Weekly Bulletin Dec. 24, 2023

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF TOULON December 24, 2023 – Fourth Sunday in Advent              

(*indicates to stand if able)

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP

*OPENING HYMN   “O Come, All Ye Faithful” vs. 1 & 2 No. 100

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF LOVE

Introduction:  Pam Sprout

Advent Litany and Lighting of the Candle

            The Keane Family     

Advent Prayer

            Thank you, God, for the love 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 love 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

SPECIAL MUSIC        

GOSPEL READING                                                        Luke 1: 26-38        

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERMON                                    Jessie Richards                                     

WORSHIPING THROUGH GIVING                          

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY     No. 563

*OFFERING PRAYER

*HYMNS OF PREPARATION                                                           

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” vs. 1           No.111

“While By My Sheep” vs. 1                         No. 116

“Angels We Have Heard on High” vs. 1     No. 121

SCRIPTURE READING                                   Romans 16: 25-27                           

MESSAGE                                                                              Ed Jones

                        “The Mystery That Was Kept Secret”

*CLOSING HYMN                                                                  No. 107

                 “Joy to the World”                                                         

 *BENEDICTION

  POSTLUDE

.                              UPCOMING EVENTS

Please join us today for Christmas crafts for children, cookies, punch and coffee.

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

.                              UPCOMING EVENTS

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