Bulletin for December 25, 2011

WASHINGTON MENNONITE CHURCH

	: Jesus’ Birth Re-create   Re

 

REUNITING WITH GOD’S PEOPLE

Prelude

                                                Joy to the World                                                  HWB 318

Call to Worship

Lighting of Advent Candles

                Congregational Response: Christ has come to make all things new

                                                RECEIVING GOD’S WORD

Luke 2:1-7

                “The Blessing of the Créche” by Sue Monk Kidd

                                                To us a Child                                                        HWB 189

                                                Away in the manger                                            HWB 194

Luke 2:8-14

                “Christmas Day in the Morning” by Pearl S Buck

                                                The first noel, v 1,2                                             HWB 199

                                                Angels we have heard                                         HWB 197

Luke 2:15-20

                “A Young Girl’s Gift” by Elizabeth Starr Hill

                                                The virgin Mary                                                   HWB 202

                                                What child is this                                                               HWB 215

RESPONDING TO GOD

Sharing

Pastoral Prayer

Offering

RELEASED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

Benediction

Sending Song                        O come all ye faithful                                         HWB 212              

 

Centro Cristiano Hispanic Worship Service                  2:30 PM

                Martha Hernandez, pastor

Worship Leaders:

Music:  Edie Nebel and Susan See    Pastoral Prayer: Amanda Beachy   

Christmas Stories:  Grant Nebel and Amanda Beachy                

VISION STATEMENT:  As followers of Jesus Christ, we are a community of faith

empowered by the Holy Spirit, seeking to love God with all our heart, mind, soul,

and strength, and to love others as our self.

We welcome all to this place for the worship of God and for Christian fellowship.  Let us worship God in spirit and in truth, reaching out to one another in Christ’s love.  We welcome our guests and visitors and hope you will join us again soon.

Upcoming Themes

January 1 – Restart                             January 8, 15, 22 – Heart of Worship

                                               

Offering for 12/18/11:  $3,080.00 (regular),  $150.00 (HACAP)

EDUCATION LEADERS

Adult Sermon Extension (Sanctuary):  Sandy Buhrow

Adult Bible Study:  (end classroom of Fellowship Hall):  Barb Ramsey

Preschool – 2-5 years (middle classroom in Fellowship Hall):  Becky Widmer 

Grades 3-6 (classroom off kitchen):  Karen Bates

ABIDING “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”                    Psalm 27:1 This verse became especially meaningful to me when we were traveling in Columbia and Ecuador the first time.  There were a lot of unknowns, communication was a struggle and safety was a concern.  Reading this verse was very comforting in that situation and I am reminded of it when I find myself in uncomfortable or fearful situations.

 

Ministers:  All of God’s People

Pastors: Grant Nebel: 256.7252 (home)                         Amanda Beachy:319.325.4522

       319.931.2579 (cell)                                                     (cell)

                                       grant.edie at gmail.com                           abeach25 at gmail.com

Elders: Francis Litwiller 656.3426 Becky Widmer 653.4714 Myron Graber 653.1674

Church Office e-mail:  wash.mennonite at juno.com

Church Secretary: Andrea Nussbaum 815.404.3363   Church Office Phone: 653.6041 

Washington Mennonite Church Announcements

Happy Birthday to:  Dale Wacker (12/29), Brynna Hemsath (12/30),

                Connie Wacker (12/31)

Happy Anniversary to:  Richard & Jo Ann Stout (12/27),

                Wes & Liz Widmer (12/28)

Prayers of Washington Mennonite --

·         Tina Wiklund

·         Leroy Reber – light stroke

·         Edie Nebel

Needs around Washington --

·         On the bulletin board in the foyer is a list of food items needed for a HACAP food box.  If the box is complete it will be given to Washington families in need.  Incomplete boxes need to be marked so HACAP can complete what is needed.  Would you or your family be willing to work on one or more food boxes for needy families in Washington?

Please turn in all expenses for Desert Theatre to Mary Lou Farmer before December 31^st.  Thanks!

Washington Mennonite Church:  Words cannot express our gratitude for the many acts of kindness all of you have shown to us during these past few difficult weeks.  Thanks so much for your calls, cards, prayers, food, and especially for the beautiful red poinsettia you sent.  A special thanks to those who volunteered their time and labor during my absence at dessert theatre.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family.  Karen & Mike Bates & familes.

Meals on Wheels:  Washington Mennonite Church is scheduled to deliver Meals on Wheels from January 2^nd to February 3^rd.  There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer.

