United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street • Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362 • Fax 775-6475


December 20, 2009 • Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.


WE GATHER TO WORSHIP


FESTIVE BELL PRELUDE....................Bell Choir


BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST


WELCOME, PARISH NOTES & CLIP BOARD MINISTRY


*CALL TO CELEBRATION

One:..........We come to glorify God,

to rejoice in the One who saves us.

All:..........God comes, so we might believe,

so we might be blessed.

One:..........Our hearts leap for joy!

For God is coming to us in a child.

All:..........God comes for those who hunger for hope,

for those who thirst for grace.

One:..........Holy is the One who comes in God's name,

who fulfills every promise of God.

All:..........God comes to walk with those who follow in faith,

to bring peace to a shattered world.

*HYMN OF PRAISE
....................#198

My Soul Gives Glory to My God”


*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST


THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING


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 Prayer Hymn.


STRINGS OF CHRISTMAS....................String Ensemble


LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE OF LOVE....................Micah 5:2-5

Randy, Carolyn, Caleb and Carissa Mitchell


PRAYER ANTHEM....................Bell Choir

Still, Still, Still” • “Away in a Manger”


UNISON PRAYER

Surprising God, your word sets wonder in motion. Like Mary, we are filled with amazement that you have found favor with us and that you choose to be present to the world through us. We join Mary in giving birth to hope, to love, to peace for all creation, in all corners of the world. We praise you for the gift of your Son, whom we follow. Surprising God, bless us again and open us to the wonder of your love flowing in us and through us. Amen.


PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE


THE LORD’S PRAYER....................#895


THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD


CHORAL ANTHEM....................Chancel Choir and Bells

The Holy Child Will Come” Arr. Patrick Liebergen


TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN


SCRIPTURE READING....................NT pg. 57

Luke 1:39-55


MESSAGE....................Pastor Tom Ball

Seeing Things Not For What They Are

But For What They Might Be”


WE RESPOND TO THE WORD


OFFERING INVITATION


OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS


OFFERTORY....................Brass Ensemble

Angel Carols” Arr. Ruth Elaine Schram


*DOXOLOGY....................Tune: Old 100th

Hope in the God who reigns above,

who holds us all in steadfast love;

whose spirit blows across the earth,

preparing us for second birth. Amen.


*PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (in unison)

Loving God, you have blessed us time and time again throughout our lives. We, like Mary, can magnify you by proclaiming, "Our spirit rejoices in God my Savior!" We place these gifts on your table as we seek to change people's lives — to empower social justice, to feed the hungry, to offer mercy to the outcast, to lift up the lowly. In the name of the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.


WE SCATTER TO SERVE IN THE WORLD


*CLOSING HYMN....................#202

People Look East”


*ADVENT BLESSING

One:..........In our watching and our waiting

All:..........Come, Lord Jesus.

One:..........In our hopes and in our fears

All:..........Come, Lord Jesus.

One:..........In our homes and in our world

All:..........Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, bless us and surprise us,

and help us to celebrate your birthday. Amen.


*POSTLUDE


The youth will be in the Fellowship Hall after services today to sell 2010 Calendars, raising money for their mission trip this summer. Do you have a calendar for next year yet? See one of our youth today.


Sunday Volunteer Ministry, December 27, 2009

Organist/Pianist: Suzanne Johnson

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. - Open

Nursery: Carolyn Mitchell

Sermontime: Angie Ferris

Coffee Hour: 8:30 a.m. - Diana VanAntwerp

11:00 a.m. - Open

Power Point: Create & 11:00 a.m. - Jeff Hinkston

8:30 a.m. - Laurie Kinney

Greeters/Ushers 8:30 a.m. - Bedonna Davis, Jack Boyd

Greeters 11:00 a.m. - Jeff, Laura, Ben, Drew, Luke Marion

Ushers 11:00 a.m. - Barb Wild, Dee Brinks, Peggy Kirvan,

Margaret Himes


Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, December 20 - Fourth Sunday in Advent

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship - Bells ringing

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

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship with Special Music

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - SR. High Christmas Party

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.- JD’s Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 22

