WEEKLY BULLETIN

PIPESTONE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

P.O. Box 428

Pipestone, MN 56164

December 22, 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: Philippians 4:4-5

*Opening Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High (LYRIC VIDEO)

Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain - CCLI # 58350

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains

Refrain: Gloria In excelsis Deo

Gloria In excelsis Deo

2. Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong

What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav'nly song?

Refrain

3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing

Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King

Refrain

4. See Him in a manger laid whom the choirs of angels praise

Mary Joseph lend your aid while our hearts in love we raise

Refrain

*God’s Blessing

*Mutual Greetings

Advent Reading & Candle Lighting – Joy, Savior (Todd & Sheri Tinklenberg)

*Hymn: Away in a Manger – LYRIC VIDEO - Public Domain

Away in a manger no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky look down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

2. The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes

But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes

I love Thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky

And stay by my side until morning is nigh

3. Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me I pray

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there

4. Away in a manger no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky look down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

TO BOW ON OUR KNEES BEFORE HIM . . .

Reading of God’s Law: Psalm 119:105-112

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1-2

TO LIFT OUR EYES TO HIM . . .

Pastoral Prayer

Offering for Hope Haven (place offering in bags in narthex)

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20 p. 1590

Preparatory Hymn: Silent Night (LYRIC Video)

CCLI License # 58350

Silent night holy night, all is calm, all is bright

‘Round yon virgin mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia

Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born

Silent night holy night, Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord at Thy birth

TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO HIS WORD

Scripture: Isaiah 35

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

Response: Thanks be To God

Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: Joy to the World

1. The report of joy (1-2)

2. The response to joy (3-4)

3. The result of joy (5-7)

4. The route of joy (8-10)

Closing Hymn: Joy To the World – LYRIC VIDEO Public Domain

Joy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and heaven and nature sing

2. Joy to the world the Savior reigns

Let all their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rocks hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat repeat the sounding joy

3. He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders and wonders of His love

. . . AND TO DEPART WITH HIS BLESSING!

*God's Parting Blessing; Jude 1:24-25

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

Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR December 22, 2024

TODAY 9:00 AM MORNING WORSHIP

We warmly welcome all who are visiting with us today. In this Advent season, as we come closer to the day of nativity, we join Christians all over the world in our joyful preparation.

Offering today: Hope Haven

Offering next Sunday: The Banquet in Sioux Falls

Serving coffee today: Marie

Next Sunday: Kim

There will be No Christmas Day Service on December 25. Cornerstone has invited our congregation to visit their Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 PM.

Happy Birthday to Harold Veltkamp on his 85th on Thursday, December 26.

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: How many times did the Israelites march around Jericho on each of the first days of the “siege”? One (Joshua 5)

Today’s trivia question: What was the occupation of Lydia?

Memory Verse

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Luke 1:46b-47

Community Announcements

Hope Haven Presents: The Dueling Duo’s - Come enjoy a Dueling Piano Show on Thursday, January 9 at The District in Sioux Falls featuring Andy and Ryno! This is the perfect event to enjoy some great music requested by the audience, spend a night with your friends, and support Hope Haven! Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. Purchase tickets: hopehaven.org/events

Mick Sterling will be performing his show “From The King For The King” at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center Saturday, January 11th at 7:30. If you want to see an Elvis show that has never been done, featuring the songs that inspired and moved Elvis himself, a show that features the songs he won his only Grammy for, From The King For The King - The Gospel According to Elvis is where you should be. Featuring the early 60's faith standards such as “How Great Thou Art,” “Run On,” “I Believe in The Man in The Sky,” and many more. Mick Sterling leads audiences through a moving and emotional show that revisits the roots of the church in song. It's beautiful.
There are tickets available yet. The Box Office is located in the lobby of the PPAC; this is where guests can check in, use the restrooms and be guided to their seats before enjoying the performance. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $12 for students. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the PPAC website at www.pipestoneperformingartscenter.com, or by calling the Box Office at 507-825-2020 or 877-722-2787 (Tuesday through Friday, 12p-4pm.

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.