Weekly Bulletin Dec. 17, 2023

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF TOULON

December 17, 2023 – Third Sunday in Advent               

(*indicates to stand if able)

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)

Leader:  O Come, Emmanuel and dispel our darkness; and by your presence dwell in our hearts.

People:  Return to us the joy of Bethlehem.

*OPENING HYMN     “Lift Up Your Heads”, (vs. 1-3)       No. 85

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF JOY

Introduction:  Pam Sprout

Advent Litany and Lighting of the Candle

            The Leezer Family       

Advent Prayer

            Thank you, God, for the joy you give us.  We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us.  Help us today, and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your peace with each other.  We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem.  Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS, JOYS, AND CONCERNS

WORSHIPING THROUGH PRAYER

Prayers for the People

The Lord’s Prayer       

*GLORIA PATRI     No. 558

*SHARING SIGNS OF PEACE

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM      

The congregation will join in singing vs. 1 of hymns 113 & 135.                                                         

WORSHIPING THROUGH GIVING                          

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY     No. 563

*OFFERING PRAYER

*HYMN OF PREPARATION                                                 No.87

“Long Ago, Prophets Knew”

SCRIPTURE READING                                   Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11                         

MESSAGE                                                                  Ed Jones

                        “Find and Keep Your Joy”

*CLOSING HYMN                                                                  No. 97

      “Good Christian Men Rejoice”                                                

 *BENEDICTION

  POSTLUDE

.                              UPCOMING EVENTS

Please join us today after the worship service for lunch in the basement.

Dec. 24, 7 PM – Community Christmas Eve Service at Toulon Methodist, the speaker will be Ed Jones

Focused Mission for December:

Please send your end-of-year donations to one of our local missions:

Stark County Food Pantry, 322 Downend St., Toulon, IL 61483

Stark County Good Samaritan Fund, Box 233, Toulon, IL  61483

Stark County Salvation Army, Box 233, Toulon, IL  61483

Toulon Ministerial Association, Box 233, Toulon, IL  61483

Guest Speakers

Dec. 17 - Ed Jones

Dec. 24 - Ed Jones

Dec. 31 - Hymn Sing

Jan. 7 - Ed Wied

Jan. 14 - Paul Grove

Jan. 21 - Michelle West

Jan. 28 - Ed Jones (Annual Meeting)

Feb. 4 - Michelle West

Feb. 11 - Paul Grove

Feb. 18 - Ed Jones

Feb. 25 - Jim Vyleta

March 3 - Ed Jones

March 10 - John McIntosh

March 17 - Ed Jones

March 24 - John McIntosh

March 31 - Ed Jones