1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Welcome to Worship
Today we enter the fourth Sunday of Advent. Have you ever
yearned for something, waited for someone to come home after a
long time away, like a child for a parent, or parent for a child, or
like a spouse yearning for a wife or husband to come home from
war? If so, then you know what Advent is about. It’s about waiting
for the coming of Jesus our Lord to bring the new heaven and new
earth. It’s about waiting for a promise to be kept, God’s promise,
rich and lush, life-renewing and affirming.
We welcome you into that yearning space with us and all of
creation. We welcome every one of you, guest and long time
attendee alike. We invite you to join us in our Fellowship Hall
where coffee and other refreshments are ready for us. There you
will also find us ready to greet you and share with you what we’re
all about as a congregation of those who follow Jesus. We also
invite you to join with us as we engage in the sharing God’s love for
our community and world. Most of all we wish you God’s richest
blessing and his everlasting peace in your life today.
Pastor Ryan Boes
Pastor John Groen
December 21, 2014 • 8:45 & 11:15 am
Pastor John Groen • Psalm 89:1-4, 16-37
Loving God, Serving People
Babies & Young Children
A nursery for children 2 years and younger is in Room 24 off of the Fellowship Hall.
Children, 3, 4, and 5 years old who have not started Kindergarten will be dismissed before
the sermon to room 25 for Preschool Church Hour.
Aids to Worship
Hearing assistance devices are available in the narthex. Please ask our greeters for
assistance.
Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church
1717 Broadway, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 • 734-665-0105 • [email protected] • www.aacrc.org
8:45 worship
We Gather in Advent Expectation
Prelude: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns
–Wilbur Held, Michael Burkhardt
Choir: Awake, My Soul, Awake, My Tongue
Benjamin Keach 1700
and Latifah Phillips 2013
Awake, my soul, awake, my tongue,
my glory wake and sing
to celebrate the holy birth of Israel’s King!
Oh awake, oh awake, my soul.
Oh awake, oh awake, my soul.
Oh awake, oh awake, my soul.
Awake, my soul, my tongue, awake me.
We Light the Advent Candle of Love
Reader: Isaiah 52:1-5
Come to us, Lord!
Redeem us, our Savior!
Wake us from our slumber!
May we arise to see your presence.
Our eyes may be sleepy,
but there is love in our hearts.
Reader: Isaiah 52:6-8
Song: Awake, My Soul, Awake, My Tongue (see above)
Advent Prayer
O God, your steadfast loving kindness pursues us.
You follow and chase after us.
You seek us, for we are your people.
We sing out your praises this morning
because, out of your covenantal love,
you have not abandoned us, but have come close.
Awaken our souls, bodies and hearts
from our sleep and to your love. Amen.
*Hymn: Of the Father’s Love Begotten
*We Receive God’s Greeting and Greet One Another
*Please stand if you are able.
Red Hymnal 78
We Are Renewed in God’s Grace
Baptism
Joseph Louis Cuffee, son of Mike and Debbie Cuffle
Frederick Farax Stoehr, son of Annette Stoehr
Congregational Response: We do, God helping us.
Hymn: Away in a Manger
Red Hymnal 86:3
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care;
prepare us for heaven to live with you there.
(Children in the Preschool Church Hour Class dismissed to Room 25)
God Speaks to Us through His Word
page 926
Bible Reading: Psalm 89:1-4, 16-37
Message: “Jesus–God’s Faithfulness Revealed”
We Respond to God’s Word
*Hymn: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns
Red Hymnal 476
Prayers of the People
Our Offerings & Gifts Are Received for: The Lord’s work through AACRC
Choral Offertory: Lord, You Were Rich Beyond All Splendor
We Go Out in God’s Peace
*Closing Prayer (responsive)
O King of nations,
your reign spreads through all the lands,
you defend the cause of the poor
and plead for the wretched of the earth.
Red Hymnal 75
Fashion us into an obedient people,
that we may spread the good news
of your reign of perfect peace and justice,
until all creation will finally rejoice in your perfect will,
until all bend the knee to the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
in whose name we pray, even Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Savior. Amen.
*Hymn: Angels from the Realms of Glory
Red Hymnal 81:4
*We Receive God’s Parting Blessing
*Hymn: Angels from the Realms of Glory
*Postlude: Angels from the Realms of Glory
Red Hymnal 81:5
– Michael Burkhardt
Pastors: Ryan Boes, John Groen
Piano/Organ: Jan Musch; Choir: Paul Herrema
Reading reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook © 2013 Faith Alive Resources
Songs used with permission UBP OneLicense A-703004 & CCLI #224005
11:15 worship
We Gather in Advent Expectation
Prelude: Awake, My Soul, Awake, My Tongue
Benjamin Keach 1700
and Latifah Phillips 2013
We Light the Advent Candle of Love
Reader: Isaiah 52:1-5
Come to us, Lord!
