United Methodist Church of Cadillac
1020 East Division • Cadillac, Michigan 49601
775-5362 • Fax 775-6475
December 15, 2002 • Third Sunday of Advent
Contemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.
Prelude
Entrance of the Light of Christ
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship & Lighting of the Advent Wreath (on insert)
*Hymn of Praise #213
“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
*Sharing the Peace and Love of Christ
Prayer Hymn #2071
“Jesus, Name Above
All Names”
If you have a prayer joy or concern, please fill out a
prayer card and hand it to an usher during the singing of the hymn.
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Let some joy loose, O God. Let it rise to the surface and shake us out of preoccupation with lists and tasks. Forgive us our heavy_hearted approach to your season of joy and light. Do not let our long lists and calendar of events over_whelm the wonder of your Son's birth.
Let some joy loose. Let us see the smiles of the children. Let us know the joy of giving to those in need. Let us feel the embrace of your love in the carols sung and stories told.
Let some joy loose, O God, some sparkling light into our world of darkness and strife. Let us be people of joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
A Time of Silent Prayer
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer #895
Scripture Reading N.T. pg 91
John
1:1-9
Message Pastor Dale Ostema
“Witness
to the Light”
Offertory Invitation
Giving of Ourselves and Our Gifts
Offertory
*Doxology Tune: Old 100th
Hope in the God who reigns above,
who hold
us all in steadfast love;
whose
Spirit blows across the earth,
preparing
us for second birth. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication (in unison)
May our gifts be as generous as your provision for us, O God. Use them to bear witness to the light you sent in Christ Jesus. Move us and all people to prayer, rejoicing, and thanksgiving. As we administer these offerings for their best possible return, keep us faithful to your purposes. Amen.
*Closing Hymn (On Insert)
“The Promise”
*Benediction
*Piano Postlude
*All who are able, please stand.
United Methodist Church of Cadillac
1020 East Division Street, Cadillac, Michigan
775-5362 • Fax 775-6475
December 15, 2002
Third Sunday in Advent
Celebration Worship at 11:00 a.m.
THE
GATHERING TO WORSHIP
ORGAN PRELUDE
BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES
CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
(On
Insert)
*HYMN OF PRAISE
#213
“Lift
Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
THE
PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING
PRAYER HYMN #2071
“Jesus,
Name Above All Names”
If you have a prayer joy or concern, please fill out a
prayer card and hand it to an usher during the singing of the hymn.
UNISON PRAYER
Surprising God, you bring joy to an unexpecting world.
Into our busy days, you place Bethlehem moments __ a stillness that strengthens
our hearts, a cry that kindles memories and wrinkles smiles across our faces,
visitors who bless us with kind words and warm gifts, angelic music that lifts
our weariness. Surprising God, usher us into the wonder of Bethlehem and the
peace of the Christ child and let our hearts abound with joy. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER #895
READING
AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD
CHORAL ANTHEM Chancel
Choir
“Advent
Hymn” --
Price and Besig
SCRIPTURE LESSON N.T.
pg. 1
Matthew
1:18-23
MESSAGE Children’s
Pageant
“If I’d Been Around When Jesus Was Born” by
Charlton D. Bozard
RESPONDING
TO THE WORD
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD
OFFERTORY INVITATION
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY Tune:
Old 100th
Hope in the God who reigns above,
who
hold us all in steadfast love;
whose
Spirit blows across the earth,
preparing
us for second birth. Amen.
*PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (In unison)
Our best we give to you, loving God, for you have
given your best to us in the mystery of the incarnation. May our offerings proclaim Jesus in ways that
will be received with joy. Send your
Word to the world in this season through our caring service. May we share it with one another in ways that
help us all to grow. Thank you for the
ways you have provided for us. Amen.
THE
SCATTERING TO SERVE
*HYMN OF DEDICATION (On
Insert)
“The
Promise”
*COMMISSION AND BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
*All who are able, please stand.
Tree
of Kindness
Has someone done something special for you? Have you done something special for someone
else? Let’s share these acts of kindness
by filling out a card and hanging it on our tree. Please do not include any names. This will
allow all of us to enjoy each others’ good fortunes. It may even entice us to do something nice
for someone else. Church &
Society Committee
The Bell Choir will be rehearsing on Thursday, December
19 at 6:30 p.m. and on Monday, December 23 at 6:00 p.m.. They will be playing on December 22 and
December 24 for worship.
Reminder Next Sunday, December 22
Acolytes: Mckenzie Coy and Erika Olson
Ushers 11:00: Paul Helton, Barb Wild, Tonja Hinkston
Nursery: Jim and Lisa Weaver
Sermontime: Darlene Fowler
Coffee Hour: Open
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor Dale
Ostema
Parish Assistant Judy
Coffey
Coordinator-Children & Youth Ministries Debbie Ostema
Church Secretary Carol
Sharp
Assistant Secretary Karen
Elenbaas
Treasurer Beverly
Campbell
Chancel Choir Director Walt
Stump
Bell Choir Director Tonja
Hinkston
Organists Virginia
Pulford, Ann Hunt
Pianist Darlene
Ressler
Choir Accompanist Ann
Hunt
Nursery Care Giver Lisa
Wilson
Custodial Staff Dee
Piltz and NOC Work Crew
Snow Removal & Carpet Maintenance Paul Helton
Opportunities
for Ministry This Week . . .
