Welcome to worship of our Emmanuel! As we prepare to
celebrate the arrival of the Babe of Bethlehem, may we indeed
believe that He will revive us and enliven us, filling us with His
abundant love, enveloping us with gladness, and enabling us to
be living letters of His love.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Prelude (youtube- A Christmas Alleluia)
Welcome, Announcements, Greeting
We Approach God
Lighting of the Advent Candle - Peace
Opening Prayer
Lori Schroeder
Praise Singing
Phil Loomans
#132 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
#156 “The Birthday of a King”
#264 “He Lives!” vs. 1
Congregational Prayer
Offering (Loose offering is for the Mixed Choir)
Hymn #134 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
*Response #162 “Glory in the Highest”
Glory in the highest! Worthy is our King!
Come let us adore Him, And give Him everything.
*Prayer
The Mixed Choir Cantata
Emmanuel - Celebrating Heaven’s Child
Directed by Jean Vande Zande
Pianist- Jenny Glewen
Narrated by Larry & Donna Kok
Sound Tech – Jason Mulder
Emanuel with Glory Medley
Glory/Angels We Have Heard on High/
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Come, Let Us Adore Him
I Call Him Lord
A Thousand Joys
Heaven’s Child
Mary, Did You Know?
Soloist: Adrea Daane
His Name Medley
Emmanuel/Jesus, Name Above All Names’
Blessed be the Name of the Lord/ No Other Name
Come Make a Place
Finale
Jesus, What A Wonderful Child/Emmanuel
We Respond to God
*Benediction
Pastor Ted Medema
*Postlude
Today at the ARC
December 20, 2015
Morning Worship: Thanks to those who shared their gifts in ministry.
Ushers: Brett Loomans, Kirk Van Buren, Rich Kamphuis, Tyler
Loomans, Paul Bruins
Nursery: Sheila Schultz, Jen Smedema, Margaret Jurjens, Drew Sauer
Greeters: (M)Milan & Bonnie Vande Zande
(N)Clark & Diane Harmsen
Benevolent offering is for regular benevolence
Video Tech: Olivia DeVries
Fellowship Time follows worship
10:45-11:30 Sunday School Today
New participants are always welcome. Come when you can!
Sunday School offerings will go towards Mission Backpack.
Today is the last day to give to the White Gift.
Children
Sunbeamers: (Preschool 3 years & up, basement Sunbeam Room) - A
snack will be served in the class, so come right in for singing, Story: Jesus is
Born
Elementary: Grab lemonade and a cookie in the basement tiled area, then
come to the carpet area for singing and to meet your teachers.
K/1st- Shepherds Learn About Jesus (Luke 2:1-20)
Memory Challenge for January 17th: John 3:16
nd rd
2 /3 - Christmas: Wise Men Worship Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12)
Memory Challenge for January 17th: Psalm 23:1-3
4th/5th Christmas: A Promise Kept (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25)
Memory Challenge for January 17th: Matthew 28:18-20
Teens
6th: Christmas: Waiting on God (Luke 2:22-38)
Memory Challenge for January 17th: Philippians 4:6-7
7th/8th: Heidelberg Catechism
Memory Challenge for January 17th: Apostles Creed
Senior high – Meet in the youth room for today’s topic.
Adults
Sunday School Guide- Meet under the balcony for a class that digs into
scripture using the Sunday School Guide Publishing.
Not A Fan- Join Jessa TerBeest in the Prayer room for a discussion on Kyle
Idlemen’s book, Not A Fan where we’ll discover whether we want to be true
followers of Jesus and not just His fan.
The Christmas Experience- Join us in the consistory room where we’ll be
studying the Christmas story through “The Christmas Experience”.
Throughout this class we’ll be watching short DVD clips and commentary,
followed by class discussion. This class is sure to get you thinking about
what’s really behind the season of Christmas!!
7:00 Sunday School Christmas Program - Tonight the Sunbeamers
through 5th graders will present their program. Loose offering will go to
our White Gift recipient – the Dawn Revels family.
Sound Tech: Jason Mulder Greeters: Larry & Donna Kok
This Week’s Events
Tape Ministry…week of December 20-26…Norris Damsteegt and Barrie
Tenpas
Tuesday, December 22
8:00 Prayer Meeting
6:30 4k Christmas Program
Thursday, December 24
7:00 Christmas Eve Worship – Join us as the Story of Christmas is told
through narration, scripture and Christmas carols.
Next Sunday
9:30 Morning Worship: Join us for an after Christmas Celebration with
Christmas songs sung by the choirs and Congregation.