Redeem us, our Savior!
Wake us from our slumber!
May we arise to see your presence.
Our eyes may be sleepy,
but there is love in our hearts.
Reader: Isaiah 52:6-8
Advent Prayer
*Songs of Praise
Awake, My Soul, Awake, My Tongue
O Come All Ye Faithful/Sing to the King
*God’s Greeting & We Greet One Another
Children’s Message
(Children in the Preschool Church Hour Class dismissed to Room 25.)
We Are Renewed in Grace
*Litany: All the Earth Is Waiting
Adapted from the song
Toda la Tierra/All Earth is Waiting Red 57
Responsive Prayer
team, song refrain: Prepare the Way Red Hymnal 58
All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
and open furrows await the seed of God.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
all, song refrain: Prepare the Way Red Hymnal 58
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel:
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel,”
one whose name is “God-with-us” our Savior shall be;
with him hope will blossom once more within our hearts.
all, song refrain: Prepare the Way *Please stand if you are able.
Red Hymnal 58
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
all, song refrain: Prepare the Way Red Hymnal 58
In lowly stable the Promised One will appear;
his presence felt throughout the earth today,
for he lives in all Christians and is with us now;
with his coming he brings us liberty.
all, song refrain: Prepare the Way Red Hymnal 58
God Speaks to Us through His Word
Bible Reading: Psalm 89:1-4, 16-37
page 926
Message: “Jesus–God’s Faithfulness Revealed”
We Respond to God’s Word
*Song: Power of Your Love
Prayers of the People
Our Offerings & Gifts Are Received for: The Lord’s work through AACRC
Offertory
We Go Out in God’s Peace
*We Receive God’s Parting Blessing
*Parting Song: Awesome God
*Postlude
Pastors: Ryan Boes, John Groen
Worship Team
Songs used with permission UBP OneLicense A-703004 & CCLI #224005
AACRC Staff
John Groen, Pastor of Worship Ministries • cell: 734-239-2348 • [email protected]
Ryan Boes, Pastor of Family & Youth Ministries • cell: 734-545-4324 • [email protected]
Barbara Okonkwo, Parish Nurse, 734-476-4440 • [email protected]
Rebecca Cooper, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Paul Herrema, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Jan Musch, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Rachel Bush, Family & Youth Ministries Coordinator • [email protected]
Carolyn Wurster, Office Manager • 734-665-0105 • [email protected]
inside a2crc today
December 21, 2014
next sunday • dec 28
Morning Worship 8:45 & 11:15 am
Morning Worship 10:00 am
• Preacher: John Groen
• Preacher: Ryan Boes
• Scripture: Psalm 89:1-4, 16-37
• Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
• During the 8:45 service, the sacrament
of baptism will be administered to
Joseph Louis, son of Mike & Debbie
Cuffle, and Fredrick Farax Stoehr, son
of Annette Stoehr.
• The sacrament of communion will
be celebrated during this morning’s
worship service.
Youth Ministry
• Preschool Church Hour class will
meet during this morning’s worship
services in Room 25 for children 3-5
years of age who have not started
Kindergarten. The children will be
dismissed to their class during the
worship service.
• No Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
• No Adult Sunday School
• In Room 26, BESEL (Believers
Who Speak English as a Second
Language) led by Mark & Naomi Nah
Schult.
Youth Ministry
• Preschool Church Hour class will
meet during this morning’s worship
services in Room 25 for children 3-5
years of age who have not started
Kindergarten. The children will be
dismissed to their class during the
worship service.
• No Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
• No Adult Sunday School
• In Room 26, BESEL (Believers
Who Speak English as a Second
Language) led by Mark & Naomi Nah
Schult.
announcements & reminders
Your Pastoral Staff
Pastor John will be on vacation from
December 26 through December 31.
Special Officer
The offering received for World Renew
last Sunday morning amounted to
$2,301.00. Thank you for your support.
From the Treasurer
A check was received from National
Financial Services, LLC. with no
information regarding donor or
designated use of the funds. Would
the individual(s) who initiated this
transaction please contact me with the
information. Thank you,
Church-Wide E-Mail List
If you would like to be added to the
church-wide e-mail group list, please
send your request to Carolyn in the
church office: [email protected].
