First Presbyterian Church
The Fourth Sunday of
Advent
Sunday, December 20,
2009 8:30 and 10:00 AM
The Prelude A time to be
silent in preparation for worship
“Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” arr. by Scheom
Welcome and
Announcements
Ringing Our Historic
Church Bells
*The Opening Hymn (insert) “In the Bleak Midwinter”
The Call to
Worship (responsive)
L: The time has come to give thanks:
C: For what was, what
is, what is to come.
L: The time has come to bless:
C: The One who created us and the neighbors who
share creation.
L: The time has come to labor:
C: To birth peace, to
bring forth plenty, to nurture love.
All: The time has come to welcome.
Lighting Our Advent
Candle
The Anthem “Could This Be the
Day” by Martin
Prayer of Confession (unison)
God of promises and possibilities, we
admit that we color the world according to our own limited vision. We are often unjust in our judgments and
faithless in our relationships. We are
haunted by sins we have not confessed, Hear us as we entrust them to your
forgiving care. Help us to let go of our
transgressions, to renew our covenant with you, and to live constructively with
one another. In the spirit of Jesus
Christ, whose coming among us we await with great expectation.
Assurance of Pardon
Hymn #289 “Adoration”
The Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s
Sermon
Reception
of New Members
Offertory—As a tangible
expression of our gratitude to God, we joyfully offer our monetary gifts to
financially support God's Work at First Presbyterian Church
Offertory Music “Still He Came” by Vader, Rouse, Kirkland
Soloists:
Betty Tezak & Ken Price
*Doxology # 812
*Prayer of Dedication
(unison)
Generous God, you have given everything—even
yourself —for the good of your
creation. Yearn through us to be as generous to you as you have been to us.
Open our hands, our hearts, our minds, our souls to pour out the riches you
have bestowed on us for the good of our sisters and brothers. Receive what we
dare to return, and expand our daring. Bless us to live into the image you
imprinted within each creature, an image of divine abundance and unmeasured,
risky giving. Amen.
Prayer of Illumination
First Reading of
Scripture Hebrew 10: 5-10 pg. 224 N.T.
Scripture Reader: Jim
Ribby
*The Hymn of
Preparation
#281 “What
Child Is This”
Second
Reading Luke 1: 39-56 pg. 57 N.T.
The Sermon “Self-Examination” Rev.
Shafer
*The Closing Hymn #249 “O Come, All Ye
Faithful”
*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love
*The Pastoral
Benediction
The Postlude “Angels Sing” arr. by Scharm
First
Presbyterian Church
PROCLAIMING
THE WORD IN THE REFORMED TRADITION SINCE 1874
A Congregation of The
Presbyterian Church (USA)
404 Spruce Street Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629
(231) 264-8167
FAX (231) 264-0162
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
Church Email: info@erfpc.org
Website: www.erfpc.org
INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR
The Rev. Harold (Hal) Shafer
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
The Rev. Sandra K. Murray
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Pamela Bekkering
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Gary Bekkering
THE SESSION
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
William (Bill) Clark |
Brenda Corner |
Brandon Darin |
|
Susan Cook |
Melvin (Mel)
Matchett |
Peter (Pete) Eckardt |
|
Donald Fedrigon |
Sarah Miller |
John Moore |
|
Sue Flowers |
Nancy Muhlig |
Ramona (Mona) Nelson |
|
Kennie (Ken) May |
Dale Wagner |
Betty Tezak |
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Saundra (Sandy)
Blackmore |
Shanna Branding |
Sandra (Sandy)
Davids |
|
Margaret (Peggy)
Bushnell |
Mary Anne Frey |
Janet (Jan) Johnson |
|
Dianne Hall |
Denise Heeke |
Leonard Orzechowski |
|
Mark Haskell |
Eleanor (Elle)
Holdsworth |
Diane Thompson |
|
Jane Lund |
Adam Schuler |
Margaret (Marge)
Weitschat |
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Ronnie Blackmore |
James (Jim) Goodall |
Loyal Cobb |
|
Kenneth (Ken) Cook |
Donald (Don) Shurte |
Jane Croftchik |
|
James (Jim) Nothoff |
Peter (Pete)
VanDenBerge |
Jonathan (Jon) Heeke |
|
Christine Schuler |
Kenneth (Ken)
Weitschat |
Richard (Dick)
Schurch |
|
Beth Serrell |
Harry Widman |
(Vacant) |
PASTOR EMERITUS
The Rev. Dr. Daniel K.
