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~page 2~
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~ MILESTONES: Happy birthday and God’s blessings ~
Nov 24 Zach S
Nov 30 Aubrey B
Nov 25 Tracey Z
Sharon L
Nov 27 Caleb M
Dec 1 Jake V
Nov 28 Kylee V
Dec 2 Nell B
Nov 29 TJ M
Vicki K
Seth S
Paul S
Hailey V
Marc Hoogstad (youth pastor)
1105 Exmouth Street
519-336-8808
1934 – 2014
The purpose of First Church in Sarnia is:
LOVE
SHARE
The love of God is celebrated.
The love of God is shared.
The love of God mobilizes us to care.
W
CARE
Sunday, November 23, 2014
elcome! What a privilege it is to begin this new week in the Lord’s
presence and in the company of His people. May we experience the
peace of God, the warmth of Christian fellowship, and the inspiration of worship. May
His Spirit fill us richly so that we can worship Him with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts.
We extend a warm welcome to our guests. We are glad that you came and we
pray that you will be blessed by your time spent worshiping with us today. If we can be
of any assistance to you, please ask the greeters, an elder, or at the church office.
This morning we welcome Pastor Kelly Sibthorpe to our pulpit. Pastor Kelly is
the chaplain at Fanshawe College in London. We pray that God will bless him as he
brings The Word to us, and that we will be blessed by hearing that Word, and will put it
into practice.
Psalms: This great Conversation This evening’s worship will be a time of songs,
dramatic readings, scripture, special music and pictures all based on familiar and
favourite Psalms. We hope you will join us at 6:30 pm.
Next Sunday seminarian David VanEyk will bring God’s Word in the morning
service. The evening 9 Lessons and Carols will be combined with Living Hope and
Redeemer CRCs, and will take place at Living Hope at 6:30 pm
Following this morning’s worship service, everyone is invited to join us
downstairs in the fellowship hall for a time of conversation and coffee, tea or
juice. The prayer room upstairs is also always open after the service, and
there will be people there to pray for you for whatever concern you may have.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Jason, Lauren and Norah V
1583 Indian Road N, Sarnia N7V 4E1 phone 226-932-6021
Living Hope~ Regrettably, we missed the inclusion of condolences for Dawn L and her
family in last week's bulletin. Her mother, Donna F of Wyoming, passed away on
November 6 at the age of 78. We continue to hold the L and F families in our prayers.
Emery B was moved into hospice care at St. Joseph's on Tuesday. We continue our
prayers for him and Mandy and their family that they may know the peace and strength
of God at all times.
Elizabeth L had surgery on a broken knee this week after a fall. She remains in the
hospital. Fred L also continues to receive care in the hospital as his health concerns
remain. We pray for God's rich grace to pour into both of their lives in these difficult
times.
Redeemer~ John Hu had his first round of chemotherapy treatment this week. John has
responded very well to the treatments. His next session of treatments is scheduled for
Dec. 1st. Please continue to keep John in your prayers.
John B returned home from the hospital on Wednesday. Please continue to pray for
improved good health.
Our sympathy is given to Cisca and Jim D as they grieve the passing on of Cisca’s
father. Cisca’s father, living in the Netherlands, lived to be 94. The family gathered this
week for the memorial service. They grieve but also rejoice together for God’s gift of a
full life given to their father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate
God’s gift of eternal life.