Christian Reformed World Missions–
Lorraine
One of the CRWM missionaries we
support, Lorraine Li, is in the United
States this year instead of China while
her husband goes to school in Boston.
This is a great opportunity for us to send
her Christmas cards, notes, or emails
without the worry of the security issues
when sending them through China. Her
address through June 2015 is:
Lorraine Li
144 Hancock Street
Auburndale, MA 02466
857-231-1006
[email protected]
Special Offering, Dec. 25
An offering will be received on Christmas
Day for the Trinity Grace church plant
in Midland, MI. They seek our prayers
and financial support as they develop
their new CRC congregation in Midland.
They are part of Classis Lake Erie. For
more information see the December
newsletter.
Thank You!
Thank you to all who have helped the
Wallinga family during this past year
through the gift of your time, meals,
and prayer. As facilitators of Beth’s
CaringBridge webpage, we have been
truly amazed by how quickly the various
needs for meals, cleaning, and driving
have been filled. As we enter into 2015
we would like to remind people that
they can sign up to bless the Wallinga
Family at the following site: http://www.
caringbridge.org/visit/bethwallinga/
planner. The main needs going into
the new year are meals and light
house cleaning. Occasional rides to
appointments will still be needed. Be
sure to check the website often to see
the needs as they become known. If
you have any questions about how to
sign-up for a task on the website, please
do not hesitate to contact either one of
us. Rachel Bush & Laura Boonstra
No Singing or Sunday School on
Sunday, December 28
Singing and Sunday school for all ages
will not meet on Sunday, December 21 &
28 due to Christmas vacation. Classes
will resume on Sunday, January 4.
Sound Support Needed
We would like to recruit two more people
for sound support, one for the 8:45
AM service, and one for the 11:15 AM
service. Training will be provided, and
at the beginning of every month each
person will be scheduled for a Sunday
of his or her choice. Please contact Jim
Kuiper or Darren De Zeeuw for more
information.
Ann Arbor Christian School
Job Openings
Ann Arbor Christian School has two
upcoming openings: a middle school
math teacher (late April start) and a parttime elementary Spanish teacher (late
January start). Interested individuals
may contact Wayne Sit at head@
annarborchristian.org or visit www.
annarborchristian.org to see the job
postings.
Ann Arbor Christian School
Call for a Personal Tour
Serving students from preschool (ages
3 and 4) through 8th grade, Ann Arbor
Christian is enrolling students for this
year. In partnership with Christian
families, Ann Arbor Christian offers
Christ-centered, academically excellent
education that challenges students to
live and act in society as committed
followers of Jesus Christ. To learn more
about the school or to schedule a tour,
families may visit the school’s website
(www.AnnArborChristianSchool.org) or
call 734-741-4948. Tuition assistance is
available.
AACRC Weekly Calendar
Today, December 21
8:45 & 11:14 AM Morning Worship Services
Monday, December 22
No events scheduled
Tuesday, December 23
No evetns scheduled
Wednesday, December 24
11:00 PM Christmas Eve Vigil
Thursday, December 25
10:00 AM Christmas Day Worship Service
Friday, December 26
No events scheduled
Saturday, December 27
No events scheduled
Sunday, December 28
1 0:00 AM Morning Worship Service
Assisting This Week 12/21
Coffee Servers
8:45 Jim & Jennifer Bryson
Doug & Darlene DeVries
11:15 Norman & Barbara Fichtenberg
Bill & Marilyn Dahms
Nursery
8:45 Sarah Hudson
Laura Boonstra, Lily Wallinga
SS No SS Nursery
11:15 Kaitlyn Lubbers
Justin Schiller, Darian Karr
Preschool Church Hour
8:45 DeAnna Stephenson
Joan Brush, S or B Bryson
11:15 Melissa & Kaleb Swieringa
Lyndsey Chisholm
Assisting Next Week 12/28
Coffee Servers
10:00 Roger & Barbara Buiten
Tim & Mary Dekker
Nursery
10:00 Megan Boes
Tom & Claudia Larson
Preschool Church Hour
10:00 Barb Buiten, Carmen Kim
Helen Brush
Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church
John Groen, Pastor of Worship Ministries, cell: 734-239-2348 • [email protected]
Ryan Boes, Pastor of Family and Youth Ministries, 734-665-4240 • [email protected]
Barbara Okonkwo, Parish Nurse, 734-476-4440 • [email protected]
Rebecca Cooper, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Paul Herrema, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Jan Musch, Worship Coordinator • [email protected]
Rachel Bush, Family & Youth Ministries Coordinator • [email protected]
1717 Broadway, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 • 734-665-0105 • [email protected] • www.aacrc.org