Pastor Rev. Raymond Dekker (home & cell phone)231-670-3438(e-mail) raydekker@fremontfcc.org

Organist Jackson Brooks 924-3617Creative Ministries Mat Emerick 924-9558 Facilitator (e-mail) matemerick@fremontfcc.orgMusic Facilitator Deb Emerick 924-9558Secretary Lorene Witte 924-4710Website: www.fremontfcc.org Email: congo@fremontfcc.orgChurch: 231-924-4710 714 Hillcrest DriveFax: 231-928-1210 Fremont, MI 49412CCLI: 1401200

The First Congregational ChurchUnited Church of Christ

Third Sunday of AdventDecember 13,2015 10:00 a.m.

* those who are able, please standAs you enter the sanctuary, please be mindful of those already

seated who want a quiet place to pray.The Order of Worship

Prelude Jack BrooksChorale: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

Wake, awake, for night is flying J.S. BachThe Annunciation Joseph JongenThe King Shall Come Charles Ore

tune: ConsolationOh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel Charles Ore

tune: Veni EmmanuelChimes

Call to Worship Chancel ChoirFurrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is plantedthere: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course theflower may flourish. People, look East, and sing today: Love, therose, is on the way! People, look East. The time is near of thecrowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim theheart and set the table. People, look East, and sing today: Love, theguest, is on the way!

Welcome

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Blue Hymnal #244 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Prayer of Confession

*ResponseGlo.....ri-a in excel-sis De-o,Glo.....ri-a in excel-sis De-o.

Anthem Chancel ChoirCeltic Advent Carol

(selection from Festival of Carols by Joseph Martin)

Advent Candle - Joy

Story Bell Mat EmerickOutbreak of Influencea

Following the Story Bell - Children are dismissed for Junior Worship

Hymn of Preparation Blue Hymnal #274“O Harken Ye”O hearken ye who would believe, The gracious tidings now receive: gloria, gloria,In excelsis Deo. The mighty Lord of heav’n and earthToday is come to human birth. Gloria, gloria, In excelsis Deo.

Scripture Reading Luke 2 58 N.T.

Hebrews 1 218. N.T.Message Pastor Ray Dekker

What Love Looks Like

*Hymn Blue Hymnal #269“How Great Our Joy”

Prayers of the People and Silent Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdomcome, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this dayour daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thineis the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offertory Chancel Choir Come Emmanuel Nancy Price & Don Gesig*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heavenly hostsPraise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication*Closing Response Blue Hymnal #245

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (refrain only)Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

*Benediction*Pastor: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregation: And alsowith you.*Postlude Jack Brooks

People, Look East Robert Hobbytune: Besancon

How we appreciate this chance, during a busy season, to abide in yourpresence, heavenly Father. Thank you for this time of worship. *Visitors ~ Welcome! There is a Welcome Packet in the pew rack foryou. Please fill out the Guest Information insert, place it in the offeringplate and take the packet home for review of the other information. Weare thankful you are here and hope that your time here is a specialblessing to you and your family. Please let us know how we can bestserve you. *Large print Bibles, bulletins, and Children’s bulletins are availablefrom the ushers. Quiet bags for children to use while they are in theworship service are available on the table in the narthex. *Families with young nursery age children are welcome to use the“Family Room” in the balcony located on the 2nd floor. *Our sanctuary is equipped with a T-Coil Hearing Loop. Please turnyour hearing aid to the T-Coil position to access this feature. Otherhearing devices are available at the sound booth upon request.

Following the worship service you are invited to join us inFellowship Hall. Come meet new friends and have some

refreshments. We look forward to meeting you.Serving Us: Altar Rep: Jim RynbergAltar Flowers: Poinsettias(today) Poinsettias(next week)Greeter: Jack Butterick(today)

Jack Butterick(next week)Ushers: Jon & Judy Clap, Jill Sondeen(today)

John & Gail Cooper, Kendra Lachniet, Gwen Hoffman(next week)Jack Butterick, Clair Shively, Jon & Judy Clapp (Christmas Eve)

Compassion: Michelle Sweet & Pat KrehnOrganist: Jack BrooksSound System: Rick St. PeterCoffee Hosts: Jim Rynberg(today)

Dick & Judy Ramm(next week)

Celebrating this week: Happy Birthday to ~ Wendy St. Peter, Rebecca Tuuk (14), Kelly Parks (18) Happy Anniversary to ~

Harlow & Heidi Redding (15)

In Our Prayers(Prayer requests will be printed for two weeks. The person or family requesting

prayer must call the church office or Pastor Ray in order to have the request printed).

Jeannie Caris - Sandy & Pastor Ray - loss of Sandy’s brother, DuaneVan Harden - transitional health

This Week’s Schedule

Sunday, December 13 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal - sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Worship & Sunday School11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time - Fellowship Hall11:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School - Library

Monday, December 14Tuesday, December 15

(Lorene will be in the office late afternoon)3:00 - 8:00 pm Violin Lessons - Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 166:30 p.m. Christmas Caroling at Fountain View

6:30 p.m. Praise Group Rehearsal7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, December 179:00 a.m. Woodshop Open

No Crafters6:30 p.m. Deacons’ Meeting - Fellowship Hall

Friday, December 18Saturday, December 19Sunday, December 20 -4th Sunday of Advent

9:00 a.m. Gospel Singers Rehearsal - sanctuary10:00 a.m. Worship & Sunday School11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time - Fellowship Hall11:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School - Library

Our Church News

The contribution of delicious goodies was fantastic. Thank you SOmuch for your time generosity and baking talents. It could not havebeen done without you. Gwen Hoffman, Tea Time

Do you have someone special on your Christmas List that you arelooking for just the right gift? We have four sterling Circle of Lifecrosses that would make the perfect gift. Call Georgia at 924-5913.