OUR GIFTS WE BRING
AM: 1. Ministry Shares 2. Voice of the Martyrs
PM: London District Christian High Tuition Assistance
Next Sunday: AM: 1. Ministry Shares 2. Wycliffe Bible Translators Ray & Ann Kapteyn
PM: Homestead Christian Care
Today:
~page 3~
~page 4~
~Deacon’s Corner~
Our second offering this morning is for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, a non-profit
charitable organization dedicated to helping, loving and encouraging persecuted
Christians worldwide. The ministry provides suffering believers assistance in a vast
variety of ways – through the provision of medical assistance, safe shelter, food,
clothing, educational training, as well as the distribution of effective evangelistic tools
(Bibles, literature and radio/television broadcasts). By giving their testimony a voice,
VOMC also serves to raise national awareness and greatly needed prayer support. Our
mission is to glorify God by serving His persecuted church, fulfilling the words of
Hebrews 13:3. www.persecution.net
Our evening offering is for London District Christian Secondary School Tuition
Assistance. This is a way in which our churches can provide some assistance to
families who need financial help to pay the tuition in order to send their children to
London District Christian Secondary School.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
~Our thanks today to~
Serving Elders/Deacons:
AM: *MaryAnn D, Alice R, Jake V, Dianna B
PM:* Dianna B, John P, Pete V, MaryAnn D
2
Rick and Carolyn N, Diane P, Greg P, Mary R
Greeters:
John and Betty B
Ushers: Ken K, Nick V
Sound Tech:
Nate S
Projection Tech: John P
Sunday School:
Lisa R, Tyler K, Freda S, Scott D
Prayer Room:
Pete V, Linda W
Library Attendants: Angela C, Sherry C, Helen S
Nursery:
Stacey H, Kelly V, Marg R, Linaea D
Coffee Servers:
~Scheduled for Next Sunday, November 30, 2014~
Serving Elders/Deacons:
A M: *Pete V, JT S, Jack T, Gerry V
PM: *Jack T, Alex K, Jake V, Brian H
2
Mike and Katie Gallant, Jason and Heather Last
John and Corrie S
Ushers: Fred R, John P
Sound Tech:
Sean S
Projection Tech: Ian S
Sunday School:
Lisa R, Tyler K, Freda S, Scott D
Prayer Room:
Bert H, Alice R
Library Attendants: Kelly V, Tracey Z, Margriet S
Nursery:
Marianne F, Rachel B, Cheryl S, Jillian K
Coffee Servers:
Greeters:
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: The next Executive Council meeting will be held on Tuesday
December 2nd, at 7:30 p.m.
WANT TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT? You have a number of choices- put in a
bulletin announcement, put it on the church’s Facebook page, put something in the mail
slots, or ask to have it projected on the screen.
The beginning of the worship service is a time to focus on God and set our hearts and
minds on worship. The worship committee has decided that we will no longer begin
the service with announcements. Announcements should be sent to the office for the
bulletin or projection by Wednesday 4 pm. However, concerns that are part of a prayer
request can be communicated to one of the elders in the library prior to the service.
FROM THE REFUGEE COMMITTEE: We are blessed to be receiving an Iranian
refugee family! Ahmad Rezaei, Mahbobe Esamaeili, and their son Koorosh Rezaei will
be arriving in Sarnia on December 4th, 2014. The family fled to Turkey from Iran after
they were ostracized and mistreated after converting to Christianity. They cannot return
to Iran for fear of being arrested and imprisoned because of their religious beliefs. We,
as the Church, have been given an incredible opportunity to show the love of Christ to
Ahmed, Mahbobe, and Koorosh in the midst of all the immense changes they will have
to go through in the coming years. As they are arriving in Canada with very short notice,
there is and will be much to do. If you are interested in helping out in settling this new
family or being involved in the refugee committee, please email
christeena.nienhuis@gmail.com.
“WALKING THE NATIVITY” is close at hand. Please help us by inviting your coworkers, neighbours, or relatives to join us for this walk. If everyone will
take two invitations (children too) and give them to a neighbour or
friend, we will spread the good news of Jesus birth. Invitations will
be available on the table in the narthex.
We will be serving tea and hot apple cider. We have the specialty
teas, but we still need lots of cider. Please bring to church next
week Sunday.
STROOPWAFFLES: Today is the last day to order Stroopwaffles! Our Cadet Council
is selling them to keep down the registration cost of the Cadet Counselors convention in
London in July 2015. Cost is $3 for a package of 8, or $30 for a case of 12 packages.
Order forms should be in your mail slots, or talk to Clarence V (519-542-8918.)
Cheques should be made out to Sarnia I Cadet Club. Waffles will be available for pickup
on December 1. Thank you for your support.
