THE WORSHIP OF GOD

THE GATHERING

*Indicates congregation may stand. PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please sign & pass the fellowship pad. INTROIT & THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

Symbolizing Christ’s presence as the Light of the World. Please use this contemplative time to prepare yourself to encounter God in this time and place.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Something’s coming. We’re waiting. We’re eager. It’s more than presents. It’s more than lights. We open the Book of Hope and read the promise. God will be with us. Our hearts are glad; we trust God’s holy name. God’s never-ending love surrounds us. Today we light the candle of Hope. Our hope is in the Lord.

*HYMN OF PRAISE Come Thou Long Expected Jesus NO. 124 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

*GLORIA PATRI NO. 623 Glory be to the Father , and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ;

As i t was in the beg inning , i s now and ever sha l l be , wor ld wi thout end . Amen. Amen. *THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you. Share the peace of Christ with those around you.

THE WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 33:14-16 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. EPISTLE READING 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. NEW TESTAMENT READING Luke 21:25-36 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. MESSAGE

THE RESPONSE *HYMN OF RESPONSE O Come, O Come Emmanuel NO. 123 *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH, PART I PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY NO. 625 Praise God, f rom whom al l b l e s s ings f low; Pra is e *God a l l c r ea tures here be low;

Pra is e *God above , y e heaven ly hos t ; Pra is e Father , Son, and Holy Ghost . Amen. (*or “Him”) *PRAYER OF DEDICATION *CLOSING HYMN Joy To the World! NO. 125 (NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR FUND OFFERING) *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

PARTICIPATING IN THE SERVICE TODAY Ministers All Members of First Presbyterian Church Preaching Commissioning Ruling Elder, Beth Ehlers Organist Andrew Thelen Worship Coordinator Paula Beaver Liturgist Mary Clabaugh Sound Operator Kevin Strenge Camera Operator Isaac Hanson Candlelighter Kate Ruschy Ushers Carl, Lavonne, Hanna, & Grace Ruschy Chairlift Operator Jack Bixby Radio Support Given by Rosanne Hackett in memory of Honey’s Dec. 2nd birthday

F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 723 First Avenue South Estherville, IA 51334

Phone: 712-362-4772 | E-mail: 1.church@mchsi.com esthervillepresbyterian.com

ORDAINED LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICERS S E S S I O N – Brian Bixby, Beth Carrico, Lori Donovan, Julia Graves (Clerk of Session), Katie Hanson, Lisa Hermanson, John Klingbeil, Emily Origer, Bobbi Jo Ruschy, Kevin Sander, Lowell Swalve D E A C O N S – Janet Anderson, Mavis Evans, Jan Greig, Pat Johnson (Moderator), Elaine Kaltved, Cheryl Klingbeil, Paul Moffitt, Heidi Origer, Lavonne Ruschy, Evy Strenge, Diane Swalve, Georgia Whitehouse PASTORS AND PROGRAM STAFF Rev. Chad Ensz, Pastor Rev. Kennen Barber-Ensz, Pastor Katie Hanson, Administrative Assistant Andrew Thelen, Organist & Choir Director Craig Kesler, Custodian

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 29 NOVEMBER 2015—10:30A.M.

First Presbyterian Church

Estherville, IA a family

of faith

iLove iServe iWorship

Roof Fund Update

Together we can reach our 2015 goal!

2015 Goal: $25,000.00

Total Received YTD: $13,686.39 Goal YTD: $22,115.38

Weekly giving needed to make goal: $481

THIS WEEK AT

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TODAY ~ SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Worship ...................................................... 10:30AM Choir Practice ............................................ 11:30AM Finding Refuge ............................................ 5:30PM TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2015 Pr. Kennen’s Office Hours ................... 9:00-Noon WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2015 EAMA ........................................................... 8:30AM Confirmation ........................................ 2:00-3:00PM Edu-Worship ............................................... 5:45PM Youth Group ............................................... 7:00PM THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2015 Pr. Chad’s Office Hours ....................... 9:00-Noon Ladies Night Out ......................................... 6:00PM SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 2015 Worship ...................................................... 10:30AM Choir Practice ............................................ 11:30AM Home Communion ..................................... 1:00PM Finding Refuge ............................................ 5:30PM

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Thursday ........................ 8:00AM-1:00PM Let us know if these hours suit your needs. Thank you!

