December 8, 2002

Leader: Lord, you showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
Men: You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
Women: You set aside all your wrath; you turned from your fierce anger.
ALL: SHOW US YOUR STEADFAST LOVE, O LORD;
AND GRANT US YOUR SALVATION.
Leader: Let us hear what God the Lord will speak,
Men: for God will speak peace to his people, to the faithful ones,
to those who turn to God in their hearts.
Women: Surely God's salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that God's glory may dwell in our land.
Leader: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss.
Men: Faithfulness will spring up from the earth,
Women: and righteousness will look down from heaven.
ALL: THE LORD WILL GIVE WHAT IS GOOD,
AND OUR LAND WILL YIELD ITS INCREASE.
RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL GO BEFORE OUR GOD
AND WILL MAKE A PATH FOR GOD'S STEPS.

Scripture Isaiah 40:1-11
Prayer of Confession
Children's Story

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Mark 1:1-8 2 Peter 3:8-15
Sermon "The beginning of the good news"
Hymn

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Sermon - Roy Hange
Music - Jeff Myers
Nursery - Audrey Myers

Announcements

Everyone is welcome to stay for the FELLOWSHIP MEAL following immediately after the service.

You are invited to "AN UPSIDE DOWN CHRISTMAS", a service of carols and readings with Family of Hope and three other house churches Sunday, December 15, at 1:30 pm at 3448 Caverns Drive, Keezletown. It will feature reflections on Christmas the way we might have planned it (taken from our NRV, or Newly Reversed Version of the Bible) compared to the upside down way God actually did it. Harvey Yoder

A MEMBERSHIP INQUIRY CLASS will meet on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour beginning December 15th. Please contact Roy Hange if you are interested in becoming a member of the church or learning more about the Mennonite Church. We will be reviewing the video series "Turning Toward Jesus" and read "A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective".

The Showalter family will be hosting a youth Christmas party next Friday evening, the 13th, at 7pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please bring a white elephant gift to exchange and invite a friend.

As is our tradition at CMC we want to offer our GIFT FOR JESUS again during this Christmas season. This year we would like to focus on gifts for the church library: children's books and videos, resources for SS teachers and others studying the biblical story more deeply on their own. If you are interested in donating a book or funds towards the purchase of materials please do so throughout the month of December. If you have questions, please contact Gail Brunk or Maren Hange.

Steve Alderfer has agreed to be the MDS representative for Charlottesville Mennonite Church.

Nationally-known comedy/theater duo Ted & Lee, along with award-winning playwright Ingrid DeSanctis, will present their CHRISTMAS PLAY "DoveTale" on Friday, December 20, 7:30 p.m., at Community Mennonite Church, 70 S. High St., Harrisonburg. Tickets are available in advance by calling 433-2148, to be picked up at the door. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and seniors; $2 more at the door. A dessert bar, included in the ticket price, will be served immediately following the play. Proceeds from this performance will help Community Mennonite Church's youth group attend the Mennonite Church assembly in Atlanta. For more information, contact Sheri Hartzler at 540-574-4877 or e-mail agent@TedandLee.com.

A Christmas card from Millard & Joyce Osborne is hanging on the info wall at the back of the sanctuary.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Vijolca, a member of the church in Lushnje, Albania, spent 15 days at a hot spring for her health. While at the hot spring, Vijolca was able to witness to the other women who came. They asked her to pray for them before they entered the springs and even came to her room at night for Bible teachings and prayer.

Mennonite Mission Network: Six students of the Encuentro de Renovación Anabaptist Biblical Institute Study Center in Miami will graduate today. Pray that these students will be a great blessing in
their congregations and communities.

Pray for Margrit Kipfer Barrón and vacation Bible schools held December through January in the eight Mennonite churches in the Santa Cruz area of Bolivia. The goal is to reach 1,000 children with the word of God.

Henriette and James Schellenberg are pastoral leaders in a small congregation in Niedergörsdorf, Germany. Pray that attenders will make a faith commitment and the membership will move toward more self-reliance.

Gathering in Christ's name

Proclaiming God's Word

Responding to God's call

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises