WORSHIP 9:00 am Blended Worship - December 4, 2016 Prelude: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” - arr. E. Power Biggs Welcome “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight O come, desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind Bid all our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of peace “Prepare the Way” Prepare the way of the Lord Prepare the way of the Lord, and all people will see the salvation of our God Advent Reading & Candle Lighting - Gregg DeMey, Director of Worship “How Bright Appears the Morning Star” How bright appears the Morning Star, with mercy beaming from afar The host of heaven rejoices O Righteous Branch, O Jesse’s Rod, the Son of Man and Son of God We too will lift our voices Jesus, Jesus, holy, holy, yet most lowly, come, draw near us Great Emmanuel, come and hear us Rejoice, O heavens, and earth, reply With praise, O sinners, fill the sky for this, his incarnation Incarnate God, put forth your power Ride on, ride on, great Conqueror, till all know your salvation Amen, amen! Alleluia, alleluia! Praise be given evermore by earth and heaven

“God Reigns! Earth Rejoices” God reigns! Earth rejoices! Oceans shout God’s might Clad in truth and joy, God’s throne is our delight Clouds roll aside, and night becomes as day God will dwell among us; God will show the way Fires will blaze the pathway; starts will mark the place When God comes in glory, meets us face to face Mountains will shake and worthless idols fall Zion will rejoice, for God is Lord of all Light dawns for the righteous, joy for God’s own heirs Love all loves excelling, grace beyond compare Daughters and sons, God’s majesty proclaim Let your hearts declare the Lord’s most holy name Greetings Choir Anthem: “There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob” Prayer - Lisa Capozzoli, Director of Care & Community “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily To us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel Message: “Preparing For the Light” - Peter Semeyn, Lead Pastor Isaiah 49:5-7 & 60:13 Prayer of Response Announcements Offertory: “As With Gladness Men of Old” The offering is for the Elmhurst Ministries Fund As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward beaming bright So most gracious Lord may we evermore be led to thee As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed There to bend the knee before Christ, whom heaven and earth adore So may we with willing feet ever seek your mercy seat As they offered gifts most rare at that manger plain and bare So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to you, our heavenly King

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way And when the mortal things are past, bring our ransomed lives at last Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds your glory hide In that glorious city bright none shall need created light You it’s light, its joy, its crown, you its sun which goes not down There forever may we sing alleluias to our King Sending & Blessing Postlude: “Fantasia on ‘Adeste Fidelis’” - Smith Organist - Jake Groenewold, Pianist - Dina Zeilstra, Song Leader - Kathy Feringa

10:30 am Contemporary Worship - December 4, 2016 Prelude: “Waiting Here For You” Welcome “Prepare Ye the Way” Prepare ye the way, prepare ye the way of the Lord (4X) Yeshua, you reign on high, you reign on high Almighty God your love is like no other “O Come All Ye Faithful” O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold him, born the King of angels O come let us adore him, o come let us adore him O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord God of God, Light of Light eternal Lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb Son of the Father, begotten, not created Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation Sing all ye citizens of heaven above “Glory to God, all glory in the highest” Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning Jesus, to thee be all glory given Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing Advent Reading & Candle Lighting - Gregg DeMey, Director of Worship

“King of Heaven” Jesus let your kingdom come here, let your will be done here in us Jesus there is no one greater, you alone are Savior, show the world your love King of heaven come down, King of heaven come now Let your glory reign shining like the day King of heaven come, King of heaven rise up Who can stand against us You are strong to save in your mighty name King of heaven come We are children of your mercy, rescued for your glory We cry Jesus set our hearts towards you that every eye would see you lifted high Greetings Mission Moment: Prison Outreach Prayer - Lisa Capozzoli, Director of Care & Community “O Holy Night“ Message: “Preparing For the Light” - Peter Semeyn, Lead Pastor Isaiah 49:5-7 & 60:13 Prayer of Response Announcements Offertory: “Comfort Ye” The offering is for the Elmhurst Ministries Fund “Joy to the World” Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing And heaven and heaven and nature sing Joy to the earth the Savior reigns, let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found Far as, far as the curse is found 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, and wonders of his love Sending & Blessing Postlude Worship Team - Doug Bardolph, Angela Buikema, Jack Cassidy, Gregg DeMey, Kyle Olson, Glenn Vanderveld, Dan Vlcek Guest Soloists- Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke Sunday worship services are streamed live and archived for viewing on the web via LIVESTREAM (new.livestream.com/ecrc).

