DECEMBER 24, 2023 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Prophecy | Hannah Garrity Oil paint, charcoal, and copper leaf on canvas
THE CHURCH GATHERS
Pre-Service Music Call to Worship
Noël
Gounod, arr. Gurlitt, L’Arngelus and Clark A Sanctified Art
How does a weary world rejoice? We sing songs of hope. We allow hope to change us, to strengthen us. We tell the stories of what could be. We listen for God’s word. We resist the temptation to give up or give in. We remember Mary’s song. We gather for worship. Our God sets the stars in the sky. God hears our voices when we cry, and is closer than our own breath. There is nothing our God cannot do. Let us stand in awe. Let us worship God with wonder.
Hymn
Blessed be the God of Israel
v 1, 2
UMH #209
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Kevin and Kenda Dean, Adeola and Kweku Ampong How does a weary world practice love?
by sending cards, and picking up the phone. By practicing empathy, and assuming the best in others. By learning people’s stories, and finding common ground. By advocating for justice, and saving a place at the table. There are a million ways to practice love. So today we light the candle of love as a reminder and a charge. With God’s help, may we bring love into a weary world. Amen Sung Response: Blessed Be the God of Israel v3
Prayer of Confession
A Sanctified Art
Friends, let us pray: Holy God, more days than not, hope feels like the rain. We try to hold onto it with cupped hands, but eventually, it slips right on through. Forgive us for holding hope so loosely. Forgive us for allowing the realities of today to define tomorrow. We know that this world needs people of hope, so today we pray: turn us into those people. Teach us how to sing Mary’s song of hope for the world. With open hearts we pray. . . silence for prayer
Words of Assurance
You are invited to repeat these words of good news with me: I am God’s beloved. I am God’s beloved. I am forgiven. I am forgiven. I am blessed and sent to serve. I am blessed and sent to serve. This is a hope we can hang our hats on. This is a hope we can hang our hats on. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY Acolytes -Kate Potts, Elliot Walz Liturgists - Ida Cahill, Renai Ellison Reader - Jazlyn Cruz Musicians - Julia Hanna, Chancel Choir Ushers - Pam Ewer, Tim Ewer, Francia Francisco, Edwin Francisco
TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
IN CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD’S BIRTH
TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT Music Ministry
Rocking
Children's Time
arr. Douglas Wagner
Where Children Belong
TFWS #2233
Scripture Readings Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:67-80 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon
We Sing Stories of Hope
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
TO RESPOND IN FAITH Hymn
Savior of Nations, Come
UMH #214
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
Dans le calme de la nuit from 6 Noëls de France
Doxology
Praise God From Who All Blessings Flow
Miaille
UMH #95
Prayers of Thanksgiving
AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD Hymn
O Little Town of Bethlehem
UMH #230
Benediction Postlude
Offertoire sur les noëls: Grand Dieu from Livre de Noëls Guilmant
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 all who will be especially lonely at Christmas, for all who are homeless or depressed, and for all who will give them aid. Prayers for people all over the world who will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. Prayers especially for all who will attend at PUMC and the staff and all involved in making our services special.
HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?
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.
“PROPHECY” by Hannah Garrity ARTIST STATEMENT READ Luke 1:67-80 This painting engages the flow of Zechariah’s prophecy. I painted in oil on canvas; the copper leaf represents God’s healing love. Copper has qualities that interact with its surroundings. When coiled, it can harness electricity out of thin air. When used in body wrapping, it can support internal self-repair. When used in pots and pans, it disperses heat evenly. When used in the womb, it causes the blood to flow monthly. When used in piping, it allows clean water to flow.
Prophecy | Hannah Garrity Oil paint, charcoal, and copper leaf on canvas
Over the years, I have been drawn to taking away plastics in my artwork. It is not always possible because acrylic paint and PVC pipe are such accessible media. But the natural materials draw me in physically, emotionally. In my work, I return to copper to hold banners up, to build sculpture, to create motion, and to capture light in an installation. It is a natural material that is prevalent in buildings. You can buy it at your local hardware store. Here, the copper represents aspects of discipleship. It represents the presence of God in our lives and our actions—the presence of God in Zechariah’s prophecy and in John’s life and work. The image is inspired by waters meeting one another. This intersecting flow portrays Zechariah’s words meeting John the Baptist’s life. It is a crashing toward, a central meeting place, a potential energy meeting a kinetic being. Holy Mother, your love is mighty—more powerful than all of the forces that act to barricade justice, to block righteousness. Guide us like you guided Zechariah in your ways of peace, in your strength of courage, in your acts of love. Amen. - Hannah Garrity
Poinsettias and Christmas Wreaths Donated by Poinsettias
Lori Pantaleo, in loving memory of her father, Louis Pataleo, and her mother, Lorraine Pantaleo Susan Davelman, in memory of Annamae and Nicolas Ligouri, and Louis and Sam Davelman Ian and Marie Griffiths, in honor and memory of our parents Sandra Richardson Beth Perrine, in memory of Bill Farrington Beth Perrine and Anne Fikaris, in memory of Beverly Burdwood Love Lives On, in memory of Duncan Hartley Jenny Smith Walz, in memory of Rev. Kay Hawkins, June Walz, Paul Dobbs, and Berry James, and in honor of the people of Princeton UMC, with gratitude and joy LaVerna Albury, to the glory of God and our beloved community Pam and Gene Nugent, in loving honor of Deb and Jim Dickson, brother and sister Yvonne Macdonald, in memory of John and Isobel Macdonald, Geoffrey and Joan Baker, Leslie Mills, and Sheila Frame
Wreaths
Emelia Timpo, in celebration of PUMC 2023 growth groups (door) Iona Harding, in memory of mother Edith Woodruff, and grandmother Iona Kerr (medium) Isabella Dougan, in memory of her parents, Edward McCormack and Comfort Cox-George (door) Pam and Gene Nugent, in loving memory of our beloved parents, and our beloved grandparents (door) Carol Kuhlthau, in memory of John Kuhlthau (door) For the glory of God, and in memory of Margaret G. “Peggy” Fullman
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 ALTAR FLOWERS NEEDED It is that time of year again! Altar flowers are needed for 2024. For questions, or to sign up, check out the Happenings, or reach out to Pam Nugent at poodleluvs@aol.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. CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24 | 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM There are three options for Christmas Eve worship services. At PUMC, we'll offer a 4:00 PM Family Service and an 8:00 PM Candlelight Service. At KUMC, we'll be meeting at 5:00 PM for a Family Candlelight Service.
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