7:15 a.m. - Prayer Group

10:30 a.m. - Noon - Boundaries Book Study in Wesley Room

Wednesday, December 23

6:00 p.m. - Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous Group Meets

7:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve

7:30 p.m. - Christmas Candlelight Worship Service

11:00 p.m. - Carols, Candles and Holy Communion Worship Service

Sunday, December 27 - First Sunday after Christmas

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

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

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship


Celebrate the birth of Jesus at the Christmas Candlelight Worship Service at 7:30 p.m.. Worship will include the singing of carols, anthems by the Chancel Choir, a special Children’s Time, reflections by Pastor Tom and the beautiful service of candle lighting. Child care will be available for infants and young children. Come, bring your friends and family to worship the newborn Savior on this holy night.


Carols, Candles and Holy Communion at 11:00 p.m. - Come and enjoy the quiet beauty of the 11:00 o’clock worship service as we gather to celebrate the birth of Christ by singing carols, reading the Christmas story, hearing reflections by Pastor Tom, receiving Holy Communion and lighting the Christmas candles with the singing of “Silent Night.” All are welcome.


Some of our members are in a care facility or shut-in at home. At Lakeview Lutheran Manor, Harriett Gaumer (414). At Curry House are Eloise Baker (110) and Irene Szymke (107); at Green Acres, Virginia Linn. At Simons AFCH (2882 E. M-55, Cadillac), Waneta Springberg; at Autumnwood, Stella VanDorn. Others who remain in our circle of care include Doris Brenneman & Alene Culver at Belle Oakes; Sherm Martin (at his daughter’s home- 10575 E 36½ Rd., Cadillac). All would appreciate cards, prayers & visits


Those serving in the military in our nation are away from home and loved ones. Mail is a connection that they look forward to daily - a word of care and encouragement. Do you have a family member or friend who is currently serving our nation? We would like their addresses so we can offer our congregation opportunity to be encouragers to these soldiers. Helen Quinn will be coordinating this effort. Please give her the FULL address of your loved one or friend or you may email it to her. A list of those name and addresses will be shared with the congregation as soon as we have them assembled.


If you are headed to a warmer climate for the winter PLEASE notify the church office when you will be leaving. Returned or forwarded mail costs the church. You can call the office (775-5362) with your winter address and the date you will be leaving, or you can email your information to umccadillac@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for your cooperation!


The 2010 Flower Chart is available on the bulletin board in the office hallway. You may sign-up to honor or remember a person(s) or special occasion. The flowers are $15 - simply remit through your regular offering envelope or a pew envelope.


There are 18 recently received books on the Adult Book Cart, donated by Jane Wightman, on the subjects of Prayer, Christian Family Life, Parenting, one fiction book and one set of two Bible Study books. Check them out. Thanks, Jane!


TODAY’S WORSHIP MINISTRY . . .

Liturgist: 11:00 a.m. - Jane Wightman

Organist/Pianist: Ann Hunt

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. - Collin Hinkston

Nursery: Kathy Green • Sermontime: Diana VanAntwerp

Power Point - Create, 8:30 a.m.& 11:00 a.m. - Bob Campbell

Coffee Hour: 8:30 am - Jack & Linda Davis • 11:00 am -Inga Fuller

Greeters/Ushers: 8:30 a.m. - Chet Wells

Greeters: 11:00 a.m. - Lynda, Scott, McKenzie Coy

Ushers: 11:00 a.m. - Joyce Cinco, Rachel Stewart, Bill George,

Joan Irvine


The Flowers on the Lord’s Table are given

by Don & Pat Lakin in honor of Alyssa Lakin Morley who is home from Africa for the Christmas holiday and Jack & Sue Simcock

in loving memory of John & Jeanne Simcock.


Our cadre of acolytes is in need of some additional members. If your child is in fourth grade or above and would like to serve as an acolyte in worship, please see Andrea Hillard or contact her by phone. We will provide training and work with your family schedule. Thanks so much.


We are grateful to all the bell, brass and string musicians who are sharing their musical gifts in worship this morning. A special thank you to Bill George for being willing to co-ordinate their efforts.


On How To Be A Manger

by Barbara S. Germiat

Be empty

Be sturdy

Be soft inside

Be still

Be ready