United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street  ·  Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362   ·   Fax 775-6475

 

December 26, 2004

First Sunday after Christmas

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:    The Christmas season continues and the spirit of Christ reigns among us.

All:       We want to prolong the friendly greetings and carols of good cheer.

One:    The steadfast love of God abides with all who are receptive to it. 

All:       We want to stay in familiar places enjoying God’s mercy and redemption.

One:    The same God who meets us here sends us to far places for our safety and growth.

All:       We will not turn away from any possibilities God has in store for us.

One:    The One by whom and for whom all things exist welcomes us as sisters and brothers of Jesus.

All:       In the name of One who shared our humanity, we bring our worship and praise.       

 

*HYMN OF PRAISE                                                                           #220

 

            “Angels From the Realms of Glory”

 

 

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 

            THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

 

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.

 

A CAROL MEDLEY ON JOY                                                   (on screen)

Joy to the World · O Thou Joyful · Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!

 

UNISON PRAYER

Eternal God, whose glory is revealed in vastness and in power, yet whose secret name is love; this is the time when we remember you gentle hidden in a mother’s hope and in the joy of a birth.  This is the time when we believe again, if only for a season, that love is stronger than fear, peace more enduring than enmity and that darkness will never put out the light.  And so, in this season of midwinter spring, we offer to you the joy, the hope, the dreams of us all.  We offer to you our gift of gratitude, and we make bold to believe that you have graced us with your presence, for we are gathered in the name of Love.  Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE                          THE LORD’S PRAYER  #895

 

            THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

 

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              Chancel Choir

            “Bethlehem Hallelu  Arr. Jay Althouse

 

SCRIPTURE READING                                                              N.T. pg. 2

            Matthew 2:13-18

 

MESSAGE                                                                  Pastor Dale Ostema

            “Getting What You Want for Christmas”

 

            RESPONDING TO THE WORD

 

OFFERING INVITATION

           

GIVING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD

 

OFFERTORY

 

 

*DOXOLOGY                             Tune:  Angels From the Realms of Glory

Give us Lord the grace for sharing;                Give us now thy way to see

How your Son was born among us; How his life served all for thee.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Joyful servants may we be!

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION   (In unison)

Alleluia!  Christ is with us!  Emmanuel, we bring gifts to the stable as the shepherds brought their sheep.  As we are dazzled by a star in the sky, we know whose we are ‑ and for belonging to you, we are deeply grateful.  Take what we offer- our gifts and ourselves- and make this offering glorify your name worthy, we pray.  Amen.

 

            THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

 

*HYMN OF DEDICATION                                                                  #251

            “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

 

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING                                                              

 

*POSTLUDE

 

            *All who are able, please stand.

 

 

 

 

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, January 2

Acolytes: Jon Blake

Nursery: Lisa Weaver

Sermontime: Katy Huckle

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

 

 

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 and are used for Sunday worship; then may be taken for your enjoyment and use.

 

 

Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, December 26, First Sunday of Christmas

Today there is no Church School & only one worship service

  11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows the worship service

 

Monday, December 27

   7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

Tuesday, December 28

   7:15 am - Daybreak Prayer Group in Wesley Room

 Wednesday, December 29

  9:00-10:00 am - No TOPS meeting

  7:30 pm - Chancel Choir

Thursday, December 30

   7:00 am - Promise Keepers

 Noon Prayer Group in Wesley Room

Friday, December 31, New Year’s Eve

First Night Activities beginning at 1:30 with Community Picture

Saturday, January 1

Wishing You a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!

 

Sunday, January 2, Epiphany of the Lord

Judy Coffey, Parish Assistant Preaching

Holy Communion at both worship services

   8:30 am - Worship Service

 11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each service

           

 

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!

 

 

 

Please note the church has hearing assistance devices for use during worship.  These can be used by persons with or without hearing

 

 

Next Sunday, we will resume our regular Sunday schedule with worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. & Church school for all ages at 9:30 a.m..  During worship, we will have an Epiphany Festival.  Judy Coffey will be offering the message.

 

E·piph_·ny means manifestation - like the Magi of old we now “go tell” the world about the birth of Jesus.  Holy Communion will be served.  Rev. Emery Hinkston will be instituting the Sacrament at 8:30 worship and Pastor Allen McCreedy at 11:00 worship.  A Special Coffee Hour follows each service complete with King’s Cake and Prizes.

 

 

Once again, First Night of Cadillac will host the Messiah Sing at the First Congregational Church on Harris Street at 7:00 p.m.  Both singers and audience are needed.  Come along!

 

 

Reminder that you are welcomed to take your poinsettia home this morning following worship.  Thank you so much for helping to make the chancel area look so lovely for Christmas.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.