United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street  ·  Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362   ·   Fax 775-6475

 

December 19, 2004

Fourth Sunday of 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

One:    Walking toward Bethlehem,

All:       Listening every step of the way

One:    For the sound of our name,

All:       For the announcement that we have found favor with God.

One:    Walking toward Bethlehem,

All:       Watching every step of the way

One:    For a new star in the sky,

All:       For guidance in our daily lives.

One:    Walking toward Bethlehem,

All:       Hoping we shall find a baby in a manger:

One:    A simple sign that God loves us still

All:       And reason enough to sing God's praise.

 

    *HYMN OF PRAISE                                                                       #230

            “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

 

    *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 four: Think of love forevermore;

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

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

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH                          Candle of Love

 

PRAYER

Eternal and loving God, pour out in our hearts this day the light of your love, warming us to one another, enlightening our understanding of others and revealing the path of charity upon which you have called us to walk.  We give thanks for a love that passes understanding as we await the dawning of God’s pervasive and enduring love once more this Christmas season.  Amen.

 

SONG  “There’s a Song”                                                               #2141

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

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

Alleluia!  Love in my heart is singing praises.

Alleluia!  Love is a gift from God.

 

            THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

 

UNISON PRAYER

Ever-loving God, who brought forth in this world the very image of yourself on a winter's day two millennia in the past, we give you our praise and thanksgiving that this gift still lives with us today. Bethlehem is our eternal reminder that you are with us and among us, that you did not and will not abandon your people, and that you have shown us a way to live and to love.  Let all who feel lonely and without meaning or hope, discover the Christ child as Emmanuel.  Let all who feel busy and preoccupied pause at the manger to experience the Emmanuel.  Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE                                                                      

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                      #895

 

            THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

 

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              Chancel Choir

            “Carol for Advent”   Arr. Besig

 

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

 

SCRIPTURE READING                                                              N.T. pg. 1

            Matthew 1:18-25

           

MESSAGE

            “The Nativity Set”                                                                       

 

            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)

Gracious and loving God, we offer our prayers and these gifts to you in response to your great love for us. May these tokens of our love proclaim that the true reason for our joy this Christmas season is the birth of your love in human form in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen

            THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

 

    *HYMN OF DEDICATION                                                              #242

            “Love Came Down at Christmas”

 

    *COMMISSION AND BLESSING                                                             

 

    *POSTLUDE

 

            *All who are able, please stand.

 

 

          

Christmas Eve Services Volunteer Ministry

7:30 pm Service

 Acolytes:

  Greeters: Ray and Betty Mayer

  Ushers: Hazel Jarvis

 Child care Giver: Bev Campbell

11:00 pm Service

  Greeters:

  Ushers:

 

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, December 26

Acolytes: Jacob Farmer

Greeters: Gerry and Julie Vanderheide

 Ushers: Jim and Laura Hodges, Peggy Kirvan, Dee Piltz,

  Jeff and Laura Marion

Nursery: Kyle and Lori Smith

Sermontime: Bill and Sue Allen

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                                                                                 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 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

Coffee Hour Follows each worship service

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

Monday, December 20

   7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

Tuesday, December 21

   7:15 am - Daybreak Prayer Group in Wesley Room

   7:00 pm - Trustees Meeting

 Wednesday, December 22

  9:00-10:00 am - No TOPS meeting

  7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice and Choir Party

Thursday, December 23

   7:00 am - Promise Keepers

 Noon Prayer Group in Wesley Room

Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve

   7:30 pm - Family Worship Service

  11:00 pm - Worship Service

Saturday, December 25

     Have a Blessed Christmas Day !

Sunday, December 26, First Sunday of Christmas

This Sunday there is no Church School & only one worship service

  11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows the worship service

 

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

 

 

 

The Finance Committee is continuing to receive 2005 Financial Pledges.  Extra pledge cards are available in the pew pockets or on the table in the church entryway.  Please make an effort to submit your card as soon as possible.  We also thank all who have participated in our “Give Until It Heals” financial campaign.  Please prayerfully consider a financial commitment toward our church’s mission and ministry.

 

 

We so appreciate your generous donations of food for funeral luncheons or other functions, however, we find that there are many extra serving dishes and pans left in the church kitchen.  Please check in the kitchen for yours.  Thank you!

 

 

The 2005 Flower Calendar is available this morning in the narthex.  You may sign up for flowers in memory or in honor of a person or special occasion. The information is printed in the Sunday bulletin. The flowers are still $15.00 and are used for Sunday worship and then may be taken for your enjoyment and use.