United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street  ·  Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362   ·   Fax 775-6475

 

December 12, 2004

Third Sunday in Advent

Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

 

            THE GATHERING TO WORSHIP                                                       

 

PRELUDE

 

BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

 

WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:   Love comes wrapped as a baby,

People:   God's love lying in a manger.

Leader:   The ordinary conceals the unspeakable;

People:   God is with us. God knows us. God is with us,

revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel.

Leader:   God's love is coming to us.

People:   God's love is with us, again and again with us.

Leader:   Soon and always, with us.

People:   Emmanuel. God with us.  O come Emmanuel!

 

*HYMN OF PRAISE                                                                           #211

            “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” vs. 1-2. 6-7

 

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 

If you have a prayer joy or concern you would like shared during the Prayer of the People, please hand it to an usher during the song.

 

CANDLE LIGHTING SONG                          “Light the Advent Candle”

Light the Advent candle three: Think of heaven joyfully;

Christ Child in a stable born, gift of joy that Christmas morn.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night;

Come, Christ Jesus, come to stay; fill us with your joy today.

 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH                             Candle of Joy

 

PRAYER

Holy God, if we glumly confess today that we cannot feel the joy of your presence among us in Jesus the Messiah, uncover our eyes to see the light of this third candle of Advent and encourage our hearts to open to feel the warmth of its joy.  Whatever our circumstances today, O God, may we be filled inexpressibly with the divine joy of your presence.  Amen.

 

SONG  “There’s a Song”                                                               #2141

There’s a song of joy in my heart; joy is a gift from Jesus.

There’s a song of joy in my heart; joy is a gift from God.

Alleluia!  Joy in my heart is singing praises.

Alleluia!  Joy is a gift from God.

 

            THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

 

UNISON PRAYER

God of Grace, come close to us and bless us.

As Mary was surprised by the visit of the angel, help us prepare for the Holy, the unexpected at this season. 

As Mary carefully thought out the meaning of the angel’s visit, enable us to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s coming for us.

As Mary courageously allowed God’s way to become her                    way, show us how we can work in faith together.

As Mary voiced God’s care for the poorest and humblest of all people, give us courage to stand beside those who have least in the world.  Come close to us and bless us, as you blessed Mary with Jesus.  Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE                                                                      

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                      #895

 

            THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

 

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              Chancel Choir

            “Looking for the Light”   Arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

 

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

 

SCRIPTURE READING                                                            N.T. pg. 57

            Luke 1:39-56

           

MESSAGE                                                                  Pastor Dale Ostema

            “Ordinarily Sacred”

 

            RESPONDING TO THE WORD

 

OFFERING INVITATION

 

GIVING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD

           

OFFERTORY

 

*DOXOLOGY                                                                   Tune: Old 100th

Hope in the God who reigns above,

who holds us all in steadfast love;

whose Spirit blows across the earth,

preparing us for second birth.  Amen.

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION   (In unison)

For the supreme gift of Jesus, we thank you, Living God.  As bells ring out, as joy breaks out, as light shines out, we recognize the blessing these gifts will bring and we rejoice!  Amen.

 

            THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

 

*HYMN OF DEDICATION                                                                  #196

            “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

 

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING                                                                 

 

*POSTLUDE

 

 

            *All who are able, please stand.

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methodist Men will be hosting their annual Christmas Party on Thursday, December 16.  Following a 6:00 pm potluck, the men, spouses and friends will take part in a variety of table games.  Music will be provided.  We will meet again this month in the “Teen” Room.  Hosts are ‘Anonymous’ and his brother ‘Anthracite.’

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, December 19

Acolytes: Hannah Amlott and Jessica Weaver

Greeters 8:30: Ron and Ann Vaughan

Greeters 11:00: Bernadean Gregg and Sheryl Blanchard

 Ushers 11:00: Dick and Carol Jones, Helen Quinn

Nursery: Jeff and Laura Marion

Sermontime: Clara Handy

Coffee Hour: Friendship One

 

 

 

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor                                                                                     Dale Ostema

Parish Assistant                                                                        Judy Coffey

Coordinator-Children & Youth Ministries                                Debbie Ostema

Church Secretary                                                                       Carol Sharp

Assistant Secretary                                                              Karen Elenbaas

Treasurer                                                                                 Karen Klinker

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                                                               Darlene Ressler

First Sunday Nursery Care Giver                                      Diana Van Antwerp

Custodial Staff                                               Dee Piltz and NOC Work Crew

Snow Removal                                                                           Paul Helton

 

 

Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, December 12, Third Sunday in Advent

   8:30 am - Worship Service

   9:30 am - Church School For All Ages

   9:30 am - Bell Choir Practice

Parish Nurse Clinic between worship services

 11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Follows each worship service

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Church Caroling Party and Soup Supper

Monday, December 13

11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Hospital Volunteers Christmas Party

  7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

 Tuesday, December 14

  7:15 am - Daybreak Prayer Group in Wesley Room

11:30 am - Dorcas Circle at Hermann’s

  6:00 pm - Membership Committee

  7:00 pm - Administrative Council

 Wednesday, December 15

  9:00-10:00 am - TOPS in Corbin Room

11:00 am - Friendship Chain

  7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, December 16

  7:00 am - Promise Keepers

  9:30 am - Susannah Wesley

Noon Prayer Group in Wesley Room

  5:30 pm - Worship and Music - Soup Supper and Decorating

  6:00 pm - United Methodist Men

  6:00 pm - Naomi Circle

  6:00-7:00 pm - FIA Group

 Friday, December 17

***Newsletter Deadline***

Saturday, December 18

  1:00-3:00 pm - Play Practice

Sunday, December 19, Fourth Sunday in Advent

  8:30 am - Worship Service

  9:30 am - Church School For All Ages

  9:30 am - Bell Choir Practice

11:00 am - Worship Service - Christmas Play

  3:00-5:00 pm - Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Coffee Hour Follows each worship service

             For Changes - Call Info Source 775-4636 - Message #3152

 

 

Special Notice • Caution:  Twice in the last year, we have experienced damage to underground electrical wiring that was difficult to locate and costly to repair; the second time was early in November.  We also have underground water lines to our sprinkling system.  To all individuals and committees: Please contact someone from the Trustees before doing ANYTHING that breaks the surface of the ground, so that future damage can be prevented.  Thank you from the Trustees.

 

 

If you are “flying” to a warmer climate this winter, please call the church office at 775-5362.  Mail can be forwarded or held for you.  Your notice helps us to keep expenses for returned mail to a minimum.

 

Interested in ringing??  Our Bell Choir, under the very capable leadership of director, Tonja Hinkston, is looking for another ringers or two.  Reading music is NOT essential.  Bell Choir practice is at 9:30 a.m. today in the choir room.   Come along and give it a try.

 

You may still give to the Tools of Hope which includes the Blanket Ministry.  From tents, blankets, and other emergency supplies for survivors of the earthquake that devastated Bam, Iran, to emergency food rations, blankets, candles and matches and plastic sheeting in the wake of monsoon flooding in parts of India, shelter needs come in all shapes and sizes.  A warm blanket costs just $5 but can make a big difference between health and sickness.

 

 

Needing a Christmas gift for a loved one??  Give a gift to the Tools of Hope and Blanket project.  We will provide a card for gift giving.  Cards will be available on the table in the Narthex.