“Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”
During the season of Advent, we will be going through the book of Isaiah in a series titled, “A Thrill of Hope”. This series will focus on God’s promises through the prophet Isaiah. These promises gave hope to hopeless people, but they were not immediately fulfilled. As we journey through Isaiah and look at the promises God made to His people, we will see how it is our hope for what is to come that forms us as we wait in the present moment.
Isaiah will challenge us to see that God doesn’t work according to our timeline and He certainly doesn’t work in the way that we think He should, but even when all hope seems lost, and even when we can’t make sense of what is happening, God is at work to fulfill His promises.
Through Isaiah God reveals to us what we will ultimately see in the manger scene. We will see that in God’s timing, He uses the unexpected and the unimaginable to accomplish His purposes, and when we believe in a God like this, even when all hope seems lost, and even when we can’t make sense of things, there is always the thrill of hope in a God who is faithful to fulfill His promises. This morning we will begin our series by looking at Isaiah 7:1-17 and the hope that we have in a God who promises to be with us, even amidst moments of devastation and destruction.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music
Call to Worship
*Songs My Soul Magnifies The Lord -Carson/ Tomlin
Revelation Song -Riddle
Kids Message
Congregational Prayer
Words of Assurance and Law of God
Advent Wreath Lighting
Advent Video Testimonial
The Word of God
*Song O Come O Come Emmanuel -Helmore
Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17
Message “Hope in a God Who is With Us”
Pastor Matt
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
Moment for Ministry
*Song Forever -Tomlin
*Benediction
Postlude
Offering
*Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502
ANNOUNCEMENTS
November Calling Team: Please call Rick H or Sandy C with any special concerns or requests.
November Mission of the Month: Please consider choosing a tag from our Angel tree located just outside of the sanctuary to purchase a gift for a member of a young refugee family of 4 from Afghanistan, who also have a baby on the way. After purchasing your gift, please place it under the tree unwrapped. Please also turn in your Angel Tree Tag, as well as your original receipt, or a copy of it, with the gift for "Charitable Contribution" tracking purposes. No gift receipts please. Wrapping paper, gift tags, and tape are also welcomed donations for this very important mission.
A Message from the Prayer Team: There is a “Prayer Request” box located on the table next to the mailboxes, just outside of the sanctuary. If you have a personal prayer request, please write it down on one of the “Prayer Request” cards provided and place it in the box. The box will be checked weekly and shared only between ministry staff and the Prayer Team unless you request otherwise. Your prayer concerns are important to us, and all requests will be handled with extreme care and confidentiality as we pray for your situation.
CONNECT this Wednesday, December 1: Ashlee will be serving breakfast for dinner: pancakes, hash browns, and fruit salad. Afterwards, the kids will learn about how Jesus is our best Superhero, and they will begin decorating their very own Christmas tree in their Superhero area. Each week the kids will make a beautiful ornament for their tree, and then on December 15th, they will be able to take all these ornaments home with them. They will also learn and talk about how hard it is to wait, and there will be singing and games too!
Staff Holiday Gifts: Can be made until Sunday, December 12: If you would like to contribute towards a monetary Christmas gift for the ICRC staff, please enclose your gift in an envelope labeled “Staff Gift”, or you may write this on the memo line of your check, and then drop it into one of the collection plates in the sanctuary. You may also hand it to one of the Deacons: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, or Liz S. Please also be sure to include your envelope number for contribution credit. The deacons will then divide the funds among the staff for their annual holiday gifts from the ICRC congregation.
New Sermon Series Schedule:
November 28 - Isaiah 7:1-17 "Hope in a God Who is With Us"
December 5 - Isaiah 9:1-7 "Hope Amidst Darkness"
December 12 - Isaiah 11:1-9 "Hope Sprouts Eternal"
December 19 - Isaiah 40:1-11; 21-31 "A Comforting Hope"
December 26 - Isaiah 61 "A Hope for December 26th"
Save the Date:The Fellowship team will be hosting an adult game night here at Immanuel on Saturday, January 15.Please think about joining us that evening for a night of fun, and please also start thinking about a friend or two that you might like to invite.
Prayers for RCA Missionaries- Maasai Outreach Mission, Africa
Please pray for the health of the Maasai people. Pray they will have access to the care they need, including prenatal care, immunizations, counseling, and other basic healthcare.
If you have a personal prayer request, please contact Marcia Jackson at 663-7441. You may also submit a prayer request on our website at www.icrclansing.org, or you may place a written request in the prayer box that is located next to the church mailboxes.
Friends with Health Concerns
Sara A., Shelby A, Mark and June B, John B, Joe C
Howard C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, and other Parkinson’s sufferers,
Lon H, Marcia N, Sandi S, and Caitlin S.
Have you or a loved one been in the hospital or have just gotten out and were told you should rest for a few days? If so, wouldn’t it be great to have a home cooked meal delivered to your house? If you are in need of meals, or if you are willing to provide meals when needed, please contact Kerri M.
Save the Dates
December 6- Spiritual Growth Meeting, 6:30 pm.
December 6- Prayer Team Meeting, 6:30 pm.
December 7- Elder’s Meeting, 7:00 pm.
December 8- CONNECT, 5:30 pm.
December 8- Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group, 5:30 pm.
December 9- Kinetic Gospel Discipleship Class, 7:00 pm.
December 14- Men’s Study, 7:00 pm.
December 15- CONNECT/ Youth Group Christmas Party, 5:30 pm.