November 29, 2020

PASTOR TO PEOPLEOur family has a Thanksgiving tradition of inscribing our gratitude on decorative fruit each year. It’s a little cheesy, but it’s fun to place the fruit all over the house as decorations and look back on the blessings God has given us over the years. It reminds us of how good God is to us.

This year I wrote “The Moody Church” on the gourd I ended up with, because we are particularly grateful for you, our new church family. Last year at this time, we had no idea what massive changes God was about to bring into our lives. In His grace, God made His calling clear and we began the process of uprooting and stepping into a new city, a new ministry, and a new church family.

I want to thank you for being our new family and for making us feel so very welcome. Despite the limitations of this pandemic, you have showered our family with love and kindness. Thank you for the cards and emails. Thank you for the gift cards, groceries, and meals. Thank you for reaching out with connections for our kids. Thank you for the Garrett’s popcorn and Lou Malnati’s pizzas. Thank you for your warm embrace and heartfelt welcome. Chicago is feeling more and more like home, and we are delighted to be a part of the Moody Church family.

I’m especially grateful for our team of pastors, directors, and staff. It’s easy to take for granted the beautiful gifts God has blessed us with in His servant-leaders. One of my greatest joys has been to get to know the team here over the past months. And I can assure you, we are blessed beyond measure at the quality and faithfulness of each member of our team.

I’m thankful for Pastor Lutzer’s support and encouragement as I’ve stepped into this role. It takes guts and humility to pave the way for another. I’m grateful for God’s grace in this transition and for the friendship we have.

I’m also grateful for our Elders, Trustees, Deacons, and Deaconesses. Their love for the Lord and for this church are demonstrated in their prayerful care and shepherding leadership. I get to see their hearts up close and in person. Their love is genuine and from the heart. We are so blessed.

So thank you. And thanks be to God for His mercies in this season!

Always remember: you are loved, more than you know!

Pastor Philip

WELCOMEThanks so much for worshiping online with us today! We’re a family committed to knowing, loving, and serving Jesus. If there is any way we can serve you, please let us know by emailing us at info@moodychurch.org. If you have questions about our current schedule, please check our weekly calendar.

We consider it a privilege to pray for you. If you have a prayer request, please email prayer@moodychurch.org. If you would like to pray with a member of our Prayer Team after our morning or evening services, please call 312.319.1570. Above all, let’s continue to trust God and to share the good news of Jesus.

Philip Miller Senior Pastor

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICEOnline Premiere December 24 at 7:00pm

Silent night, holy night.All is calm, all is bright.Round yon virgin, Mother and Child;Holy Infant, so tender and mild.Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Make this simple and beautiful service the center of your Christmas Eve celebrations. We read from the Scriptures, sing the favorite carols of Christmas accompanied by a string ensemble, and reflect on Jesus’ entry into the world. Then we’ll fill the Sanctuary and our homes and gathering places with candlelight.

Find additional details on our website.

Info: moodychurch.org/christmas-eve

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Online Premiere December 20 at 7:00pm

Celebrate the Christmas season with The Moody Church at our annual Christmas Concert, with all-new

performances recorded by our Music and Technical Arts Ministries. Gather at home with your friends and

neighbors to sing along with the carols and enjoy an evening of music that will bring the hope of Jesus to a

darkened world.

This free virtual event is the highlight of our Christmas season, with classic carols and holiday favorites. Our beautiful Sanctuary is even more stunning with the

colorful and dramatic lighting.

Find more details on our website, and plan to join us!

Info: moodychurch.org/christmas

Welcome Pastor Michael Best

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Come, thou long expected Jesus,Born to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in Thee.Israel’s strength and consolation,Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever,Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.By Thine own eternal spiritRule in all our hearts alone;By Thine all sufficient merit,Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Advent Reading “The Candle of Hope” The Hauser Family

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

“Immanuel”

Pastoral Prayer Pastor Larry McCarthy

“Fullness of Grace”

Message Pastor Bill Bertsche

Song of Response

Benediction Pastor Bill Bertsche

Live Prayer Team Please dial 312.319.1570 for prayer after the conclusion of the service.

Home Study Questions

Song Lyrics used by permission CCLI 246973. Scripture Quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ORDER OF SERVICE

SERMON NOTESHOLDING OUT HOPEThe Curse BreakerGalatians 3:1–14Pastor Bill Bertsche

1. The origin of the curse

2. The effect of the curse

3. The end of the curse

Watch this sermon again at moodychurch.org/sermons. Our video archive is also available on our YouTube channel.

This year hasn’t been easy. But through it all God has been faithful, providing for us and our church in unexpected ways, including a balanced budget for the end of our fiscal year. We truly have much to be thankful for.

