November 29, 2009

November 29, 2009

MORNING WORSHIP 9:15 AM First Sunday in Advent Prelude O Come, O Come Emmanuel (#133) Advent Noel Sanctuary Choir Lois Suffern, piano

Litany for the First Sunday in Advent L: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise Him in the height above. C: Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His heavenly hosts! (Ps. 148:1-2)

From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word! Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will! Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion! Praise the Lord, o my soul! (Ps. 103:17-20) We light the first candle in celebration with the angels of the Lord. May we know the blessedness of those who reverence and honor God in majesty and holiness from everlasting to everlasting. Prayer Blanket for Mike and Amanda De Koster Prayers of Thanks and Petition Comfort, Comfort Now My People (#132) Luke 2:8-11, 22:39-43 ANGELS! ANGEL! ANGELS! Pastor Perry De Groot

That All May Hear – Words of Hope

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (#198, vss. 1-2) [Please pass the Friendship Pads from one end of the pew to the other and back.]

The Lord’s Blessing Doxology (#809)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Text for Advent Noel Prepare! He is coming, Now sing we all noel! Lift high joyful praises for He will come to dwell. We sing in one voice, O let all rejoice! Come celebrate, prepare for the Lord, Emmanuel! The Son of God will come that night, Prepare to see the wondrous sight! We await the mighty King, Now hear the joyous carols ring. Sing we noel forever! Sing we all noel! Now sing we forever, now sing we all together for He will come to dwell. The Lord will come down, Sing a merry song of cheer! The angels will gather, His holy birth is near! Come celebrate, prepare for the Child will soon appear.

Welcome. . . What a privilege it is to join together in this hour of worship. Allow the music of the prelude to prepare you for this experience. Following the service, elders will be available for prayer. If you have a praise, a need, or a question of a spiritual nature, the elders invite you to meet with them in the Prayer Room (across from the Fireside Room, north side, first floor). The cry room is located by the north entrance to the sanctuary. Nursery facilities are located at the south end of the Education Unit, lower level. Music sheets on the black stands at each entrance will be used in the upcoming worship hour.

BROADCASTS Radio – Sundays, 9:15 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. (KSOU – 93.9 FM) Cable TV – Tuesdays & Fridays, 7:00 p.m. (Channel 3 or 12) Web site address: www.frcoc.org VERSE OF THE MONTH Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6 TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES 9:00 The “Prayer Huddle” with pastors and elders in the Prayer Room. Anyone is welcome to gather for this special time of intercession. 9:15 a.m. Corporate Worship. This morning’s message is entitled ANGELS! ANGELS! ANGELS! As we worship the LORD GOD, our Heavenly Father, who sets the stage for the wondrous story and reality of Christmas, let us focus on God’s amazing Gift to us. During the first part of the offertory we will view an up-to-date DVD produced by Words of Hope, the radio ministry of the RCA. Words of Hope vision: Build the church world-wide through media broadcasting. Good News! No Boundaries! 10:45 a.m. Sunday School/Disciples’ Journey. See the ivory insert for updated information. 2:00 p.m. Christmas Festival Orchestra rehearsal in the sanctuary. There is room for many more players. If you are interested, please join us. 5:30 p.m. Genevan Ringers rehearsal. 6:30 p.m. Corporate Worship. We welcome Pastor Don Den Hartog to our congregation tonight. Don is a retired RCA pastor now living in OC. The Genevan Ringers bring two international Christmas carols to us tonight in the ministry of music.

