United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street  ·  Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362   ·   Fax 775-6475

 

November 28, 2004

First 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:    Something stirs deep within us ‑

All:       A longing, a hope,

One:    A thirst for joy,

All:       A hunger for peace,

One:    A yearning for blessing.

All:       We know deep within

One:    That our hopes and fears

All:       Will be met by angel songs and baby sighs.

One:    It is Advent ‑

All:       Season of waiting, hoping, yearning.

One:    Advent ‑

All:       Come, Lord Jesus, come.

 

*HYMN OF PRAISE                                                                           #203

            “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

 

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH                          Candle of Hope

 

 

CANDLE LIGHTING SONG                                                             #2090

            “Light the Advent Candle”   Vs. 1

 

PRAYER

O God, who gave us the Light, thank you for giving us hope in the form of a child at Bethlehem.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of this Holy Child, may we be willing to be your servants, lighting the candle of hope in the dankness of despair.  Amen.

 

SONG  “There’s a Song”                                                               #2141

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

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

Alleluia!  Hope in my heart is singing praises.

Alleluia!  Hope is a gift from God.

 

THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

 

If you have a prayer joy or concern to be shared,

please fill out a prayer card and hand it to an usher.

 

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of forgiveness and mercy, hear our prayer as we confess our shortcomings.  With moments so critical, we let time “just go by.”  With deliverance so near, we linger in the darkness.  With Christ as our armor, we yet fear the unknown foe.  With the night having passed, we still hesitate to greet the new day.  O God, lead us forth, that the moment may be met.  Dispel the shadows, so that your will may be clear.  Clothed with light and new life in Christ, let us go forth as those who are awake.  Amen.

 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

 

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE                                                                      

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                      #895

 

THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

 

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              Chancel Choir

            “Come, Emmanuel”   Arr. Besig

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

 

SCRIPTURE READING                                                           N.T. pg.162

            Romans 13:8-14

 

MESSAGE                                                                  Pastor Dale Ostema

            “Wake Up to Love”

 

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.

 

    *PRAYER OF DEDICATION   (In unison)Gracious and loving God, these gifts we offer are our response to the light which came into the world that first Christmas. Help us in this Advent season to allow that light to shine through us, so that the dark areas of people's lives can be pierced by Christ's love. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen

            THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

 

*HYMN OF DEDICATION                                                                  #730

            “O Day of God”

 

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING

 

*POSTLUDE

 

 

            *All who are able, please stand.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, December 5

Acolytes: Jacob Farmer

Greeters 11:00: Gale and Charlotte Butterfield

 Ushers 11:00: Helen Quinn, Frank Weikel, Jane Whitney,

                       Dick and Carol Jones

Nursery: Laura George and Alison Ostema

Sermontime: Darlene Fowler

Coffee Hour: Dorcas Circle

 

 

 

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, November 28, First 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

Coffee Hour Follows each worship service

  3:00 - 5:00 pm - Advent Event

 

Monday, November 29

  9:30 am - Philharmonic Practice in Sanctuary

  7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

Tuesday, November 30

  7:15 am - Daybreak Prayer Group in Wesley Room

  Wednesday, December 1

  9:00 - 10:00 am - TOPS in Corbin Room

  5:45 pm - Staff Christmas Party

  7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, December 2

Noon Prayer Group in Wesley Room

  6:00 pm - FIA Parents and Children

  6:00 pm - Wesley Fellowship Christmas Party

  7:00 pm - Education Committee

Saturday, December 4

 1:00 - 4:00 pm - DAR in Fellowship Hall

 

Sunday, December 5, Second Sunday of Advent

Holy Communion at both worship services

  8:30 am - Worship Service

  9:30 am - Church School For All Ages

  9:30 am - Bell Choir Practice

11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Follows each worship service

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Cadillac High School Drama Club will present their 12th Annual Talent Competition on Friday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Auditorium.  Tickets $3.00 students, $3.50 adults.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, December 12

from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Come and join together in sharing the spirit of Christmas

by caroling at the homes of our shut-ins and special friends

and at care sites in the community.

 

We will be having a Soup Supper following the Caroling.

Soup, breads and desserts will be served.

 

Invite your friends and family to come.

Prizes, games and fun for all ages.

 

            Make your Soup Supper Reservation

 

Name ______________________________________

 

# of people _______

 

Please place in the offering plate or call the church office - 775-5362.

 

Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

Liturgist:: 8:30 - Judy Coffey

              11:00 - Jerry Seward

Organist/Pianist: Virginia Pulford

Acolytes: Jon Blake

Advent Wreath Lighters: 8:30 - Dennis and Sue Hyzer

              11:00 - Bill, Betty, Beth & Walter Dumont

Greeters/Ushers 8:30: Ray and Betty Mayer

Greeters 11:00: Harold Gekeler, Mary Blake,

                          Jonathan Blake and Lauryn Blake

Ushers 11:00: Bill and Sue Allen, Peggy Kirvan, Dee Piltz

Nursery: Kevin and Patricia Bruner

Sermontime: Diana VanAntwerp

Coffee Hour: Lay Leadership Committee

 

 

Our Chancel Flowers this morning are presented in thankfulness for eighty years of life for Tom Johnson.

 

 

The Advent Event will be held today beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Pastor Dale and the JD’s.  A time of decorating the tree in Fellowship Hall, making crafts & decorating cookies will follow.  Invite your friends and neighbors to come; all are welcome!

 

 

Next Sunday:  First Sunday “Loose Plate” will be given to Heifer International.  Their goal is to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.  Staple Food and Paper Products donated on the first Sunday in December are designated to go the King’s Storehouse Pantry at the First Baptist Church.

 

 

Wesley Fellowship will meet on Thursday, December 2, at 6:00 pm for their annual Christmas Party.  A Potluck Supper will begin the time together.  Bring a dish to pass and your own table service.  The famous $1 gift exchange (bring a wrapped dollar gift for the gift exchange) and carol singing follows.  It is a wonderful time of celebrating the season; come along & enjoy the fun and fellowship

 

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.