SIBLEY CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH *God’s Greeting Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 21, 2014 Pastor Roger Bouwman *We Greet One Another Welcome to the Sibley Christian Reformed Church … Ministry in Music by Youth class: A place to gather, worship, and praise the Lord! Trombone solo “What Child Is This?” Dreycen Foiles Saxophone duet “Silent Night” Lesly Cuardos & Kaileen Runia Morning Worship 9:30 A.M. (congregation join in singing after first time through verses 1 & 3)

Prelude Solo “Away in a Manger” Jennifer Cuardos Welcome/Announcements Song “Go, Tell It On the Mountain” Youth class (congregation join in singing the final chorus) Lighting of the Advent Wreath by Nate, Jennifer and Mario WE ARE RENEWED IN THE GRACE OF GOD Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) Advent Liturgy—The Light of Christ, part 1 “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she Nate: Sheltered from the snow and wind, we are gathered here today in Advent hope. entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s During these months when daylight grows scarce, we remember the anticipation of our greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a Savior, who, in perfect sacrificial love, lowered himself into a feed trough to redeem his loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you creation. will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for All: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isa. 9:2) joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Nate: God entered a rebellious, wayward, and broken world, and absolutely everything changed. Today we are reminded of the hope of our Messiah. Lighting of all the colored candles. With this candle we think of Love. We urge God’s people to desire the greatest gift of All: His life has brought us life, that light has shone in the darkness; and the all—Love; in order that they may truly be loving and winsome people. [light the candles) shadows have not, nor will they ever, put out its flame. (John 1:4-5) Prayer Nate: Though the newspaper headlines echo sin’s curse, Reader: Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love, and our minds are Youth: the light of Christ will never be extinguished. searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ, our Savior, and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his Nate: Though wars rage on, and injustice plagues creation, presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Everyone: Amen Youth: the light of Christ will never be extinguished. Advent Song [announce] Nate: In the midst of economic crises, student loans, and unanticipated bills, And now let us sing “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Red # 118:1 & 2 Youth: the light of Christ will never be extinguished. Nate: In the face of cancer, in the waiting room, WE GATHER AROUND THE WORD OF GOD Youth: the light of Christ will never be extinguished. *Song of Preparation: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” Red # 143 Nate: Surrounded by strained and broken relationships, *Prayer for Illumination Youth: the light of Christ will never be extinguished. Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23 (page 1497) All: No, and what is more, your kingdom of Light is spreading. Sermon: “God’s Present” Nate: The Light of the world has begun making all things new. Prayer for Application Youth: Resurrection floods the world like daybreak. *Song of Application: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” Red # 133: 1 & 2 Nate: The sick are healed. WE GATHER AROUND THE LORD’S TABLE Youth: Your kingdom come, Leader: Hear the words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ [reading of 1 Corinthians 11:23b-26]: Nate: The dead breathe new life. The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance Youth: Your will be done, of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new Nate: The brokenhearted are restored. covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Youth: On earth Congregation: We shall do as our Lord commands. We proclaim that our Lord Nate: Sinners are forgiven. Jesus was sent by the Father into the world, that he took upon himself our flesh and blood, and bore the wrath of God against our sin. We confess that he was Youth: As it is in heaven. condemned to die that we might be pardoned and suffered death that we might All: Amen. live. We proclaim that he is risen to make us right with God and that he shall come again in the glory of his new creation. This we do now and until he comes Ministry in Music “O Holy Night!” by Melissa Wiersma & Jessica Williams again. Men’s Chorus “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Leader: Let us pray: God of all power, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that in sharing the WE BRING OUR PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS bread we may share in the body of Christ, that in sharing the cup we may share in his blood. Grant that, being joined together in Christ Jesus, we may become united in faith Pastoral Prayer and in all things become mature in the one who is our head. We pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray: Offering 1st blue bag – General Budget 2nd red bag – Focus on the Family Congregation: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom Youth: May we let our light shine for all to see, come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, Nate: for God’s glory rises, more faithfully and beautifully than the most breathtaking but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, sunrise, to shine upon us. forever. Amen. Youth: Darkness black as night covers all the nations of the earth Leader: [As the bread is prepared] Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body Nate: but the majesty and power of the Most High climbs the sky and falls upon us. of Christ? Youth: And all nations will come to your light.” (Isa. 60:1-3) Congregation: We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf. All: Amen. Leader: [As the cup is prepared] Is not the cup for which we give thanks a sharing in the blood of Christ? *Doxology: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Red # 118:3

