WORSHIP CELEBRATION December 24, 2017

Elim’s mission statement.

“To develop leaders who will impact the world for Christ.”

GATHERING BEFORE GOD We are invited into the presence of God! *

Please turn your cell phones off* Please sign the register book & pass it on.

PRELUDE

WELCOME SONG Victoria & Scott Fowler Worship Facilitators

SONG “How Many Kings”

GREETING ONE ANOTHER

ANNOUNCEMENTS Juanita Arellanos

MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming

or our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE Kristen & Damian Burns

SONG “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

SONG “Mary Did You Know”

HEARING FROM GOD We give our attention to God by opening our lives to His Word! We invite

God’s Spirit to take this Word into our lives that we might be formed into the image and likeness of Jesus!

CHILDREN’S SERMON L.J. & Rachel Cunningham (Children dismissed for Children’s Church, please for ages 3 thru 5th grade only).

WORDS FROM GOD Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Scripture Reader, Jeanne Laird

(Red Bibles p. 587 or p. 623)

MESSAGE “A Forever Kingdom, Established in Love”

Pastor Steve Peterson

RESPONDING TO GOD Now that God has spoken to us, it is time for us to speak to Him!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERTORY Jayvan & Scott Fowler

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD

BEING SENT BY GOD God sends us out into the world that he desperately loves.

SONG “What Child Is This”

BENEDICTION

Scripture Readings for the Week Sunday Revelation 3:12 Monday Matthew 1:21 Tuesday Isaiah 9:6 Wednesday Matthew 5:44-45 Thursday Psalms 46:1 Friday Isaiah 43:1-2 Saturday John 10:27-28

TODAY’S GREETERS Rollie Potts & Becky Reynolds HEAD USHER Don Peterson USHERS Martin Bear, David Luong, Tabatha Estes

SOUND SYSTEM Josh Parrott POWER POINT Tom Dang

“A Forever Kingdom, Established in Love” Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Key Text: [Christ reigns] “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21)

Key Thought: Through love, God established David's kingdom, which began its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s first advent, and will reach its final consummation in Christ’s second advent.

1) Intro & Context 2) David’s kingdom established (2 Sam. 7:11,16; Ps. 89:28-29)

a. A covenant promise (Ps. 89:3,28) (cf. Gen. 6:8; 9:9; 15:18; Ex. 34:27)

b. A ___________________ promise (2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:28) (cf. 1 Chr. 16:15; 2 Chr. 21:7; Ps. 105:8)

c. A covenant made in _____________ (cf. Ps. 89:24,28) (cf. Deut. 7:9; 1 Kgs. 8:23; Neh. 1:5; Isa. 55:3) “My faithful love will be w/ him...” (Ps. 89:24)

d. He promises us His love AND His __________________ (Ps. 89:30-33) (cf. Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:4-13)

3) The messianic kingdom announced (2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:28-29; Lk. 1:32-33)

a. _________________ David’s forever kingdom (Lk. 1:32-33) (cf. 2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:3, 28-29)

b. Far _____________ than David (Lk. 1:32-33) (cf. Eph. 1:21; Php. 2:9-11; Col. 1:15-20)

4) A kingdom _______________ in Christ (Rom. 16:25) (cf. Col. 1:12; Rev. 1:6) “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Pt. 2:9)

5) Closing

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

What is the significance of God’s covenant of love toward you, a sinner? Do you trust and believe that God’s love for you is eternal?

Do you recognize that you are a part of God’s eternal kingdom? Do you live as such?

PRAYER CONCERNS

Praises: The anticipation and wonder of the Advent Season.

Prayer Concerns: Those traveling for the Christmas season, students/families.

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Those in Need of God’s Strength and Healing: Felipe Cantu, Arlene Miller, Margaret Hasty, Anna Swanson,

Jay & Judie Stanley, John Hutchison & family, Ann Seyller, Jonnie McDermand, Margaret Crandall, Tasha Munger, Dori Cosgrove, Carroll Furst, Doug Parrott, families that have lost loved ones, military families, and unspoken concerns.

