“Love has come!” Our Savior embodied the love of the Father and placed us in a loving family, “God’s New Community,” the church.

“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons.”

(Ephesians 1:4)

Moments for Meditation Use this time to prepare your hearts for worship

Call to Worship and Songs of Christmas

We worship Christ, the Love of God Incarnate (hymns 259, 277, 278, marked stanzas only)

Opportunities and Prayers for God’s People

Announcements Prayer

We support God’s work through tithes and offerings

If you’re a guest this morning, please know that we don’t ask money of you – the offering is for our regular attenders and members.

We Hear God’s Word

Ephesians 3 Song of Preparation

“May You Know His Unknowable Love” Song of Response

Benediction and Postlude

“I pray that you might grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:16-18)

May God strengthen you

so Christ may dwell in you so you know his love

so God will fill you with himself.

Welcome to Christ Community Church

December 21, 2014

Forth Sunday of Advent No children’s church today

Sermon Crumbs Verse 14 of Ephesians 3, the opening line of today’s sermon text, can be translated at least three different ways. Sometimes English Bibles supply what they think is the most likely option, with alternatives in footnotes. “I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and earth derives its name,” or “from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth . . .” In other words, human fatherhood is a mirror of God’s Fatherhood, and we know what human family is supposed to be from God’s model family. Or, as in the 1984 NIV, which we have in our pews, “...from whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name.” In other words, we Christians bear the family name: children of God. In light of all Paul has been saying about the union of Jews and Gentiles in the one people of God, this seems most likely. There’s word play in the original Greek: patria (family) is closely related to pater (father).

Sacrificial Offering for World Missions Next Sunday we receive the last of three annual offerings to fund the work of our mission partners. Will you come prepared to give as generously as possible, that the ministry of these servants of God need not suffer for lack of funds?

Next Week our study of Ephesians brings us to our 2014 “Watchword,” which will also serve as our 2015 Watchword, Ephesians 3:20-21.

Watch Night Service Change of Time Our New Year’s Eve Communion observance will be from 11:30 to midnight this year.

Next Baptism at CCC will be Sunday morning, January 4. Please let the church office know if you want to be included, or would like more information

Socks for the Soul sock drive is collecting socks to be distributed to local Food Pantries. You can help by donating packages of new socks for men, women, children and infants, preferably crew socks designed for warmth. Donations may be left in the containers at the children’s wing and flag pole entrance.

Adults in Disguise We are looking for adults who would be willing to come to Woodfield Mall in disguise (no face paint) on Saturday, January 3 (1-3pm) to serve as "missing persons" who our high school students will be searching for. If you can help out, please contact Leo at lbarnes@ccczion.org.

NYE14 Join us on New Year’s Eve for a time of fun and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the ComedySportz event in the CAA (9-10:30pm) before sharing in the midnight communion service beginning at 11:30pm. We’re counting on you to help by providing a treat or two!

Cards and Crafts Circle 1st Saturday of the month, 9-noon in the Ushers Room. If you can cut, glue, fold, color or talk, we have the projects for you. January we’re making: Cards and small crafts made for children's programs, homebound, seniors, veterans, Mother/Father's Day, etc. Supplies provided.

The Memorial Flowers last week were given in memory of Kehala “Kay” Cliff, by her family.

CCC News & Notes

Passion Play Cast List is Up Check the list at the church office or www.zionpassionplay.org. A few roles remain unfilled; the director and his team will finish this process soon. For those interested in crowd scenes or behind the scenes on committees email PassionPlay@ccczion.org. Full Cast & Committees Kick-Off Luncheon: January 11, after worship in the gym. Those with scripts will stay for a read through - we’ll finish around 4:00. Rehearsals begin January 16.

Thank You to those who have responded to the Fall Appeal! Your generosity is helping us take care of today's needs, as well as bringing us closer to making the Gathering Place dining and meeting facility become a reality. We welcome your generous year-end gift and your prayers. Young Adult Winter Chill at Camp Zion, January 9-11 for post high school through twenty-somethings! Sign up online at www.campion.com Camp Zion Summer Camp sign-up begins January 1! Dates are posted at www.campion.com and registration materials will be active on January 1.

TONIGHT we’ll get together at 6:00pm for a Christmas Dinner. We’ll enjoy a meal, treats, games and Christmas carols. Go to The Verge FaceBook page and join the Christmas Party event if you plan to attend. Bring a sweet to share.

Heartfelt Thanks to everyone who helped (61 and counting) with the Christmas Program, luncheon and Gingerbread House Party. I'm thankful for our church family and the many who love to serve and show God's love. Thanks for being great examples to our children and an encouragement to me. In Christ, Terri Allen Children’s Church We’ll resume next Sunday, excusing ages four and five for age-appropriate instruction during the sermon.

