Our Church News

All members of the First Congregational Church of Fremont, Michigan arecalled to come together on Sunday, December 5, 2021 for a specialcongregational meeting, following worship, to vote on calling the Rev. LukeSchmalz to be the pastor at the First Congregational Church of Fremont. Susan Stewart, Clerk

Welcome to worship! We are grateful for your presence - whether you area visitor or a member we are thankful to be worshiping together. Followingworship you are invited to Fellowship Hall for refreshments.

Today’s service will be available at our website - www.fremontfcc.org

Offering plates are located in the Narthex at this time we will not bepassing them. An usher will bring your offerings to the Chancel for thePastor to place on the altar.

SCRIP is available to purchase after worship or contact Susan Stewart.

On Sunday, December 5 Pastor Luke Schmalz will be delivering thesermon. Following worship a Special congregational meeting we will beheld to vote on hiring Pastor Luke Schmalz. If you are NOT going to behere to vote please call Lorene at the Church office to request a absenteewritten ballot.

The next Men's Fellowship Lunch will be held on Wednesday - December8 (note the date change) at noon in Fellowship Hall. Mark your calendar andplan to join us!

The Coffee Hosts & Altar Calendar for 2022 is in the narthex. Please signup for a spot or two.

Requested Announcements

United Way – Newaygo County is again able to offer “Mistletoe & Music”on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. This annual event (until last year’s Covid) beginning at 11:15 a.m., offers alunch by Chef Emilee Syrewicze, entertainment by members of Opera GrandRapids and our own Bernadine Johnson, outstanding silent auction items andan opportunity to help support the programs of United Way – NewaygoCounty. A table of eight is $300; individual seating is $40 per person. Please contact Jim Rynberg – Director, United Way Newaygo County, at hisoffice number: 231-225-0318, for additional information and to make areservation for this event.

The First Congregational ChurchYour Independent Worship Center

Isaiah 9:6

November 28, 2021

The Order of Worship*please stand, if you are able

Prelude: “Sing, Everybody Sing” - Praise Group “ O Come, O Come Emmanuel” - The Piano Guys

Welcome and Announcements - Stacey Church

Call to a Special Congregational Meeting

“Moments in Praise” - Gary Hooker

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer

Special Music - “Waiting In Silence” (remain seated)

Advent Candle - Mat & Deb

Prayer of Confession

Response: “How Many Kings” - Praise Group

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6&7

Message: “Experiencing Advent”- Pastor Tom

*Hymn - “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” - Blue Hymnal #244

Prayer Requests

Prayers of the Congregation

The Lord’s Prayer - Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our dailybread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us notinto temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and thepower, and the glory forever. Amen

*Doxology (As the offering is brought forward)Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures herebelow; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son, and Holy

Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

*Closing Hymn: “Emmanuel” - Blue Hymnal #243

*Benediction

*Worship Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregation: And also with you.

*Postlude: Recorded Music~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greeting us today: Next Sunday: Dave White

Altar Representative: Jim RynbergThank you to Jim Rynberg for the beautiful harvest display on the altar

last Sunday and for the lovely decorations as we look to celebrate the Birth ofChrist. Celebrating this week: Happy Birthday to ~ David White (29), Robin DeKleva, Bonnie Erber, (2) Happy Anniversary to ~

Prayer Requests ~ Our shut-ins: Max & Yvonne Lee, Jean Morse, Siria Pinnick, NormaPurvis, Bill & Millie Sherman Health Concerns: Jack Stewart - slow recovery from West Nile, ShirleyHooker recovering from knee surgery, Deb Emerick - brain surgery this weekTuesday or Thursday, Ruth Cowles - heart procedure coming up soon, KeeganBulk - may be needing surgery, waiting on more tests

This Week’s Calendar

Sunday, November 28 - 1st Sunday of Advent10:00 a.m. Worship

Monday, November 299:30 a.m. Men’s Coffee Time - Fellowship Hall

10:00 a.m. Woodshop OpenTuesday, November 30- Church Office ClosedWednesday, December 1

9:30 a.m. Men’s Coffee Time - Fellowship Hall 10:00 a.m. Woodshop Open 12:00 noon Men’s Fellowship Lunch - Fellowship HallThursday, December 2 - Church Office ClosedFriday, December 3

9:30 a.m. Men’s Coffee Time - Fellowship Hall 10:00 a.m. Woodshop OpenSaturday, December 4Sunday, December 5- 2nd Sunday of Advent

10:00 a.m. Worship (with Pastor Luke Schmalz)

Christmas Craft FairSaturday, December 4, 2021

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Presented by

First Congregational Women’s Fellowship714 Hillcrest Drive ~ Fremont Michigan

Christmas Shoppe (many new quality craft and wood gifts and decorations to purchase)

Plum Pudding Shoppe (holiday foods to purchase)

10% of gross profit is contributed to various Newaygo County non-

profit organizations.

For event information, call the church at 231-924-4710 or Gail Cooper at 231-924-2126

www.fremontfcc.org

Plum Pudding Shoppe

In accordance with the State of Michigan Food Requirements this is therequired list of food items that can be made for Plum Pudding:

Breads - not frozenSimilar baked goods

Vinegar & flavored vinegarCakes - not refrigerated

MuffinsCooked fruit pies

Jams & Jellies in glass jars that can be stored at room temperature.Cookies

Dry herbs and dry herb mixesDry baking mixes

Dry dip mixesDry soup mixes

Dehydrated vegetables or fruitsPopcorn

Chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallows, grahamcrackers, rice krispie treats

Coated or uncoated nutsDried pasta made with eggs

Roasted coffee beans or ground roasted coffee

Please open your kitchen and bake generously for

the “ Plum Pudding Shoppe” on December 4th.

