December 25, 2005

MORNING WORSHIP

Organist: Phil Erffmeyer

Pianist: Shirley Marcus

Accompanists: Gina Ohden, Pastor Steve

Offertory Pianist: Isaac Swierenga

Trumpet: Mike Pluimer

Soloists: Kaitlyn & Lisa Ohden, Wendell Bonnema

Choirs: Unity Children’s Youth Choir, Unity Children’s Bell Choir

Preaching Pastor & Song Leader: Pastor Steve

Liturgists: Pastors Jeff & Wendy

Offerings:
1st: Unity Ministries
2nd: Christmas Program

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to Unity on this Christmas morning! May the joy of your Savior fill your heart to overflowing as you come and worship the newborn King!

Advent: This advent season we are celebrating “The Places of Christmas” and today we arrive at a very special place—right here! Today we announce that Emmanuel has come, God is with us! “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Thanks be to God!

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

The monthly calendar can be viewed at www.unitycrc.org/calendar

Today:
9:30am - Morning Worship
5:00pm - No Worship Service

Tuesday:
4:00pm - Worship Planning Team
7:00pm - Ladies’ Jail Ministry

Wednesday:
7:00pm - Men’s Jail Ministry

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

No Sunday School or Evening Worship Sunday, January 1

Congregational Meetings
Sunday, January 15

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Our Sympathy Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to Kurt and Natalie VanderBeek and their family after the tragic death of Kurt’s sister last weekend. We pray that God’s peace and love will flow abundantly to you and around you to bring comfort.

Continued Prayer
We celebrate with and continue to pray for Cassie Wieberdink whose thyroid tests this week confirmed her thyroid condition but gave the all-clear when it came to cancer! Cassie expressed this for the congregation: “Thank you for all your prayers and for remembering me over these last couple of weeks! Please continue to pray for this thyroid condition. Praise God for His goodness to me!”

Our Thanks
Thank you so much to Elva Post for the beautiful banners she made to help us celebrate the places of Christmas this Advent. We are so grateful for this gift of her time and talents that helped us worship and anticipate the coming of our Lord.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT UNITY

Two Offerings Today we will receive an offering to help cover the expenses of the Christmas production. Thank you so much for your generosity which allowed us to offer a free program!

Old Testament Challenge
We are taking this week and next week off from the OTC. Use this opportunity to catch up if you have fallen behind, to re-read something that left lingering questions, or to read another part of Scripture that is drawing you. A complete list of the Fast-Track readings is online at www.unitycrc.org/otcreading.

A Message from Hope Pregnancy
Thank you for over $1,100 given to date for the Baby Bottle Boomerang! 25 bottles still need to be collected, so please help us surpass last year’s giving ($1,225) with the remaining bottles. Even an empty bottle given back helps keep costs down for this exciting program! You can give your bottle to a staff member or deacon.

Blood Drive This Week
The Bloodmobile will be at First CRC in Prinsburg on Dec. 29 from 1-7pm. There is a shortage of blood during the holiday season, so please give this Thursday if you are able. If you would like an appointment, please call Darlene.

Senior Citizens
Please call Ardy Z or Marilyn D to reserve your place for our trip on January 18.