~page 5~
~page 6~
th
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH COFFEE SOCIAL, NOVEMBER 28 at
10:00 am. An invitation to the “Last Friday Coffee and Fellowship” in the
Fellowship Hall of Living Hope Christian Reformed Church. We plan to
play games, so please take your favourite games along.
We also announce plans for an Intergenerational Christmas Dinner which
will be on Friday, December 12th.
For further information on this planned event, please contact:
Susan S: 519-383-0434
Ann T:
519-383-0679
Marc H: 519-337-6485
Julie W: 519-491- 5345
Bert H: 519-336-7727
LADIES BIBLE FELLOWSHIP will meet on Wednesday, November 26, at 10:00 am.
We will study Lesson 7, “Children of Darkness, Children of Light”.
There will be no GEMs for the girls on Monday, November 24. The
counsellors will be having a meeting starting at 7:00pm.
~SARNIA CRC YOUTH~
FUSION: Tonight we are joining with First CRC at 6:30 for an evening of worship,
reading the Psalms, and sharing stories of faith.
INTERGENERATIONAL CHRISTMAS DINNER: Last year we had our first Youth /
Senior dinner, and it was a huge success! This year we are planning it again on Friday
December 12. Please make plans to join our seniors for this enjoyable night. More
information will be coming very soon!
LIVE CONCERT RECORDING - And We Need Youth To Come! (TO PROVIDE
YOUTHFUL ENERGY)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=805371919523804&fref=nf
Body and Soul: A Worship Collective
December 5 + 6 @ 7pm at Talbot Street Church in London.
Reserve your FREE seats at www.bodyandsoulcollective.com
TRIP ROOM: Christmas is coming! Order your TRIP gift cards by November 24 to
ensure you have you gift cards by your Christmas celebration.
Remember, every little bit helps. Thank you to those that are working hard to help the
future of our precious little ones!
PIE BAKING AT SARNIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - Dec. 4 at 9:00 am
We are hoping to make Apple pies once again as a fundraiser for SCS. This can only
happen if we have enough volunteers for that day.
If you can help please call Grace V 519-869-2754 or Lori B 519-383-8779
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------APPLE PEELERS
SENIORS- We need your help to peel apples on Dec. 4 at 9:00am at Sarnia
Christian School. Coffee and goodies provided.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Orders for Unbaked Apple Pies can be placed with
Grace V 519-869-2754
Lori B 519-383-8779
Alice D 519-332-5351
Pies are $9.00 and must be picked up no later than
5:30p.m. on December 4
SARNIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: The board of Lambton
Christian School Society cordially invites all members and supporters of Christian
Education to our Annual Fall membership meeting, on December 2nd, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting will accomplish three things: 1) The necessary business transactions to run
our society 2) to update everyone on our long range planning 3) To continue to educate
our supporters on how we are transforming our education to meet 21st century
expectations for our students.
LONDON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL invites you to attend their fall
membership meeting, Thursday, November 27th at 7:30 p.m. Come and find out about
all the exciting things happening at LDCSS! LDCSS also has some employment
opportunities. See the list on the bulletin board, or go to their website at
http://www.ldcss.ca/contact-jobs.aspx
ATLAS TEAM T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER:
The ATLAS team would like to invite you to join us on our trip to the Dominican in
January 2015. For a minimum donation of $20 your name will be printed on the back of
our mission team shirts. In this way you can come along with us on this journey. We will
be leaving our shirts behind and they will be worn by the locals as a reminder of all of us
who are supporting them.
Look for an ATLAS team member in the narthex to take your donation. Our goal is
to fill our shirts with names. It will help all of us to remember that you are with us!
November 30 is the last day to get on board.
~page 7~
~page 8~
FOOD FOR THOUGHT BAZAAR AND FASHION SHOW
Saturday, November29th from 12 to 4 pm at Living Hope. Free admission.
Fashion show at 2 pm $5
Come early to shop and browse the vendor tables and enjoy a cup of coffee or
tea and a dessert. Having a pleasant afternoon with that special someone,
mother, daughter, granddaughter, friend AND helping to feed someone less
fortunate..PRICELESS!!