Congregation: The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ. *Moment of Reflection Holy Father, in thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the hope of his coming again, we present ourselves a living Postlude sacrifice and come to the table of our Lord. *please stand if able * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Leader: [Distribution of the bread] Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our WELCOME, it is our prayer that you will see Jesus in a new & powerful way that will Lord Jesus Christ was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. change your life forever! Leader: [Distribution of the cup] Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious This morning we will be celebrating the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In order for blood of our Lord Jesus Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. this celebration to be helpful to us, the scriptures call us to examine ourselves. The reason for this self-examination is to verify that we do belong to God and His people, Leader: Glory to God the Father, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ and in this way avoid God’s judgment on us. (I Corinthians 11:23-29). So to all who can and crowned him with glory and honor. Glory to God the Son, who lives to plead our give the following testimony, we extend a sincere invitation to come with gladness to the cause at the right hand of the Father, and who will come again to make all things new. table of the Lord and take part in this celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Glory to God the Holy Spirit, who brings us the taste of the good Word of God and the I am a sinner and truly sorry before God for my sins. power of the age to come. I trust in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation. I desire to lead a godly life with Christ as Lord. Congregation: Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor, I am professing member in good standing in a Christian Church. power and might be to our Lord forever! Amen. There will be a Vespers Communion service held in the Council room this evening at WE LEAVE TO SERVE GOD WITH THANKFUL HEARTS 4:30 p.m. for anyone who is not able to attend the service in the morning. *Sending: Advent Liturgy—The Light of Christ, part 2 We welcome Pastor Roger Bouwman to our pulpit as he leads us in our worship All: Send us out into the darkness, driven by your Spirit, alive in your grace, to services. May the Lord bless the proclamation of His Holy Word. bring the light of your salvation into a world of shadows. Next Sunday Dr. Greg Kosters will lead our worship services. Next Sunday coffee servers will be Darrell & Darlene Teerink and Arnie & Mary Evening Worship 5:00 P.M. Braaksma Prelude CHURCH FAMILY Pray for Garrold's continued recovery and good healing from surgery repairing a hernia. Welcome/Announcements Keep in your hearts and prayers our members kept home by age or infirmity or limited Opening Prayer immune systems: Alfred Vogel, Alice Offringa, Josie Vogel, Kathy Zylstra Song of Praise: “Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praise” Blue # 187:1-4 THANK YOU!

Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed Thank you to our youth church school class members for their many contributions to our service today. They brought such willing spirits and open hearts to our preparations. Song of Petition: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” Blue # 335:1 & 2 Class members are: Dreycen Foiles (who also prepared the power point for today),

Dylan Runia, Tiffany Ling, Lesly Cuardos, Nate Runia, Jennifer Cuardos, Kaileen Runia Prayer for Illumination and Mario Cuardos. Please express your appreciation when you see them after the Scripture Matthew 1:18-25 service. Text Micah 6:8 Thank you to Harriet Vande Hoef for asking, inspiring and leading both groups and Sermon: “What does the Lord require of you?” individuals in offerings of music during our Advent and Christmas services. Please let her know that her efforts are appreciated. Prayer of Application Thank you to our Deacons, their wives and their recruits for preparing nut, fruit and Hymn for Application: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” Blue # 335:3 & 4 candy bags for us all to enjoy at holiday events at home. Special thanks as well for their sponsorship and arrangement of the dinner for our widows and widowers earlier this Pastoral Prayer (requests welcome) month. Offering Focus on the Family I don’t know how to begin to say thanks for everything the past six months. The cancer count is coming down but not quite where it should be at. I will need 2 -3 more chemo Offertory Hymn “Brightest and Best of the Sons” Blue # 343 treatments. Thanks for your continued prayers and thanks to Pastor Roger for his visits and prayers. “Great is They Faithfulness” Kathy Zylstra *Benediction Thank you for your cards and words of sympathy in the loss of our sister, Dortena. *Doxology: “Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praise” Blue # 187:5 & 6 We appreciated it very much. Charlie & Pearl, Bob & Carolyn Vander Pol