Altar Flowers - Coffee Hosts - Ushers - 2016 is just around the cornerand new calendars have been made for your convenience to sign up forAltar Flowers, Coffee Hosts, Ushers and Greeters. If you are able andwilling to help in any of these capacities please sign up or call thechurch office and Lorene will sign up for you. Today the calendars arelocated in the church office. After December the calendars will be onthe bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Thank you!

Put a smile on a child's face ... several children in the Walkervilleschools really need socks, mittens, under and outer garments, etc.especially as the temperature falls and snow begins to fall. TheDeacons ask that we extend our Christian caring to these children. Please ask Michelle Sweet for the name of a child (includes age, genderand specific need). Return a wrapped gift (around $20) with the child'sname attached to church by December 17 (note date change). Thechildren will be glad you did, and so will we! For the Deacons, Jack Butterick.

Christmas is Coming, and the SCRIP committee hopes that you haveapproached your families to get ideas of cards that you can purchasefrom us that will be just what they want waiting for them under the tree. We ask that you turn in your orders to us by December 13 so that wecan be sure to have the cards to you before Christmas. Thanks forhelping us earn the $2,500 that we pledge to the church budget!

Ruth & BeckyGary Hooker will be going to Guatemala again with the Reeman CRCmission group this winter and would appreciate your donations towardthe last $600 that he needs for his travel expenses. Please write checksto Reeman CRC with Gary Hooker in the memo line and give yourcheck to Gary or mail it to Reeman CRC, 6121 S. Fitzgerald, Fremont,MI 49412.

First Congregational Church Creative MinistriesSpecial Youth Performing Arts Presentation:

Christmas Juggler

Christmas Drama for Worship based on

an old medieval legend. It tells the story

of a juggler who has no gift to offer the

Baby Jesus except for his ability to

juggle. The program will include circus

arts, dramatic scenes, colorful costumes

and special music.

Presentation- Sunday Dec.20, 10:00-11:00am

Location- First Congregational Church

(714 Hillcrest, Fremont)

Requested Announcements

You are invited to a Christmas Concert TODAY Sunday,December13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grant Fine Arts Center. Music will bepresented by the Newaygo Community Choir and a group of children. The choir is directed by the Rev. Barb Boss. A freewill offering willbe taken to benefit ministries of Love INC and Vera’s House.

Wellspring is a new ministry in Newaygo County starting in April,2016. The mission of Wellspring is to provide safe, Christian,supportive and stimulating care for senior adults who need supervision. This will provide respite for their caregivers during daytime hours. You are invited to attend an informative lunch at Reeman CRC onJanuary 13 at 12 noon. Please RSVP to 924-3451 by January 4, 2016.

Indoor Christmas Caroling at Fountain ViewAll are invited to Fountain View on Wednesday - December16 for Caroling. We will meet there at 6:30 p.m. Pleasecome and help share some Christmas joy to the residents atFountain View, bring a friend!

Thank you to each one who donatedpoinsettias to help make our sanctuary

a lovely place in which to celebrateour Lord’s birth.

Bill and Carol Black in memory of our parents.Barbara Blass-Frisbey in memory or Ric Burwell and John

Pardike.Jack and Mary Butterick in memory of Barb White.Ruth Cowles in memory of Mother, June Fisher. Lori, Chris, Sarah, Lisa in memory of our Granddad, Sid Brooks.Shirley Hooker in memory of those that went before us.Pat Krehn in memory of my mother, Noreen Westerweel.Max and Yvonne Lee in memory of Dr. Robert Paxton.Jim and Jean Morse in memory of our parents and son-in-law.Georgia Paxton in memory of Dr. Bob Paxton.Kendra and Elise Pfeiffer in memory of Sandra Pfeiffer.Luke and Karla Pfeiffer and Falon in memory of Stan Pfeiffer.James Rynberg in memory of Lila G. Rynberg.Marjorie Salata in memory of Michael Salata.Marian Schulte in memory of Hugh, Mike and Jerry.Mill and Bill Sherman in memory of Jerry Sherman.Jill Sondeen in memory of Frank and Helen Sondeen.Carol Stark in memory of my son, Donald.Rosemary and Jack Tittle in memory of Margaret and Harry;

Violet and Melvin.Ann Werner in memory of her parents and other loved ones.Beverly Williams in memory of the 11 friends and family who

have passed this year.

Ted and Jeannie Caris in honor of our family and friends. Sally and Bob DeShetler in honor of our family.Max and Yvonne Lee in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Ray DekkerDean and Jean Morehouse in honor of all our church staff.Don Potter to my church family - Merry Christmas!Dick and Judy Ramm in honor of those who prayed for my cancer

to heal. Thank you.Harlow and Heidi Redding in honor of our children and

grandchildren.James Rynberg in honor of Allyse Wuebben.Carol Stark in honor of my son, Dwayne.Anne and Bob VandeKieft in honor of our family and the church

family.Beverly Williams in honor of my church family.

Ted and Nancy JohnsonDuane and Loretta VanDuzen

Our local theater is very pleased to announce we will be showing thefaith based, true story, Woodlawn, starting December 13. This will bea one week limited engagement, and we're currently acceptingreservations. We're offering agroup rate of $9.00 per person (includesticket, small popcorn/drink) for groups of 10 or more. We had apositive response when we had War Room, and hope to continue thistrend, as it makes the studios aware that Fremont will support them, inturn making it far easier for us to obtain films like this. We wouldappreciate any support, and your willingness to pass this informationalong to your members. Thank you!! ~Fremont Cinemas 231-335-5033