Monthly Archives: November 2024

December 1st Worship Service

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
Blessed Be the God of Israel”………….UMH 209

Prelude

*ProcessionalIn this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: As we journey through the Sundays of Advent, listen to the promises of God:
All: A righteous branch springs forth,
Leader: A Promise of justice and righteousness,
All: A promise of safety.
Leader: Listen to the promise of Jesus:
All: The kingdom of God draws near.
Leader: Keep alert; watch for signs of hope.
All: Our Advent journey begins

*Gloria Patri
………………………UMH  70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
My Hope Is Built”……………………….UMH 368

Lighting of the First Advent Candle

Reader 1

All: While fear, anxiety, misinformation, and suspicion surround us on every side, we choose to watch and wait in hope, preparing our hearts to notice and cooperate with God’s grace already at work in our midst.

Reader 2

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology……………………………….…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”.….UMH 206

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Jeremiah 33:14-16………………………..……………….Page 645
*Gospel Reading

Luke 21:25-36……………………………………………Page 856

Message by Paster Gary Peterson
“Come, Let Us Adore Him”

Communion

Prayer

*Hymn
O Come, All Ye Faithful” (ver. 1, 2 & 3)…..UMH 234

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist – Bev Grumm

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Pastor’s Ponderings

As I promised you on Sunday, November 24th, during worship at the end of my message, I would provide for you in the December Good News Letter, scriptures from the Bible that may speak to you during this Advent Season.

Advent is a season observed by many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. During Advent, it is common for followers of Jesus Christ to read and reflect on specific Bible verses or passages that relate to the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, which are symbolized by the Advent Candles that we light each Sunday during Advent and on Christmas Eve.

For your study during Advent, I would like to suggest these readings from Scripture:

Sunday, December 1st– Isaiah 9:2-6    
Hope                   
Sunday, December 8th – Isaiah 40:3-5
Peace
Sunday, December 15th – Isaiah 12:2-6
Joy  
Sunday, December 22nd – Luke 1:46–55
Love
Tuesday or Wednesday December 24th and 25th, Christmas Eve and Christmas – Isaiah 40:9-11  
Rejoicing

Scriptures to be read and meditated on during other days of Advent:

Isaiah 7:10-13
Isaiah 9:2-7
Isaiah 11:1-10                                                       
Isaiah 40:1-5
Isaiah 52: 7-9                                                       
Genesis 3:8-15
Genesis 15:1-6                                                                              
Deuteronomy 18:15-19              
Psalms 89:1-4
Micah 5:2-3                                      
Zachariah 6:12-13
Malachi 3:1-6                                                        
John 1:1-8                                         
John 1:9-18
Mark 1:1-3                                                              
Luke 1: 5-13                                      
Luke 1:14-17
Luke 1:18-25                                                         
Luke 1:26-35
Luke 1:39-45                                    
Luke 1:46-56
Luke 1:57-66     
Luke 1:67-80 
Luke 2:1-20
Luke 2:2135                                                                                                                  
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-2                                   

As you read scripture from your Bible each day, might I suggest a quiet time and place, maybe a candle flickering. As you read each scripture, look for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

May this Advent Season be a blessed time filled with the grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! .

Announcements and Stuff

Mission Project for December

In the past, Claybanks had assisted Montague UMC with hosting families in the Family Promise Program. With a permanent home now in Muskegon we are reconnecting with Family Promise to sponsor a family for the holiday season. A special Love offering will be taken up on Sunday, December 8th to support a family with gifts for the children and parents of a family.

Peru Mission Update
From Richard Lindell

Preparations are continuing for the mission trip with his church. They are preparing medical supplies, clothes, and eyeglasses which will be distributed between everyone’s checked baggage for the trip. Travel plans are being completed for the group. Richard will continue to keep us up to date on the trip as their departure date comes closer. He is appreciative of our prayers and support.

Upcoming Worship Schedule

DECEMBER
 SCRIPTURE AND MESSAGE

Sunday, December 1
First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33;14-16
Luke 21:25-36
Come, Let Us Adore Him

Sunday, December 8
Second Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 3:1-6
Preparing To Greet Our Lord

Sunday, December 15
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 3:7-18
Not Is All Good During This Season of Joy?

Sunday, December 22
Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:26-45
Are We Ready to Receive The Promise?

Tuesday, December 24
6 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Light and Joy

Sunday, December 29
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Luke 2:15-21
Going Home Transformed

November 24th Worship Service

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
Rejoice, the Lord Is King”……………UMH 715

Prelude

*Processional
In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: Blessed are those who trust God, whose trust is in the Lord.
All: They are like trees planted by water, sending out roots by the stream.
Leader: They have no fear of summer’s heat, nor do they wither in the sun.
All: Come to the waters of life all you who trust in the Lord. We have come to worship and to send forth our roots into streams of God’s living water!

*Gloria Patri……………………………UMH  70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
This Is My Father’s World”…………………UMH 144

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Shalom Offering

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology……………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*HymnGreat Is Thy Faithfulness”…………….UMH 140

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
2 Timothy 3:16-17………………………..……………….Page 967
*Gospel Reading

Luke 24:28-32……………………………………………Page 861

Message by Paster Gary Peterson
“Preparing for Advent Through our Bible”

Prayer

*Hymn
Soon and Very Soon”………………..UMH 706

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist – Konnie Grant

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

November 17th Worship Service

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
How Firm a Foundation”…………….UMH 529

Prelude

*Processional
In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: Let our hearts rejoice in the God of hope and faithfulness.
All: Our strength is in the Maker of heaven and earth.
Leader: Our foundation is the cornerstone that never fails.
All: The rock of ages is a foundation like no other.
Leader: Hope arises, as the tools of war are broken and the weak are given strength.
All: Hope lives when the hungry are fed and the poor are lifted up.
Leader: God comes bringing judgement to the ends of the earth, calling us to hope and faithfulness.
All: Come, rock of ages, come quickly now.

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH  70

*The Apostles’ Creed, Traditional Version…………..……UMH 881

*Hymn……”Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”…………………UMH 361

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology…………………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
I Am Thine, O Lord”……………….UMH 419

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
Hebrews 10:11-25………………………..……………….Page 976
*Gospel Reading

Mark 13:1-8………………………………………………Page 825

Message by Paster Gary Peterson
“Please Come to Church”

Prayer

*Hymn
Sweet, Sweet Spirit”…………………UMH 334
Benediction
Postlude –
Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – David Grossman

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

November 10th Worship Service

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
Lord, Be Glorified”……………….TFWS 2150

Prelude

*Processional
In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builder labors in vain.
All: Build us into a spiritual house, O God, and we will be a holy people.
Leader: Unless the Lord guards the city, the guards keep watch in vain.
All: Guard our hearts and our minds, that we may walk in your ways.
Leader: Unless the Lord is the center of worship, our words and praises are in vain.
All: Here now, Holy One, may we taste eternity.

*Gloria Patri…………………………………UMH  70

*Opening Prayer  

*Hymn
Happy the Home When God Is There”…………..UMH 445

Honoring Veterans Day and Our Veterans

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology…………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
Take My Life, and Let It Be”…………UMH 399

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 127…………………………………..…………….Page 499
*Gospel Reading

Mark 12:38-44……………………………………………Page 825

Message by Paster Gary Peterson
“Giving Out Of Our Poverty”

Prayer

*Hymn
Freely, Freely”……………………..UMH 389

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Ellen Zimmerman

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News