Annual White Elephant Christmas Parties will take place during regular youth group hours. Please bring a gift to exchange: Sr. High – Tonight at the Green’s (440 Ravine Dr. in WH) Jr. High – Tomorrow at the Paxton’s (1801 Kedron Blvd. in Zion)

The Hunts are On! Our annual missing person hunts are around the corner. Sr. High hunt at Woodfield Mall on Saturday, January 3 (noon–5) and a Jr. High hunt at Hawthorn Mall on Saturday, January 10 (noon–4). Times listed are from departure from CCC until return to CCC. Join us for the chance to win gift cards and enjoy a fun tradition.

Chi ldren’s Ministry

Youth Min ist ry

The Verge: Young Adult Ministry (18 -26 years)

Camp Z ion

Z ion Passion P lay

A hilarious improv comedy show in which two

teams create comedy scenes, songs & games

right on the spot based on your suggestions.

You choose the winner & the show is never the

same twice! It’s smart, all-ages friendly

comedy! There are over 100+ games in the

ComedySportz book - & nobody knows what

will be played next!

?

,

-

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT

FOR THE COMMUNITY

FOLLOWED BY USHERING IN THE

NEW YEAR TOGETHER AT THE LORD’S TABLE.

Katie Cole Evangeline Congdon John & Lily Connell Robert Corder Mary June Corder C Leon & Elizabeth Crary Jeff Crider Jim Cunliffe-Owen Harry & Shirley Cureton Gladys Curran Ed & Edna Cvengros Essa & Juliette Dabbeekeh Nicholas Dabbeekeh Clint Davis Herb & Eunice Davis Ray & Dollie De Pew Lloyd DeTienne Sr Thomas Donnenwirth Robert Doty Jimmy Dreyer Melvin Dreyer Earl & Lillian Edwards Ted Edwards George & Delores Eliason Robert Eliason

Violet Eliason Glenn Emanuelson Howard Emanuelson Joe & Ethel Emanuelson Don Evans Sr Dorothy Flinn William & Ruth Fowles Rod Friedrich Arthur & Pauline Gainer Flo Gapko Robert H Garbutt LoraLee Garbutt Finis “Buddy” & Rose Anne Garrett J Robert Griffith Edward Grigas Adelle Storey Groome

Holly Koetz Habecker Arthur L Hacker Ed Hanlon Peg Hanlon Sharon Harrison Arlene Haske Ed Heathcote Christina Heiser Dan & Eleanor Heiser

Jerry Adams Ross & Lulu Aiuppy Beckam Albrecht William Alshouse John Amerighi Steve Amerighi Glenn & Blanche Anderson Paul & Mildred Anderson Pauline Anderson Pearl Ruth Anderson Robert & Ruth Anderson Silas & Rose Anderson Roy Anglada Dennis Bachler Elinor Bachler Richard Baker Maurice Ball Luke & Anne (Barrett) Ball Wilbur & Ida Ball George & Maie Ballegooyen John & Ruth Ballegooyen Jim Barlow Sr. Annie Barlow Cathy Barlow Lester & Cleota Baughman Bernie Beem George & Esther Beem D. Beryl & Kathleen Biddle Linda Ann Biddle Vera Booth Warren & Dorothy Borden Percy & Margaret Bowling Conrad & Leona Brune Don Brune Joe & Olive Bullivant John & Flossie Burgess Ralph Burgess Ross & Jessie Burgess Jerrie & Nettie Burkey Ira & Vanda Burt Joe Buttera Arthur & Iva Capp Sr. Carol Joy (Noteboom) Capp Mike Capp Carl & Grace Casperson Evelyn & Ethel Casperson Daniel Christopherson Gertrude Christopherson Arland V Cliff Irene Cliff Kehala “Kay” Cliff

Frank & Henrietta Heiser Silas F Hendricks Jr Mr. & Mrs. Silas Hendricks Austin Jr & Edith Hens Austin Hens Sr Rebecca Hens Delores Herrmann Sally Hill Cindy Holland Mr. & Mrs. Steve Holenski Ken & Diann Holverson Orson Howard John G Huber Ed Humphrey Dale Humphrey Diane Humphrey Ellis & Alice Hunt Vernon Hunt Urban & Gena Hunt Woodrow Huyck Mildred Huyck Anthony January Greg Jesiel Blanche J. Jester Sandra Kaye Johansen Wayne Johnson Charles & Marceil Keller John & Lois Keiler Ernest & Lois Keske Richard Keske James A & Vivian King James T King Martin & Olga King William King Ralph Knepper E James Kness Jean E Knox Lester & Marguerite Koetz Wiladene Koetz Frank & Cora Koppen Leo & Eleanor Koski Bud & Mae Krapf Ray & Nedra Krapf Henry & Cora Kratz Pastor James Kratz Lois Kutz Leonard & Beulah Klawonn Overseer & May Mintern Jess & Paulina LaBelle Mary LaBelle Stephen LaBelle