SERVING US TODAY GREETERS: 8:55 AM –Nick & Mikkell Baker-N, Craig & Leah Pennings-NW, Dale & Cheryl Hiemstra-S, Steve & Laurie Roesner-SW 6:15 PM –Mark & Miriam Vellinga-N, Harlan & Linda Ver Steeg-S USHERS: Jacob Solsma, Trevor Starkweather, Johanna Suffern, Michelle Van Wyk, Jacob Vande Griend, Josie Visser, Leah Wielenga, Anna Zeutenhorst, Shelby Baker, Malea Beeson, Davis Bloemendaal, Sarah Bomgaars, Sam Bonnecroy COFFEE & PUNCH: Harlan & Stacie Jorgensen, Brian & Julie Junck WELCOME CENTER: Bob & Mary Van Gelder CHILD CARE ATTENDANTS: 8:50 AM – Judy Cleveringa, Pam Jeltema, Jacki Brenneman, Jade De Kock 10:35 AM – Kevin & Kara Verschuure SERVING US NEXT SUNDAY GREETERS: 8:55 AM – Bob & Sue Conaway-N, Lois De Haan/Amy Eben-NW, Cliff & Geneva Korver-S, Daryl & Shirley Beltman-SW 6:15 PM - John & Dianne Van Wyk-N, Mark & Amy Rassel-S COFFEE & PUNCH: Reese & Cristi Kelch, Cliff & Geneva Korver WELCOME CENTER: Bill & Kathy Van Marel CHILD CARE ATTENDANTS: 8:50 AM Geneva Korver, Dawn Kroese, Rachel Leusink, Kari Vanden Brink 10:35 AM - Norwin & Myra Bomgaars FIRST REFORMED CHURCH NEWS & NOTES “A friend is a present you give yourself.” Strengthen your friendship by sharing your love t hrough the use of an Encouragement Card.

EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM Prelude – Genevan Ringers Ukrainian Bell Carol Once in Royal David’s City (#161) [Please pass the Friendship Pads from one end of the pew to the other and back.]

Gentle Mary Laid Her Child (#156) Ministry of Music – Genevan Ringers West Indies Carol Prayers of Thanks and Petition Emmanuel, Emmanuel (#140) John 1:1-14 Jay Wielenga

HE ASKED ME TO REMIND YOU ABOUT CHRISTMAS Pastor Don Den Hartog

Prayer for Blessing Praise the Name of Jesus (#128) The Lord’s Blessing Grace, Love and Fellowship E-100 Discussion Guides for January thru March are available in the Welcome Center. This Wednesday, Dec. 2nd join us in the Fellowship Hall at 6:40 PM for another night of KIDS FOR CHRIST ! The word this week is “covenant”, and we’ll focus on one of God’s promises to us, the sending of a Savaior. What perfect timing as we enter the season of Advent! All Church Open House Baby Shower, Sunday, December 6, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at First Impact, for Austin Huitink, Logan Van Ravenhorst, Landon Jaime and Crystian Dokter. All men and women of First Reformed Church are invited. Please pick up gift suggestions at the table in the Fellowship Hall today. SOUP SUPPER – Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 5-7 PM, Fellowship Hall. As in the past, parents and their students will provide the soup, pies and tavern. The students will be hosting the meal as a fundraiser for future service projects and this summer’s mission trip to Logan, WV. Please come to support our youth and to enjoy fellowship and delicious warm food. BAKERS STILL NEEDED: Are there more bakers out there willing to make Christmas cookies for the after Sunday School program refreshment time? Let Tom know if you can make a doz. or two for December 20 (PM). NEW WEBSITE SOON LAUNCHES!! A committee of volunteers has been working diligently to revamp FRC’s website. There is a new look, new features, current pictures, updated information. Watch

for more details in upcoming announcements. Thank you to those who researched, reorganized, rewrote and reworked the present website into a new and informative tool. The Annual Christmas Festival Orchestra is again being formed to play on December 20 at the morning worship hour. Students in Middle School and above and young and older adults who play (or have played) string, brass or woodwind instruments are invited to participate. Attention all you 40-60ish year old singles and couples G.I.F.T. (Gathering In Fellowship Together) is going to be doing their annual Christmas caroling at Landsmeer, Pioneer Home and the two nursing homes on Tuesday night, Dec. 1. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30. After caroling we will be going to the Pizza Ranch for a buffet supper. NOTICE: Bulletin announcements are due in the church office by Wednesday 5 PM. NEXT SUNDAY AM: Rev. David Sterk – We welcome Rev. Sterk to our worship service this morning. PM: NWC Student Drama-Life of John Calvin. – We thank the Drama Team for sharing their talents with us. CONGREGATIONAL CONCERNS First Church Prayer Line - #737-8500 IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY… As a congregation, we express our sincere sympathy to Henk Aarsen, Bert & Peg Aarsen and families, in the death of their mother and grandmother, Martha Aarsen, who passed from time into eternity, on Tues., Nov. 24th. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 WITH OUR HOSPITALIZED… Orange City Area Health System: Sadie Ver Steeg

A PIECE OF PEACE

Jesus Christ came to save us from us. “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 WOMEN’S MINISTRY Real Life Ministries, December 22, 6:30 PM – A night of Christmas Caroling. Check your mailbox next week for details.

