Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship

December 20, 2009

Pastors:  Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock

Phone:  (574) 534-2398           e-mail: 

Web-Site:  www.berkeyavenue.org

Advent 4:

God Delivers!

Prelude

Lighting the God candle                   Nicholas Schrock, Kyle Snyder

      O come, O come, Immanuel  (HWB 172, verses 1, 2, 4, and 6)

Call to worship (Psalm 80:1-7; Luke 1:39-55)

      Leader:      We live in troubled times,

                        but your light, O Holy One,

                        bursts into our dark world.

      People:       Hear our cry and deliver on your promises!

                        Show us that a new age is stirring,

                        that you have not abandoned your flock,

                        that you do bring down the powerful

                        and exalt the lowly.

      Leader:      We long for your salvation;

                        yet how we tremble at its advent!

      All:    We will trust and not be afraid, for you have promised that the Child now leaping in the womb will exceed our hopes and deliver us from our fears. All glory and praise be to you, O God of promise. We worship you.

Opening prayer

 Music

      Let all mortal flesh keep silence (HWB 463)

      Shout aloud, and sing for joy (song sheet)

Scripture reading

      Text of Hope: Micah 5:2-5a                                   Peter Schrock

Song:  Maranatha, come (refrain only, hymnal pocket)

Candle lighting                                                       Hostetler Family

Song:  Maranatha, come (with verses)

Children’s time                                                                Beth Berry

Music:   The angel Gabriel                                           Advent Choir

Scripture reading

      Keynote Text:  Luke 1:39-56

                                    Emily Grimes, Anna Nafziger, Alisha Snyder

Sermon:  “An Extraordinary Life”                                Dan Schrock

Silent reflection

Song:  My soul is filled with joy (STJ 13)

Litany of response

      Leader:      Maker and Keeper of promises, you have fulfilled your people’s longing for a Savior. 

      People:      You have rescued us from sin,

                        freed us from hopelessness,

                        lightened our darkness!

      Left:          Jesus is the hope of all people in all places.

      People:      Rejoice!  God delivers.

      Right:        Redemption has dawned.

                        The flickering candle is becoming a brilliant flame                            that the night cannot put it out. 

      People:      Rejoice!  God delivers.

      Left:          We were among those

                        who sat in darkness and the  shadow of death

                        but your mercy shone on us. 

      People:      Rejoice!  God delivers.

      Right:        Your Word became flesh.

                        We have seen his glory,

                        glory as of a Father’s only Son,

                        full of grace and truth. 

Leader:      Rejoice!  God delivers.

People:      Rejoice!  God delivers!

Offering

      Offertory

Sharing time

      Prayers of the people                                                  Anita Kehr

Introduction of visitors

      (Please pass the friendship registers).

Announcements

Sending hymns:  

      To us a Child of hope is born (HWB 189)  

      Hark! the herald angels sing (HWB 201)  

Benediction

Worship Participants:

Worship Leader:  John Rempel         

Song Leader:  Terri Plank Brenneman

Accompanist:  Patsy Sherer

Prelude:  Greg and Lana Smucker

Offertory:  Brass Ensemble

Sound/Projection:  Ben Buckwalter

Ushers:  Dan and Matthew Williams

Bulletin Cover:  Tavi Mounsithiraj

Quilt (as banner):  Created by Roxanna Sommers; on loan from Malinda Berry

Visuals:  Anne, Beth, and Malinda Berry

Pre-Service Slides:  Phil Bauman

Advent Planning Committee:  Beth Berry, Terri Plank Brenneman, Lori Good, Aaron Krabill, Paul Leichty (chair), John Rempel

Childcare is available for infants and toddlers in the nursery during worship.

Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship.  Re-gather in the meetingroom for these opportunities:

Please attend the intergenerational adult class of your choice:

*   The Sermon Discussion Class led by David Heusinkveld and Kirk Stiffney meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.

*   A women’s class meets in the Jubilee Hall after the children have finished singing.

*   A long-term discussion-based group meets in the southeast corner of the meetingroom.

*   The College-Age Class, led by Joe Liechty, John Roth, and Jan and Peter Shetler, meets in the library.

*   Conversation about Mennonite World Conference and global church relationships meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.

Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in the 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 the Nursery.

*    The preschool class meets in “Joyful.”

*    The primary class meets in “Peace.”

*    The middler class meets in “Forgiveness.”

Youth:

The JYF (grades 6-8) and MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.

Newsletters are available on the literature rack in the fellowship hall.