TODAY AT ELMHURST CRC If you’ve ever gone from complete darkness into the brightness of the midday sun, you know the contrast can be painful! The rising sun gradually increases in its intensity which allows us to warm up to the gift of its light and presence. This was true for the Magi as well. They began their journey by starlight, with only a vague knowledge of the identity of the true King of the Jews. They would end their journey in the blazing, true light of the presence of the King of Kings.

NEXT WEEK AT ELMHURST CRC Light can have the uncomfortable effect of illuminating the dark corners where grimy things reside. When the Magi met with King Herod, they faced deep dilemmas. Would they be able to decipher the dark motivations of the powerful King? Would they follow Herod’s directions and orders? Would they choose an alternative path and face potentially steep/mortal consequences? God provided extra light in the form of the star’s continued movement to the precise location where Joseph, Mary and Jesus resided. We all have corners of our lives where we would prefer to avoid shining the light of truth. But, God loves us too much to only share only a portion of the truth about himself, or about us. He is a “Refiner’s Fire” - Malachi 3:2

OUR CHURCH FAMILY We extend our sympathy to Jim & Carrie Decker and their family, as they mourn the loss of Jim’s father, James (Jim) Decker, on November 27. Prayer Requests: Please pray for healing and strength for Lois Arthur, Doris Baur, Henrietta Hall, Bill Poe, Maria Ramos, Gloria Van Ryn, and Marilyn Ward. Join us in praying for each other. To send your prayer requests or praises to be included in the email prayer chain, or to receive a daily email of these requests, email [email protected] or call the church office at 630-600-5100. If you would like your prayer request included in the weekly announcements in the worship folder please email Lisa Capozzoli, Director of Care and Community, at [email protected].

ANNOUNCEMENTS Enjoy the events of the Christmas Season – our Advent Calendar is online at elmhurstcrc.org/events. Save the date for The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, taking place on Sunday, December 18 at 6 pm. This beautiful worship service tradition, begun nearly 100 years ago in Cambridge, England, tells the Christmas story through scripture readings, music from the ECRC choir and congregational singing. Join us for this ECRC Christmas tradition. Behold the Lamb of God – The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ is coming to ECRC on Friday, December 16 at 7 pm. The Broken Halos will present Andrew Peterson’s amazing work telling this “true myth”, as C.S. Lewis called it, this tale that is bigger than life, but is—astonishingly—true. Join us in proclaiming the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. Admission is free. Little Lambs invites you to attend their Christmas program, Follow the Star, this Monday-Thursday, December 5, 6, 7 & 8. This is a free event, with refreshments following the program. Bring friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents and prospective Little Lambs to enjoy this musical Christmas tradition. Please join us for Glimmers of Hope in the lobby before and after worship today and on December 11. Select ornaments from our four Christmas Trees and donate to the following causes: Angola State Prison, Families in Need, Lampstand Ministries, and World Renew. We accept cash, checks, and credit card payments. Volunteers are needed on December 11 for our annual Glimmers of Hope fundraiser. We are raising funds for World Renew, Families in Need, Lampstand Ministries, and gifts for the inmates of Angola State Prison. We need folks to help process orders, run credit cards, and collect cash. Please contact Lisa Capozzoli, Director of Care and Community, at [email protected] if you are interested in helping out. There’s still time to nominate Elders (men) and Deacons (men and women). There are no Senior Leadership Team vacancies this year. It's not about age or tenure, but about personal and spiritual maturity. It's about caring and compassion (deacon), and shepherding and teaching (elder). We are looking for members to serve in these roles as defined by these qualifications, as well as those found in Titus 1:6-9, and I Timothy 3:1-17. Nomination forms are available at the Information Center in the atrium, or online at elmhurstcrc.org/resources/publications. Today is the final day nominations will be accepted. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, please consider joining our grief support group, GriefShare. GriefShare is held on Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm in Room 204 through 12/14/16. You will find GriefShare to be a warm, caring environment that will support you through your long journey through Grief. This is an open group so you can join at any time. The Single Mothers Support Group (SHE) is celebrating Christmas on December 11 at 12:15 pm with a Christmas dinner, Christmas music, fellowship, and gifts for children and adults. Come and be part of the festivities as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Child care is provided for children infants-12 years after the dinner. For further information contact Jane at [email protected].