Herlein
|
This Week’s Activities |
Next Week’s Activities |
|
TODAY, December 20 8:00 am Prayer
Time 8:30 am Worship
Service 10:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 5:00 pm MS
Youth @ LH 7:00 pm HS
Youth @ LH MONDAY, December 21 TUESDAY, December 22 9:00 am Community Cupboard Del 3:30 pm Staff
Meeting WEDNESDAY, December 23 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 4:30 pm Choir
Rehearsal THURSDAY, December 24 9:00 am Bulletin Print 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service 9:00 pm Christmas Eve Service FRIDAY, December 25 Merry Christmas Office Closed |
SUN., Dec. 27 8:00 am Prayer
Time 8:30 am Worship
Service NO Sunday
School 10:00 am Worship Service 5:00 pm MS
Youth @ LH 7:00 pm HS
Youth @ LH MON., Dec. 28 TUE., Dec. 29 3:30 pm Staff
Meeting WED., Dec. 30 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 4:30 pm Choir
Rehearsal THU., Dec. 31 9:00 am Bulletin Print FRI., Jan. 1, 2010 New Year’s Day Office Closed |
The Mission Statement of First Presbyterian Church
SHARING, GROWING, AND LIVING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST
This we seek to accomplish by
Introducing Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him;
Deepening the faith and commitment of those who already know
Him;
Demonstrating Christ’s way of love in service to the world
GREETERS 8:30 Jim and Jane Lund
GREETERS 10:00 Dennis
and Charlene Prebee
USHERS 8:30 Harry
and Nell Widman
Jack
and Barb White
USHERS 10:00 Dick
and Jean Schurch
Don
and Sandy Davids
_________________________________________________________________
OUR ACOLYTES TODAY are
Brittany and Jordanna Clarkson.
PRAYER
REQUESTS: Don Erhart,
Deb Morrow
CHILD
CARE facilities are available
in order to keep our services in the spirit of worship. Children who are infants through three years
of age are invited. Assisting our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West, today
are Kaitlin Eberle, David Bellingham and Amy Russell. Scheduled to assist next week are Katie Atkinson and
Jim Allen.
NURSERY IS LOOKING for one more volunteer to watch our little
ones at the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. If you can help please let
Melissa or Pam know. Thank You!
PASTOR SANDY ADULT SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS resumes today at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship
Hall.
NO SUNDAY
SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 27 OR JANUARY 3, 2010.
Classes will resume on January
10, 2010.
PARISH
NURSES will be taking blood pressures
TODAY between the two services and after the 10 a.m. service in the library.
Come and get your blood pressure taken!
THE ELK LAKE COMMUNITY CHOIR will present “Night of Hope” by Davis and Knight
today at 4 p.m. This event will be held at the Elk Rapids High School
Auditorium. Sixty singers, joined by area musicians and dancers from the Alden
Dance Academy, and will be narrated by Rob Ford and Sue Pryde.
Paul Rajala is the accompanist with Cheryl Knight,
Music Director. A freewill offering will be taken following the concert.
Proceeds will benefit Child & Family Services, Elk Rapids Band Program and
two area fire departments, who will purchase life saving respirators for
animals. This concert is sponsored in part by the Elk Rapids Rotary Club.
