Welcome to

POLK CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Reaching Out, Growing and Serving in Christ”

Church  984-6274

Mark Haverland, Pastor  964-4000

Becky Beck, RN Parish Nurse  685-3195

Web Page:    http://www.gbgm-umc.org/polkcityumc

We extend a special welcome to all visitors, who are requested not to put money in the collection plate.  Those who attend this church regularly have committed their time and resources so that you can be our guests.  Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to share in fellowship and refreshments.  A nursery is available during worship for very young children.

Sunday, December 1, 2002

First Sunday in Advent

Invitation to Prepare — Church Bell

Welcome and Announcements— (Please sign the attendance pads)

Advent Wreath

Opening Song   Christmas Medley

Call to Worship:

L:   A voice in the wilderness cries, "Prepare the way of the Lord..."

C:   How shall we prepare? How shall we ready ourselves for the coming of the Lord of heaven?

L:   Look honestly into your hearts and into your lives. Listen as John the Baptizer proclaims, it is by repentance and the forgiveness of sin that the way is opened for the birth of Christ.

C:   We hear this word; we seek this baptism of preparation.

L:   Let us repent of our sin, and worship the God of our Lord who comes.

 

 

*Opening Song #246  Joy to the World

 

*Invocation:

   Holy God, in this Advent time of waiting for Christmas, you draw us into the wilderness where we are faced with the truth about ourselves. You lead us to reflect upon the darkness in our lives and in the world, to confess our sin, and with humble and contrite spirits to receive your gracious forgiveness. Only then are our hearts made ready for the indwelling of the purity of the Spirit of Christ and the passion of the love of Christ.  Enable us to make a true repentance, and let our worship be an act of praise and gratitude for the good news of your mercy.

*The Lord’s Prayer:

   Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever.  Amen

*Assurance of Pardon:

   We can say with the psalmist: "I acknowledged my sin to you (God), and I did not hide my iniquity... and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (Ps 32:5). The truth of God's mercy and forgiveness has been affirmed in Jesus, and by our reception of this grace we prepare for a new birth of Christ in our hearts.  Praise be to God.

*Act of Praise  #2077 You Alone Are Holy

 

Children’s Story

Reception of New Members and Baptism

 

Celebration and Concerns

#2086  Open Our Eyes

Call to Prayer:

        Leader:  The Lord be with you.

        People:   And also with you.

Leader:   Let us pray.

Personal Prayers in Silence

Pastoral Prayer

Lord, we would like to get on toward Christmas, toward that season of joy and light.

        But you make us to sit here in Advent, in the mournful presence of John the Baptist, in the place where all is still dark.

        Lord, we would like to rush on to goodwill and cheer, and you call us to weep for our shortcomings, to grieve for our sin.

        Lord, we would like to claim that we are basically good people who are full of peaceful feelings for everyone.

        Lord, give us an early Christmas gift this year. Give us honesty about ourselves and what we have made of the world. Give us the gift of repentance so that we might be forgiven, so that we might be saved. Amen.

 

Responsive Reading — Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (2) Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (3) A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (4) Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. (5) Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (6) A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. (7) The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. (8) The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. (9) Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" (10) See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (11) He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

           

*Hymn #2091  The King of Glory Comes

Scripture Reading:  Mark 1;1-8

Sermon:  A Voice in the Wilderness

Mark Haverland

Offering 

*The Offertory (to #566— Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love”)

        Use us as channels for you, Lord,

        Use this our offering

        To serve your people in the world,

        New life and hope to bring.

 

Prayer of Dedication

God of provision, you have spoken to us through the prophets in words of admonition and of hope, and have gifted us with knowledge of the way to freedom through repentance. We make now our offering of sorrow for misdoings, of sincere desire for cleansing and healing, and of renewed commitment to love with these, our gifts to you.  Amen

 

#Hymn #224 Good Christian Friends

*Commissioning:

     Having been washed in the waters of baptism, let us go out to live our Advent days in thanksgiving for God's gracious gifts, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved.

*Benediction: 

     The blessing of God, the creator and savior of humankind is upon us with peace and with promise.  Amen.

 

*Postlude……………………………….*Indicates congregation stands

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Junior High Youth Group meets Wednesdays at the church from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Contact Mary Jones at 999-2678.

Church Directories – The latest church directories are available on the table by the door to the sanctuary.  Let Joan Hart know of any corrections.

United Methodist Women -- Contact Linda Pennington or Mary Jones with any questions.

Sunday School—Bill Blakely will teach a 5,6,7 grade class.  Families will students in those grades should talk with Bill.

Staff/Parish Meeting — Sunday, December 8, 11:00 am.

Charge Conference — David Stout, our District Superintendent, has given us permission to hold our own Charge Conference this year and for me to chair it.  We will likely hold this Charge Conference in early January to allow us to complete the budget and nominations with an eye to next year’s goals and challenges.

New Members — We will receive new members today: Bill, Denise and Ben Blakely, Sharon Golbuff, Marg Trask, Glenda and Molly Elliot.  And one Baptism, Spencer Elliot.  Don & Tess Young will join next Sunday since they are out of town today.

Land Purchase — We close on the lots next door this week.  I know I’ve been saying this for several weeks now.  But it may actually happen in the next few days.

College Scholarships — Ask Mark for information about scholarships available through the Iowa United Methodist Foundation.

Christmas Program — This year, we will have our annual Christmas dinner and program on December 15, 5:00 pm.  We’ll make it a pot luck this year and have some special singing and a program.  Details will follow.

