Saturday, December 16, 2023
OPENING MUSIC
“While by My Sheep I Watched at Night” • trad. carol
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor
“OF ANGELS TO SHEPHERDS”: A CAROL CYCLE
“Angels From the Realms of Glory” • 119, st. 1-2
“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” • 122, st. 2-3
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” • 130, st. 1-2
“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” • 140, st. 1-2, 5
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor
BABY DEDICATION
Abigail Regina Banda, presented by Jaston and Stella Banda with Ben Martin
OFFERTORY
“What Heavenly Music!” • Early Advent Melody / Kenneth Logan
CHILDREN’S STORY & PRAYER
Floyd & Latoya Green, Pioneer Members
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:8-14 NIV
Luciana Malia Press, Pioneer Member
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“The Work of Christmas” • Dan Forrest
MESSAGE
“An Earthly Audition for Heaven’s Own Choir”
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” • 135, st. 1, 3-4
CLOSING MUSIC
“Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (“Glory to God in the Highest”) • Allan Greenway
OPENING MUSIC
“While by My Sheep I Watched at Night” • trad. carol
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
“Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful)”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor
BAPTISM
Luciano Kida & Lucrecia Kida with Shane Anderson
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“The Work of Christmas” • Dan Forrest
OFFERTORY
“What Heavenly Music!” • Early Advent Melody / Kenneth Logan
CHILDREN’S STORY & PRAYER
Janine Lim, Pioneer Member
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:8-14 NIV
PRAISE
“Emmanuel” • “O Come All Ye Faithful” • “Worthy of It All”
MESSAGE
“An Earthly Audition for Heaven’s Own Choir”
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
“Silent Night”/“Adore”
BLESSING
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
“Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (“Glory to God in the Highest”) • Allan Greenway
Offering for April 18, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
The Bible makes this interesting analogy: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV). Today, we are sitting in church because someone sharpened you and shared the gospel story. This is so true in the life of Riley. Anthony (the writer of this appeal) had driven for approximately an hour on a cold fall day to fulfill a stewardship weekend appointment he had with a small congregation. The service went well.
He preached on the topic, “It’s a matter of the heart.” After the hymn of consecration and the benediction, during the transition time before potluck, he chose to mingle and talk to people. He chose to start with brother Riley, who was sitting at the media booth. After introducing himself, he asked Riley if he was the one responsible for streaming. Anthony had brought with him a recorded instructional video on how to complete the newly designed tithe and offering envelope.
They didn’t get very far into that part of the conversation before Riley began to share with him how he started to attend the church. He identified three people who showed unwavering love and acceptance to him. He eventually got baptized.
Riley’s testimony reminds us of the words of Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with loving kindness” (KJV). Let’s remember the job we have as a local church to sharpen each other. As we give to help our local church programs, may we experience and show God’s unrelenting love.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!
Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700.
ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026
ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.
