Announcements

No Faith Formation classes this week. (resume Jan 10):

· Children’s faith formation (ages 3 through 5^th grade) “Bible Stories”

· Adult discussion on the scripture texts – 11:45 to 12:30

H2h today - 1-3:30pm at BOC

Leadership Team meeting today – 4pm at BOC

Upcoming:

January Worship

January 17: Affirmation of Faith for Lindsay Johnson and Cassie & Casey Postma.

January 24: Hymn sing! Give Corinne your favorite songs to sing that day

January 31: Final Celebration of Ministry Worship - Bishop John Schleicher presiding.

A time of fellowship with a meal follows worship

Book Group –The next book discussion will be January 27^th on the book, Let’s Roll by Lisa Beemer. We will have soup and other treats at Barb Sweet’s home. Call for directions.

Upcoming discussions:

· Feb 24 Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin.

· March 24 Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody

Women’s Bible Study: January 26 at 1:00 at BOC. All women are welcome! See Virginia Bauman for the study guide or if you have questions.

Birthdays: Jodie Ruehmeier (1/4), Nicholas Ruehmeier (1/6)

Serving at Body of Christ today:

Next week (Jan. 10):

*Remember to check the Worship Servant listing to see when you are scheduled to assist in this ministry – if you cannot serve on the day you are scheduled, please trade with someone else and notify Virginia Bauman . Thanks!
Presiding:	Carrie Wygmans	Carrie Wygmans
Musician:	Corinne Sibley	Corinne Sibley
Ushers:	Sandy Perrin	Bob & Sandy Rudy
Reader:	Casey Postma	Corinne Sibley
Communion Prep:	Postmas	Kay Marsyla
Communion Assts:	Casey & Dean	Kay & Lil
Fellowship:	Marlene Bramer	Letters
Worship Center Prep	Dean Letter	Bob Rudy
Offering Counters	George Cameron & Sandy Perrin	George Cameron & Dean Letter

Please also remember and give thanks for our Mission Partners, Edgewood of Fruitport, Immanuel of Big Rapids, Immanuel of Mt. Pleasant, Mamrelund of Kent City, Peace of Sparta, Zion Lutheran Church of Woodland, Our Savior Lutheran of Muskegon. Our sister church Hope Community, and Bishop John of our Synod and Episcopal Bishop Robert in your prayers this week. Our prayer partner this week is Feast of Victory in Acme and their pastor, Jim Helman.

· Final worship and celebration of ministry: January 31^st. We will hold our final worship and the celebration following at BOC. If you would like to help plan this worship and special day’s activities, see Marlene Bramer or Sandy Rudy.

· Property update: We will be listing the property in the next week with a local realtor. Please put the word out that it is for sale.

We ask that you continue to be faithful in giving toward your property pledges so the mortgage payments can continue to be made. These offerings will increase the amount forwarded to other missions and are proof of our belief that our offerings are truly our gifts to God.

· BOC assets – Pastors from 5 ELCA congregations (mission developments or redevelopments) and 3 area churches (St. Mark’s, United Methodist and Family of God) have met here recently to put in their “wish list” of items that will help in their ministries. They were very grateful for the opportunity to share in God’s resources in ways that will help their congregations worship and grow.

Most of the church assets have been spoken for; the next step is to offer remaining assets to BOC members, then to prior members. Anything remaining after that will be given to Love INC for the resale store or for their office use.

Priority List - the Leadership Team (at the suggestion of the Synod) has determined that non-building and non-property assets of BOC will be distributed in the order below. The primary goal is to honor God by keeping assets in use in a way that will build up his Kingdom.

1. To other mission developments and redevelopments of the ELCA (e.g. Advent in Lake Ann, Good Shepherd in Holland, Hope in Rockford, Sudanese at Christ in Wyoming, Christ United in Dewitt.)

3. To current members - If there is something that you are interested in receiving, please list it on the clipboard.

A Transition Team, made up of Dean Letter, Sandy Rudy, Barb Sweet and Carrie Wygmans, has been put in place to help you make a decision about where you might choose to worship following the closing of BOC. The team is also working with the Synod in regards to the property sale. Please feel free to talk to any of the members of the team if you have ideas and suggestions.

Welcome to all, we are so happy that you are able to join us as we worship today. During the service, we will stand or sit in reverence to our Lord. Please do what is physically comfortable and reverent for you. Please introduce yourself to the worship leader and the other visitors. If you need any assistance with any of our worship materials, please ask anyone seated around you. We also ask that you sign our Guest Book before or after the service.

We will be celebrating Holy Communion during our service this morning. We welcome all Christians who believe the words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sin” to join us in this celebration of the Lord’s Supper. If you have any questions about receiving communion, we welcome you to speak to Pastor Scott or Carrie after the service. Children are welcome to join their parents in receiving Communion or a blessing.

It is important to have children of all ages participate in our worship services. In our baptismal service, parents, sponsors and the whole congregation promise to bring children to worship. Bringing children into the sanctuary is something like allowing a child to eat at the dinner table. Even though their manners are far from elegant, it is done so children will learn and feel a part of the family. Inviting children to participate is the most powerful way to teach them. Children giggle, they poke, they ask questions and they swing their legs simply because they are children. Young children in worship may have bad moments, but it is their birthright as Christians to worship. Children learn by experience. This is how we learn to worship and become active members of this church community. Children learn how to welcome by how they are welcomed. Please join us in expressing joy at having children worship with us and join us in giving prayers and thanks to God for each child’s presence.