Sussex Christian Reformed Church

Sussex Christian Reformed Church
Sunday, November 29, 2015 9:30 AM
First Sunday of Advent
We Gather In the Presence of God
Welcome and Announcements
* Call to Worship: Advent reading p. 438 #35
* Psalter Hymnal #331 v1-3 “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
* God’s Greeting
* Song Booklet #42 “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”†
* Celebration Hymnal #196 v1,3,4,5 “O Come, Let Us Adore Him”†
God Separates His People from Sin
God’s Will for Holy Living
Prayer of Confession
Celebration Hymnal #250 v3,4 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Assurance of Pardon
Ministry in Music: “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” Sung by Teen Chorus
Congregational Prayer
God Speaks Through His Word
* Psalter Hymnal #408 v1-3 “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Prayer of Illumination - Elder
Scripture: Luke 1:67-79 (p 1071)
Sermon: “Gifts for the Season: God’s Care”
We Respond to God’s Word
Prayer
* Celebration Hymnal #258 v1-3 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” †
Offertory Prayer
Offering: General Fund and Sussex Christian School
* Psalter Hymnal #263 v1 “What Can I Give Him” †
What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man I would do my part:
Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart.
* Please stand
We Go Out in Peace
† On screen
* Benediction
* Doxology: “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer”†
Jesus, guide me through the tempest; Keep my spirit stayed and sure
When the midnight meets the morning, Let me love You even more.
May this journey bring a blessing; May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my hearts testing, With Your likeness let me wake.
Words and Music Margaret Becker, Keith Getty © 2001 Modern M Music, admin. Music Services/Kingsway’s Thankyou Music, admin. Worldwide at EMICMGPublishing.com Used with permission CCLI 542079
Gifts for the Season: God’s Care
Luke 1:67-79
Background: Does God really care for His people?
(v. 67; see v. 5-25 and v. 57-66)
CHURCH CALENDAR
Today:
Tuesday:
REFRESHMENTS Following the Morning Service
No Sunday School or Catechism classes will meet
after the morning service
Bible Study 101 at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday Men's Chorus Rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
1) God’s power (v. 68-75)

in the past and present (v. 68-71)

for the future (v. 72-75)
Elders Meeting at 7:00pm
GEMs Meeting at 7:00pm
Senior Dinner at 6:00pm
We extend a special WELCOME to all visitors today! Please join
us after the service for a time of refreshments and fellowship in
the fellowship hall located downstairs.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SUSSEX CRC
THANK YOU to Jeremy and Heather Apgar for reading for in the
morning service and Tim Vander Groef for leading the responsive
reading in the evening service.
There is no ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL today. The next meeting
will be on Sunday, December 6th and will study Luke 5:33-6:11.
2) God’s promise to His children (v. 76-79)
Today marks the first Sunday of the 2015 Advent
Season. Services over the next few weeks will be as
follows:
Dec 6 - 7pm Carol service - invite your neighbors
Dec 20 - 7pm Sunday school Christmas program
Dec 25 - 9:30 am Christmas Day worship service
Next Week’s Sermon Topics and Texts
AM - Psalm 36 - God's Gift of Wisdom
PM - Luke 2:28-32 Christmas for All
BIBLE STUDY 101 will meet in the church fellowship room at
7:30pm on Tuesday, December 1st. THE GOSPELS - This Session
will explain how God revealed himself through his Son and how
each Gospel author uniquely contributed to that story.
MEN'S CHORUS will rehearse on Wednesday night at 7:30 in the
church sanctuary.
HOAGIES FOR HAITI/AFRICA SANDWICH SALE will be held on
Saturday, Dec 5 to raise funds to help cover the costs for the Mission trips to Haiti in January and Kenya, Africa in February. We
will be offering 12" Italian, Ham or Salami Sandwiches for $6.00
each. Sussex CRC team members are working together with the
team members from the Goshen CRC on this fundraiser.
Next week, December 6th, the evening service will be a Carol
Sing. Invite your friends and neighbors!
