OUR VISION
We will g lorif y G od by be i n g i n creasi n g ly tran sfo rmed i nto the l i keness of C hri s t
our life together
ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Young Adult Social: Ice Skating: Next Sabbath, December 17, join us as we go ice-skating at the Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink. We will meet in Sligo Church at 7:30 p.m. The cost of the social is $13 per person. Women’s Ministries Needs You! If you are interested in being on the Women’s Ministries Planning Committee, please contact Joan Francis at < jfrancis@wau.edu> or June Germain at 301.346.7802 Winter Haven Emergency Shelter for women and children returns to Sligo December 18 - 31. Contact Donna Robinson at 240.888.6775 if you wish to donate winter items. Financial contributions can be made online at <www.houseofdivineguidance.org> New Beginnings Sabbath School Class: If you are looking for a Bible study class to prepare for baptism or simply want to study the foundations of the Christian faith, please join the New Beginnings class on Sabbath mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the Pastor’s Lounge. For more information, please contact Pr. Fielder at <pfielder@sligochurch.org> Call for volunteers! The Primary I Sabbath School Class is looking for volunteers to fill two positions: greeter and teacher. If interested, please contact Pr. Gerry Lopez <glopez@sligochurch. org> or Joviah Ndahayo at 301.613.1064 MISCELLANEOUS
calendar of events
Welcome to Sligo! Today we have come to celebrate the third Sabbath of the advent season under the theme, “In the Light of His Glory.” As you know, light is a December 17, Saturday universal symbol of life and hope. And there is no greater Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. embodiment of these realities in our world today than in the person of Jesus Christ. John makes this point in the December 19, Monday very first chapter of his gospel as he refers to Jesus being a Regeneration Ministries, Office Conference Room, 7:30 p.m. representation of life and light that has come to our world. But in spite December 21, Wednesday of this great light that has come to brighten our world, John concludes that many still remain in darkness because they have yet to see Prayer Gathering is cancelled the light. And by seeing the light, John is not referring to seeing the physical person of Christ, but rather he is making the point that many December 22, Thursday have failed to come to an understanding of the ”good news” that God Exercise Class is cancelled has sent to them in the person of Jesus Christ. But the stark reality that exists is that not much has changed. Today, in spite of our world December 23, Friday having received so much exposure to the light, many still have yet to Church Office is closed see the light. - Charles A. Tapp December 26, Monday Church Office is closed
worship schedule SABBATH, December 24 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Don McFarlane Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.
• The Bible is the inspired word of God and our only rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). • Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God and our personal Savior from sin by grace through faith. (John 1:1-3; Ephesians 2:8). • Having been saved, followers of Jesus live in obedience to Him by observing the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20: 1-17; John 14:15). • The Sabbath – the seventh day of the week- established by God at creation and honored by Jesus in His earthly ministry, is to be observed by the followers of Jesus. (Exodus 20:8-11; 1 Peter 2:21). • Jesus is coming back to earth personally and visibly to raise the righteous dead and give His faithful children of all ages immortality in an earth made new. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 22:12; 21:1-3). • Our love for God is demonstrated primarily by our love for our fellowmen. (1 John 4:20; Matthew 25:34-40).
CHRIST FIRST D E C E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 6 8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
directory p r o f i l e o f g i v i n g - De c e m b e r 10
CHURCH BUDGET: This offering pays for the outreach and
nurture ministries of the church and the church school, along with necessary expenses such as utilities and maintenance of the church building.
Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:46 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 23 at 4:52 p.m.
Last Year: Dec. 12 $ 9,427 Dec. 12 YTD $540,906
Sligo Live: If you have a story, a subject or an individual that you would like to see featured on Sligo Live, please contact Pastor McFarlane at <dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org> or 301.270.6777, ext. 116
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 10 YTD: $551,317
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at worship THE CHURCH
Summary of our Beliefs
Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org>
*Consent To Use Photographic Images: Sligo SDA Church films all worship services. Attendance at, or participation in Sligo worship services constitutes an agreement by the participant to Sligo’s use and distribution of the attendee’s image, voice, or likeness in photos, video, electronic reproduction and audio tapes of such activities.