Our annual Thanksgiving Offering has traditionally been a time when we ask our church family to give an extra gift to invest in our church home. But this year, given God’s great faithfulness to us throughout the challenges of 2020, it doesn’t seem right to focus our attention inward.

This year, our theme is Beyond These Doors. We’re turning the focus of our Thanksgiving Offering outward to bless six of our ministry partners that are doing incredible work beyond our church doors in our city and around the world.

We’re looking forward to sharing incredible stories about how these six ministries will use these funds to bless those in their care. This is an opportunity for us to show and share

the love of Christ with “the least of these” in a year where the troubles have seemed overwhelming. Will you join us?

As in years past, we’re praying for an additional $500,000 beyond our regular giving. Every dollar given will go directly to these six ministries. Would you prayerfully consider how the Lord is leading you to participate in our Thanksgiving Offering this year?

Info: moodychurch.org/thanksgiving-offering

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15–16)

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival,” and during this season, we prepare our lives for the coming of the Lord. Advent is more than simply the remembrance of Christ’s first coming over 2,000 years ago. It is a celebration of God’s personal revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ, and a reminder that He is faithful to all His promises, both past and future. Because Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about His first coming as our Savior, we can be certain that He will come again in fulfillment of the Scriptures as Lord.

During the Advent season, the music and other service elements reflect these overarching themes. The tension of anticipation will be more noticeable early in the season, reflected in songs like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” which has a more somber style and is written in a minor key. As the season progresses and more candles are lit, the music gets brighter and more joyful until Christmas Eve when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, with hundreds of lit candles and many songs of joy.

As we remember God’s faithfulness throughout history, Advent reminds us to gratefully affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today by His Holy Spirit, and that He will come again to reign on the earth. As the people of God in this present age, we are called to live holy lives, “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

Today, By The Hand serves more than 1,600 children in four of Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods and has had more than 6,000 children come through their doors. Children are taken by the hand and walked from kindergarten through college, while being loved and nurtured – mind, body and soul.

March 20, 2021 marks By The Hand’s 20-year anniversary and represents a time to celebrate and to give thanks for God’s many provisions. Will you join By The Hand in prayer and support as we celebrate God’s faithfulness together?

Your Thanksgiving Offering gifts will go to support the work of By The Hand, as well as five other ministries doing amazing work here in Chicago and around the world. Through your giving children like Laquintion will continue to experience the love of Christ and live a truly abundant life!

For more information about By The Hand, and to find out how you can get involved visit their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christ-centered after-school program founded at The Moody Church in 2001 with sixteen children from Cabrini Green.

TODAY AT A GLANCE

8:30AMChristian Fellowship CommunityFourth Watch CommunityImpact CommunityLight & Life CommunitySisters in Christ Women’s Community

10:00AMSunday Morning ServiceASL TranslationTransmisión en Vivo en Español

11:15AMOnline Connection Center

11:30AMCo-Laborers (Adults with ID/DD)In Focus CommunityInternational Friends CommunityMinisterio Hispano

12:30PMFusion Community

2:30PMVeritas Community

5:00PMSunday Night Service

TONIGHTSUNDAY NIGHT SERVICEThankfulPastor Michael Best

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:18

Scripture is filled with exhortations to thankfulness. Giving thanks is an essential part of following Christ at all times—and this time in particular, with its fears and upheaval, should especially cause us to reflect on God's goodness to us and to respond with gratitude. Join us as we conclude a three-week series challenging us to be thankful no matter the circumstances.

Info: moodychurch.org/sunday-night-service

1635 North LaSalleChicago, IL 60614 312.327.8600 moodychurch.org

Founded in 1864 by evangelist D.L. Moody. Celebrating the joy of changed lives for over 150 years.

moodymedia.org 312.642.4417 or 800.215.5001

Monday–Friday 9:30am 90.1 FM, WMBI

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

MONDAY

Women’s Prayer Meeting, 7:00am

TUESDAY

Women’s Prayer Meeting, 7:00am

Precept Class for Women, 9:30am

Fusion Prayer Meeting, 7:30pm

Mosaic Prayer Meeting, 8:30pm

WEDNESDAY

Women’s Prayer Meeting, 7:00am

Prayer Meeting, 6:00pm

Thrive (Junior High), 6:30pm

Revolution (High School), 6:30pm

International Friends Bible Study, 6:30pm

Beth Sar Shalom Bible Study, 7:00pm

Reunión de Oración: 7:00pm

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

Men’s Thursday Mornings, 6:00am

Women’s Prayer Meeting, 7:00am

Veritas Community, 6:30pm

Crossroads (College & Early Career), 7:00pm

International Friends Bible Study, 7:00pm

FRIDAY

Women’s Prayer Meeting, 7:00am

Estudio Biblico en Español: 7:30pm

SATURDAY

Men’s Praise & Prayer, 7:30am

Precept Class for Women, 10:00am

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