First Sunday of Advent November 28, 2021
You are an artist! Whether you think of yourself as an artist or not, you have been created in imago dei, in the image of God. And God is most certainly an artist, a creator. YOU are part of God’s masterpiece, in fact. And you also have creativity and artistry within you.
The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music “Menuet from Le tombeau de Couperin” Words of Welcome The Peace The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. Call to Worship What will set us journeying in search of the Christ this Advent? How far are we prepared to go out of our way to look for the signs of His coming, and to prepare a path? What will guide our steps in these weeks? Will we follow a thread of longing and hope? The hint of an alternative pathway? The words and music and artistry of the gathered community? Sisters, brothers, siblings in Christ, Advent awaits us. Let us place our feet on the road and begin the journey. May we find in words, rituals, and customs the birth of the new thing that awaits us.
Ravel
{adapted from Ann Siddall}
Hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel” 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
UMH #211
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. 2. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who order all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. {Refrain} 3. O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times once gave the law. In cloud, and majesty, and awe. {Refrain} Lighting of the Advent Wreath Claudio: Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” {1} “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tunes without the words — and never stops at all.” {2} “Hope is like peace... It is a gift only we can give one another.” {3} Shermel: Friends, as we enter this Advent season, we come to this space familiar with the darkness and hungry for hope. So today we light the candle of hope as a prayer, a protest, and a reminder that darkness will not win. Jenni: Gun violence will not win. Cancer will not win. COVID will not win. Death will not win. Bigotry will not win. Racism will not win. ALL: Love will win. Larry: For, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him. All: In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Response O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe deliver them. That trust your mighty power to save, and give them victory over the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. {1 Quote from Desmond Tutu; 2 Quote from Emily Dickinson; 3 Quote from Elie Wiesel; Created by: Sarah Are | sanctifiedart.org}
Prayer of Confession When God looks at us, the One who created us sees hope, joy, grace, life. But all too often we are only able to see how broken, hurtful, and sinful we are. Let us confess our deeds and words to the one who longs to re-create us into the image of true life Artist of Creation, you created us in your image, yet we need help to truly see and live it. You called us to be stewards of creation, yet we need help to think about future generations. You became flesh and invited us to follow your way, yet we need help trusting the path. Yet you have declared your creation good, God of unexpected grace. In this season of hope, joy, and peace, may that indeed be what people receive from us. {silence is kept}
Words of Assurance This is the good news: The God who created us is the God who redeems us; the God who redeems us, is the God who comes in the flesh and fills us with hope. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen. {adapted from Thom Shuman}
To Hear the Word and Reflect Special Music Children’s Time
Scripture Sermon
“Down by the Riverside”
arr. Althouse
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. “Genesis 1:1-8, 23-27; John 1:1-5, 10-18” This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
TFWS #2233
“Creator Who Resides in Our Heats”
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
To Respond in Faith Hymn “Creator of the Earth and Skies” 1. Creator of the earth and skies, to whom all truth and power belong, grant us your truth to make us wise; grant us your power to make us strong. 2. We have not known you: to the skies our monuments of folly soar; and all our self-wrought miseries have made us trust ourselves the more. 3. We have not loved you: far and wide the wreckage of our hatred spreads; and evils wrought by human pride recoil on unrepentant heads. 4. We long to end this worldwide strife: How shall we follow in your way? Speak to us all your words of life, until our darkness turn to day. Prayers of the People
UMH #450
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. 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 QR code. Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory “Sonata in D, K415” Scarlatti Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Prayer of Thanksgiving
And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn “God is Here” 1. God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer, may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
UMH #660
2. Here are symbols to remind us of our life-long need of grace; here are table, font and pulpit; here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence as in speech, here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each. 3. Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd's flock and fold; here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old. Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore what it means in daily living to believe and to adore. 4. Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt, keep us faithful to the Gospel; help us work your purpose out. Here, in this day's dedication, all we have to give, receive; we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe! Benediction Response
“Go Now in Peace”
Postlude
“Prelude from Ten Piano Pieces”
Sleeth Prokofiev
For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/ Sunday, November 28 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministry in the Education Wing 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:30 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall Monday, November 29 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 Tuesday, November 30 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:45 pm Wesley Foundation College Ministry in the SD Room 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, December 1 9:00 am Love Lives On 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Thursday, December 2 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 Friday, December 3 7:00 pm NJGMC Winter Concert in the Sanctuary & SD Room 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, & Rm 204 11:30 am Love Lives On (location TBD) 11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:15 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:00 pm MS & HS Youth Group in SD Room
God’s Refrigerator Door Through Advent As we are invited to create as a spiritual practice this Advent season, we can share our creations on "God's Refrigerator Door." (Just like children proudly display their work on the refrigerator at home!) There is both a physical place to display work at the church and a virtual opportunity to share in our online campus. Advent Crafts Event for All Ages December 5 | 11:30 am All are encouraged to stay after fellowship time on Sunday, December 5th to participate in our annual Advent crafts program. We'll have artists of various art forms teaching their craft. Children's Christmas Pageant December 12 | 12:00 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. 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 and that there will be live singing throughout the concert. 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 Advent & Christmas season. Orders and payment must be received by December 12th. Orders can be placed online. Contact Tyler with any questions. Special Charge Conference November 30 | 7:00 pm A Special Charge Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 30, at 7:00pm via Zoom. This will be a joint charge conference with other congregations to seek the approval of a resolution giving our Board of Trustees authority to complete any necessary paperwork related to the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy lawsuit, in accordance with our Book of Discipline. Previously PUMC was a chartering organization for a BSA troop, which is the reason we need to take the action. We are not, at this time, involved in the BSA bankruptcy lawsuit. For more information, see here.
Today’s flowers are given in celebration of our
Children’s Ministry Leadership Team by Evangeline Burgers
Have Prayer Concerns? For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337. Please notify Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.
Prayer Concerns Emelia Timpo Catherine Williams and Family The Family of Cindy Gordon The Francisco Family Sara and Zion Hicks
The Birkel Family Emma’s Grandmother Pastor Jae Hong & Family Iona’s mother, Edith Michele’s sister, Jacqueline
Terry Dries, Andrea, Diane Joseph Guidry Nicole Meo’Martino Jonathan Seltzer Alex DiStase
Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Designated Singers: Advent Wreath:
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Jax Obe Vinette Jones Hyosang Park, Lori Pantaleo Claudio Da Silva, Larry Curtis, Shermel Frisbee, Jenni Collins
Musicians: Sound & Video: Ushers: Acolyte: Artist:
Julia Hanna, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir Ian Macdonald, Bill Gardner Time & Pam Ewer Juli & Maggie Collins Natalia Barker