WELCOME TO
Princeton United Methodist Church We are a diverse faith community, engaged in enlivening spiritually thirsty people to joyfully respond to God’s love and grow as disciples of Christ, so that together we may experience the fullness of life.
SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192
SCAN TO GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR STAFF ONGOING We hope you will consider giving generously to Christmas gifts for staff this year. Your gift of a check, cash, or electronic payment is most appreciated. Please mark your gift “Staff Gift.” If you have any questions, please contact Iona Harding at ifkharding@gmail.com. DIAPER DRIVE ONGOING Help us meet our goal of collecting 3,000 diapers to provide for some of our youngest neighbors. Please bring any size, but larger sizes (5, 6, 7, and trainers) are especially needed. Diapers can be placed under the Christmas Tree. You can also participate by sending a check to the church office and noting the diaper drive, or using this QR code to go to their amazon wishlist. RINGING THE SALVATION ARMY BELLS ONGOING Yes, the bells of the Salvation Army will be ringing all over Princeton this year. If you are interested in participating in this traditional Advent activity which raises funds for the Trenton Citadel Corps of the Salvation Army and their missional programs, please contact Capt. Alan Porchetti at (609) 599‐9373 Ext. 132.
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DECEMBER 10, 2023 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
THE CHURCH GATHERS
Pre-Service Music
2 Noëls
Call to Worship
A Sanctified Art
Welcome to worship. Welcome to worship. I am glad you are here. I am glad you are here. Surely God is in this space. Surely God is in this space. I see God in your face. I see God in your face. Let us worship together. Let us worship together.
Hymn
Children's Time
Where Children Belong
We Find Joy in Connection
Hymn UMH #213
Emelia Timpo, Ed Sproles, Lori Pantaleo, Reggie Cann
A Sanctified Art
Friends, I imagine that when we come before God with the truth of our lives, God meets us like Elizabeth meets Mary in our scripture today. The door is thrown open. There is laughter. There is joy. There is embracing - and it is holy. So trust this; believe this: in the name of Jesus Christ, your are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
Acolytes -Anna Griffiths, Rayna Benn-Adjei Liturgists - Theresa Cann, Mickey Hamilton Reader - Bridget St. Clair Musicians - Julia Hanna, Chancel Choir, Scott Collins Ushers - Tom Sandford, Ida Cahill, Bright Rajaratnam, Bhanu Prakish
The Annunciation
arr. Tom Fettke TFWS #2233
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
TO RESPOND IN FAITH
God of laughter, God of open front doors and family reunions, we confess that we often doubt good news. We move through this world waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for life to fall apart, waiting for our humanity to get the best of us. Instead of leaning into joy, we lean into isolation. We lean into fear. We lean into scarcity. Forgive us for forgetting that joy is amplified when shared. Heal the wounds we have from past hurts, and teach us how to throw open our doors like Elizabeth. Show us how to find joy in connection. silence for prayer Words of Assurance
SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY
Music Ministry
Sermon
How does a weary world practice peace? By listening before we speak and saying sorry when we need to. By advocating for justice and caring for our neighbor. By practicing Sabbath and forgiving seventy times seven. By choosing grace over hate and opening the door for each other. There are a million ways to practice peace . So today we light the candle of peace as a reminder and a charge. With God’s help, may we bring peace into a weary world.
Prayer of Confession
TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT
Scripture Readings Luke 1:24-45; Isaiah 40:1-11 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Collin, Charles
TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
To a Maid Engaged to Joseph
Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kin-dom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Offertory
Weinachtsglocken
Kuhlstrom
Doxology
Praise God From Who All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
Prayers of Thanksgiving
AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD Hymn
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
UMH #206
2 Noëls Italiens
Cattaneo
Benediction Postlude
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers for the people of Israel and Palestine and also from Ukraine and Russia as they deal with the unbelievable horrors of war, and for leaders to find ways to peaceful resolution. Prayers for the lonely and depressed and for those giving them aid. Prayers of comfort and healing for all who are sick or undergoing surgery and prayers of thanks and praise for all who have experienced healing. Prayers for Leslie and the Dreibelbis family on the death of Dana. Prayers for Tom and the children as they prepare to present the wonderful news of Christ’s birth in drama tonight.
HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?
In memory of George Fox
BY BARBARA FOX
UMH #213
verses 1, 2, 5, 6
For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Pastor Tayler Necoechea at tayler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.