*Moment of Reverence Perhaps you baked a goodie or said a heartfelt prayer, *please stand if able Perhaps you sent a card or visited awhile, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Perhaps you shared a memory or gave a comforting hug, Perhaps you did some quiet deed that was behind the scenes, Everyone is invited to stay for coffee fellowship following the morning service. Whatever it was, it was very much appreciated. Coffee servers will be Keith & Lois Boersma and Cliff & Karen Wynia Thanks for remembering us in the death of our father. Missions 3,855.53 Keith and Lois Boersma Benevolent Fund 2,974.78 Building Fund 3,260.70 General Budget 20,143.66 PRAYER LIST of our servicemen: Council News: Upcoming dates as follows: Dylan Johnson (nephew of Lori and Loren Bosma) December 21 – All Church Christmas program with Communion. Patrick Kyle Whitley (grandson of Irene Timmerman) December 25 – Christmas Day Service at 9:30 a.m. James Frangenberg (grandson of Charles and Joyce Bosma) December 28 – Old Years’ Service at the PM Service Preston Smidt (grandson of Ed and Mary Ellen Smidt) January 4 – New Years’ Service at the AM Service. Dan Fisher (nephew of Cliff & Karen Wynia) Luke Bootsma (grandson of Garrold Bootsma) ADVANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR SHUT INS Justice For All is planning the 2015 Jan-Feb ‘Serving & Learning’ Opportunities and Remember our shut ins in your prayers and with your visits: would love to have you join one of the teams! These weeks are wonderful opportunities Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center: Judy Eekhoff, Richard Starkenburg, Josie Vogel to serve others but also to experience and understand God’s Kingdom in new and Whispering Heights, Rock Valley: Alfred Vogel important ways! Projects are being planned in Mexico, Mississippi, & Haiti throughout In her own home: Alice Offringa the months of January & February. For specific locations and dates, you can check out our website – www.jfa- nwiowa .org; call Pat or Lauren at 712-476-2804; or email CHURCH CALENDAR: [email protected] There will be an informational meeting on Monday evening, Jan TODAY 8:45 a.m. Praise Singers practice 5, 2015 at JFA Ministry Center, 1335 Valley Dr, Rock Valley, IA at 7PM. You can also 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship service come by JFA at any time to visit about the trips. Sign up is possible by picking up an 10:50 a.m. Youth Church School class application at JFA, or by email. If you are interested in the Mexico trip, please contact 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship Service Pat by the end of December. THURSDAY 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day service Offering – Union Gospel Mission – S.F. Ride for Tim for the month of December is Jeff Vande Griend Usher – George Steen Nursery – Mike & Carol Ling POWER POINT TODAY: Dreycen Foiles Power Point – Carma Smidt Next Sunday: Janie Vande Griend NEXT SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship service USHERS TODAY Jeff Vande Griend, Scott Arneson 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship service Next Sunday Darrell Teerink Offerings next Sunday will be for General Budget and The Bridge – Orange City LIBRARIANS TODAY Dee Jilderda The deacons have the following to report from the month of November: Christian Next Sunday Mary Ellen Smidt Education- $599.00; Bethany Christian Services-$278.00; Back to God Hour-$371.00; GREETERS TODAY A.M. Larry Andringa’s & Wilma Bootsma, Murt Vogel Dordt College-$443.00; World Renew –World Hunger-$649.00; Soup Supper (GEMS)- Next Sunday A.M. Scott Arneson & Loren Bosma’s $2,939.00; Thanksgiving-$2,783.00; Hallelujah Hooligans-$197.00; Masters Voice Quartet-$446.00; Brown Family-$464.00; Mission Fund-$265.00; Building Fund-$155.00; NURSERY TODAY A.M. Loren & Lori Bosma General Budget-$8,611.25. Next Sunday A.M. Larry & Lavonne Andringa All funds report balances November 30, 2014