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December 10, 2023

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Today’s Worship Services

Pastor Matthew will preach at the morning service and Cory McCallum at evening worship.

Large-print bulletins and morning song sheets are located on the coat rack on the east side of the sanctuary entrance.

Wireless amplifiers for the hearing impaired are available at the sound booth in the back of church.

 

Children’s Ministries

Nursery for babies and toddlers during the morning service.

Children’s bulletins and activity bags are available in the

back of church.

Children’s Worship – Dismissal during the service to Room #4 downstairs.

Sunday School classes for grades 1-12 meet in the Activity Center today.

 

To Our Guests

If you are a guest today, we extend a very warm welcome to you. Our prayer is that you will feel the presence of the

Holy Spirit in this place and among God’s people gathered here. Please do us the favor of completing a yellow card

from the pew rack and placing it in the offering plate as you leave, and please join us again soon!

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MORNING WORSHIP

Second Sunday of Advent

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Please stand where indicated with *.

 

  Call to Worship

  Scripture:  Isaiah 9:2

*Song: “Light of the World” (Sing Hallelujah)

 

*Welcome

*God’s Greeting

*Greet Each Other

 

*Scripture:  Psalm 98:4-6

*Songs:  “Joy to the World’”

               “He Has Come for Us”

  (Please be seated.)

 

  Scripture: Matthew 1:21

  Song:  “Baby Son”

 

  Children dismissed for Children’s Worship.

 

  Morning Prayer

 

  Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

  Message:  Expecting: Morning Sickness

  Prayer

 

*Songs: “Emmanuel”

               (Hallowed Manger Ground)

 

*God’s Parting Blessing

*Parting Song: “Emmanuel”

 

   Minister – Matthew Pearce

   Worship Leader – Barb DeKorte

   Singers – Melody Flanders, Linda Gritter

   Drummer – Eli Verburg

   Accompanist – Laurie Hinken

   Sound Technician – David Vander Velde

   Live Stream – Cory McCallum

 

 

TODAY AT WEST LEONARD CHURCH

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. – Advent, from the Latin adventus, means coming. In Christian churches, Advent is celebrated as the 4-week period of time for the preparation of celebrating the earthly coming of Jesus and also in anticipation of His coming again.

This morning, Pastor Matthew continues an Advent sermon series entitled “Expecting.” We will be remembering and reflecting on the birth of Jesus by considering it through the lens of Mary’s pregnancy, labor and delivery of the Messiah. While Mary and others involved with this story had certain “expectations” of what this would be like, Jesus defied and challenged those expectations in every way to demonstrate that his birth – and eventually his life, death and resurrection – would be unlike anything the world expected.

Evening Worship – Cory McCallum will bring a message from Luke 19:1-10, “Zacchaeus of Nottingham.”

Your offering can be placed in the plates as you leave the sanctuary. Offerings today not designated for another cause will be for Church Operating Expenses in the morning and Home Repair Services in the evening.

Thank you to those helping today:

Prayer Team: Jack & Marla Roedema.

Nursery: Barb DeKorte, Mary Bouwkamp.

Children’s Worship: Lisa Vander Meer.

Floating Helper: Mason Vander Meer.
Sound Technician: David Vander Velde.

 

NEXT WEEK

December 17/Third Sunday of Advent – Pastor Matthew will preach at both services. Our evening Christmas Candle Light Service will be held in the sanctuary.

Offerings: Morning for Church Operating Expenses; evening for Home Repair Services.

Prayer Team: Ken Vander Slik, Andy Butler

Nursery: Lisa Wisneski, Jenny Bylsma.

Children’s Worship: Melody Flanders.

Floating Helper: William Wiersma.

Sound Technician: David Vander Velde.

 

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Rich Vander Meer had a total knee replacement this past Wednesday and returned home the same day. Please continue to pray for Rich as he recovers and participates in therapy.

 

Marilyn Pardee is settled in Apt. 6202 at Villa Maria. She would love company. Her phone number is: 616-929-7421.

 

THANK YOU

Thanks so much to those who sent cards, prayed and came to the visitation and to the funeral for my dad. I am so thankful for my dad’s faith and knowing he is with his Savior. I am so blessed to be a part of this faith community.   – Lisa Kuiper

 

We wish to thank the congregation for your prayers as we traveled to Texas and for the many words of encouragement and the cards we received. We are sad but have the hope of eternal life which our sister Grace now experiences. – Betty & John Bouwman

 

PRAYER TIME

We will meet in the lounge today after the morning service. Please join us!

 

WEST LEONARD CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!

Everyone is invited to attend our Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, December 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Supper will be served at 6 followed by a time of games, crafts, music and fun for all! Mark your calendar! See you there!

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Today is the last day to bring your Christmas cards. Thank you to all those who shared Christmas joy with your cards. Thank you to those who were willing to deliver them.

 

IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES

• A new issue of The Vine was in your mailboxes last week.

• The Monthly Financial Report for the period ending November 30, 2023.

 

THE KING’S CHORALIERS

You are invited to join the King’s Choraliers to celebrate God’s gift of his Son at Christmas. The concert, “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come,” will be today, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. at LaGrave Avenue CRC. The guest vocal group will be the Calvin Christian High School Chorale. We will also have guest instrumentalists as well as a carol sing. A free-will offering will be received.

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THIS WEEK AT WEST LEONARD CHURCH

Today, December 10, 2023

             9:30 a.m.                     Morning Worship – sanctuary

            10:30 a.m.                    Coffee Fellowship – upper lobby

            10:50 a.m.                    Sunday School for grades 1-12 – Activity Center

            11:00 a.m.                    Prayer Time - lounge

             6:00 p.m.                     Evening Worship – Fellowship Room

Monday, December 11

              7:00 p.m.                    Executive Committee

Tuesday, December 12

             9:45 a.m.                     Coffee Break Women’s Bible Study – Activity Center

Wednesday, December 13

             9:00 a.m.                     Men’s Life Bible Study – Activity Center

             6:00 p.m.                     Fellowship Night Dinner

             6:30 p.m.                     Fellowship Night Activities – GEMS Girls Club, Boys Club

                                                   Adult Bible Study with Child Care available.

Thursday, December 14

            5:30 – 7:30 p.m.           Volleyball at Ridgeview Industries

 

 

 

DECEMBER VERSE OF THE MONTH: John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

 

DECEMBER SONG OF THE MONTH

“Light of the World” (Sing Hallelujah)