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December 22, 2024

 

MORNING WORSHIP

Please stand where indicated with *.

 

  Call to Worship

*Verse of the Month: John 8:12 (unison)

*Song of the Month:  “Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)”

*Welcome

*God’s Greeting and Greet Each Other

 

*Scripture:  Isaiah 7:4

*Songs:  “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”

                “Jesus”

  (Please be seated.)

 

  Scripture:  Micah 5:2

  Song:  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

 

  Children dismissed for Children’s Worship.

 

  Morning Prayer

 

  Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

                    Ephesians 5:8-13

  Message:  Growing Light: The Birth of Jesus, Light of the World

                    “Light Reflects”

  Prayer

*Songs of Response:

     “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

     “God With Us”

 

*God’s Parting Blessing

*Parting Song: “Emmanuel”

 

  Minister – Matthew Pearce

  Worship Leader – Linda Rienstra

  Singers – Melody Flanders, Tracy Pearce

  Accompanist – Laurie Hinken

  Drummer – Cory McCallum

  Sound Technician – Rich Vander Meer

  Live Stream – Michael Becker

 

 

TODAY AT WEST LEONARD CHURCH

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is a four-week season in the church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, joy and love.

This morning, Pastor Matthew continues an Advent sermon series: Growing Light: The Birth of Jesus, Light of the World. This morning’s message will look at scriptures that refer to Christians as children of light and how we reflect light to the world.

Tonight, Cory McCallum will preach from Genesis 3:14-15, “Advent: From the Beginning.”

Your offering can be placed in the plates as you leave the sanctuary. Offerings today not designated for another cause will be for Church Operating Expenses this morning and the Northwest Food Pantry tonight.

Thank you to those helping today:

Prayer Team: Jack & Marla Roedema.

Nursery: Barb DeKorte, Liz Nguyen.

Children’s Worship: Lisa Vander Meer.

Floating Helper: Mason Vander Meer.

 

NEXT WEEK

December 29 - Pastor Matthew will bring the message at morning worship. Because of the holiday weekend our evening service is canceled.

Offering: Church Operating Expenses.

Prayer Team: Michael & Mayme Becker.

Nursery: Mary Bouwkamp, Paul & Rachael DeKorte.

Children’s Worship: Tracy Peace.

Floating Helper: Ben Wiersma.

Sound Technician: Rich Vander Meer.

 

CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP

We will gather in our sanctuary on this Wednesday, December 25, at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Pastor Matthew will conclude the Advent sermon series with “Light Guides and Directs.”

Offering:  Grace’s Table.,

Nursery will be available and Children’s Worship will meet.

 

THANK YOU!

Thank you, church family, for the lovely Christmas cards that you sent to me. I love and miss you all!        - Mary Jane Aardema

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Classes will not meet today or next Sunday, December 29.

 

 

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Your tithes and offerings are a blessing to our church and to many community organizations and missions! As the year comes to a close, we are overflowing with thankfulness and praising God for his faithfulness! 2024 has brought many challenges and unexpected expenses toward the upkeep of our dear church building. We are currently carrying a significant deficit in our Church Operating Expense Fund, which covers all general expenses, including salaries, utilities, and ministries. Please consider a donation to our church during this season of giving. Donations and collections for 2024 will be tallied and deposited on Sunday, December 29. Giving options include personalized envelopes, pew envelopes, or online - via our website, mobile app, or QR code. If you have questions, please contact one of our deacons.

 

GIVING ENVELOPES and 2024 STATEMENTS

If you use personalized/numbered envelopes, they will be in your mail slot before January 1. If you would like to request envelopes, please see any deacon. If you received envelopes that you will not be using, please give them to one of the deacons so we can make a note of it. 2024 summary statements of contributions will be in your mail slots (or mailed upon request) before January 31.

 

WOW!! THANK YOU!

Our November Peter Fish campaign for World Renew was an overwhelming success! The deacons had a noisy gathering as we shook the coins from the banks:  $330 in quarters, $140 in dimes, $44 in nickels and $54 in pennies, plus some currency and checks! After all monies were counted, we exceeded our expectations with a total of $808.00!! This money will be sent to World Renew. Their ministry helps people who live in hunger, poverty and disaster—in life-changing, Christ-centered ways. After studying their catalog, our Sunday School and Catechism students were proud to be able to select the following gifts for those in need:

       Goats and quakers (5 ducks, 2 goats)

       20 chickens

         3 roosters

         2 chicken coops

         1 pig

         1 piglet

         1 latrine

         4 handwashing stations

       50 bars of soap

         1 family-sized water filter

        Hand and power tools

That’s pretty awesome!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

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THIS WEEK AT WEST LEONARD CHURCH

Today, December 22, 2024

             9:30 a.m.                     Morning Worship – sanctuary

            10:30 a.m.                    Coffee Fellowship – upper lobby

            10:50 – 11:30               Sunday School for grades 1 – 12 will NOT meet today!

             6:00 p.m.                     Evening Worship – Candlelight Service: Follow the Light

 Wednesday, December 25

             9:30 a.m.                     CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP SERVICE

 

 

 

DECEMBER VERSE OF THE MONTH: John 8:12

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness

but will have the light of life.”

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DECEMBER SONG OF THE MONTH: “Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)”