Iowa Mennonite School Announcements

IMS is hosting a chance for 6^th-8^th grade girls to scrimmage during halftime of both girls and boys varsity basketball games on Tues, Jan 10^th.  Interested participants are asked to meet in the cafeteria (below the gym) in the 2^nd quarter of both games to receive jerseys and divide the teams.

IMS Annual Chili Supper:  Seniors, along with their parents, will prepare, host, and serve on January 14, 4:30-7:30PM in the school gymnasium.  The meal includes chili (and chicken noodle soup), cheese salad sandwiches, potato salad, relishes, and homemade desserts.  Ticket sales will support the senior class.

IMS will host the Hesston College Wind Ensemble on Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m., in a joint concert with IMS' Symphonic Band.  Former IMS music instructor Bradley Kauffman conducts the ensemble.  All are invited to the concert, and also are invited to consider hosting a student or two that weekend.  Please contact the school (656-2073) for more information or to offer lodging.

The IMS Board invites you to join them in prayer for IMS every Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM.  Come to the conference room at IMS or ask to have the prayer guide emailed to you.  Join us either way as we invite God’s guidance and blessing for IMS each week.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp Announcements

Jr. High WinterFest Coming Soon If you are in grades 6-8 and love camp, come join us at Crooked Creek Christian Camp on January 20-22, 2012 for a weekend of games, food, worship and great fellowship! Packets with registration information have been sent to your Sunday school leaders or your JYF leaders. Ask them about registration. If you have questions, please call the camp at 319-653-3611. Can’t wait to see all of you!

Volleyball Club Dates: If you are ages 16 and up and love to play volleyball, consider joining us the 2^ndSunday of each month from 4-6pm in the Activities Center at Crooked Creek Christian Camp (January through May). There is no fee but donations are appreciated. Dates are as follows: Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 11, April 15(3^rd Sunday due to Easter), May 13.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp's fall funding drive continues through December. Your donation will help maintain the Retreat Lodge by providing needed repairs and equipment upgrades. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the camping ministry. Contact the camp if you have questions. Thank you.

Mennonite Conference and Agency Announcements

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network personnel have committed their lives to continuing the work of Jesus’ incarnational love in more than 100 locations in the United States and around the world.  Pray for the Holy Spirit’s power to enliven these ministries.

applications and details.

Want to serve next year alongside a church and community to make a difference? Apply now to Mennonite Mission Network’s year-long programs! Mennonite Voluntary Service, Radical Journey, Service Adventure and DOOR Dwell are all accepting applications for Fall 2012. Visit Service.MennoniteMission.net for

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford, NE.  Pastor Dave Miller says, “We would appreciate prayers in trusting God in finding a youth pastor to minister among us.  There is a lot of energy and a good spirit at Bellwood.  Good things are happening.”

The fall 2011 issue of the Church Relations Update for Bethel College is now available on the Bethel web site at the following address:http://www.bethelks.edu/bc/news_publications/church_relations_update/?urlid=279.   It features a review of spiritual life events of note during this past semester, and a reflection by a student, John Miller.  The update will be posted on the bulletin board in January.

Washington Area Announcements

The Washington Ministerial Association is beginning a soup kitchen for people and families who may need help with a hot meal during the weekend.  This soup kitchen will be every Saturday from 11-12:30 beginning in January.  The pastors are encouraging us to volunteer one Saturday a month to prepare and serve a meal.  Some planning needs to be done by the Outreach & Service ministry.  More information will be coming later.

Mkini Fundraiser Meal:  Boniface Mkini came to Washington as a foreign exchange student from Tanzania in 2007.  There will be a hot roast beef plate served at the United Presbyterian Church from 11:30-1:00 on Jan 8^th.  The meal will be a free-will offering and all money raised will go into the Boniface Mkini Scholarship Fund.

Hesston College alumni and friends are invited to performances of the Concert Band and Bel Canto Singers in Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 15. Bel Canto will present sacred choral music during the 9:30 a.m. worship service at First Mennonite Church of Iowa City. The Concert Band will perform a program entitled “Collaborations” with the Iowa Mennonite School Symphonic Band at 2 p.m. in IMS’s Celebration Hall. The free concert marks a homecoming for fifth year faculty member Bradley Kauffman, who began his teaching career at IMS 15 years ago. 

A Walk Thru the Bible Seminar is coming to your community. Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church is presenting an Old Testament seminar on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.  Registration fee is $25 and includes lunch, snacks and materials.  More information is on the bulletin board.