POINSETTIA
PLANTS: If you indicated that you were taking a
poinsettia plant, you may do so after the 9 p.m. Christmas Eve service or any
day afterwards.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS
|
Toddlers (18 – 36 months) |
Nursery Lower Level |
|
Pre-K – Grade 5 |
Lower Level |
|
Jr. & Sr. High |
Lighthouse |
|
Parenting Class |
Fellowship Hall |
|
Adult Education |
Fellowship Hall |
CHRISTMAS EVE CHRIST-CHILD PRESENTER:
If your child would like to present the baby Jesus during Christmas Eve
Services at 7 or 9 p.m., please write his/her name on the sign-up sheet posted
on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or call the office at 264-8167.
CHRISTMAS
EVE SERVICES For Families with Young
Children 5 p.m. The first Christmas Eve Candlelight service will begin at 5 p.m. It
will be a shorter service especially designed for families with young
children. Individual Christmas Eve candles will be lit during the service. Two Traditional Christmas
Eve Services 7 and 9 p.m. The second and third Christmas Eve services will begin at 7 & 9
p.m. respectively and will be traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight
Services. Individual candles will be lit and child care will be provided.
JUST A REMINDER: In your giving envelope box is an envelope
marked Per Capita. Per Capita is the
amount ($25) that each Presbyterian congregation pays for each member to
support the ministry and mission of their Presbytery (Mackinac), their Synod (The
Synod of the Covenant) and General Assembly.
If you were unable to increase your pledge this year, this is an easy
way to take a step forward in your giving. You will be receiving a letter explaining Per
Capita in more detail.
HAVE YOU NOTICED THE RED
HEARTS ON SOME NAME TAGS? Yes, they are special people. They are our
new members. They wear this designation for the first year of membership.
Please introduce yourself, welcome them, and invite them to church activities.
New members are so important in the life of a thriving church. The Nurture Ministry Team
THANK YOU TO
OUR USHERS, GREETERS AND COFFEE CENTRAL HOSTS: We truly appreciate those men and women who volunteer
to faithfully serve as ushers and greeters for our Sunday morning worship
services. Thank you to those who come
early for Coffee Central. Your
faithfulness to this ministry is greatly appreciated. Please take time to thank these men and women
for their important service to our church family and remember our Youth who
provide these services on the fourth Sunday each month.
ON VACATION: Sandy Lake will be out of the office on Monday,
December 28, and Tuesday, December 29. Volunteers will be in the office from 10
a.m. until 2 p.m. to answer the phones. If you need any assistance please
contact Sandy before December 24, or after December 29. Thank you!
YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM IS LOOKING FOR 20% off coupons to be used at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They need 20 coupons for the purchase of chairs for
the Lighthouse. Please give these coupons to Gary Bekkering.
CONFIRMATION MENTORS NEEDED: We are asking for an adult volunteer to donate one
Monday a month, as a youth mentor in the Confirmation Class. The class will be held every Monday, January
through May, 3-4:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse. Please contact Gary for further
information.
THE NOMINATING MINISTRY TEAM is now accepting names of individuals to be
considered for service on the upcoming PNC (Pastoral Nominating Committee).
Candidates must be a member of First Presbyterian Church and willing to commit
their time and talents for this important assignment. Please submit the
following information to Sue Cook, Clerk of Session: your name, phone number,
email address and a brief statement about why you would like to serve. Please
be aware that the PNC has not been authorized yet. This is just a preliminary
step in the process.
Elder Sue Flowers, Co-chair of the
Nomination Ministry Team
YOUR 2010 GIVING ENVELOPES are ready to be picked up! They are on the table in
the front entrance, in alphabetical order. PLEASE, help the church save
postage by taking your envelopes home today.
YEAR END GIVING: We are rapidly approaching the end of 2009. We want to remind everyone that for your
pledge payment or other year-end giving to be included on your 2009
Contribution Statement, they MUST be received in the church office by Thursday,
December 31.
CONTINUOUS, ONGOING, YOUTH FUND RAISER: You can donate your returnable (only) bottles and
cans to help fund scholarships for mission trips and retreats for our Youth.