Poinsettias are Displayed in Memory of …

Wayne Laine Rev. Carl & Gertrude Lee Dick Leech Edgar & Alberta Leech James & Lillie Leech Keith & Audrey Leech G Lelon Leech James F & Lola Leech Loren G Leech Dale Lother Clara Luebke Kenneth Mark Lundy John & Maryon Lush Leonard Lush Harry & Doris Luther E.L.M. Ted Madura Hugh I Mainord Peter Markobrad Nicolas & Ruth Martinez Howard Marze Bob Mason Jordan Mason Gerald Mason Esther Mason Louie & Stella Matijevich Stan & Sarah McClean Greg McCullough Judy McCullough Edythe & John McCulloch

Dick McDowell Violet McElroy Donald & Beulah MacGregor LaMont & Norma McKean Robert & Gladys McKinley Herbert Merson Floyd & Lucy Messick Cecil & Muriel Mill Herbert Mill Carl & Ruth Miller Ralph Miller LeRoy Miller Ernest & Ercell Mintern Michael S Mintern Overseer & May Mintern Joe & Lucille Mole

Nicholas Mostert Irene Morgan Nick Mostert Glenn & Miriam Musselman James & Ruby Myers Al & Pearl Naffziger Stacy Naffziger Gene Neave Margaret Neeve

John Neketuk Mike & Tatyana Neketuk Jack Nelson Karen Nelson Nicolas Family Bernard & Muriel Norton Harry & Ruth Oakes Ben Offner Henry W & Mabel Offner Gordon & Marion Ohmstead Eugene & Virginia Okrasinski K Neil Otterbacher Theron Otterbacher Warren Otterbacher Eula Otterbacher Thomas Pahl Harley Palmer Paul Patenaude Ben Paxton Donald Paxton Jane Paxton Samuel Paxton Earl B & Edna Paxton Carol Ellen Peters David Alan Peters Robert & Genevieve Peters Edwin & Mary Peterson Cliff & Evelyn Peterson Josephine Peterson Lisa Petrosky Michael Philyaw Ryan Pickering Dessa Potter Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Pratt Laurie Pratt Glendene Quigley Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Rendall Gladys Richert John & Anna Richards Mr. & Mrs. Paul Richards, Sr.

Norman Richards Loretta Richards Mr. & Mrs. Paul Richards Fred Rickert A George W Robbins Arlene Robbins Dan Robbins Ruben Rojas Sr. Gary Ruesch Michael Ruesch Alma Runnebaum Bruce Rusch Cindy Rusch Percy & Dorcas Rusch Robert T Russell

Rose L Russell William Russell Carl & Rosemary Sargent Frank & Amelia Sattler Gary Schultz Jay & Bernice Seavey Esperanza Sells John & Ellen Shafer Leonard & Ruth Shafer Karen Ohmstead Smith Arthur & Gertrude Snelling James & Joy Snelling James B Snelling John & Myrta Spiers Florence & Bill Spohr Larry Stalter Lloyd & Celestia Stalter Hobart & Sue Steele Ron Stare Walt Stare Jean Storey Loren Storey Ralph & Ruth Storey Roger Storey Gladstone & Mildred Stried Peter Meyer Stried Robert Stried Dick Studebaker John & Gladys Studebaker Wendall Studebaker Wilma Studebaker Dave & Marjorie (Ball) Suttie Ernest & Gertrude (Lee) Suttie Dewey Sumonja John Svendsen David Switzer Robert Thompson Vernon Thompson Dorothy Thompson Don & Sis Tollefson Jack Valentine Michael S Watson

Arthur & Doris Wedekind Cherie Robinson Wells Chuck Welsh Paul & Dorothy Whiteman Charles “Chuck” Whiteside Dan Whittington Virginia Wirth Myron & Lu Wimmer Wendall Wright Jerry Zoephel Ed & Ellie Zukley Raymond Zwicke

Our Staff

Terri Allen Director of Children’s Ministries Leo Barnes Pastor for Youth Ministries Sheri Jesiel Business Manager Dean LaBelle Music Director Ken Langley Senior Pastor Mike McDowell Pastor for Missions Anastase Nzabilinda Missionary in Residence Eliel Rojas Pastor for Hispanic Ministries/Evangelism Dale Stewart Director of Camping Ministries Our Elder Board Ken Langley (chairman), Rick Capp, Steve Edwards, Mike McDowell, Greg Nugent, Larry Rittenhouse, Eliel Rojas, Tim Glover and Carl Williamson Please pray for those who are grieving this week... The Family of Jeff Weborg who passed away Friday, December 19.

Please Recycle Your Bulletin In the Narthex

This Week at CCC

Sunday, December 21 8:30am Sunday Morning Prayer Parlor 9:00am Sunday School/ABF Hour 10:30am Worship Service Sanctuary 7:00pm *Senior High Youth Group Green’s House Monday, December 22 6:30pm *Jr. High Youth Group Paxton’s House 7:00pm GriefShare Parlor

Tuesday, December 23 6:30pm Quilting 7:00pm Girls Sr. High Small Group Youth Room

Wednesday, December 24 Office Closed at Noon 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service Sanctuary

Thursday, December 25 Merry Christmas! Office Closed Friday, December 26 Office Closed *More info in Bulletin