December 8, 2019 10:30 am
* STAND IF ABLE
PRELUDE “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Johannes Brahms
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
*GREETING ONE ANOTHER
CHOIR INTROIT “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
CALL TO WORSHIP & LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Lighting of the candle and Scripture reading (Luke 1:76-79 and Isaiah 9:2) by Ella Lane
*HYMN #2 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, we confess that we find it easy to get wrapped up in ourselves. There is so much to do and so little time to accomplish things. Our ways are not your ways; our thoughts are not your thoughts. May this season of Advent become a time of peace, where your will prevails. This we pray, confident in your mercy, prepared for your miracles. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*RESPONSE #579 “Gloria Patri”
MESSAGE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART Jan Jones
CHOIR ANTHEM “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” arr. A. Parker/R. Shaw
WORSHIPPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
Offertory “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” Choir Quartet
*Please pass the Friendship Register*
*Doxology #592 *Prayer of Dedication
SCRIPTURE READING Mike McCann
Psalm 122
Matthew 24:36-44
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE “Getting Ready for God” Rev. Dr. Carolyn Visser, Guest Speaker
*HYMN #5 ”Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Table is set for us. All who would trust in Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SHARING THE BREAD & CUP
We will partake of the elements together once everyone has been served.
OUR TIME OF PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION & PRESENTATION OF BABY PRAYER QUILTS
*HYMN #8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Ding Dong, Merrily on High” Bell Choir
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY? If you need a ride to church, please contact a Deacon or speak to Ella Lane.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE (December 8-15)
SUNDAY Dec. 8 @ 11:30 AM Advent Potluck
SUNDAY Dec. 8 Bell Choir practice cancelled for December
TUESDAY Dec. 10 @ 9:30 AM Coffee Group
TUESDAY Dec. 10 @ 1:00 PM Prayer Quilt Group
WEDNESDAY Dec. 11 @ 7:00 PM Choir practice
THURSDAY Dec. 12 @ 9:30 AM Bible Study
THURSDAY Dec. 12 @ 7:00 PM Session Meeting
SATURDAY Dec. 14 @ 9:00 AM Christmas Cantata practice
SUNDAY Dec. 14 @10:30 AM Christmas Cantata
BABY PRAYER QUILTS to be presented today during worship.
THE POINSETTIA is in loving memory of Jean Bartling from her family.
ADVENT POTLUCK will be held after worship services on Sundays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22. Feel free to bring your own plates and silverware along with a dish to share!
PROJECT JOY: A box is in the narthex next to the name tags to collect unwrapped clothing and toys for Project Joy which provides children and families living in Brookings County who are in need an opportunity to receive holiday gifts. Money may be donated in the offering plates and the Youth from Sunday school will shop for you. Please have your donations to the church by Monday, Dec. 11. Let’s open our hearts this holiday season and bring Joy to area children and families in need by generously donating to Project Joy.
CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE: Please help us decorate the tree in the narthex by bringing pictures of yourself/family. A copy of the picture will become an ornament and your picture will be returned unharmed.
TEXT NOTIFICATION: If you would like to receive texts from church using the remind website, please provide your cell number to Donna Flint. This will only be used for special instances (reminder of special events, cancellations due to weather) and you will not be bombarded with texts.
FROM THE TREASURER: Offering varies each month of the year, which makes it difficult to project our year- end financial status. If our prediction was accurate and giving was evenly distributed throughout the year, income through the end of October, 2019 would be about $137,500. We are about $16,000 short of that amount. In the monthly financial report, we find income greater than expenses at this time but that is primarily due to a much reduced staff expense (no pastor expenses) for the last six months. Hopefully we will find the offering increase significantly in December as we prepare a new budget with full staff.
POINSETTIAS FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS: We would like to encourage you or your family to participate in the annual tradition of bringing a poinsettia for Christmas remembrances and celebration throughout Advent/Christmas. Please drop off your plant during office hours. Contact the church office if you need someone to pick up your purchased plant from a local florist/store or if you would prefer someone to purchase a plant for you.
BIRTHDAYS in December: Dean Hofland, LaVonne Broksieck, Carrie Van Buren, Rozanne McGrath, Marge Poppen, Sally Maca, Jan Broksieck
ANNIVERSARIES in December: Dee & Lois Watson, Stephen & Carrie Van Buren, Bob & Pat Fishback, Skip & Sharon Webster, Neal & Julie Foster
PRAYER CONCERNS Those with health concerns: Jan Jones, Paul & Shirley Rudolph, Jack & Alice Edge, Rozella Potthast, Bev Erdahl, Andrew L’Amour, Eliana Szabo, Delores Koepsell, John Peterson, Stephen & Carrie Van Buren, Lois Watson, Barb Borstad, Michele Kemp, Gary Larson
Our homebound (or partially homebound) members: Barb Borstad, Henrietta Gohring, Don Hildebrandt, Nona Marshall, Helen Peterson, Cliff Rindels, Dee & Lois Watson
THANK YOU to all who rang bells for the Salvation Army yesterday.
All are invited to the Advent potluck in the fellowship hall following worship service.
IF DESIRING A VISIT: If you or a family member are in the hospital and you wish a visit, please contact the church office or any Deacon or Elder. Due to privacy laws, the hospitals are not permitted to contact churches or reply to church’s inquires. If you know of anyone who needs or desires any other pastoral care, please also contact us.