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2015 General Budget: $169,274.06

Actual Giving YTD: $110,028.66 Budgeted YTD: $149,742.44

Weekly giving needed to make budget: $3,255.28

Please be in prayer for…

Don Clabaugh Jeanne Egeland Tim Egeland

Dave & Judy Gosch Larry Harsin Alice Jensen Lois Jensen Paul Moffit

The Family of Wren Titus Dee Zinnel

How can we pray for you?

Whether you have a heart filled with worry or joy, we want to pray for you! To submit a prayer request, please fill out a

blue prayer card (found in the pew racks) and place it in the offering plate during

worship. If you prefer, you may also submit prayer requests via the church

office. 362-4772

info@esthervillepresbyterian.com PO Box 476, Estherville, IA 51334

Be in the Know! Visit our website to view upcoming events, news, dates, times, online

giving, bulletins, newsletters, photos, and much, much more!

www.esthervillepresbyterian.com

-December 3- Ladies Night Out

6:00pm

-December 16- Carols, Chili Cook-off & Crafts

5:45pm

-December 20- Soup and Salad Lunch

11:30am

ForDecember,wewillbecollectingitemstobeusedinwelcomebasketsfortheDreamCenterinSpencer.TheDreamCenterhousesvictimsofhumantrafficking;theycurrentlyhave12womenintheircare,and12menonawaitinglistforwhenthemen’shousingisready.YoucancomeandassemblethewelcomebasketsonDecember13thattheFindingRefugeinAdventeventattheLakeshoreCenter!Avarietyofitemsarewelcome,including:fullsizeshampoo,conditioner,bodywash.Bathpouf.Toothbrushandtoothpaste.Femininehygieneproducts.Brush/comb.Nailclippers/files.Snacks.Journalw/pen.Slippers.Books.Hotchocolatepacks.DonateonlythroughDecember13th.

December’s Ladies Night Out will be on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00pm. We will be heading to Minerva’s in Okoboji. Please sign up in the back of the sanctuary if you plan on going so we can make reservations.

Chili Cook-Off, Carols, & Crafts

Join us on Wednesday, December 16th for a Christmas Fun Night during Edu-Worship. We will be having a chili cook-off, singing Christmas Carols, & doing a Christmas craft to take to our nursing home & home-bound residents. The winner of the Chili Cook-off will win a gift certificate to the movie theater. Register your chili entry in the office.

We will have an extra offering TODAY for

the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund. These

funds are used to help people who live in

Emmet County. The money is divided

between the local outreach office of Upper

Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., Emmet

County General Relief, and the EAMA. It’s

used to assist people with things such as

rental deposits, utilities, emergencies that

strain the budget.

Finding Refuge in Advent Join us Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm at the Lakeshore Center at Okoboji for a time of sharing and faith. Each evening includes a soup supper (you bring a side dish or dessert to share) followed by a guest speaker, a time of sharing, an activity, and a time of prayer. Nov 29- Finding Refuge in a dangerous land Dec 6- Finding Refuge in the United States Dec 13- Finding Refuge from the world of human trafficking Dec 20- Finding your personal refuge in Christ Followed by the movie, “The Nativity Story” ending about 9:30 p.m.

Children & Youth Christmas Service

Join us on Sunday, December 20th for worship as the children and youth of our church lead worship that day. We will have a soup & salad lunch following worship which will take place of the Last Sunday Lunch. The congregation is encouraged to bring Soup (last names A-K) and Salads (last names L-Z). The committee will provide the cake and cupcakes to go with the “Happy Birthday, Jesus” themed service.