DECEMBER 8, 2024 SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
John the Baptist Preaching in the Desert by Jesus Mafa (Christian Community in Cameroon, 1973)
THE CHURCH GATHERS
Pre-Service Music
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Traditional, arr. David Nevue
Call to Worship
adapted from Feasting on the Word
John came out of the wilderness to preach repentance; he preaches to us still. Make straight the paths we now walk and prepare the way for God’s reign of justice and love.
Hymn
Come, Thou Long Expected
Lighting of the Advent Candle Prayer of Confession
UMH #196
adapted from A Sanctified Art adapted from Feasting on the Word
Refining God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always determined what is best or made way for your reign in our lives, our church, and our society. Forgive us, we pray, and renew your covenant within us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. silence for prayer
Words of Assurance
Friends, I am confident of this: if we repent, God is sure to forgive us. The One who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Grateful for the promise of joy and of peace, let us share that peace with one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT Music Ministry
Where There’s Light, There’s Hope
Children's Time
Where Children Belong
arr. Lynn Hodges and Jan R. Esterline
TFWS #2233
Scripture Reading Luke 3:1-6 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY
TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
Acolytes - Amissah & Ajube Hagan Liturgists - Sequoah Hadley, Allie Rosner Bass Advent Candles - Heather Hadley, Brooke Foster, Marie Griffiths, Ed Sproles Reader - Christine Shungu Musicians - Children’s Choir, Chancel Choir, Julia Hanna Ushers - Ida Cahill, Tom Sandford, Bright Rajaratnam, Bhanu Prakash
IN HAPPY REMEMBRANCES OF MY MOM AND DAD
GIVEN BY LINDSEY DONALDSON
Sermon
Hymn
Rev. Tayler Necoechea
TO RESPOND IN FAITH Toda la Tierra
UMH #210
in English and Spanish
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Offertory
Prepare Ye!
arr. Anna L. Page
Hymn
Doxology
UMH #94
Prayer of Thanksgiving
AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD
Hymn
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
UMH #213
Carillon from Film en Miniature
Martinů
Benediction Postlude
PRAYER CONCERNS Prayers for the sick, hospitalized, lonely, homeless and depressed, and for all who care for them. Prayers for people of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Russia and all other places in war. Pray for their leaders to come to peaceful resolutions. Prayers for our leaders during this contentious political season. May those in elected office engage in constructive rhetoric that seeks to bridge, rather than exacerbate, our partisan divides, and may a peaceful transfer of power take place..
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.
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 GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128
SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192
ANNOUNCEMENTS STAFF CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Please consider contributing to Staff Christmas Gifts. You can make checks payable to PUMC with “Staff Gift” in the memo or donate electronically through the website with the note “Staff Gift.” If you have questions, please contact Iona at ifkharding@gmail.com, 973-479-2783.
STONEBRIDGE COMMUNION
You are invited to the Stonebridge Methodists communion service today at 2 p.m. at Stonebridge, 100 Hollinshead Spring Rd, Skillman, NJ in the Club Room. Rev. Jenny Walz will preside. All are welcome! Contact: postberg1@aol.com
DIAPER DRIVE
Please bring diapers starting Dec 15 to place under the Chrismon Tree. All diapers will be donated to Maker’s Place for local distribution to help families’ littlest members stay healthy and dry. The drive will end Jan 5 with a Diaper Bundling party. All sizes are welcome but larger sizes are especially needed.
ADVENT CRAFTS
Join us today at 11:15am in the Sanford Davis Room for church-wide Advent crafting time. All ages are welcome, and while youth-led, this event will be community fellowship for the whole congregation. So don’t miss out today after service.
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