WEEKLY BULLETIN

PIPESTONE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

P.O. Box 428

Pipestone, MN 56164

December 1, 2024

We wish to welcome all of you as we have gathered to worship the LORD together. May we bring praise to our heavenly Father, bow before the name of Jesus, and be united together through the bond of the Holy Spirit! In this order of worship that follows, please note that the words printed in bold are ones that the congregation is asked to respond with. Also, when an asterisk (*) appears, the congregation is asked to stand, if they are able.

THE LORD GATHERS US . . .

Welcome

Call to Worship: Psalm 130:7-8

*Opening Hymn: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” – LYRIC VIDEO

Come Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee;

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art,

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King;

Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious Kingdom bring;

By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.

By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.

*God’s Blessing

*Mutual Greetings

Advent Reading: Hope (Kayla & Kyla Hubbling)

*Song of Response: “The Solid Rock” vs. 1,3,4

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

TO BOW ON OUR KNEES BEFORE HIM . . .

Reading of God’s Law: Psalm 71:14-24

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:6

TO LIFT OUR EYES TO HIM . . .

Pastoral Prayer

Offering for Building Fund

Preparatory Hymn: “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” PH 481

TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO HIS WORD . . .

Scripture: Romans 8:18-27 p. 1757

Pastor: This is the Word of God for the People of God

Response: Thanks be To God

Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: Waiting with Hope

1. What we wait for (18-21)

2. How we wait (22-25)

3. Who we wait with (26-27)

*Hymn: “Jesus I Come” 1,3,4

1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my sickness into Thy health, Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself, Jesus, I come to Thee.

3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride, Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.

Into Thy blessed will to abide, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love, Out of despair into raptures above,

Upward for aye on wings live a dove, Jesus, I come to Thee.

4. Out of the fear and dread if the tomb, Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.

Into the joy and light of Thy home, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the depths of ruin untold, Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

Ever Thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

. . . AND TO DEPART WITH HIS BLESSING!

*God's Parting Blessing

*Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” PH 638

Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR December 1, 2024

TODAY 9:00 AM MORNING WORSHIP

4:30 PM EVENING WORSHIP

Wednesday: 6:00 PM WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS PARTY at Deb Cooper’s

7:00 PM ELDERS

7:30 PM COUNCIL

Congregational Announcements

To all our visitors we extend a most hearty welcome. Today, as we usher in the Advent season, may we joyfully respond to Isaiah’s words of hope, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Isaiah 60:1

Offering today: Building Fund

Offering next Sunday: Classical Ministry Share

Serving coffee today: Karla

Next Sunday: Marian

Plan to join us at 4:30 PM in the Fireside room as we consider the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. God's word encourages us to never give up!

There will No Christmas Day Service on December 25.

Missionaries

Cornerstone Prison Ministries – Rev. Scott Van Voorst

Megan DeRuyter (Youth with a Mission) Boulder Creek, CA.

Sosthene and Kara Maletoungou in Africa

Last week’s trivia question: What major construction job was a highlight of Hezekiah’s reign? Water works (reservoirs, pipelines, etc.) 2 Kings 20:21

Today’s trivia question: How many steps backward did a shadow move as a sign to Hezekiah?

Memory Verse

But as for me, I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more.

Psalm 71:14

Community Announcements

We cannot thank our local businesses, churches, community members, and supporters of SWC more! Our to-date money raised from the donation sale is $165,500! Thanks be to God for his financial blessings on Southwest Christian and for the continued support of this community. Thank you!

Pipestone Women’s Connection cordially invites you to a luncheon at the Christian Reformed Church on Monday, December 9, 2024. $10 (includes tax & tip) * 12:00 p.m. – 1:30. First time guest tickets are complimentary.

FEATURE: NutCrackers with Betty Mann, the Luverne lady with the Nutcrackers, bought her first one in 2001. Betty will share her story how this one Nutcracker evolved into 6,250 Nutcrackers in the Luverne History Center.

SPEAKER: E.J. Moret, Ortonville, MN

Title: The Best Title Ever

E.J. will share the many titles she has had throughout her lifetime,and will reveal the best title she has ever had. What titles have you had?

Reservations for lunch and complimentary child care by Thursday, December 5, 2024 please.

Please call * Rosie: 605-201-6484 * Marian: 507-820-1272 * Susan: 507-920-6675

CANCELLATIONS ARE NECESSARY BY SUNDAY, December 8, 2024.

SWC K-8 Christmas Concert Monday, December 16 at 7:00 PM at the Elementary Gym. The SWC Elementary and Junior High students invite you to a night of Christmas joy!

The evening will include a variety of lively and elegant musical selections all focused on our Lord and Savior born to us in a manger. A few of these selections are; What Child is This, Go Tell It On the Mountain, InThe Bleak Midwinter, and Carol of the Bells.We look forward to an evening spent sharing our student's God-given gifts!

SWC K-12 GRANDPARENTS DAY NOVEMBER 27. We are very excited about this upcoming special event for Grandparents/Special Friends of our current K-12 students! Grandparents, come and spend the morning with us as we celebrate YOU and the special ways you bless your grandchildren and SWC!

Most of our Grandparents have received an email from SWC regarding Grandparents Day and if you haven't, be sure to contact the elementary office at 507-442-6181 to be added to our Grandparents contact list so you can stay up to date on school news! All the details regarding Grandparents Day can be found on our school website at www.swcschools.org.

The morning concludes with a Grandparents Day program which will also be live streamed at https://christensenbroadcastnetwork.com/sports/ or you can use the live stream link on our school website.

SWC Adult Tour to D.C.

The Senior class at SWC has just completed another successful class trip to Washington D.C. to see the many wonders of our nation’s capital and now it is your turn! Arlington, Holocaust Museum, Capitol Building, Mt. Vernon, National Cathedral, plus all of the monuments and memorials is just a glimpse of what you will see and experience. I have heard for years now from parents, alumni and community members about wanting to experience a trip like this and now you can!

This spring, just after the famous cherry blossoms bloom, from April 22-April 26 you can join Mr. Busker as he leads an adult trip to D.C. It will be as close of an experience as the kids get but at a slightly more relaxed pace and with a few better meal options. A good amount of walking will still be required. Enjoy a guided experience from a seasoned veteran.

Cost is expected to be around $2000 per person (or less) depending on your desire to room with others or not. There is only room for a maximum of 30 people. Don’t hesitate to sign up in the high school office with Daci if you are interested and feel free to reach out to Mr. Busker with any questions you may have. Please sign up by December 11 so planning may begin.

You’ve been wanting to see and experience D.C. for yourself for a while and now is your chance!

Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Turkey & the Seven Churches of Revelation (May 27 - June 8, 2025): Visit ancient sites connected with Paul’s First, Second, and Third Missionary Journeys as well as the seven churches to whom John wrote the Book of Revelation. Join Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading biblical scholar, for this inspirational biblical tour. Contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.