PIPESTONE
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
​​​
​
PIPESTONE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
P.O. Box 428
Pipestone, MN 56164
​
December 7, 2025
​
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 – Pianist:
Linda Boersma
​
Call to Worship: Matthew 3:1-3
​
Advent Reading & Candle Lighting: Peace – Esther VanderPol, Von Blom
​
*God’s Blessing
*Mutual Greetings
*Opening Hymn: #194 (PH) “Comfort, Comfort Now My People”
*Opening Response: Isaiah 27:1-6
In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword, Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.
In that day-- "Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.
I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me."
In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.
*Praise Response: “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You” – See back page of bulletin
TO BOW ON OUR KNEES BEFORE HIM . . .
Reading of God’s Law: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 85:1-3, 12
TO LIFT OUR EYES TO HIM . . .
Pastoral Prayer
Offering for Resonate Global (place offering in bags in narthex)
*Preparatory Hymn: “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” – LYRIC VIDEO
Public Domain
1.Hark the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
2.Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
3.Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace, Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO HIS WORD
Scripture: Isaiah 27:1-6, Psalm 85, Matthew 3:1-12 p. 1097, 923, 1499
Pastor: This is the Word of God for the People of God
Congregation: Thanks be To God
Prayer for Illumination
​
Sermon: From Repentance to Growth (Peace)
​
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
...AND TO DEPART WITH HIS BLESSING!
* Closing Hymn: vs. 1,2,4,5 “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” – see back page
*God's Parting Blessing
*Doxology: #638 (PH) “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
​
Postlude
​ ​
​
​
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR December 7, 2025
​​​​
TODAY 9:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
4:30 PM AFTERNOON WORSHIP – see announcement below
​
Congregational Announcements
Today during this Advent season, may we joyfully respond to Isaiah’s words of hope, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Isaiah 60:1
Coffee today: Marian
Next Sunday: Jan
Offering today: Resonate Global
Offering next Sunday: Classical Ministry Share
​
Remember in prayer those of our congregation who are unable to attend our service. Arlo Bolt and Cliff Mulder at Good Samaritan, Adrian Klein and Verna Van Bockel at Ridgeview, Etta Mae Gunnink at Edgebrook Apartments.
Plan to join us at 4:30 PM in the Fireside room for afternoon worship. I plan to accelerate our series on the plagues. Today we see that the destruction God brings upon Egypt increases in severity with the plague on livestock, the boils, and the hail (Exodus 9). How do we react to loss, sickness, and destruction in our world today? Will we praise the sovereign God and trust him absolutely?
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: Which book says that God’s judgments are unsearchable and his ways past finding out? Romans (11:23)
Today’s trivia question: Who ate grass like cattle?
Memory Verse
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 118:6a
​
​
Community Announcements
​​
​
The SWMCS High School Christmas Program “Promise of Light” will be performed at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 8th at Bethel CRC. Join our bands and choirs as they sing and play songs that remind us of the fulfilled promise of a Savior who would be a light and Savior to the World. Notable inclusions include a unique Celtic arrangement of a “What Child is This?” alongside the crowd favorite “Sleigh Ride” performed by the SWC concert band. The choirs are preparing a variety of pieces including a student favorite thought-provoking piece performed by One Accord titled, “Let the Stable Still Astonish”, the addition of 2 more movements to Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare” prepared by the Chamber Choir, and the full combined choirs singing of the longing for a promise fulfilled in “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
​
The SWC K–8 Band & Choir Christmas Concert is just around the corner, on Monday, December 15, at 7:00 pm at the SWC Elementary gym. Our students are busy preparing a joyful celebration of the season just for you! You can expect a heart-warming blend of classic Christmas tunes and songs that point us to the real hope and wonder of Jesus’ birth. It’s always a highlight of the year—an evening filled with music, smiles, and the sweet sound of children sharing the Good News! Please join us as we rejoice in the Savior's birth this Christmas season.
The concert will also be live streamed at https://christensenbroadcastnetwork.com/sports/
Pipestone Women’s Connection cordially invites you to a luncheon at the Christian Reformed Church, tomorrow. $10 (includes tax) *12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
First time guest tickets are complimentary.
FEATURE: Val Klumper, Linda Ewing and Keith Maine will provide a mini concert of Christmas music.
SPEAKER: Heidi Studer Elder of Dent, MN. “The Greatest gift of All”. Heidi will illustrate the elements of gift giving as she shares about the most precious and greatest gift ever given to mankind.
Please call DEB: 507-820-1456 * MARION: 507-820-1272 * SUSAN:507-920-6675
CANCELLATIONS ARE NECESSARY TODAY
​
Kids Corner Devotions: Advent at Home: Silent Night - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion, “Advent at Home: Silent Night” at www.kidscorner.net. Do your worries ever feel really loud? You can tell them, “Shhhhhh! Jesus is here,” and remember that He loves you and gives you peace. Explore all the great content at kidscorner.net, including the Kids Corner Christmas Collection of devotions, Bible stories, crafts, and activities.
​
Groundwork: Preparing for the Light of the World - Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world. During Advent, we celebrate his birth and anticipate his second coming. Join Groundwork as we study Isaiah 40:1-5, Matthew 3:1-3, John 1:1-14, and Matthew 25:35-40 to learn what it means to live in the light of Christ with expectation and to explore what it means to prepare our souls for the hope and illumination that Jesus brings. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
​
​
​