“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 week we enter the darkness of Isaiah 9 to discover the light of hope which shines bright amidst it. Isaiah 9 helps us to see this morning what it means to truly live with hope in this world.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music
Call to Worship
*Songs Let Everything That Has Breathe -Redman
What Child Is This -An English Carol
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 9:1-7
Message “Hope Amidst Darkness”
Pastor Matt
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
Mission of the Month
*Song He Reigns -Furler/ Taylor
*Benediction
Postlude
Offering
*Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December Calling Team: Please call Sue F or Liz S with any special concerns or requests.
December Mission of the Month, Eve’s House: (Ending. Violent. Encounters.) This organization provides legal services, shelter, food, and a safe place to live for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. For more information, please visit www.eveinc.org, or if you are in need of help, please call the Crisis Line at (517) 372-5572.
CONNECT this Wednesday, December 8: Ashlee will be serving nachos for dinner at 5:30 pm. Afterwards, the kids will be able to tell the Christmas story with Katie using nativity pieces, and they will be continue working on their Christmas tree ornaments that they will be taking home next week on December 15.
Men’s Bible Study: Due to Holiday travel and participant schedules, the Men’s Bible Study will be meeting only once during the month of December on Tuesday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m., at the same location. Thanks ~ Bruce and Mike.
New Greeter Schedule posted. Thanks to everyone who participated as a greeter in 2021. The new schedule for January- March has been posted, so please sign up early to get the week(s) of your choice. All volunteers are welcome! This is a great way to meet and greet both our church family and visitors.
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.
Join Us as We Continue through the Series, “A Thrill of Hope.”:
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- Sayuri & Abraham Kist-Okazaki, Asia
Please pray for Sayuri and Abraham’s continued good health as they find themselves in their late 50’s, and for their two children who are both recent college graduates working in Japan. Please also pray for vision in the congregations of Japan, that they might have an excitement and passion for evangelism, and please for the people in Japan who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
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.
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 15- CONNECT/ Youth Group Christmas Party, 5:30 pm.
December 16- Outreach Team Meeting, 7:00 pm.
December 20- Prayer Team Meeting, 6:30 pm.
December 21- Men’s Study, 7:00 pm.
December 22- No CONNECT/ Youth Group, Winter Break
December 24- Christmas Eve Service, Time TBA
December 29- No CONNECT/ Youth Group, Winter Break