Ushers: Karl Bruins, Dwaine Vande Berg, Mark Zeatlow, Steve Daane,
Bob Kloosterboer
Nursery: Sarah Bruins, Amber Vande Berg, Delicia Schindel,
Larry Brewer
Greeters: (M)Rick & Jean Stelsel
(N)Bob & Bev Kastein
Benevolent offering is for Mineral Street Mission
Parking Assistance: Ben & Melene Kraemer
Sound Tech: Chad Loomans Video Tech: Drew Behling
Fellowship Time follows worship
No Sunday School
Bulletin Board News
We extend out sympathy and prayers to Carol DeGroot and family in
the death of her sister, Alice Aalsma.
January Calendar will be made out this week, please call the office with
any meeting dates.
January AMEN articles are due next Sunday, December 27. Please email them to Lynda Loomans at (Lynda@AltoReformedChurch.org) or
put them in the secretary’s big mailbox.
Words of Hope devotionals for January, February and March are in the
racks.
At the December 8 Consistory Meeting, the Search Team
unanimously recommended to the consistory to extend a Call to Pastor
Kevin Van Wyk from the Bridge of Hope Reformed Church, Waterloo, IA.
The Consistory, by unanimous vote, will recommend to the congregation
on January 3, 2016 at a special Congregational Meeting to approve
this Call.
2016 Offering Envelopes are on a table in the entryway. On the
insert you will find the 2016 Benevolent Schedule. If you are interested
in using the Auto Pay Account (80% goes towards General fund, 20%
goes to Missionary Salary) at the National Bank: The Routing # is
075902308, Account # 4003640. Any questions can be directed to the
2016 deacons: Dan Bresser, Chris Jahn, Berwyn Van Buren, Dewey
Bille, Lucas Bruins, Andy Derksen, Karl Bruins, Nate Daane or Joel Ruis.
If you didn’t get envelopes, please call the church office.
Let’s Celebrate Christmas Together! Join us for supper at church
before the Christmas Eve Service. The meal is provided…no need to
bring anything. Transportation provided if needed. Please sign up on
the information desk. Any questions? Please call Peg Bresser 382-9648
or Gloria Mulder 346-5343.
Christmas Card Distribution by the SHARCS will go through December
27th. Just bring your Christmas cards, place them in the box, and the
students will get them to the correct church mailboxes! All we ask is that
if you are able, please donate the money that you would have spent on
stamps to the SHARCS for their upcoming mission trip. Thank you!
Men’s Ministries will be starting another book study in January, The
Man In The Mirror. Please sign up on the information desk if you would
like to join us. Any questions? Call Jason Mulder 960-5344 or Cody
Mueller 948-2693
White Gift recipient for this year is the Dawn Revels family. Each
Sunday School class will collect offering each week or you can place
your gift in the white-wrapped boxes in the entryway, or you’ll have an
opportunity to give at the Christmas program tonight.
Thank yous
We thank God for the gift of 80 years, making us eligible for the gift of the
special fruit basket from the ARC.
Dave & Donna Henker
Thank you to the church for the fruit basket and to Jerry Medema for
delivering it.
Bob & Bev Kastein
Thank you to the church for the fruit basket. Merry Christmas to
everyone.
Marcella Vande Berg
I’d like to thank the group from church that came to carol and for the
plate of cookies.
Lowell Bruins
Coming Events
December 20
December 24
December 27
December 28
January 3
January 5
January 10
January 12
January 17
9:30am Mixed Choir Cantata,
7:00pm SS Christmas Program
7:00 Christmas Eve Worship
A Christmas Celebration, All Choirs sing – AM
7:00 Deacon’s Meeting
Installation/Ordination, Pastor John Tilstra - AM
Congregational Meeting follows worship
1:30 Memorial Service – Pastor Ted
2:00 Women’s Missionary Circle, 7:00 Elder’s Meeting
Arica Leonard - AM
7:00 Consistory Meeting
Pastor Matthew VanMaastrict, Communion - AM
……………………………………………………………………………………
Visitors, we welcome you! We are delighted that
you have come to worship with us on this Lord’s Day.
We meet here to exalt in our worship the name of
Jesus Christ through music, through the spoken Word
of a Holy God & through the fellowship of God’s
people. Please let us know who you are and how we
may serve you.
Please fill in this insert and put in offering plate.
Please communicate with us
___Visiting worshipper
___New in the community
___Desiring info &/or visit
regarding church membership
___Interested in having the
plan of salvation explained.
NAME __________________ADDRESS_______________PHONE__
____
P-praise R – repent A – ask
Prayer Concerns
Y – yield
From: December 13, 2015
*=concerns submitted since last week
1. *Pray for the working of the Holy Spirit in our church family and for people
to be saved!
2. *Pray for the RCA leadership to stand firm on Biblical Authority.
3. *Pray for Pastor Kevin Van Wyk and all details he has to consider with the
decision of accepting the Call to Alto Reformed Church.
