PIPESTONE
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
PIPESTONE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
P.O. Box 428
Pipestone, MN 56164
December 3, 2023
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 86:7-10
*Opening Hymn: “Angels From the Realms of Glory” PH 354 vs. 1-4
*God’s Blessing
*Mutual Greetings
*Opening Litany: (From Philippans 4:4-5)
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
We rejoice in the hope of Christ’s coming.
Let us praise and worship our God!
Praise Song: “Rejoice in the Lord Always” PH 228
TO BOW ON OUR KNEES BEFORE HIM . . .
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon: 1 Timothy 1:15
LIFT OUR EYES TO HIM . . .
Pastoral Prayer
Offering for Building Fund (place offering in bags in narthex)
Advent Reading/Lighting of Advent Candle
- From Isaiah 9:2; 42:16. Readers: Harold & Jan Veltkamp
*Advent 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.
© Public Domain CCLI #58350
TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO HIS WORD
Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 57-80 pg. 1587
Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be To God
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon: Zechariah and Elizabeth: God is Gracious!
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
*Closing Hymn: At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing (tune of Come You Thankful)
At the Lamb’s high feast we sing; praise to our victorious King
who has washed us in the tide; flowing from his pierced side
praise we him whose love divine; gives his sacred blood for wine
gives his body for the feast; Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
Mighty victim from the sky, pow’rs of hell beneath thee lie;
death is conquered in the fight, thou has brought us life and light:
hymns of glory and of praise, risen Lord, to thee we raise;
holy Father, praise to thee, with the Spirit, ever be.
. . . AND TO DEPART WITH HIS BLESSING!
*God's Parting Blessing
*Doxology: “Angels from the Realms of Glory” PH 354 vs.5
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR December 3
TODAY 9:00 AM MORNING WORSHIP – This morning we again observe our Savior’s death in fellowship about the Lord’s table. May we be strengthened in faith, united in love and more firmly established in the glorious hope of His coming.
WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS PARTY
7:30 PM ELDERS
8:00 PM COUNCIL
Advance Dates
DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS SERVICE – no service on Christmas Day
Congregational Announcements
Welcome to Advent at Pipestone Christian Reformed Church. Our Advent readings are from the prophecy of Isaiah, pointing us to Jesus as our light. Our Advent sermon series is called "The Cast of Christmas" as we look at the people involved in the Christmas story.
Today: Zechariah and Elizabeth: God shows his grace
December 10: Mary and Joseph: God keeps his covenant
December 17: Simeon and Anna: God reveals his salvation
December 24: Jesus: God comes to his earth.
Offering today: Building Fund
Next Sunday: New Life Treatment Center
Serving coffee today: Kim
Next Sunday: Carolyn
Wednesday 6:00 PM - Women's Fellowship Christmas Party at Wil's house. If you haven't paid your 12.00 yet for our personal shopper, you can bring it then.
Thank you to Pastor Stephen and our church family for all your prayers and words of encouragement during Al's surgery and recovery. Special thanks to Mike Cooper for all his calls and visits. Al and Von Blom
The Minnkota Deacons Association is seeking applicants for the Volunteers in Mercy Coordinator position effective January 1, 2024. Responsibilities include coordinating referrals from SW MN and SE SD agencies with diaconal outreach, initiating bi-monthly MDA/VIM board meetings, and submitting Classis reports and yearly newsletters. Please contact Ray Talsma at 507-227-1660.
Missionaries
Cornerstone Prison Ministries – Rev. Scott Van Voorst
Megan DeRuyter (Youth with a Mission) Honolulu, Hawaii
Sosthene and Kara Maletoungou in Africa
Memory Verse
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
You alone are God.
Psalm 86:10
Last week’s trivia question: To whom did God say the following: “The place where you are standing is holy ground”? Moses (Exodus 3:5)
Today’s trivia question: What kind of market was near the pool of Bethesda?
Community Announcements
Pipestone Women’s Connection cordially invites you to a luncheon at the Christian Reformed Church, Monday, December 11, 2023 – 12:00-1:30 PM $10.00 (includes tax & tip) First time guest tickets are complimentary
Feature: "A Vintage Christmas" Paula Solma will share her love for old vintage Christmas items, some from generations past.
Speaker: Cynthia Sheppard, Flandreau, SD "An Exchanged Life" Do you like to shop, especially for the Christmas season? With stories and humor, Cynthia will help you learn how to exchange those unwanted gifts.
RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCH & COMPLIMENTARY CHILD CARE
BY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, PLEASE
PLEASE CALL ROSIE: 605-201-6484 • MARIAN: 507-820-1272 • SUSAN: 507-920-6675
CANCELLATIONS ARE NECESSARY BY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2023
Affiliated with Stonecroft
SWMCS DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, December 11: 9-12 Christmas Concert
Monday, December 18: K-8 Christmas Concert
Friday, May 3: K-4 Spring Musical (Field Day)
Monday, May 13: 5-12 Spring Concert