FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT ~ JOY
ORDER of WORSHIP
December 21, 2014 – 9:30 A.M.
GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP
Prelude: Dot Faasse, accompanist
Lighting of the Advent Candle: Joy
Welcome
*God’s Greeting / Mutual Greeting
*Praise Time:
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” ~ Psalter Hymnal #340:1,3,4
“Angels from the Realms of Glory” ~ Celebration Hymnal #259:1,2,5
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” ~ Celebration Hymnal #271
WE REMEMBER GOD’S WORK OF SALVATION
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison):
Gracious God, who through Jesus Christ has called us “friends,” hear our embarrassed prayers through Him. You bid us wait patiently; we grab and grasp like there is no tomorrow. You call us to build bridges to friendship; we build dividing walls of hostility. Thank You, Lord, for putting up with us this long. Let now our ordered lives confess the beauty of Your peace. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Song: “Amazing Grace” ~ Psalter Hymnal #462:1,2,5
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN HIS WORD
Children’s Message: Mrs. Carol Byma
(Children are dismissed to Junior Church)
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1~7 (pp. 1126)
Sermon: “Home For Christmas:
A Companion for the Homeward Journey”
Pastor Chris Pedersen
Prayer of Response
*Song of Response: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” ~ Celebration Hymnal #251:1,2,4
WE RESPOND WITH DEDICATION AND PRAYER
Announcements
Congregational Prayer (in unison)
Leader: Remember your church, O Christ; send Your Spirit of unity, courage, and holiness.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: By shedding Your blood, You have purified us; keep us ready to welcome the day of Your coming.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Call from among us bearers of Your presence; may they go to the far ends of the earth as tokens of Your friendship and signs of Your light.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Give joy to all Your faithful servants; may they follow You all the days of their life.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Nurture within us Your Spirit of love; may we never close our hearts to any of our sisters and brothers.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Bring to an end the divisions between Christians; gather us in one visible communion.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Have mercy on all who suffer persecution for Your name’s sake; uphold them by Your strong Spirit, that they may remain true to You in all their trials.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Comfort all who are suffering in their hearts or in their bodies; give them a sense of what is right, that they may work toward peace and fullness of life for all.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: We pray for all who are leading the nations; give them a sense of what is right, that they may work toward peace and fullness of life for all.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Leader: Give eternal rest to all who are dying; may the light that never sets shine upon them.
All: Come to us in power, O Christ.
Offerings: 1st: Cedar Hill Ministries; 2nd: Scholarship Fund
Offertory Prayer
GOD SENDS US INTO HIS WORLD
*God’s Blessing
*Parting Praise ~ “Go, Tell it on the Mountain” ~ Psalter Hymnal #356
*Postlude
*You are invited to stand, if you are able.
~With reverence and respect to God, please turn off all electronic devices prior to entering the sanctuary~
Outline:
Isaiah 43:1-7//Home for Christmas: A Companion for the Homeward Journey.
+“Home” is where God is.
+God People (Israel) in Isaiah 11 are far from home:
Being stranded away from home in Babylon (400 miles from Jerusalem).
They aren’t just far from a place, they are far from God.
+God’s most empathic command: Fear Not
366 “fear not” verses in the Bible.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
1) Fear not because I have redeemed you. (v. 1, 3, 4)
-I have and I will redeem you.
-Redemption meaning payment to get one out of prison for debt.“I will buy you back”
2) Fear not because I have summoned you by name. (v. 1&7)
-God is calling his children out of spiritual exile and on to a journey home.
-Passage is bookended by reminder of Divine ownership.
“You are mine, I created and formed you.” “I own you.”
“You don’t exist for your own sakes or to make a name for yourself…”
3) Fear Not I am with you. (v.1-7! v. 2 &5)
On the dangerous journey God promise “I promise to travel with you all the way, on your dangerous journey home.
Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with us.”) +Matthew 1:23
“God and I’ the whole way. Not so much because he has always been pleasant company. Not because I could always feel his presence when I got up in the morning or when I was afraid to sleep at night. But was because he did not trust me to travel alone...I thank God for getting me going and bringing me home. And sticking with me all the way.”
+Lewis Smedes My God & I
WELCOME
We welcome you to Sunday Worship at Cedar Hill CRC. If you are a visitor, please see the back of the bulletin for information about our church and fill out a Visitor Card found in the pew and place it in the offering plate or leave it at the Welcome Center.
WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
December 21 ~ 9:30 AM: Pastor Chris will give a message on “A Companion for the Journey” from Isaiah 43:1~7.
4:30 PM ~ Join us for our Children’s Sunday School Program and Family Candlelight Service, with refreshments to follow.
December 25 ~ 10:30 AM: Pastor Chris will give a message on John 1:1~15 & 1~14, “Homeless for the Holidays.”
December 28 ~ 9:30 AM: Pastor Chris will give a message on “Everybody’s Welcome” from Matthew 2:1~12.
December 31 ~ 7:30 PM: We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together as we welcome in the New Year. Pastor Chris will give a message on 1 Thessalonians 4:12-19, “Moving Forward with Hope.”
WORSHIP SERVICE INFORMATION
This Week – December 21, 2014
OFFERINGS: AM: 1st: Cedar Hill Ministries; 2nd: Scholarship Fund
PM: The Homeless Program
GREETERS: Welcome Team #3
USHERS: AM: Robert Dyksen, Michael Steiginga, Joseph Post
PM: Pete Ten Kate, Henry Schuurman, Walter Shurminsky
NURSERY: Infant: Esther Dyksen; Toddler: Cindy Borduin
CH/JR CHURCH: Jenn Anema/Brenda Strasser and Joe Post
December 25, 2014
OFFERINGS: Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat
GREETERS: Welcome Team #5
USHERS: Bill Bushman, Sally Haven, Jared Post
NURSERY: Infant: Kristen Borduin; Toddler: Kim Pedersen
Next Week – December 28, 2014
OFFERINGS: 1st: Cedar Hill Ministries; 2nd: Campus Crusade
GREETERS: Welcome Team #4
USHERS: Harold Post, Ted Faber, Bill Heerema
NURSERY: Infant: Nancy Martin; Toddler: Rebecca Martin
CH/JR CHURCH: JoAnn Angelucci/Laura and Dana Carey
CEDAR HILL CHURCH
HOLIDAY GREETINGS
Pastor Chris and Kim would like to wish the congregation a Merry Christmas and a healthy and blessed New Year.
Mike, Jo, George, and Hannah Roberts send holiday greetings to the Cedar Hill Church family. You can view the card on the board in the narthex, as well as a photo of the kids.
DEACON NOTES
Homeless Program: The sign-up sheet for the Homeless Program, which runs through March 27 is posted. We need drivers, prepared meals, and men to stay overnight. Prayerfully consider your part in this important ministry. You will be blessed!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Christmas Program: Join us tonight at 4:30 PM for our Children’s Sunday School Program and Candlelight Service.
Christmas Break: There will NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on December 28 and January 4. Classes resume on January 11.
CALVIN JANUARY SERIES
The January Series of Calvin College is coming on Wednesday, January 7 through Tuesday, January 27, beginning at 12:30 PM here at Cedar Hill Church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS
Today is the final day to submit memorial names to be listed on Christmas Day. Thanks for all your orders and faithful assistance in beautifying the sanctuary with poinsettias. Order forms are at the welcome center or see Jan De See.
HOLIDAY SERVICES SCHEDULE
Christmas Day Service
December 25, 10:30 AM
New Year’s Eve Service
December 31, 7:30 PM
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CADETS
Cadets will meet this Tuesday, at 6:45 PM. Questions? Call Chris at 201-263-9098 or .
WEDNESDAY AM PRAYER TIME
Join us Wednesday morning at 6:15 AM in the youth room for a time of prayer for our church, its leaders, members, and our community. “My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:15.
SAVE THE DATE
North East Community Transformation and the Justice Network will be hosting a movie showing on “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls,” which is a hard hitting documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery. Mark your calendars for Friday, January 9, 7:30 ~ 9:30 PM.
CEDAR HILL STITCHERS
Opportunity for Outreach: Handmade baby bonnets are available at the welcome center for you to gift someone in your community who is expecting a baby. Take a bonnet with you and present it to someone you encounter—at the grocery store, library, pharmacy, school event—who is expecting a bundle of joy. What a special way to show others kindness and demonstrate God’s love, and to let them know that they are always welcome to worship with us at Cedar Hill Church. Any questions? See Laura Dykstra.
LIVE NATIVITY
Covenant CRC presents “The Gift for Today”—a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story connecting the Nativity to contemporary life. Admission is free to this indoor live nativity production on Saturday, December 20, at 4 PM and 7 PM. Following the performances, children will have an opportunity to visit with the live animals! Bring your family and friends! For more info, check out www.covcrc.org.
