Text Box: First Evangelical Covenant Church Dec. 11, 2011 10:30 a.m. Opening Song “Joyful (The One Who Saves)” Songbook # A-3 Advent Candle Lighting Candle of Rejoicing Luke 2:25-32 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Hymn #135 vs 1,4 Choir Anthem “Gloria” “Angels’ Carol” Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory—”Emmanuel” Songbook # A-2 “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. AMEN.” (children ages 3 thru 2nd gd. are excused for Children’s Worship) Congregational Prayer Missy Rowe Message “What Jesus Came to Do, Part 1” Isaiah 49 Pastor Jacob Gerber Closing Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” Hymn #162 Text Box: Prayers for Ourselves and Each Other: Pray for our lives to be characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Pray for all involved in preparing for Advent and Christmas programs. Thank God for guiding the Nominating Committee in filling positions for the Church Council and the Pastoral Search Committee; for the willingness of those asked to serve; and for our leaders and volunteers who have planned and carried out activities and worship services. Pray for the Pastoral Search Committee as they being their work. Prayers for Our People: Health Concerns— Gary Erlandson; Marianna Ostrand’s brother-in-law, Rod Card; Bevan Flynn’s grandfather, Louis Dye; Shauna Randall’s brother Jared Cunningham (Shauna is a Kids First teacher); Christina Paulson’s grandfather Ken Braymen; Kim Crook’s sister-in-law Mary Robison; Ina Grebe; Bruce Rowe’s sister Sue Bozivich; Rick & Barb Patronsky; Mike Davidson’s brother Ron; Dotty Reier; Sheral Johnson Long Term Care Needs— Leroy & Betty Oakeson; Ruth Truesdale; Don Ganow; Wayne Bellinger; Carolyn Lutes; Lonnie Peterson; Rich & Carolyn Carlson; Romelle Johnson; June Johnson Thank You: “First Covenant Friends, Thank you so much for the plant for dad. He would have loved all the plants and flowers. But especially thank you all for your prayers. Family of Bill Voelker” (Jane Erickson’s father) Text Box: “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!” Psalm 66:1 God speaks to those who take time to listen, And He listens to those who take time to pray.” Text Box: Prayers and Inspiration Text Box: First Evangelical Covenant Church 6024 L St. Lincoln, NE 68510 402-489-8869 firstcovenant@windstream.net www.firstcovenantlincoln.org Text Box: Dec. 11th thru Dec. 18th SUNDAY, Dec. 11th 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. reviival 4:00 p.m. Financial Peace Class (ends) MONDAY, Dec.12th 3:30 p.m. Middle School Girls Bible Study @ Sherri’s TUESDAY, Dec. 13th 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study in library 4:00 p.m. Fellowship, Nurture and Care meeting in library 6:30 p.m. Stewardship meeting in library 7:00 p.m. Sr. High Bible Study @ B & B Staswick’s WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14th 5:30 p.m. Youth Handbells 5:45 p.m. Special Catered Wednesday Night Supper 5:55 p.m. Worship Band 6:15 p.m. Camps Seedling, Pinecone and Evergreen 6:30 p.m. 6th Grade Group; Confirmation; Bible Chicks 6:50 p.m. Adult Handbells 7:30 p.m. Choir THURSDAY, Dec. 15th 7:00 p.m. Council meeting in library FRIDAY, Dec. 16th 7:00 p.m. JHAMS SATURDAY, Dec. 17th 1:30 p.m. Christmas Program practices SUNDAY, Dec. 18th 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship w/Christmas Program 2:00 p.m. reviival Text Box: We welcome you to our Church Family! We are a group of people of all ages and from all walks of life who have heard God’s call through Jesus Christ to serve Him and serve each other. We worship together to celebrate our salvation in Jesus, our joy in God’s presence, the fellowship we have in the Holy Spirit, and to listen as He speaks to us through His Word. We are a part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, which began in the great spiritual revival of the 19th century. We believe in new life that comes through a personal relationship with Christ. We believe in the Bible as the Word of God and the only true basis for faith, doctrine and practice. Childcare is provided for children up to the age of three. Children’s Worship (ages 3 thru 2nd gd.) is provided during the school year in Room 118; children can be picked up there. Restrooms are located on the east side on the main level, tucked in behind our parlor kitchen. Hearing-assistance devices are available. Please ask an usher. First Time Visitors We welcome you to our church family today and hope that your visit has been enjoyable. Please worship with us again soon! If you need more info, please call our church office at 489-8869.