Tickets available at Living Hope church office, Tues. 9:30 - 1:30, Wed. &
Thurs. 9 - 4 or at the door.
All proceeds will go to the Samaritan Foundation's school lunch program in the
Dominican Republic.
KIDS CORNER - The Wedding Gift: Join the KC gang as Liz and Lucille face problem
after problem helping Olivia and Roger get married! Liz the wedding planner? Lucille a
bridesmaid? Can Liz get the gang working together in time to give the couple a special
wedding gift? Follow the Kids Corner adventures of Liz and his pals every week:
subscribe for free at getkidscorner.com. Find more great resources for kids and parents
at kidscorner.net.
“SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS” benefit concert will be held at “The Hub”, formerly the
Pines Chapel, on November 29 at 7pm. It will feature the Chatham-Kent Men’s Choir
along with Charlene and Alex on flute and piano, the C-K Singers, Men’s Quartet, the
Friends of Buxton Choir, Pastor Larry Forsyth & Friends and a Christmas Carol Sing-along with Willem Ligthart. A free will offering will be taken. Proceeds toward the acoustic
treatment of the historic chapel.
FREE ADVENT DEVOTIONS - This Advent season, consider using "Seeking God’s
Face" to come together in prayer as a church family. A free Advent sampler PDF is
available for download and can be posted on your church’s website or included as a link
in your church bulletin, e-newsletter, or social media. Visit
www.FaithAliveResources.org/SGF to download the sampler.
BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA: There are more than 76,000 men in 153 prisons across
Poland. Only 50% of the prisons have any kind of regular missionary service. Bible
League Canada’s daring goal to share the Good News with young men in every prison in
Poland over the next 5 years is challenging! Aleski is a young man, over-whelmed with
remorse for wrecking his life and being sent to prison. “I was living in sin,” he says. Then
God intervened in Aleski’s life, giving him the opportunity to hear the gospel for the first
time through ministry workers—and surrender his life to Jesus Christ. Now Aleski is
released from his past, from the power of sin and slavery, and fully aware of God’s
assurance of forgiveness! www.bibleleague.ca
DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRIES
GROUNDWORK - The Ten Commandments: We think polytheism is a problem only for
those in the Bible or in pagan cultures. But as people define God according to their own
taste, we are becoming a society with millions of gods. Our need is identical to Israel's at
Sinai. We need to hear who God is and what he demands. Join the Groundwork
conversation each week: subscribe for free weekly emails at ListenToGroundwork.com,
tune in to CHOK 1070 AM at 7:30 am Sunday, or listen online at GroundworkOnline.com
FAMILY FIRE - is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting,
in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at
familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire
community on Facebook.
FREE WEBINAR - Join us Dec. 3 for "Everybody Serves: The Picture Needs Each
Piece" presented by Mark Stephenson and Shellie Power. Too often people with
disabilities are viewed only as needing but not giving to others around them. This
webinar will teach ways to recognize that every individual, including persons with
disabilities, has been created with gifts that are needed by the body of Christ.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL AND CALENDAR - Starting Nov. 30, World Renew and the
CRC Office of Social Justice will share a devotional series called Reconciliation:
Breaking Through, and an Advent calendar with daily ideas for prayer, meditation, and
giving for the whole family. Slow down and orient your spirit to the season—discover
God’s reconciling work in us, through us, and around us. Signing up is easy! Go to
crcna.org/adventdevos to receive these daily emails in your inbox for Advent.
POSITION OPENINGS with the CRC, World Renew and CR World Missions: check out
the sheet on the bulletin board for paid and volunteer position openings.
If we can be of assistance……
Youth Pastor Marc Hoogstad (O) 519-337-6485
E-mail: marc.hoogstad@gmail.com
Office Hours (at Redeemer CRC) are Tue. and Thurs. from 2 to 5 p.m.
