Phone: (574) 534-2398    e-mail: officeberkeyavenue.org
Gathering
         Prelude
         Welcome
         Songs of Worship: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (WB 178)
                                    Oh, how shall I receive thee (WB 182)
                                    Let all mortal flesh keep silence (WB 463)
Offering our Gifts
         Offertory
Listening
         Children's Time -- Beth Berry
         Advent Candle Lighting -- Ben Mast
         Song: Longing for light (STJ 54)
         Scripture Reading: John 9:13-25 -- Sara Alvarez
         Sermon: "Perceptions'' -- Anita Kehr
Responding
         Song: Lord, whose love in humble service (WB 369)
         Congregational Sharing -- Dan Schrock     
                  Pastoral Prayer
Going
         Introduction of Visitors
                  Please pass the friendship registers.
         Announcements
         Song of Benediction: Hark! the herald angels sing (WB 201)
         Litany of Benediction (in unison)
                  God of Advent,
                           in the darkest days and nights of the year,
                           our hearts turn toward your promised light.
                  With the first faint glimmer of a single candle
                           dancing into the light of many bright flames,
                           our hope is ignited once more.
                  In these Advent days,
                           lead us in your light to a manger
                           where the face of God shines bright and clear.
                  AMEN

                 
Worship Participants:
Worship Leader -- Jim Alvarez             
Song Leader -- Patsy Sherer
Accompanist -- Paul Leichty
Prelude and Offertory -- Leah, Hannah, and Mary Roth; Leslee Smucker
Sound/Projection -- Ben Buckwalter       
Ushers -- Roy Bergey, Robert Pflederer
Visuals -- Dee Albrecht
Advent Planning Committee:  Greg Smucker (chair), Elizabeth Miller, Joe Liechty, Hannah Heinzekehr, Terri J. Plank Brenneman

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Childcare during worship is available for infants and toddlers (generally ages three and under) in the nursery on the right side of the hallway going back to Jubilee Hall.
Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship. Please stay and enjoy coffee and conversation in the fellowship hall, and then gather in the meetingroom for these classes:
Adult classes at Berkey Avenue are intergenerational, and visitors are encouraged to attend a class of their choosing. Our new classes for the winter quarter begin today and will include:
         The College Age/Young Adults led by John and Ruth Roth, and by Joe Liechty, meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.
         Sermon Discussion, led by David Heusinkveld and Dale Shenk, meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.
         A study of John Roth's book Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be , facilitated by Beth Berry, meets in the southeast corner of the meeting room.
         A long-term, discussion-based group meets in the library and invites young adults to join them. 
         A membership exploration class , led by Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock, meets in the small room off Jubilee Hall, next to the MYF room.
         A l ectio divina group (now full), meets in Dan Schrock's study.
Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in "Jubilee Hall'' (the large room north of the fellowship hall). Younger children may go directly to their classroom (see the room assignments below).
         Infants and 2-year-olds meet in "Cherub Corner.''
         Preschool (3- and 4-year-olds) meet in "Gentleness.''
         Primary (kindergarten and first grade) meet in "Joyful.''
         Middler I (second and third grades) meet in "Peace.''
         Middler II (fourth and fifth grades) meet in "Forgiveness.''
Youth:
The JYF (grades 6-8) and the MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.