Mary-Martha, Tuesday, December 1, 12:00, Christmas Meeting - Meet in Nederlands – 1:15 PM meeting at church. Miriam, Thursday, November 3, 11:30 AM, De Koffiehoek & Bistro Ruth, Friday, December 4, 10:30 – 11:00 AM, Hymn Sing at Heritage House Nursing Home. Women’s Ministry Christmas Program – Monday, December 7 – 7:00 PM – Sanctuary. Come and join other women of our church in celebrating the birth of our Savior. Sylvia Hulstein and Betty Vermeer will give a chalk artist presentation. We will sing some Christmas carols and take an offering for the Organ Fund. There will not be a calling tree. WORSHIP/PRAYER MINISTRY PRAYER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES: - O.C. Noon-time Prayer Meeting, Tuesday, December 1. Prayer location: ATLAS meeting room. - Prayer Warriors on Wednesday, December 2, 6:40 p.m. MUSIC MINISTRY REHEARSALS AND UPDATES: - Cherub Choir and Children’s Choir, Wednesday, December 2, 6:40 p.m. - Sanctuary Choir, Wednesday, December 2, 8:00 p.m. - MAJESTY! Worship Team rehearses, Thursday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. FINANCIAL UPDATE

$40,000

Last week’s offering: $ 14,232.00 19,644.00 Offerings year-to-date: $ 372,599.00 Year-to-date Budget: $ 419,895.00

Weekly budget need:

$

Organ Repair Fund to date: $21,301.00 Organ Repair Fund Grows. Thanks the special gifts from families and organizations, the fund continues to grow. If you are interested in giving to the organ fund, please designate your gift and the deacons will respond appropriately. Catechism Offerings year-to-date: $ 260.60 Catechism offerings are designated for Inspiration Hills log cabins. cabins Sunday School Last week’s offering: $ 78.00 Offerings year-to-date: $ 989.35 The 1st $1000 goal is designated for Inspiration Hills Scholarships.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ATLAS is requesting gift donations for their 2nd Annual Christmas Store. There is a tree in the Fellowship Hall with gift suggestions. Please take an angel, and follow the instructions, returning your donation to the fellowship hall by Dec. 6. Senior High Youth Group of Maurice First Reformed Church will host its 17th annual Traveling Nativity on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 at the church in Maurice. You and your family are invited to experience this Christmas story in a new and exciting way. Hours for both evenings are 5:30 – 8:30 PM. A freewill donation will be received that will go towards summer missions.

First Reformed Church of Sioux Center invites you to Extravaganza 2010, A Christian New Year’s Eve Party, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, in the fellowship hall. Punch/Dinner at 6:30 PM and entertainment to Midnight. Tickets ar $20 per person, are on sale from Nov. 1 thru December 1. Send checks to Donna Den Herder, 2990 400th St., Sioux Center, IA 51250, # 712-722-4257. NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE news… Annual Christmas Vespers services, Sat. Dec. 5, 7 PM, and Sun. Dec. 6, 3 PM, Christ Chapel. The NWC music department will present the Annual Christmas Vespers services, which include performances of a variety of carols and Christmas musical selections by many musical ensembles, congregational singing, and readings. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. NORTHWESTERN/DORDT STUDENTS ART EXHIBITION OPENS DEC. 4. Students from NWC & Dordt College will exhibit their artwork in Northwestern’s Te Paske Galley Dec. 4–16. An opening reception is scheduled for 7PM, Friday, Dec. 4. The Te Paske Gallery is located in the Korver Visual Arts Center along Highway 10 in Orange City. The gallery is open to the public from 8 AM to midnight Monday through Saturday and 1 PM to midnight on Sunday. DORDT COLLEGE news… New Artwork by Professors David Versluis, Jacob Van Wyk, Matthew Drissell, and adjunct professor Doug Burg is being featured in the Dordt College Center Art Gallery through January 14, 2010. The Campus Center Art Gallery is open every day from 8 AM to 10PM. Dordt College’s PLIA (Putting Love Into Action) students are hosting a soup supper on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 – 7 PM at West Commons. All proceeds will be used to support student mission teams during spring break. If you are willing to donate pies, buns or ground beef, please call Lisa Van Boom (722-6603) or e-mail [email protected] by Nov. 29. Dordt College Concert Band, Jazz Band & Chamber Orchestra concert, Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 PM, in B.J. Haan Auditorium. Chorale Service of Lessons & Carols – Sunday, Dec. 6, 8 PM in Dordt College’s BJ Haan Auditorium. An offering will be received to benefit music scholarships at Dordt College. Dordt College’s Women’s Chorus, Kantorei and Concert Choir will present a concert Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 PM in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. OCCS news… OCCS Christmas Cookie Walk, Saturday, December 5, 8:00 AM -12:00 PM, Iowa State Bank Basement in Orange City. Come and enjoy a huge selection of Christmas cookies and holiday treats available for purchase individually and by the dozen. Bring along your own containers to fill for added convenience! Bakers Welcome: The OCCS Cookie Walk Committee would like to invite anyone to share your flair! We would welcome any festive cookies, bars, candies, snacks or beverage mixes. Any items you are willing to donate may be delivered to the basement of Iowa State Bank on Friday, Dec. 4, from 2:00 – 7:00 PM or Saturday, Dec. 5, from 7:30 – 7:45 AM. We ask that the cookies or treats are brought in well sealed container or on decorative trays . Any help you are willing to give is greatly appreciated. Questions, call Kari at 737-4973.