Prayer Notes:

Prayer Following Worship Please feel free to take your burden or praise to one of the Elim Prayer Team

members available to pray with you. Team members include: Julie, Linda, Carolyn, Juanita, & Tasha and can be easily found at the back of the sanctuary

in the northwest classroom behind the sound system booth.

Prayer Gatherings

Each Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. there is a prayer gathering held at Elim. Also, there is a Wednesday morning prayer group meeting in Pastor’s office @

7:00 a.m. You are encouraged to come and pray with the team members and share your requests/praises.

Prayer Chain

The prayer network is used when special needs arise during the week. Call Judy at the church 764-6920 Monday thru Thursday

8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. otherwise call or text Tasha Munger @ (309) 281-8784 with your request. If no answer, you may leave your

concern on the answer machine and it will be relayed ASAP.

Christmas Eve Worship

Tonight, December 24th

@ 4:30 p.m. _______________________________________________________________________________________

We will be collecting a love offering for

Pastor Steve at the Christmas Eve service.

You may also give your offering to Mike

Hermann, Orlin Johnson or you may drop it

off at the church office. _________________________________________________________________________

3 4 1 Sign-up sheets are on the table in the gathering area for

the next session of the 3 4 1 groups. See Julie Wells with any questions.

2018 New volunteer & cleaning schedules are out on the table in the gathering area. Please sign up if you can help with any of the church duties or the cleaning schedule. Please help Elim run smoothly and remain the beautiful church

where we all are proud & blessed to come for worship.

The next Men’s Breakfast will be Saturday, January 6th @ 8:00 a.m.

There is a sign-up sheet in the gathering area.

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The next meeting of the Christian Service Brigade will be held

on Monday, January 15th, 2018 @ 6:30 p.m.

All young boys and their fathers are encouraged to join in.

The next meeting will be on Monday, January 29th @ 6:30 p.m.

See Nick Wagner with any questions. ___________________________________________________________________________________

The next daytime Trivia will be Tuesday, January 16th @ 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Sign-up! $5.00 per person. Don’t forget your sack lunch.

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Sunday, January 28th, 2018 following worship.

Looking Ahead Sun. Dec. 24 9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration

4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service

Mon. Dec. 25 Christmas Day ~ Church Office Closed

Wed. Dec. 27 NO Wednesday Activities

Sun. Dec. 31 9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 p.m. Worship Celebration

Mon. Jan. 1 New Year’s Day ~ Church Office Closed

Tues. Jan. 2 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice

Wed. Jan. 3 7:00 a.m. “Amped” Prayer Meeting

5:30 p.m. Dollar Dinner

6:00-7:30 p.m. SPARK & AXIS

7:30-9:00 p.m. Fusion

Sat. Jan. 6 8:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Sun. Jan. 7 9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration Service

Mon. Jan. 8 5:30 p.m. Prayer Team Gathering

6:30 p.m. CIU – RIC Prayer Meeting

Tues. Jan. 9 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice

Wed. Jan. 10 7:00 a.m. “Amped” Prayer Meeting

5:30 p.m. Dollar Dinner

5:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

6:00-7:30 p.m. SPARK & AXIS

7:30-9:00 p.m. Fusion

Thurs. Jan. 11 9:00 a.m. Keenagers Coffee Time/Bible Study

December Birthdays

27 – Dave Parrott

30 – Belva Van Norman

31 – Kristen Burns

January Birthdays

7 – Victoria Fowler

9 – Sandy Parrott

10 – Anna Christy

15 – Rebecca Christy

16 – Natalie Hermann

17 – Byron Reynolds

17 – Judie Stanley

January Anniversaries

28 – Don & Kathy Boggs

Church website elimqc.org

Pastor’s e-mail pastor@elimqc.org

Church office office@elimqc.org

Church Office Phone # 309-764-6920

Attendance Last Week Sunday School = 46 Worship = 128

CHILD CARE SCHEDULE TODAY Dec. 24

Sunday Spark Victoria Fowler (Sandy Parrott)

Sunday Spark Jr. Dora Beth Christy (Mary Parrott)

Nursery Amanda Le & …………….

NEXT WEEK Dec. 31

Sunday Spark Victoria Fowler (Natalie Hermann)

Sunday Spark Jr. Dora Beth Christy (Elizabeth Peterson)

Nursery ………………..