in memory or Ric Burwell and John Pardike. Jack and Mary Butterick in memory of Barb White. Ruth Cowles in memory of Mother, June Fisher. Lori, Chris, Sarah, Lisa in memory of our Granddad, Sid Brooks. Shirley Hooker in memory of those that went before us. Pat Krehn in memory of my mother, Noreen Westerweel. Max and Yvonne Lee in memory of Dr. Robert Paxton. Jim and Jean Morse in memory of our parents and son-in-law. Georgia Paxton in memory of Dr. Bob Paxton. Kendra and Elise Pfeiffer in memory of Sandra Pfeiffer. Luke and Karla Pfeiffer and Falon in memory of Stan Pfeiffer. James Rynberg in memory of Lila G. Rynberg. Marjorie Salata in memory of Michael Salata. Marian Schulte in memory of Hugh, Mike and Jerry. Mill and Bill Sherman in memory of Jerry Sherman. Jill Sondeen in memory of Frank and Helen Sondeen. Carol Stark in memory of my son, Donald. Rosemary and Jack Tittle in memory of Margaret and Harry; Violet and Melvin. Ann Werner in memory of her parents and other loved ones. Beverly Williams in memory of the 11 friends and family who have passed this year. Ted and Jeannie Caris in honor of our family and friends. Sally and Bob DeShetler in honor of our family. Max and Yvonne Lee in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Ray Dekker Dean and Jean Morehouse in honor of all our church staff. Don Potter to my church family - Merry Christmas! Dick and Judy Ramm in honor of those who prayed for my cancer to heal. Thank you. Harlow and Heidi Redding in honor of our children and grandchildren. James Rynberg in honor of Allyse Wuebben. Carol Stark in honor of my son, Dwayne. Anne and Bob VandeKieft in honor of our family and the church family. Beverly Williams in honor of my church family. Ted and Nancy Johnson Duane and Loretta VanDuzen
Our local theater is very pleased to announce we will be showing the faith based, true story, Woodlawn, starting December 13. This will be a one week limited engagement, and we're currently accepting reservations. We're offering agroup rate of $9.00 per person (includes ticket, small popcorn/drink) for groups of 10 or more. We had a positive response when we had War Room, and hope to continue this trend, as it makes the studios aware that Fremont will support them, in turn making it far easier for us to obtain films like this. We would appreciate any support, and your willingness to pass this information along to your members. Thank you!! ~Fremont Cinemas 231-335-5033