Listen to this worship service:
    Dialup    Broadband

WORSHIP CELEBRATION

December 8, 2002 - Characters of Christmas

Prelude

Welcome

Praise through Song
"Doxology"
"All Things Are Possible"

Advent Wreath - Chris & Angie Hansen

Scripture Reading - Luke 1:35-37

Preschool Children's Music
"Jesus Name Above All Names"

Prayer

Offering
Offertory - "Mary Was the First One"

Monologue - Mary

(Children, K - grade 6, dismissed for Children's Worship)

Message   Pastor Joel Sutton
   Mary: "How Responsive Are You?"
   Luke 1:26-38, pew Bible page 991

Song of Response
"Have Thine Own Way"
(Hymnal #371, vv. 1, 3, & 4)

Postlude

* If you desire prayer, there will be members from the prayer team up front following the service. *

- ADULT BIBLE FELLOWSHIP -

Classroom #1 (Chaim - 20's & 30's)
   Teacher:       Ross Olson

Classroom #2 (Fidelis/ Maranatha - Seniors)
   Teacher:      Sam Song

Classroom #3 (Agape - 40's & 50's)
   Teacher:       John Easterwood

Classroom #4 (Seekers Class - Intl. Students)
   Facilitators:       Delores and David Huanca
   Teacher:       Joy F.

Classroom #5 (Spanish Bible Study)
   Teacher:       Quique Fernandez

Classroom #6 (Sojourners - 30's & 40's)
   Teacher:       Bill Anderson

Balcony     (Jr. High School)
   Teachers:       Deb Smith and Eric Twietmeyer

Lower Level (Sr. High School)
   Teachers:       Wayne & Julie Danielson

The Characters of Christmas

Today    Mary         Luke 1:26-38

December 15    Joseph      Matthew 1:18-25

December 22    Magi         Matthew 2:1-12

December 24    The Shepherds   Luke 2:8-20

December 29    Anna         Luke 2:36-38

- EVENTS THIS WEEK -

December 8-14, 2002

TODAY
10:30-11:30 AM   Fellowship time in the gym
10:50-11:20 AM   Children's Practice (K-6 grade)
11:00 AM   Sunday School Classes
12:00 PM   Angel Tree Gift Wrapping & Pizza Party
12:30 PM   Overcomers' Lunch
4:00-5:00 PM…   K-6 Grade Choir Practice
6:00 PM   Agape Social at Timber Lodge

MONDAY
7:30 PM   Women's Study
   (Darla Melander's Home)

TUESDAY
6:30-8:00 PM   McRae Basketball
6:45-8:00 PM   Choir Rehearsal
8:15-9:00 PM   Worship Ensemble

WEDNESDAY
6:30-8:00 PM   Children's Activities
   Nursery   Infants to age 2
   Tree Climbers   Boys, grades 1-2
   Stockade   Boys, grades 3-6
   Girls' Club   Girls, grades 1-6
6:30-8:30 PM   Youth Group
7:00 PM   Prayer Time
8:45 PM   Men's Basketball & Devotions

THURSDAY
6:30-8:00 PM   McRae Basketball

SATURDAY
8:30 AM - Noon   Choir Full Dress Rehearsal

Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24, 4:30 PM

Enjoy a family-oriented service with music and candle lighting ceremony.

Welcome Guests! You are invited to join us for the fellowship time in the gym following the worship service. Please fill out the Welcome Card, so that we can send you a letter and give you a phone call. Your name will not be put on a mailing list. If you have any questions, call us at 612-827-4705.

WE INVITE YOU BACK NEXT SUNDAY

December 15th, 2002
8:00 AM   Choir ready for practice

First Free Church Choir Concert
"Christmas Tapestry"

9:30 -11:00 AM   Pastor Joel Sutton
   Joseph
   "How Desperate Are You?"
    Matthew 1:18-25
4:00-5:00 PM   Children's Program Practice

Staff

- NEWS & NOTES -

You are invited to the ANGEL TREE GIFT WRAPING PARTY immediately following the Adult Bible Fellowship hour. Lunch will be provided.

Joy - A Christmas Tapestry - Choir Concert will be held next Sunday morning during worship. Mark your calendars for this special holiday event that focuses on "a perspective of Christ's birth told by Mary and Joseph."

The All-Church Christmas Card is in the foyer. Instead of buying Christmas cards for friends in our church, we ask you to sign the card and donate the money to St. Joseph's Home for Children. Just drop your designated gift marked "Christmas Card Fund" in the offering plate.

Would you be willing to donate a dozen Christmas cookies for the Dinner & Movie Outreach on December 16 at 5:45 PM? If you can help, please contact Rose Hecker by December 14^th. This would be a wonderful time to invite family and friends!

Could you help make props for the Children's Christmas Program, Journey to Bethlehem, on December 22? The props are quite simple (stars, moon, and camels). Call Holly Powers at (612) 824-2972.

We invite you to join us for our worship service on Christmas Eve at 4:30 PM. It will be a family-oriented service with music, a brief message, and a candle lighting ceremony.

Adult Bible Fellowship will NOT meet on Sunday, December 29^th. We will have an extended fellowship time that Sunday instead.

On January 1^st the Chapmans will begin a one year Read Through the Bible small group. This involves readings for each day, with a once-a-week, 1 ½ hour, small group meeting in a home to share and discuss what we have been reading and to pray for each other. If you are interested in this, just write Bible Reading on your Welcome Card. See the 40 Days of Purpose in its total Biblical context.

Women's Neighborhood Bible Study will begin Wednesday, January 8^th. They will be studying James and will be focusing on Faith that Knows and Shows. If you have any questions contact Patty Mellema at (612) 822-7875.

A New Years Eve Celebration Service featuring Heart of the City worship band will be held at Church of the Open Door. See the downstairs bulletin board for more information.

Listen to this worship service:
    Dialup    Broadband