Second Sunday of Advent December 5, 2021
“Windsock Visitation” by Brother Mickey McGrath
The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music
“2 Noëls”
Collin
Words of Welcome The Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
Call to Worship Light the lamps, prepare the room, God is coming to us! Make our hearts and spirits ready. Prepare our hearts to leap with joy, make our spirits ready to dance and receive God's most gracious gift, Jesus Christ. The darkness will fade as God's light breaks forth. God's light is truly coming! May God's light shine on us, in us, and through us, so that God's glory may be seen. Let us worship God! Hymn “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming” UMH #216 1. O Lo, how a Rose ever blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming, as those of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. 2. Isaiah twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God's love a right, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night. Lighting of the Advent Wreath Response O Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispel in glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man yet very God, from sin and death now save us, and share our every load. Prayer of Confession Words of Assurance Notice the way it feels to have your hands in fists, your toes clenched together, and your eyes shut. This is what it feels like to hold on to our pain and to turn away from our neighbors and God. We live in tension and hurt, holding tightly to anger we think will protect us but that harms us and isolates us. But hear the good news: God invites us to let go. To open our hearts to restoration. With God's help, we can open our hands, our hearts, and our eyes to love, peace, hope, and joy. So open your hands and face your palms upward, unclench your toes and wiggle them freely, open your eyes and look into the faces of your neighbors and friends. You are forgiven; you are set free from the pain, hurt, and anger that binds you. With open hearts, we can use our hands, our feet, and our eyes to bring God's love into the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new. Thanks be to God! Alleluia, Amen.
To Hear the Word and Reflect Special Music Children’s Time
Scripture Sermon
“Every Valley”
Beck
This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song. This is where children belong. “Luke 1:26-45” This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. “We Too Are God-Bearers”
TFWS #2233
Pastor Rebekah Anderson
To Respond in Faith Prayers of the People Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the top QR code. Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the lower QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory “Noël” Sacrament of Holy Communion
Mailly
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. . . . And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. . . . . On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. . . . .And so in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. . . . Through your son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor is yours, almighty God, now and forever, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Prayer After Receiving Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn “People Look East” 1. People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
UMH #202
2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there. Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look east: Love, the Rose, is on the way. 3. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look east: Love, the Star, is on the way. 4. Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east: Love, the Lord, is on the way. Benediction Postlude “Noels I”
Allard
Today’s flowers are given in loving memory of
Today’s flowers are given in loving memory of
Mary Dix Sproles, Mother of Ed Sproles
Edith Woodruff, Mother of Iona Harding
by Ed Sproles
by Lula Crawford
Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Lay Reader: Liturgists:
Pastor Rebekah Anderson Tyler Mathiasen Heather Hadley, Tayler Necoechea Designated Singers: Jenni Collins, Lori Pantaleo
Advent Wreath:
Barbara Fox, Christine Shungu, Sequoah Hadley Musicians: Julia Hanna, Virtual Chancel Choir Liturgical Dancer: Sarah Betancourt Sound & Video: Ian Macdonald, Stephen Offer Ushers: Bob Nuse, Doug Fullman
For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/ Sunday, December 5 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministry in the Education Wing 11:30 am Advent Crafts in Fellowship Hall, SD Room, & Rms 204/205 11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group via Zoom 3:00 pm Love Lives On via Zoom 3:15 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:00 pm MS & HS Youth Group in SD Room Monday, December 6 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Church Council Tuesday, December 7 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 4:30 pm PhilaFLAM French Class in Rooms 202 & 203 7:45 pm Wesley Foundation College Ministry in the SD Room 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, December 8 9:00 am Love Lives On 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 Drop off your diaper donations in the 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary Sanford Davis Room this month to 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal support families in need. 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Thursday, December 9 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 Saturday, December 11 2:00 pm Children’s Pageant Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Sunday, December 12 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministry in the Education Wing 11:30 am Outreach Committee 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 12:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 3:00 pm Christmas Pageant in the Sanctuary and Caroling on the Lawn
Prayer Concerns The Francisco Family Sara and Zion Hicks The Birkel Family Emma’s Grandmother
Pastor Jae Hong & Family Michele’s sister, Jacqueline Terry Dries, Andrea, Diane Joseph Guidry
Nicole Meo’Martino Jonathan Seltzer Alex DiStase Iona Harding & Family
Special Communion Offering Today This month we take up a special Communion offering for two different organizations. The first is to benefit the Housing Initiatives of Princeton, which helps low-income families avoid homelessness. The second beneficiary is Interfaith-RISE, a multi-faith, multi-congregational, and multi-racial organization committed to welcoming people with refugee status to Central New Jersey. Click here to give today, designating "Communion Offering" in the comments field. Advent Crafts Event for All Ages December 5 | 11:30 am All are encouraged to stay after fellowship time today to participate in our annual Advent crafts program. We'll have opportunities to paint, participate in drama, and make a nativity shadow box! Salvation Army Bell Ringing Sign Up To Help Today! Want some guaranteed Christmas Joy? Ring bells with us in Downtown Princeton! This will be the 11th year Princeton UMC has supported the Salvation Army by ‘ringing the bell’ at three locations in Princeton. This year we expect to exceed $100,000 in total collections since our beginning. All of these dollars stay in Mercer County, supporting many needed causes. If you have never experienced this wonderful event, please consider “giving a little and receiving so much.” If you have any questions, contact Dana Dreibelbis at danadreibelbis@gmail.com. You can sign up to volunteer right now by clicking here. Children's Christmas Pageant December 12 | 3:00 pm The children of PUMC will perform a live Christmas pageant this year in the Sanctuary on December 12th at 3:00 pm. Due to capacity limits, families of performers and their invited guests are welcome to attend the pageant in person. All others are encouraged to attend online via live stream. Following the pageant, inperson guests will be treated to refreshments outside and caroling led by Tom Shelton. Christmas Concert December 19 | 5:00 pm We are delighted to welcome members of our Beloved PUMC Community back into the Sanctuary for our annual Christmas Concert on December 19th at 5:00 pm. Please note that masks are required. Livestream will be available for those wishing to attend online. If wishing to attend in person, please fill out one online form per household/family. Upon form submission, we will send you tickets. Questions? Call the office at 609-924-2613. Christmas Poinsettia and Wreath Orders This Week We are decorating the church, inside and out, for the holiday season. Orders and payment must be received by December 12. Orders can be placed online. Email Tyler with any questions or call 609-924-2613. Christmas Card Alternative This Month We present you with an alternative to giving Christmas cards this year. Make a gift to United Front Against Riverblindness (UFAR), an organization that manages the distribution of preventive medicines to millions with the proven achievable goal of the eventual control and elimination of several targeted neglected tropical diseases. Click here to make your gift to UFAR today, designating "Christmas Card Alternative" in the comments or write a check to Princeton UMC and designate “Christmas Card Alternative.” Appreciation for PUMC Staff Christmas PUMC is blessed with committed and creative people who serve God and our community throughout the year. The pastoral, executive and maintenance ministries maintained by our 13 paid staff and four interns touch us, teach us, and lead us in growing the Beloved Community. Please consider extending your gratitude and best wishes through contributing to a monetary gift for each of PUMC’s staff. Give online at princetonumc.org/giving, selecting “Other” and adding a note to dedicate your gift to the Staff Gift Fund. Contact LaVerna Albury at lalbury8@gmail.com with any questions and thank you for sharing the joy of this season.