Special Wednesday Night Supper:  Bring your whole family for a special meal catered from Hy-Vee this coming Wed. evening.  The menu includes roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean almandine, with Christmas cookies for dessert.  Prices are $5/adults and $2/kids (kids are 12 and under; 3 and under free). A special way to end the last Wednesday Night Activities for 2011!

 

SCRIP cards are still available to purchase for your easy gift-giving of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, you name it.

 

Covenant Women Ministries will prepare a Christmas Greeting for friends at FECC (10 words or less).  We would appreciate a minimum offering of $4.00 to match the cost of cards and postage.  Next Sunday is the last day to do this.  All proceeds go to the Food Bank. 

Sunday School Hour Nursery today: Megan Shoemaker

Worship Hour Nursery today:   infants—Amber C.; DeAnna M.

                                                   toddlers—Andy & Sara Voss

Sunday School Hour Nursery next week: Moriah Reinwald

(no Worship Hour Nursery next week due to Christmas Program)

Dec. Greeters: Ana Burgers; Mark & Cathy Ebers

December Youth Ushers:  Joel Ebers; John Ebers

Financial Update (as of 12/8/11):

General Fund:                                           Building Fund

Beginning Bal.      $        12,558.86       Beginning Bal.       $     20,657.44

Receipts                       194,500.70       Receipts                        68,651.18

Expenses                   -   196,090.95       Expenses                   - 74,256.00

Ending Balance     $   +     10,968.61       Ending Balance     $      15,052.62

Adult Sunday School Classes available:

· Spiritual Gifts—led by Dick Nelson; this class explores what spiritual gifts are, what gifts the Holy Spirit has given to each of us, and how we should use them for the common good.

· Library Class—led by Bob Reier; this class studies a variety of subjects:  confirmation topics, selected books of the Bible, sermon scriptures, etc.  Coffee/visiting @ 9:00; class begins @9:15.

· Chapel Class—led by Mark S. & Cathy N.; small group setting that discusses Biblical applications for everyday life.

Mark Your Calendars!

Wed., Dec. 14—Catered meal for Wednesday Night Supper

Sat., Dec. 17—

             1:30 pm—Worship Band Christmas program practice

             2:30 pm—Musical program practice: Choir, Children’s Choir, Band

             3:30 pm—Speaking parts in Christmas program

Sun., Dec. 18—

             8:45 am—Christmas program run-through

             10:30 am—Christmas Program during Worship

Wed., Dec. 21—no Wed. Night Activities

Sat., Dec. 24—no Christmas Eve Service

Sun., Dec. 25—no Sunday School

                        10:00 a.m. Worship (note time change)

Wed., Dec. 28—no Wed. Night Activities

Sun., Jan. 1—no Sunday School

                     10:30 a.m. Worship (back to normal time)

Wed., Jan. 4—no Wed. Night Activities

Sun., Jan. 8—regular Sunday morning schedule resumes

Wed., Jan. 11—regular Wed. Night Activities resume
Text Box: Pastoral Search Update: The Search Committee met on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, with Midwest Conference Superintendent Tammy Swanson-Draheim. Superintendent Swanson-Draheim discussed the resources that are available for search committees and explained how other Covenant churches have organized and conducted pastoral searches. One of the first tasks for the Search Committee will be to prepare a congregational survey to help develop a demographic profile of our church. This will be useful both for the Committee and potential candidates. A final decision on a Search Committee chairperson will be made at the next meeting on December 13, 2011. If you have comments or suggestions for the Search Committee, feel free to contact any of the members: Dan Byers, Amber Carlson, Brian Carlson, Dennis Carlson, Mike Davidson, Tim Erickson, DeAnna Masterson, Steve Masterson, Cathy Nelson, Ashley Peterson, Bob Reier, Megan Shoemaker and Sue Stenberg.