Christmas Tree — The Christmas tree in the narthex awaits mittens and hats.These will be given to our elementary schools for those children who come to school without them.Also, if you would like to bring socks and children's underwear, these will be given to Bidwell Riverside.May you be blessed in your giving.

Thanks — Many thanks to those that helped decorate the church for the Christmas season, also to Lois Burt for a tree and garland, Ginger Larsen for lights, the Golbuffs for flowers and the UMW for wreaths, garlands, bows and flowers.

Health and Wellness Ministries: Contact Becky Beck, RN, parish nurse 685-3195

Counseling:  Contact Pastor Haverland at 984-6274 for counseling or referrals to various counseling services and support groups.

Food Pantry:  Donations welcome any Sunday.  Food is distributed at eight sites in the metro-area to those in need.  Contact Linda Pennington at 984-6693.

Family Fund: All quarters in the collection plate go for financial and pastoral assistance for families and travelers in need in our community.

Luke’s Clinic:  Physicals, vaccines, flu shots, and other medical care. Open Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Alcoholics Anonymous:  Meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND FELLOWSHIP

Senior High Youth Group:  Contact Linda Erickson  984-6138

Junior High Youth Group:  Contact Mary Jones at 999-2678.

Food Pantry Drivers

(Fill in blanks and place in offering or contact Linda Pennington 984-6693)

December—Teresa and Matt Miller

The food pantry Warehouse is located at 3816 36th St, Des Moines.  See Linda Pennington for instructions.  We have contributed $2,244.89 to the Food Pantry this year.  Keep up the good work.

Reception Hosts

(Fill in blanks and place in offering)

December 8 — Linda Link—Jackie Cook & girls

December 15 — Greg, Mary, Kathryn Lamka

December 22 — Blakely’s

December 29 — Bring leftover Christmas goodies

 

Ushers

(Fill in blanks and place in offering)

December — Tim, Olga, Christopher Kline

Worship Leaders

(Fill in the blanks and place in offering)

December — Deanna Deason

Meal Site

(Fill out and place in offering)

Four people are needed to serve the meal prepared by others for Our Community Kitchen from 5:30 –7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month.  Sign up and place this form in the offering. Call Shari Miller for more information (984-6517).

November 13 —

 

(Mark 1:1-8 NRSV)  The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (2) As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; (3) the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" (4) John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (5) And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (6) Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. (7) He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. (8) I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Prayers for the Week

Nursery  (during worship

December 8 —

December 15 —  Chris Russell

December 22 — Mai Golbuff

December 29 —  Kristin and Katie

Word Search Puzzle

 

 G M L P B N R S V R E H T A G Z D O U B L E

V O Y A E T W T D L E I F C I T I E S M R A

T R O I F E S A R M O U T H A H S U R E L Y

I F E D O N H N E Y R F S T R E N G T H E M

D Y P V R D A D H V E L S D R N B R E A T H

I P L C E E L R P O V O A S L A M B S S A S

N E A A M R L O E I E W E R A P E R P D P C

G N I R E L O L H C A E Y T G R D F U O U O

S A N R L Y S F S E L R S O N N G J K R P M

W L Y Y A B E C O M E H E O U R F E E D W E

O T R R S P D G H W D R I O Y R N C V I K S

L Y O Y U L A D O G E Z R S A L O E L E A D

B U L D R A F R M H U G C Y T M T D H E R E

M N G I E C D C T O N O A T P R E N T W W Y

O E M A J E R O O R U W R E R R A R E M I E

S V A S V S M U E N H N N R N E O I A G L V

O E K R W H H C L G S S T E E F S D G P L A

B N E T E I E E I E E T S A M H E E O H K L

U S L R T I T H E E S S A O I T T E D A T L

V P A L V H G H T P K I C N F N P E E N U E

M L O E I L E V E L X I N I C L J P G D B Y

D I D N T H G I M R E T L S A Y S F L O C K

T A H T R E W A R D S H A I A S I W H A T U

 

 Word List: WILDERNESS    RECOMPENSE    JERUSALEM    CONSTANCY    TOGETHER    TENDERLY    STRENGTH    STRAIGHT    SHEPHERD    REVEALED    RECEIVED    MOUNTAIN    WITHERS    TIDINGS    PREPARE    PENALTY    HIGHWAY    FOREVER    COMFORT    VALLEY    UNEVEN    SURELY    SPOKEN    SERVED    REWARD    PLACES    PEOPLE    MOTHER    LIFTED    ISAIAH    HERALD    GROUND    GENTLY    GATHER    FLOWER    DOUBLE    DESERT    CITIES    BREATH    BEFORE    BECOME    VOICE    THEIR    STAND    SPEAK    SHEEP    SHALL    RULES    ROUGH    PLAIN    MOUTH    MIGHT    LEVEL    LAMBS    JUDAH    GRASS    GLORY    FLOCK    FIELD    FADES    EVERY    CRIES    COMES    CARRY    BOSOM    BLOWS    ZION    YOUR    WORD    WILL    WHEN    WHAT    UPON    THEN    THEM    THAT    TERM    SINS    SAYS    SAID    PAID    NRSV    MAKE    MADE    LORD    LIKE    LEAD    HILL    HERE    HAND    GOOD    FROM    FEED    FEAR    ARMS    SEE    NOT    HIS    HIM    HAS    GOD    CRY    BUT    MY