4. *Pray for God’s leading and guidance in the vision for a new Christian
Home.
5. *Pray for the REACH Program in Waupun and the need for more
mentors.
6. *Praying for America: North Dakota– Population: 675,000, Acts 3:19-21
7. *Ron Vande Zande had surgery at UW for another spot on his bladder.
8. *Pray for Steve & Jane Chene, Steve’s dad passed away last Tuesday.
9. *Pray for the Team going on a Mission Trip to DeFuniak Springs, FL,
January 3-10.
10. Pray for families who have lost loved ones recently.
11. Pray for leaders of our congregation and all ministries at the ARC.
12. Pray for the prayer requests in the silent prayer box.
13. Pray for Adam Bunker and wife, Kayla and daughter, Hazel stationed in
South Carolina and Aaron Zeatlow in Texas
18.
Friends and family with cancer, undergoing treatment, hospitalized,
recovering from surgery or illness – Dawn Revels, Marcia Hopp, Glen Loomans,
Linda Huizenga, Larry Prellwitz, Bart Bruins, Beth Vossekuil, Marvin Sturing,
Wayne Hull, Lisa Daane, Jan Frei, Nicole Kastein, Dave Rumley.
19. Members in nursing homes or those confined to their home. – Gladys
Kastein, Bernice Kok, Germaine Van Loo, Doris Daane, Junice Vande Zande,
Warren Mouw, Sylvia Schouten, Lowell Glewen, Eleanor Ter Beest, Merle Navis,
Wyman & Donna Kastein, Helen Straks, Lowell Bruins, Eleanor Loomans,
Katherine Prange, John Bille.
20. Missionaries – Larry & Linda McAuley, David & Char Alexander, Dick &
Donna Swart, Scott Ritzema-Youth For Christ, Ryan & Catie Boon-Cedar Lake
Ministries, Jill Vande Zande with InterVarsity in Bakersfield, CA., Mike & Jen
Eppinger with Campus Crusade
…………………………....................................................................
1. Tear off and deposit in offering plate at the close of
Service.
2. It will be prayed for today in our Prayer class during
Sunday School, and in prayer meeting on Wednesday.
3. May be submitted as often as you desire.
4. May be submitted anonymously.
Check box if you do not want it published in “Prayer
Concerns”
Prayer Request: _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2015 Executive Committee
Duane Bille, Vice President
Rick Stelsel, Clerk
Dewey Bille, Chairman of Deacons
Andy Derksen, General Treasurer
Dan Bresser, Benevolent Treasurer
2015 Elders
Ron Daane, 2015
Randy Bresser, 2015
Rick Stelsel, 2015
Duane Bille, 2016
Marty Huizenga, 2016
Larry Kok, 2016
Ken Bille, 2017
Steve Loomans, 2017
Lowell Prill, 2017
2015 Deacons
Nate Bille, 2015
Berwyn Van Buren, 2016
Larry Brewer, 2015
Dewey Bille, 2017
Dusty Daane, 2015
Lucas Bruins, 2017
Dan Bresser, 2016
Andy Derksen, 2017
2015 Ministry Team Members
Education
Adrea Daane
Ron Daane
Marty Huizenga
Larry Brewer
Jenna Bille
Carrie Bruins
Jane Chene
Nicki Jahn
Keith Loomans
Emily Rens
Joel Ruis
Jessa Ter Beest
Missions
Steve Loomans
Berwyn Van Buren
Dewey Bille
Maggie Block
Paula Dobbratz
Karen Stelsel
Tom Straks
Facilities/Property
Dusty Daane
Nate Bille
All Deacons
Worship and Music
Rick Stelsel
Peggy Bresser
Marcene Bruins
Tonya Bruins
Katie Mueller
Jason Mulder
Kara Tenpas
Sacraments
Randy Bresser
Larry Kok
Outreach
Ken Bille
Chris Jahn
Lucas Bruins
Keith Loomans
Carissa Harmsen
Nursery Committee
Abby Pluim
Carrie Flegner
Des Hull
Carissa Harmsen
Taylor Hartgerink
Tiffany Arndt
Sheila Schultz
Stephany Buwalda
Sarah Bruins
Shepherds
Betty Daane
Larry Daane
Pearl Vossekuil
Nicki Jahn
Stephany Buwalda
Kathy Flier
Julie Medema
Roxy Schouten
Jerry Medema
Reuben Hopp
Ann Boerson
Keith Loomans
Judy Bossenbroek
Kitchen Catering
& Equipment Rental
Dianne & Daphne Koch
Women’s Ministries
Gloria Mulder
Donna Bruins
Linda Schultz
Cena Kamphuis
Pamela Ruis
Tanya Mulder
Missy Derksen
Jenny Umentum
Emily Rens
Bridgette Stelsel