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SUSSEX CRC cont’d
YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY will meet on
Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Those interested are encouraged to bring a friend and/or a snack
to share. Nursery will be provided. Contact Rich Fox for more information at 862-268-7360.
WWII REFLECTIONS: Sunday, December 13, a number of members
who immigrated from the Netherlands after WWII will speak of
their experiences during the war. This forum will take place in the
Fellowship Hall during adult education hour. This promises to be a
special event to hear the reminiscence and reflections, first hand,
of those who survived the dark days of the German invasion and
occupation.
WAYS TO GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON: Christmas gift tags for
the needy will be given out this Sunday. Please see Donna Babich
if you are interested. Gifts must be wrapped, tagged and brought
to church by the 13th. You can also help assemble and package
gift baskets from 9:00am-11:00am on December 18th at the
Methodist Church. It is very important that those participating return their gifts by the appointed time. Also, check out the World
Renew gift catalog on the Resource Table or at worldrenew.net to
share the gifts of God with a world in need.
The Cadets are selling HOLIDAY WREATHS AND CENTERPIECES
this year. If you would like to order one please call a Cadet or
email Craig Van Wyk at lvanwyk@ptd.net. Wreathes cost $20.00
and center pieces are $25.00. Thank you for your support of the
Cadets program.
GEMs will be arranging a CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE this year.
A box will be available in the Fellowship Hall for those looking to
exchange Christmas cards with others in the church and/or for donating funds going towards a family in need this Christmas season.
STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH JOURNEY: Blog on paper and the
monthly journey is available on the resource table. To sign up for
the on-line forum, please visit scrcjourney.wordpress.com.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SUSSEX CRC cont’d
Sussex Christian Reformed Church is seeking a part time WORSHIP COORDINATOR who is called to equip and empower the
Sussex CRC congregation by leading in the planning, coordination, and execution of worship services. Interested candidates
should send resume to Jon Tallamy at searchteam@sussexcrc.org by January 15, 2016. The search committee will begin interviews after January 1, 2016.
OFFERING
Today
Next Week
NURSERY
Today
Next Week
Evening
GREETERS
Today
Next Week
USHERS
Today
Next Week
REFRESHMENTS
Today
Next Week
SOUND BOOTH
Today
Next Week
AM:
PM:
AM:
PM:
General Fund, Sussex Christian School
CRC Chaplaincy and Care Ministry
General Fund, Tuition Assistance
Harvest House
Infants: Lisa Kuperus, Emma Mae Sytsema
Toddlers: Terri Garris, Austin Niedergall
Infants: Larissa Gebauer, Jane Valkema
Toddlers: Michelle Kuperus, Owen Kuperus
Racheal Kuperus, Emily Kuperus,
Brianna Zuidema
Miles & Lisa Kuperus
Bill & Terri Garris
Howie Kuperus, Steve Fox, Jeff Vander Groef
CJ Kuperus, Owen Valkema, Steve Boyd
CJ Kuperus, Peter Bast, Jeff Vander Groef
Fellowship Comittee
AM:
PM:
AM:
PM:
Steve Schipper, Bradley VanderGroef
Russ Zuidema
Will Zuidema, RJ Vander Ploeg
Shannon Farrier
COUNCIL NOTES
NEW OFFICERS FOR THE NEXT YEAR:
Chairman of Council: Jeff VanderGroef
Vice Chairman of Council: Joel VandeWerken
Chairman of Deacons: Steve Schipper
Vice Chairman of Deacons: Owen Valkema
Clerk of Council: Rich Fox
Secretary of Deacons: H.R. Byma
Treasurer: Miles Kuperus III
Assistant Treasurer: Owen Valkema
Building & Grounds: Dan Kuperus
COMMITTEE LIAISONS
Education: Jon Tallamy
Evangelism: George Young & Steve Schipper
Fellowship: Allen Brands
Worship: Rich Fox
1. The Worship Coordinator’s job description was approved by
council. A search committee will now begin the to look for
candidates.
2. The Church Building Remodeling Committee is now in place
and getting estimates and ideas for the congregation’s consideration.