Sunday, December 15, Third Sunday of Advent
8:30 am - Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 am - Church School for all ages
11:00 am - Celebration Worship Service
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each worship service
Monday, December 16
*** Newsletter Deadline***
6:00 pm - FIA Group
7:00 pm - Boy Scouts
7:00 pm - Grand Sweep Bible Study
Tuesday, December 17
7:00 pm - Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, December 18
11:00 am - Friendship Chain
1:30 pm - Grand Sweep Bible Study
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice and Christmas
Gathering
Thursday, December 19
7:00 am - Promise Keepers
6:00 pm - Naomi Circle Potluck
6:00 pm - United Methodist Men
6:30 pm - Bell Choir Practice
Friday, December 20
Junior Disciples overnight at the HUB
Saturday, December 21
Project Christmas at the Civic Arena
2:00 pm - Boy Scout Court of Honor
Sunday, December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30 am - Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 am - Church School for all ages
11:00 am - Celebration Worship Service
11:00 am - Student Bible Class
Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each worship service
For
Changes in Activities for the Week
Info
Source 775-4636 - Message # 3152
Wrap Up the Year With a Gift to the Church.
We are over $10,000.00 behind in mission support, apportionments, and
current program and operating expenses. A
display of bills that need to be paid is on a Gift Board in Fellowship
Hall. Please look at the board to see
where you can help. Enclose your card
and gift in a pew envelope and place in the collection plate or leave it at the
church office. Your continued support of
our wonderful Church and the work we are doing is a testament of faith. As of December 8, we have received $3409 in
gifts; thanks so much!
United Methodist Men will be having their annual Christmas gathering at 6
pm on Thursday, December 19 (note the date change). For this special occasion, you are encouraged
to bring your spouse or friend for an evening of food, table games, fellowship,
and Christmas music. This is a Potluck
Dinner so please bring a dish to pass and your favorite table game.
If you would like to send a get-well message to Bruce
McDonald, here is his address:
Bruce
McDonald
Today’s
Worship Ministry . . .
Liturgists:
8:30 - Ken Ruppert • 11:00 -
Jeff Hinkston
Pianist/Organist: Ann Hunt
Acolytes: Alison Ostema and Jennifer Weaver
Greeters 11:00: Gary and Karen Elenbaas
Ushers 11:00: Paul Helton, Barb Wild, Tonja Hinkston,
Dee Piltz
Nursery: Kyle and Lori Smith
Sermontime: Sue Christensen
Coffee Hour: Education
Our Chancel Flowers this morning are presented to the
glory of God in celebration of the wedding anniversary of Dan and Laurie
Kinney.
Project Christmas: as of
December 12, 807 families were registered for Project Christmas with four more
days of registration to go. This is a
record number.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for some of the areas (beyond our Gift Wrapping) at
Project Christmas. If you are able to
volunteer, please sign-up on the board in the Narthex this morning. Also, large brown paper grocery bags are
still needed. Please leave by Judy’s office door. Thanks so much!!
Christmas Eve Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., celebrate the birth of Jesus at
this family orientated service. We will
sing carols, hear the Christmas story, light the Christ candle, have a special
children’s time with Pastor Dale, hear the bells ring, the Chancel Choir sing
and special music and share in the beautiful candlelighting. Child care will be available for infants and
young children
Carols, Candles and Holy Communion at 11:00 p.m. as we
worship at this lovely, quiet worship service as we sing carols, hear special
music, light the Christ Candle on the Advent Wreath, receive Holy Communion and
light the Christmas candles as we sing “Silent Night.” Come, as we welcome the
Christ Child into the world.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR rehearsal will be this morning,
following the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Practice lasts for one-half hour and is held in the sanctuary. All children kindergarten through sixth grade
are invited to join in this fun time of singing.
Our church Website has a new look – take a peek at www.umccadillac.org. Our Webmaster,
Dan Kinney, has updated the site. Lots
of good information and many links are available. You can even get you own e-mail address off
the site also the Sunday bulletin is posted.
A brand NEW feature is the online Cokesbury bookstore and CBD bookstore -
check it out!!. If you need to know
about an event or a meeting time, check it out there.
Please note the church has hearing assistance devices
for use during worship. These can be
used by persons with or without hearing aids.
Also available are LARGE PRINT HYMNALS and, if needed, we can make large
print bulletins.
Attention Junior and Senior High Youth
The HUB is open to all Middle School Youth on the 1st
and 3rd Saturday of each month from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. It is open for all Senior High Youth on the 4th
Saturday from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The HUB
is located in the old Motor Mall at the corner of M 55 and M 66. For more information you can call 775-5291
All 3rd through 5th graders are invited to the “Learning to Use My Bible Class.” The classes are on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, concluding on May 25th, 2003. Start time is 11:00 a.m. , so please come to class before the 11:00 worship service begins. Class ends at noon. The classroom is in the Education Wing, 3rd door on the left. If you are a 3rd through 5th grader who attended these classes last year, please come again to review and continue learning.
Leader: The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
all.
People: And also
with you.
Leader: Let
us sing together our Advent Introit #207
Prepare
the way of the Lord, prepare the way of the Lord,
and
all people will see the salvation of our God.
(Repeat)
Voice: A shoot
will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear
fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest
on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and
of power, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Voice: He will
not judge by what he sees with his eyes or decide by what he hears with his
ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give
decisions for the poor of the earth.
Voice: He will
provide those who grieve a crown of beauty instead of ashes, to those who mourn
he will give the oil of gladness, and upon those who live in sorrow and despair
he will pour out a spirit of praise.
Voice: As the soil makes the sprouts come up and
a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Lord will shine forth upon us and bring
to us and our world everlasting joy.
Lighting of the Advent Candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy
Leader: Let us pray together -- Loving God, we thank
you for the light that you have sent and are sending into the world; the light
that even now lights our path. Come
among us and fill us with the joy that you want all your children to have. Make us ones who by word and action bring
praise and glory to you and your chosen one, the Christ who redeems all
people. Amen.
Song Tune: Away
in a Manger
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
A
candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.
Our
hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.