Bulletin

January 6, 2008

Gathering

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship (Printed on Back)

Opening Prayer

Hymns

WB # 124

O worship the Lord

WB # 199

The first Noel

Hearing the Word

Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-6

Advent & Christmas Candles

Children's Story

Tom McCormick

Scripture

Matthew 2:1-12

Song

My soul cries out

(younger children are dismissed to the nursery)

Sermon

Overwhelmed With Joy

Responding to the Word

Prayer of Confession (Printed on Back)

Words of Assurance

Hymn

WB # 218

As with gladness men of old

Tithes and Offerings

Sharing and Prayer

Hymn

WB # 100

Praise him, praise him!

Benediction

____________________________________________________

Worship Leader: Wade Thiessen

Music Leader: Jolene Boshart

Greeters for January: Marlin & Betta Kym

Children's Story 1/13:

Nursery Today: Brenda & Megan McLey

Nursery 1/13: Dave & Sheri Nitzsche

Snacks 1/13:

Record for December 30

Attendance: 79

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Saturday, January 12 - Anita Breckbill

Calendar

Tues. Jan. 8, 12:00

Women's Lunch - Spaghetti Works

Wed. Jan. 9, 7:00 pm

Congregational Meeting

Thur. Jan. 10, 7:00 pm

Outreach Commission - Orr's

Sun. Jan. 20

Building Dedication and Open House

Wed. Jan. 23, 7:00 pm

UNL Women's Basketball Game

Announcements

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - The annual business meeting for FMC will be this Wednesday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. at church. This will include committee reports, a pastor's report, discussion of the church's budget, and building and remodeling issues. Everyone is invited.

BUILDING DEDICATION - Plan to attend the dedication of our new building on Sunday, January 20, during the 10:45 a.m. worship service. A potluck fellowship meal will follow. An open house for family, friends, neighbors, and construction workers will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

SIGN UP BY TODAY - We will be going as a group to a Women's Basketball Game (Nebraska vs. Texas A&M) on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. The game is FREE and we'll all be sitting together for a great time. Let Tracy and Holly know by today if you can come.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS - Ruth Chantry and Evrett Lunquist's email address has changed. They also have a website for Common Good Farm, www.commongoodfarm.com, so check it out.

www.mmaYnow.com - Attention, First Mennonite youth and young adults! Check out MMA's new Web site created just for you. It features articles, calculators, and an online community where you can ask questions, get to know other Anabaptist young adults, and learn more about managing your money, time talents, health and relationships.

NEED A BREAK? - All women are invited to lunch this Tuesday, January 8 at 12:00 at Spaghetti Works (228 N. 12th). Come if you can for fun and food.

NEED A RETREAT? - The Nebraska Mennonite Women's Retreat will be held in Aurora, NE on March 1 & 2. All women are invited to come for a time of inspiration, fun and relaxation. A group from FMC will be going, so join in. Registration is due by January 31 and forms are in your mailbox or on the bulletin board. (See Kendra Wiebe or Mary Cooney with questions).

CITY IMPACT NEEDS READING VOLUNTEERS! - Reading tutors are needed once a week for each 9-week session during the school year. The third 9-week session is January 15-March 20, 4:15-4:55 pm or 4:57-5:37 pm. You pick the day of the week! Please go to www.cityimpact.org to download a volunteer application or call Jill Erickson at 402-477-8080. This is a great opportunity to tangibly share Christ's love in our community.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS OF LOVE - Because of your generous donations to City Impact, the Gifts of Love store was able to meet the Christmas needs of hundreds of families in Lincoln. Parents were overwhelmed with gratitude as they shopped for their families at the reduced prices. Along with the many gifts, hundreds of Christian videos, Bibles and children's books about God's amazing grace were handed out. Thank you, First Mennonite, for donating gifts and volunteering at the store.

BIRTHDAY OFFERING NEXT WEEK - Next Sunday we will have a birthday and anniversary offering during the worship service. If you have a January birthday or anniversary you are invited to contribute during the service and help us support three students in India through the Global Family Sharing program.

CONDOLENCES TO JIM AND CAROL - Jim Janzen's grandma, Helen Peters, of Henderson, passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2007. The funeral was Friday, December 28. She was 96 years old and was more than ready to go to her heavenly reward.

THANK YOU - Thank you from Barb Schlegel and family for all the thoughts, prayers, cards and calls during this difficult time following the death of Mose Mast. The church family has been a great help.

OFFERING ENVELOPES - Thanks to everyone for your generous tithes and offerings in 2007! Charitable contributions now require more extensive documentation to qualify as tax deductions. If you make gifts to the church in cash and wish to receive a receipt for tax purposes, please fill out one of the envelopes provided in the pews and enclose your offering.

AFRICA: CHALLENGE AND HOPE - This is the subject of the 2008 winter lecture series at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. Seven Sunday evening lectures will be held at 7:00 p.m. beginning on January 20. Brochures are available in the office.

DEATH PENALTY FORUM - "Retain or Abolish?" will be the question at a forum featuring J. Kirk Brown, Solicitor General, Nebraska Department of Justice advocating retention and Alan E. Peterson, Attorney, advocating abolition. The forum will be held Tuesday, January 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County.

COPIER - A new copier has been purchased and installed in the pastor's study. It is available for Sunday School teachers, commission members, etc. Thanks to Tracy Rocole for making arrangements and for volunteering his services to maintain the machine. The old copier will be removed from the hallway soon.

CHILDREN'S STORY TELLERS - Storytellers are needed for the coming months. Let David Orr know if you will help or sign up on the bulletin board near the mailboxes.