3. Council has lapsed the membership for Christopher Fox.
CHURCH FAMILY
JOHN VANDER GOOT is scheduled to have back surgery at Morristown Hospital on Tuesday. Pray for God's strength and encouragement for John during the healing process.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: John and Helen Kuperus and their family have moved to 77 Neepaulin Drive, Sussex, NJ 07461. Phone
number: 973-751-4373.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!
As you write your Christmas cards and letters, you are encouraged to remember the missionaries that we support in your
list! They love to hear from supporters back home during the
Christmas season. The holidays can often be a lonely time for
them as they miss their extended families. Their addresses are
listed below.
Liam and Jessica Starkenburg
Nicaragua Christian Academy
Apartado 842
Managua, Nicaragua, Central America
Roy and Laura Thiessen
P.O. Box 1703
Cardston, Alberta, Canada T0K 0K0
Larry and Ruth Spalink
1-15-24A Shinkawa-Cho
Higashi Kurume Shi, Tokyo 203 JAPAN
Ruth Lemmen
Wencheng Jiezuo B4-1403
Linda Beilu Haidian District
Beijing 100083
If you misplace your bulletin, the addresses can be found in your
church directory.
Special December Services
Dec 6 - 7pm Carol service - invite your neighbors
Dec 20 - 7pm Sunday school Christmas program
Dec 25 - 9:30am Christmas Day worship service
Dec 31 - 7pm New Year’s Eve service
THE VISIT OF THE MAGI
Our Testimony: A Gathering of Forgiven Sinners
Acts 11:1-18; Our World Belongs to God §39-40
Our testimony: what does it mean to be the church?
An opening question: What’s the most significant thing you’ve
seen God doing at Sussex CRC (lately)?
Volunteer List
__________________________________________
What’s our identity as a new people gathered in Christ?
1) A gathering of forgiven sinners… (Acts 1-9; cf §39)
2) A broken communion in a broken world (v. 1-2)
3) Broken pieces gathered by a gracious Lord (v. 15-18)
Sunday, November 29, 2015
7:00 p.m. Worship Service
We Gather In the Presence of God
Call to Worship
Silent Prayer
* Psalter Hymnal #302 v1-3 “Praise Ye the Lord, for It Is Good”
* God’s Greeting
God Speaks through His Word
Our Common Faith: Our World Belongs to God §39-40
Psalter Hymnal #36 v1-4 “The Ends of All the Earth Shall Hear”
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 (p. 1152)
Sermon: “Our Testimony: A Gathering of Forgiven Sinners”
Prayer
We Respond to God’s Word
* Celebration Hymnal #354 v1-3 “I Cannot Tell”
Congregational Prayer
* Apostles Creed (p3)
* Celebration Hymnal #107 “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
Offering: CRC Chaplaincy and Care Ministry
Offertory Prayer
We Go Out in Peace
* Benediction
* Doxology: Celebration Hymnal #270 v4 “Joy to the World”
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Welcome to Worship
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in
it” (Psalm 118:24). God has called us to become His people in Jesus
Christ, and we are glad that He has gathered us today for worship at
Sussex Christian Reformed Church.
If you are a guest here this morning, we are glad that you
have joined us. If you would like more information about
our church, please fill out one of the white cards in the
pews and place it in the offering plate. All are welcome to
join us for refreshments after the morning service.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sussex Christian Reformed Church…….973.875.5591
49 Unionville Avenue
Mailing Address: PO Box 745, Sussex NJ 07461
Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-3pm
Email: rachael@sussexcrc.org
Pastor………..……………….Rev. Joel Vande Werken
Pastor’s Study: 973.875.4934
E-mail: pastor@sussexcrc.org
Church Web Site………………..... www.sussexcrc.org
Prayer requests: E-mail to prayer@sussexcrc.org
Place pew card in box in back of sanctuary.
To listen to worship services by phone…973.875.7058
(Sundays only)
The Sussex Christian Reformed Church’s mission is
To proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord
By creating a caring, loving, and inspiring environment
That will help all to mature
In our faith and relationship with God.