First Reformed Church Mission Statement: Our purpose is to give glory to God, to know Christ and to make Him known. Values Statements: First Church wants to be a church… That advances the missionary and evangelistic work of the church in the community and the world. That faithfully preaches the entire Word of God. That joyfully and enthusiastically worships together and praises God. That identifies and utilizes spiritual gifts. That is anchored and devoted to prayer. That supplies loving care for each member of the church family. That provides a strong, Biblically-based, Christian education program to disciple and equip all ages. That intentionally nurtures, trains and equips youth to know Christ and to make Him known. That fosters forgiveness and reconciliation.

Our belief in the Holy Trinity is depicted by the three elliptical shapes which join into one common area at the center. The two-edged sword in the top elliptical area represents the Word of God which we believe is central to our faith because it is through God’s Word that we learn of Him and His plan of salvation for us. Participation in the sacraments of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper render support to our belief in God’s Word. The wavy blue lines in the center of the sculpture represent the water used in baptism. The wheat and the grapes represent the bread and wine used in communion. We believe that God uses the proclamation of the Word and the proper administration of the sacraments as the “means of grace”.

CHURCH STAFF

Mr. Ross Enger, Director of Youth Ministries Mr. Tom Hydeen, Director of Worship & Prayer Mr. Galen Kleinwolterink, Custodian Mr. Chris & Mrs. Sherry Lang, Directors of Mid-week Children’s Ministries Mrs. Grace Oldenkamp, Service Coordinator / Office Assistant Mrs. Brenda Walhof, Church Accountant Mrs. Aletha Beeson, Director of Sunday Children’s Ministries Rev. Dr. Perry De Groot, Shepherding & Executive Pastor Mrs. Missy Dokter, Administrative Assistant Rev. Stan Vandersall, Interim Pastor

CONSISTORY Elders Daryl Beltman Arlin Brenneman Gary Cleveringa Gerry Korver Jim Bonnecroy J.R. Siebersma Wayne Westenberg Jay Wielenga Ted De Hoogh Dale Hiemstra Steve Locker Gary Te Grotenhuis

2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012

Deacons Teresa Gunderson Doug Te Grotenhuis Leroy Van Kekerix Kevin Verschuure Nick Baker Rick Hop Brett Mulder Craig Pennings Don Baker B.J. Mulder Ken Oldenkamp Arlen Smit

2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012

The Essential 100 Challenge Congratulations to all of you for completing the Old Testament part of the E-100 ! We will resume again starting December 28 with 50 passages from the New Testament, with a message each week starting on Jan. 3rd related to a specific passage in the readings or a topical combination, that will take us through the beginning of March. There are New Testament discussion guides for you at the Welcome Center. Prasie God for the wonderful gift He gave us in His Holy Word !