Office Administrator:
Betty Boot (O) 519-336-8808
E-mail firstcrc@xcelco.on.ca
Church Office hours are Tue. & Wed. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & Thurs. 9 am. – 4 pm
Harry Verburg (519-331-8919)
E-mail: hverburg12@gmail.com
Chair of Council:
Recording Secretary: Lucille VanderVies (519)542-3080
E-mail: jakevdv@ebtech.net
Clerk of Council:
Dianna Brown (519)330-0793
E-mail: dbrown@gamble-ins.com
Pastoral concerns: Contact either Harry Verburg (see his info above), or
Diane Plug (519)383-1096 E-mail: dplug@ebtech.net
Prayer Coordinators
Ethel DePooter (519-336-3169) and Ann Veenkamp (519-383-0887)
Treasurer:
Ray Kapteyn (519-332-0868)
E-mail: rkapteyn@hometrak.net
Custodians: Doris Calderon & Libardo Rubio (519-491-6609)
DorisCalderon25@hotmail.com
The Network:
www.crcna.org/network
Please have all bulletin announcements into the office by 4 p.m. Wednesday
Website: www.sarniafirstcrc.com
First Christian Reformed Church
1105 Exmouth Street,
Sarnia, Ontario, N7S 1W5
(519) 336-8808
Guest Pastor Kelly Sibthorpe
Sunday, November 23, 2014
MORNING WORSHIP
Welcome and announcements
Michael DePooter
God Gathers Us in Worship, and We Lift Our Praise
Welcome:
# 6:1,3
“Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah”
*Call to Worship:
People of God, worship the living God today! Remember that out of nothing God
created the heavens and earth. Remember that God raised Jesus: from the
powerlessness of death - to the power of his right hand. Remember that not even the
gates of hell can stand against God’s purposes.
Behold your God, who reigns now and forever!
*Gathering Hymn of Praise: “You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” # 582:1,2
*God’s Greeting
*Hymn of Praise:
“Praise the Lord! Sing Hallelujah”
Even as We Confess our Sin, God Grants Us Grace
Call to Confession:
# 518:1,2,4
Leader: When a lawyer came to Jesus, he wanted to test him and he asked:
What is the great and first commandment?
People: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
All your mind.
Leader: What is the second commandment like it?
People: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Prayer of Confession:
When we listen to these familiar words of Jesus, we must be honest with ourselves and
recognize that we fall very short of loving God and loving our neighbour as we should.
And so we come to Jesus this morning confessing our sins, knowing he stands ready to
forgive. Let’s join in a prayer of confession:
O God, there are many times we think we love you well.
But upon hearing your call to love you with all our heart, all our mind, and all our
strength, we confess that our love for you is poor, that our hearts are divided and our
affections are quickly drawn away. How easily our devotion dies. Father, forgive us.
Lord, there are many times we think that we have loved others too,
But in hearing your call to love our neighbour as ourselves,
We confess that our love is weak, that we love ourselves more than our neighbors,
in deep mercy spare us. Christ our Lord, forgive us.
Deepen our love, O Holy Spirit. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Leader: While it is true that we have sinned, the greater truth is that we are forgiven
through God’s love in Jesus Christ. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God,
he promises:
In Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God.
God Declares Forgiveness, We Give Our Thanks
Song of Assurance:
“Before The Throne of God Above”
# 682:1,2
Children’s Blessing: Children ages 3 through grade 4 come forward for a time of prayer,
before leaving for Sunday School
Prayers of the People:
Offerings:
1. Ministry Shares 2. Voice of the Martyrs
*Hymn of Illumination:
Prayer of Illumination
God Speaks to Us in His Word
“Ancient Words”
# 762:1,2
Scripture Reading: Genesis 45: 1-16; 50:19-21- page 47
Romans 8:28; page 1097
Sermon:
“The God of the Pit”
We Leave to Serve in Response to the Word
*Hymn of Response:
“When Peace Like a River”
# 451:1,2,4
*Benediction
*Closing Song of Praise: “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”
# 936:1,2
***Please allow a few minutes for persons with wheel chairs
and walkers to leave the sanctuary***