COMMUNITY Timothy Christian High School is looking for a Varsity girls head softball coach and a JV girls soccer coach. If you are passionate and interested, please contact Athletic Director at Jack LeGrand [email protected]. Providence Life Services is looking for individuals to serve as hospice volunteers. The primary duties of the volunteer would be to offer supportive visiting, companionship and emotional support. The volunteer hours and days are flexible. All you need is a compassionate heart. For more information please contact Chaplain Harrison at 800-509-2800 or [email protected].

Timothy Christian High School's Christmas Collage concert will be held on December 11 at 4 pm. Please join us and enjoy music of the season presented by Timothy's music ensembles. The concert is free, and there will be an opportunity to give a free will donation toward Timothy's music department. Sunday, 12-04-16 8:30 am Glimmers of Hope 9:00 am Blended Worship 9:00 am Children’s Worship, 3 yrs-5th 9:00 am Men’s Fraternity 10:00 am Coffee & Community 10:30 am Contemporary Worship 10:30 am Children’s Worship, 3 yrs-5th 11:30 am Coffee & Community 4:30 pm Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal 5:30 pm Maximum Velocity (youth) 6:00 pm Small Groups 7:00 pm The Edge (youth)

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Monday, 12-05-16 7:00 pm Little Lambs Program 7:30 pm Small Groups Team Tuesday, 12-06-16 6:00 am Men’s Fraternity 9:00 am Little Lambs 9:00 am MOPS 12:30 pm Coffee Break Leaders Mtg. 7:00 pm Little Lambs Program Wednesday, 12-07-16 9:00 am Little Lambs 9:00 am Coffee Break Christmas Brunch 12:30 pm Little Lambs 12:30 pm Coffee Break Christmas Brunch 6:00 pm Prayer Time 6:15 pm Little Lambs 6:15 pm Cadets/Pathfinders 7:00 pm Coffee Break

Wednesday, 12-07-16 (cont.) 7:00 pm GriefShare Support Group 7:00 pm Men’s Fraternity 7:00 pm Little Lambs Program 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Evening Coffee Break Christmas Event Thursday, 12-08-16 9:00 am Little Lambs 9:00 am Coffee Break Christmas Brunch 7:00 pm Finance Committee 7:00 pm Healing Prayer Service 7:00 pm Little Lambs Program Friday, 12-09-16 Saturday, 12-10-16 8:00 am Hand Bell Rehearsal 8:30 am Prayer Group 9:30 am Deaconess Brunch Sunday, 12-11-16 8:30 am Glimmers of Hope 9:00 am Blended Worship 9:00 am Children’s Worship, 3 yrs-5th 9:00 am Men’s Fraternity 10:00 am Coffee & Community 10:30 am Contemporary Worship 10:30 am Children’s Worship, 3 yrs-5th 11:30 am Coffee & Community 11:30 am Maximum Velocity (youth) Christmas Party 12:15 pm SHE Ministry 4:00 pm Timothy Christian H.S. Christmas Concert 6:30 pm The Edge (youth) Christmas Party

WELCOME We’re glad you’re here. NEW? We would love to meet you. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the offering basket. Join us for coffee in the lobby after the service. Stop by the Information Center and let us know you’re new. SUNDAY SERVICES 9:00 am Blended Worship Service 10:30 am Contemporary Worship Service CHILDREN Nursery is available for children 0 to 36 months old. Children’s Worship (10:00) meets for children 3 years old through 5th grade in the lower level RESOURCES Assisted listening devices are available from an usher or sound booth at the rear of sanctuary Large print bulletins are available in the Worship Center inside the doors PRAYER PARTNERS Prayer partners are available after each service to pray with in the west rear of the Worship Center GROW AND SERVE ADULT MINISTRIES: Find opportunities to grow and serve in Small Groups , Coffee Break Community Bible Study, Men’s Fraternity, MOPS, SHE, Prime Time (55+) and more. STUDENT MINISTRIES Grow together, enjoy relationships, be encouraged and empowered with our student ministry programs; Maximum Velocity (6-8th grade) and The EDGE (9th-12 grade) CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES We love children, and want to help raise up children that love God and serve him. From Nursery (0-3 years old), Little Lambs (3-6 years old), Pathfinders and Cadets (1st-8th grade boys), to GEMS (1st-8th grade girls), and much more. More growing and serving opportunities online at elmhurstcrc.org Pastors: Rev. Peter Semeyn - Lead Pastor, Dir. of Outreach - 630.600.5029 [email protected] Rev. Gregg DeMey - Associate Pastor, Dir. of Worship - 630.600.5030 [email protected] Complete announcements are at elmhurstcrc.org/This Week or scan the QR code below.