UPCOMING EVENTS @ THIRD CHURCH

Dinner and Discussion Please join us Sunday December 5, 5pm-7pm in Fellowship Hall to share a meal with international students from WMU! We will gather, get to know each other, and discuss interesting topics. Please visit https://3rdcrc.churchcenter.com/registrations or contact Pastor Agshin to sign up and get more information.

Children’s Christmas Program It’s that special time of year again and that means the Christmas program is upon us! Save the date for December 19 and be sure to stick around after for refreshments. Rehearsals will take place December 5 and 12 during the faith formation hour. If you’d like to get involved in any way please contact Caleb at caleb.vanderhill@3rdcrc.org.

Save the Date! Retirees Christmas Party at Martells: December 16 at 12:00pm. Details to follow. All those 65 and older are encouraged to attend. Please bring a $5 gift for a fun gift exchange! For more information, please call Judy (353-1153) or Ann (344-6427).

Faith Formation Classes | 10:45-11:30am No children and youth classes today.

Adults | Walnut Rm — The Reason for God by Tim Keller Be challenged to engage difficult questions in humble, honest and enriching ways. This study will dig deeper into the objections of the Christian faith and to learn about both sides of the issues.

Third Christian Reformed Church 2400 Winchell Ave + Kalamazoo, MI 49008

3rdcrc.org + 343-2400 + Office: M-Th 9am – 4pm

First Sunday of Advent + November 28, 2021

Welcome to Third Church!

We’re so glad that you’re here! If you’ve been worshipping with us for a while or you’re entering the doors of a church for the first time, it is our hope that you’ll experience a kind of welcome, a sense of genuine community, and the grace and truth of Jesus Christ that the Christian Church has celebrated for centuries.

If you’re asking questions about faith and spirituality, join us in our formation opportunities and ministry events—see the back panel to learn more about how you can get involved and meet others. Help us get to know you by filling in the Connection Card and/or Prayer Request Card either in the pew and putting it in an offering box in the back or scan the QR code (back panel) and fill out there—we’ll be in touch. The Lord be with you!

Bold italicized text is read together by the congregation and plain text by the leader. Songs are found in the red hymnal and on the front screens.

Open your phone’s camera app and hold it over one of these graphics to connect with us!

GATHERING AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Welcome

Call to Worship — from Psalm 126 The Lord has done great things for us! And we are filled with joy! Our God has turned our weeping into singing, our tears into songs of joy! O Christ of God, come anew in our hearts this day, and remain in us forever.

SONG: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (61)

Advent Candle Reading ALL: God of Hope, as we wait for you, please send your Spirit to renew our longing for the days when all will be made right in our relationships with you, one another, and your creation. As we wait for those days, give us eyes to see your faithfulness and ears to hear of your goodness so that our hearts may be humbled and filled with hope for Christ’s coming kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

SONG: Promises

Children’s Story & Blessing

Life @ Third — Offering: ReFrame Ministries

LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD

Matthew 2:1-2 + “In Search of Our Kneeling Places”

TASTING GOD’S GRACE

Table Liturgy - adapted from Isaiah 40

SONGS: Goodness of God Savior of the Nations Come (74)

FOLLOWING GOD INTO THE WORLD

Sending Prayer ALL: Jesus, you truly are Immanuel “God with us”. In this season of hope, may the meal we have shared together nourish us to be your body in the world, your Kingdom come, your will done on earth as it is in heaven. With the angels in heaven we join in singing your praises, “Glory to God in the highest! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!”

Blessing As you wait for Christ to return, live as people of hope,

and go with God’s blessing:

May hope in Christ’s return sustain you, God’s peace saturate the world around you, the joy of the Holy Spirit strengthen you, and the love of the triune God encircle you, in this moment and in all the moments to come.

ALL: Amen.

ECHO Dismissal

SONG: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (56)

Sending Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ALL: Thanks be to God!