YOUTHQUEST NEWS
Youth Quest would like to wish everyone a very
Merry Christmas!
. Go M.A.D. (5th through 6th Grades):
Regular Meeting: The Go M.A.D. manger welcomes anyone without, and so do we at our January 2nd meeting. Make plans to be with us from 7 ~ 9 PM. Kind and loving parents may gently drop off young people at the ECMS Gym and pick them up IN the barn. Questions? Call Mr. E. 973-423-0267.
LinC (9th through 12th Grades):
Christmas Party: TONIGHT from 6~8:30 PM—come and decorate cookies, have a nice Christmas dinner, and bring a wrapped white elephant gift.
Mission Trips: Deposits are past due for both groups. Contact Denise Banaag if you would like to attend.
A CULTURE OF PRAYER
‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
And pray for us, too . . .” Colossians 4:2
DECEMBER 21, 2014
PRAY FOR COMFORT ~
Henry Joustra, brother to Tannette Botbyl and Bernie Joustra, uncle to Rick Botbyl, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2014. Please keep these families and all extended family in your prayers as the mourn this loss.
PRAY FOR HEALING ~
Faye Dyksen has been diagnosed with CLL, a chronic form of leukemia. CLL progresses slowly and at this time no treatment is needed. Pray that Faye will remain asymptomatic so that chemo is not necessary.
PRAY FOR ONGOING CONCERNS ~
Kassie Borduin Ben Kuipers Gert Troast
John Winters Elsie Vander Weit Jean Stonehouse
OUR HOMEBOUND & THEIR CAREGIVERS ~
Edna Smith Marge Bandstra Marge De Jong
Marge Moses Rachel Smith Neal Bushoven
PRAYER LINES ~
Call 201-652-4277, ext. 2, to hear the prayer line, which is updated as needed on Friday afternoons. You can also check our denominational prayer requests at 888-CRC-PRAY or www.crcna.org/pray.
Pray for Mission Outreach
ACROSS THE SEA – ACROSS THE STREET
Local Church Plants – Home Missions – World Missions
Classis Hudson & Hackensack Church Plants: This week, we pray for Love Korean Church of Clifton and Rev. Chung. Also, pray for Restore Church in North Haledon and Pastor Jeremy Mulder.
Pray for Our Missionaries . . . Larry and Ruth Spalink
This week at Cedar Hill Church
December 21 ~ December 27, 2014
SUNDAY
9:30 AM ~ Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:00 AM ~ Sunday School, Catechism, Adult Sunday School
12:30 PM ~ NJ Faith Church (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)
4:30 PM ~ No Kingdom Kids Choir Rehearsal (Basement)
4:30 PM ~ Children’s SS Program and Candlelight Service
6:00 PM ~ LinC Youth Group at Faith Community CRC
MONDAY
7:00 PM ~ NO Deacon Meeting (Deacon Room)
8:00 PM ~ Barbershop Chorus (Fellowship Hall)
TUESDAY
9:00 AM ~ NO BSF Leader’s Meeting (Council Room)
6:45 PM ~ Cadets (Cadet Room)
8:45 PM ~ NJ Faith Church (Sanctuary)
WEDNESDAY ~ Christmas Eve
6:15 AM ~ Wednesday Morning Prayer Time (Youth Room)
9:00 AM ~ NO Bible Study Fellowship (Entire Church)
THURSDAY ~ Christmas Day
FRIDAY
6:00 PM ~ Men’s Homeless Program (Fellowship Hall)
8:00 PM ~ NJ Faith Church (Sanctuary)
SATURDAY
6:30 AM ~ NJ Faith Church (Sanctuary)
CEDAR HILL CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
422 Cedar Hill Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ, 07481
Rev. Christian Pedersen, Pastor
A Family of Christ Where You Belong
~ where everyone is encouraged to grow in their walk with Christ daily,
to live intentionally in the Holy Spirit as they go, and so create a culture
where people are served, invited, and enfolded into the Kingdom.
Sunday Worship: 9:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.* (See calendar for location of evening service.)
Church Office: 201-652-4277 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM
Bulletin Announcement Deadline: Wednesday 12:00 Noon
Prayer Line: 201-652-4277, extension 2; Fax Line: 201-652-3245
Worship Service for Sick & Homebound: 1-855-231-0914, code 218-237-7378 #