It really helps if we have your items by Friday the 3rd. We will be at

the church from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Festive packages always

sell quickly. However, please do not wrap anything in colored cellophane.

Also, please mark your items with the following information:

- What it is

- Any special ingredients such as nuts or coconut

- It must also be labeled with your first name, & The First

Congregational Church 231-924-4710.

Please call me if you have any questions,

Mary B. 924-4581

EXPERIENCING ADVENTFirst Sunday of Advent –

Experiencing Hope for the Coming ChristHope - Prophet’s Candle Isaiah 9:6&7

What comes to mind when you hear the word “A_________”?We think of Advent as it relates to the Coming of the Birth of Jesus

Christ. What we need to know is that it has to do with the C_________B__________ of Jesus Christ and the S___________ C____________ ofJesus Christ.

“The word ‘Advent’ is derived from the Latin word adventus,meaning ‘coming,’ which is translation of the Greek word parousia.

1. Experiencing Advent, the H__________ of a Coming Savior Isaiah 9:7 NIVChristmas is celebrated around the world.

The r___________ is that we can have all kinds of celebrations ofChristmas around the world, we can enjoy such festivities and missthe Why Jesus came to this earth.

Jesus came to give hope. To Experience Advent is to not onlyk_______ about the Coming Savior but to k__________ the Savior

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.

Our hope in Jesus comes from having a realistic understanding thatGod is God and that He is in control. Our hope is in the God who isCreator and Provider. The one who holds all time in His hands. What wonderful hope is established in God Almighty!

Psalm 33:18 NIV “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,on those whose hope is in his unfailing love”

1. E_______________ Advent, the Hope of a Coming Savior who cameFOR US Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Maybe we should be asking a q_______________ when we are greetedby someone saying: “Merry Christmas”. The question might be: “Whydo you say Merry Christmas?”

Romans 8: 24 NIV “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that isseen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Butif we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

We celebrate the coming of Christ the first time as the world awaited anewborn King, the Savior. Now we await the coming of the Lord JesusChrist a second time to rescue the world from the evil of sinfulness. Thereis such hope in Christ the first time in His coming and in watching for Hissecond coming.

2. Experiencing Advent, the Hope of a Coming Savior who came FORUS to provide S_________________ Isaiah 9:6-7

Yes, we have something wonderful to celebrate. Thisl_______ c___________ hope that comes through Jesus Christ, Hisbirth and His coming again!

This is the amazing, wonderful message! Jesus came into theworld to be Savior, our personal Savior! He provides Salvation!

This is the message of hope passed down through thetimes…centuries and is so applicable today! Hear the message ofIsaiah!

3. Experiencing Advent, the Hope of a Coming Savior who came FORUS to provide S______________ and E____________L______________.Eternity with God was His plan for us!

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 NIV

We wait for Jesus’ return, but we do not waste the time. We need to befocused on the message that Jesus never leaves us! His message istimeless and important for today! He, Jesus is Hope!

CONCLUSION:We often miss the true meaning of Christmas and Advent because it iscaught up in the bright lights, the desire to purchase gifts, the Santa storyand the greediness of desire over the practice of hope found in JesusChrist.

Christ died to give hope, Christ is coming again giving hope, we areto be people who tell others about this Hope found in Christ!

Thank you to each one who donated poinsettiasto help make our sanctuary a lovely place in

which to celebrate our Lord’s birth.

Sally DeShetler in memory of Bob DeShetler.Nancy Johnson in memory of loved ones.Pat Krehn in memory of Mom & Dad and Grandma & Grandpa.Max & Yvonne Lee in memory of Son, Steven Whitney Lee. Dean & Jean Morehouse in memory of Joni & Gary Schray.Kelly & Kyle Parks in memory of Shirley Brooks & Ponnie Foster.Pastor Tom & Denise Schmidt in memory of R.A. Schmidt; Bill &

Libby DoeRosemary Tittle in memory of “Jack.”Dave White in memory of Charles & Martha White.

Jack & Mary Butterick in honor of the love and prayers of ourchurch family.

Brad & Stacey Church in memory of JoAnn Church.Arnold & Betty Dougan in honor of family & friends.Barbara Blass-Frisbey in honor of my family.Max & Yvonne Lee in honor of our family of 21.Pete & Nancy Lindner in honor of our families.Dean & Jean Morehouse in honor of new beginnings for our

church family.Kelly Parks, Holly Shepherd, Stacey Church & families in honor of

Arnie & Betty Dougan.James Rynberg in honor of great grandsons, London Walker &

Watson Wuebben.Pastor Tom & Denise Schmidt in honor of Grace Schmidt.Jeff & Susan Stewart in honor of Dottie Rosenberg and Jack &

Fran Stewart.Duane & Loretta VanDuzen in honor of our families.

Interim Pastor Pastor Tom Schmidt 231-519-5939Keyboard/Organist Karen Roggatz, David VandenBelt, Lorene WitteCreative Ministires Mat Emerick 231-923-2967

email: matemerick57@outlook.comMusic Facilitator Deb Emerick 231-924-9558Secretary Lorene Witte 924-4710

(cell) 231-282-0515Website: www.fremontfcc.org email: congo@fremontfcc.orgChurch: 231-924-4710 714 Hillcrest Drive - Fremont Mi 49412