Sunday, December 27, 2020
“Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”
Whether you are a regular attendee, or this is your first time with us, we wanted to make sure that you know how much we appreciate you joining us here for worship today at Immanuel Community Reformed Church. Our mission here at ICRC is “Going into the community, imitating Christ, by feeding body and soul”. Our 4 core values are: nurturing children and youth, doing acts of service, responding to real needs in the community, and welcoming the stranger. Our hope is that we have established an atmosphere where all feel welcome here and are able to engage all that God is, with all that we are!
The ancient prophets foretold the details of a Redeemer’s coming in a way that makes it impossible to believe anything other than Jesus is the Christ, Immanuel, God with us. The disciples verified all that was foretold about Him from old. We strive to be brilliant, gospel lights holding up the truth of God’s exciting plan fulfilled in Jesus and reflect Him in the midst of the darkness all around.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music
*Song Joy to the World/Unspeakable Joy -Tomlin
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance and Law of God
Song: Away in a Manger -No. 185
Kids
Solo: Strange Way to Save the World - 4Him
The Word of God
*Songs While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks -No. 175
What Child is This? -No. 180
Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7
Message: “Reflections”
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
* Song: My Soul Magnifies the Lord -Carson/Tomlin
Moment for Ministry
*Benediction
Postlude
Offering
The ongoing ministry of the church relies on the generous giving of its members. At this time, we will not be passing the offering plates during the service. Instead, you may place your offerings in the plates located on the stage at the front of the sanctuary immediately following the service.
* Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December Calling Team: Please call Sue F or Julie L with any special concerns or requests.
December Mission of the Month: Eve’s House. You May Contribute to Eve’s House by a Monetary Donation, or by Donating Any of These Much-Needed Items: women's underwear and bras (all sizes), kid’s underwear (all sizes), gas station gift cards, diapers (size 4 and up), baby wipes, Lysol/disinfecting wipes, bleach, box fans, twin blankets, twin sheets, or CATA bus passes and tokens. (Please note that all clothing items must be new.) There is a box here at ICRC for these donations, or you may contact Carol C and she will be more than happy to pick up items from your home address.
December Mission of the Month: Eve’s House. You May Contribute to Eve’s House by a Monetary Donation, or by Donating Any of These Much-Needed Items: women's underwear and bras (all sizes), kid’s underwear (all sizes), gas station gift cards, diapers (size 4 and up), baby wipes, Lysol/disinfecting wipes, bleach, box fans, twin blankets, twin sheets, or CATA bus passes and tokens. (Please note that all clothing items must be new.) There is a box here at ICRC for these donations, or you may contact Carol C and she will be more than happy to pick up items from your home address.
Prayer Request: Please be in prayer for Janet V’s upcoming knee replacement surgery on Wednesday, December 30. Please pray that the Lord's presence will fill the operating room and that He will provide wisdom and guidance to those working on Janet's knee. Please also pray for comfort and pain free healing!
Reminder from the Treasurer and Counting Team: Any contributions for which you wish to receive credit on your 2020 giving statement must be postmarked by December 31. According to IRS guidelines we must go by the postmark date not the date of the check. Any contributions we receive that are postmarked in January will be included in your 2021 giving.
Sunday January 3, 2021: We will be celebrating the blessed sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during the service on this day. This will also be Pastor Tom’s last Sunday with us. At the beginning of this year not one of us looked over the horizon of 2020 and predicted such difficult times for our world or for our church. With that being said Pastor Tom, we would like to thank you for carrying out the message and the wisdom of Christ to our congregation, and for walking beside us throughout this crazy year. You have provided us with guidance, support, compassion, and appreciation. “How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard!” (A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh)
Siloam Christian Church: Please be praying for their ministry to continue growing, for faithfulness in their work, for an identity rooted deeply in the gospel, and for the fruit of God’s kingdom.
Your Leaders are so thankful for your fervent prayers:
Staff: Pastor Tom G, Joey S, Darla L, Stacia W
Consistory: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, Sue F, Rick H, Marcia J, Mike J, Julie L, and our ministry teams
Pray for Our Missionaries
Pray for those supported by ICRC, as well as those in our church family that are out there in the mission field Please pray for their strength, protection, and perseverance. Please also pray for open doors, open hearts, and for God’s word to spread rapidly and freely throughout the nations!
To hear more prayer request from ICRC, please call 321-2495, extension 191, or if you have a personal prayer request, please contact Marcia J. You may also call the church office at 321-2495, extension 200, or you may submit a prayer request on our website at www.icrclansing.org.
Friends with Health Concerns
Mark and June B, John B, Joe C,
Howard J. C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Roland H and other Parkinson’s sufferers,
Jim P, Marian P, James S, Sandi S, Joy V, and Janet V.
for continued health concerns.
Save the Dates
January 6- Jr. & Sr. High Youth Groups Meeting
January 12- Painting with Sandi
January 12- Men’s Study
January 14- Prayer Team Meeting