United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street  · Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362  ·  Fax 775-6475

 

December 18, 2005

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

Leader:  We are walking toward a silent night,

People:  Drawn by the chords of love.

Leader:  We are moving to the sound of an angelic chorus,

People:  Lured by a deep and holy melody.

Leader:  We are growing in the likeness of Christ,

People:  Supported by the nudges of the Spirit.

Leader:  We are living in awareness of a divine love that fills

the universe,

People:  Pulling us to love and serve, to pray and worship.

 

    *HYMN OF PRAISE                                                                       #218

“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”

 

    *SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 

THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH                     The Candle of Love

 

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 Advent Carol.

 

 

ADVENT CAROL                                                                               #242

“ Love Came Down at Christmas”

 

UNISON PRAYER

As Christmas trees are lighted,

as people rush to shop and send their cards,

as Christmas songs are heard everywhere,

keep us close to you,

that the one whose coming we celebrate–

Jesus Christ– may be honored by all we do.

 

May all that we do in the Advent season

shine forth with your love.

We are you people.

Love through us.

Let Christ be seen in us;

for we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                      #895

 

THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

 

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                                                                                  Chancel Choir

“Advent Celebration   Arr. Jon Paige

 

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

 

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                            N.T. pg. 56

Luke 1:26 - 38

 

MESSAGE                                            Children and Youth of the Church

“Christmas Is . . .“   by Mary Tucker

 

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

 

OFFERTORY INVITATION

 

GIVING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD

 

OFFERTORY

 

    *ADVENT 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)

Gracious God, whose glory angels sang when Christ was born. We offer these gifts with joy and in humility and we pray that you will prepare us once more to hear the good news of his coming, that hearing, we may believe, and so live praising and glorifying his name - Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

 

    *HYMN OF DEDICATION                                                              #230

“ O Little Town of Bethlehem

At the end of the first verse sing: “are met in thee, O Christ”

 

    *COMMISSION AND BLESSING

 

    *CHORAL RESPONSE                                                    Chancel Choir

            Reprise  -  “Advent Celebration - Jesus is Coming”

 

    *POSTLUDE

 

 

 

*All who are able, please stand.

 

 

 

 

 

Attention Moms! Please join the Moms In Touch groups in this area as we pray this month that our children will have a spirit of contentment.  “Teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength” (Phil. 4:12-13).  There is an opportunity to become part of a Moms In Touch group in this area; call Ellie Poll at 231-824-9314 for more information or visit www.MomsInTouch.org.

 

 

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, December 25, 2005

11:00 a.m. Greeters: Jeff and Laura Marion

11:00 a.m. Ushers: George Family

Acolytes: Drew Marion

Nursery: Amy and Doug Gullekson

Sermontime: Open

Coffee Hour: Open

 

 

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor                                                                                    Dale Ostema

Parish Assistant                                                                      Judy Coffey

Coordinator-Children/Youth Ministries                               Debbie Ostema

Church Office Manager                                                            Patty Holst

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 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Coffee Hour follows each Worship Service

  8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

  9:30 a.m. - Church School for all ages

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship - Children’s Christmas Program

  3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - District Youth

 

Monday, December 19

  7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts

Tuesday - December 20

  7:15 a.m. Daybreak Prayer Group

  7:00 p.m. Trustees

Wednesday - December 21

  9:00 a.m. - TOPS

11:00 a.m. - Friendship Chain

  7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Chancel Choir Christmas Party follows practice

Thursday, December 22

  7:00 a.m. - Promise Keepers

11:30 a.m. - Prayer Group

  6:00 p.m. United Methodist Men

 

Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve

  7:30 p.m. - Family Worship

11:00 p.m. - Carols, Candles & Holy Communion

 

Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day

Coffee Hour Follows Worship Service

  9:30 am - Wesley/Berean Class meets

11:00 am - Christmas Day Worship

 

A practice for the singing of The Messiah during “First Night” will be held Tuesday, December 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.  Share in hearing this magnificent, musical piece on New Year’s Eve at 7:00 p.m..

 

The Children’s Sunday School and the Seekers Class will not meet on Christmas morning at 9:30 a.m.  The Wesley/Berean Class will be meeting.  They invite you to join them as they read the Christmas story together and talk about their favorite Christmas memories.   

 

Advent Devotional Guides are available on the table in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one.

 

The Love, INC. Children’s Coat Pantry at Temple Hill Baptist Church is in desperate need of Boys jackets, sizes 8 through 12 and children snow pants (all sizes) and warm children’s mittens/gloves.  Used items, in good, clean condition are very acceptable.  Donations may be dropped off at Temple Hill, 1601 West Division Street, Cadillac, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  If you have questions, call the Love, INC. Office at 779-1888.

 

Love, INC is also in need of a pair of men’s boots, size 12.  If able to donate, please speak with Pastor Dale.

 

Our Christmas offering this year will once again go to Local, National and International causes.  One third of our offering will go to fund home heating for local families who express a need to Love INC.  Another portion of our offering will go to Henderson Settlement, a mission agency of the Red Bird Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church.  We will also be giving a portion of our offering to Hope for the children of Africa.

 

Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

8:30 a.m. Ushers & Greeters: Pat and Don Lakin

Greeters -11:00:  Nelson and Margaret Himes

Ushers - 11:00: Gladys Foster, Margaret Helton, Hazel Jarvis,

                       Barb Wild, Tom Hunt and David Fuller

Organist/Pianist: Ann Hunt

Nursery: Lisa, Jennifer and Jessica Weaver

Sermontime: Darlene Fowler

Coffee Hour: Board of Trustees

Power Point: Laurie Kinney

 

The Chancel Flowers on the Lord’s Table this morning are given in honor of Dan and Laurie Kinney’s wedding anniversary.

 

 

            Christmas Eve Worship

 

            Family Worship Service at 7:30 p.m.

 

Celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends at this family orientated service. We will sing carols, read the Christmas story, light the Christ Candle, hear the Chancel Choir sing and reflections by Pastor Dale and share in the beautiful service of candlelighting.  Child care will be available for infants & young children.

 

            Carols, Candles and Holy Communion

            at 11:00 p.m.

 

Come, as we welcome the Christ Child into the world. Worship at this lovely, quiet service as we sing carols, light the Christ Candles on the Advent Wreath, hear reflections by Pastor Dale, receive Holy Communion and light the Christ candles as we sing “Silent Night.”

 

            Christmas Day Worship at 11:00 a.m.

 

We will worship on Sunday at 11:00 am. only.  The worship will include special music, lots of carols, meditation by Pastor Dale.  Come and worship the Savior of the World!!