welcome
This Year: Dec. 10 Dec. 10 YTD
$ 14,003 $508,793
Budget Booster: Dec. 10 YTD $ 14,929 Goal $ 30,000 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference. Last Year: This Year: Dec. 12 $ 63,821 Dec. 10 $ 50,452 Dec. 12 YTD $2,288,580 Dec. 10 YTD $2,324,485 2016 Goal $2,800,000 Remaining Goal $ 475,515 Today’s designated offering goes to Local Church Budget. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
PHONE: 301.270.6777 EMERGENCY: 301.980.1009 FAX: 301.270.3518 WEBSITE: www.sligochurch.org Domestic Violence Hotline: 240.777.4000 SENIOR PASTOR Charles A. Tapp, ext. 126
ctapp@sligochurch.org
PASTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION & ADULT MINISTRIES Don McFarlane, ext. 116 dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR DISCIPLESHIP & CONGREGATIONAL CARE Pranitha Fielder, ext. 127 pfielder@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS Joseph Khabbaz, ext. 119 jkhabbaz@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES Gerardo Lopez, ext. 122 glopez@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR MEDIA & OUTREACH Richard Castillo, ext. 136 rcastillo@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR WORSHIP Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123
The Washington Adventist University Church
cbridges@sligochurch.org
ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES Ken Flemmer 301.585.6556
HEAD ELDER Erwin Mack 301.434.1622
HEAD DEACON Manuel Rosette 301.370.1255
HEAD DEACONESS Marion Hudson 301.980.1862
7700 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 I 301.270.6777
OUR MISSION We s eek to g row passi onate d i sc i pl es of J es us th ro ugh wor shi p of God , nur ture of o ne a noth er,and outreach to the worl d .
THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP
THE CHURCH AT STUDY
we gather in his name
*Benediction
SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
Postlude Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Don Hustad
Charles A. Tapp
+Songs of Gathering Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee / No. 12 How Great Thou Art / No. 86 (stanzas 1, 3 & 4) Sligo Live The Many Moods of Christmas
Cheryl Wilson-Bridges
Welcome & Church Life Richard Castillo we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise O Come, All Ye Faithful / No. 132 Prayer
Kara Castillo +Charlotte Conway Anthem O Come, O Come Emmanuel / arr. A. Parker & R. Shaw +Creature Praise / Dennis & Nan Allen +Who Would Imagine A King / Mervyn Warren *Advent Candle Lighting The Labrador Family we reflect
+Children’s Message
Krissia Funes
Scripture Holly Perkins Psalms 36:5-9 (NKJV) +Music for Meditation O Come, O Come Emmanuel / arr. A. Parker & R. Shaw Sermon Have You Seen the Light? Invitation to Give
Charles A. Tapp
Charles A. Tapp
Offertory Good Christian Friends, Rejoice / arr. Hal H. Hopson
we go to serve *Hymn of Reflection Jesus, the Light of the World (stanzas 1, 3 & 4)
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Song Service
Prelude In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729 / J. S. Bach *Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
Roland Halstead
Theme Song I Know Whom I Have Believed / No. 511 Welcome & Prayer
Barry Rowe & Joy Wigwe, deacon & deaconess on duty Leading our music today are: Patrick Alston, organist Paul Byssainthe, Jr., chorister Sligo Sanctuary Choir Paul Byssainthe, Jr., director Jewels Raissa Jei Labrador, Olivia Cortez, Jhenelle Siarez, Angel De Guzman, Jacqueline Pandiangan, Alyssa Lisay, Almire Saulo & Jana Rei Labrador
Archie Marshall
Special Music Nikolai Tomenko Minuet / Georg Philipp Telemann Gavotte / Georg Philipp Telemann Mission Feature Planting in Paris Lesson Study Job’s Redeemer Prayer
Archie Marshall
Paul Byssainthe, Jr., pianist
n e x t w e e k , h e r e a t S l i g o . . . Next Sabbath, Pastor McFarlane completes the Advent Series on “The Light of His Glory,” focusing on John 1:5, with a message that is titled, The Light - Unconquerable, Incomprehensible! Music will be provided by Francisco de Araujo and La Camerata Nuove Singers and Sligo Singers.
3rd Advent Candle Lighting: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ, coming again to reign in glory. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Keep awake, therefore, and be ready. The Lord is coming at an unexpected hour. The kingdom of heaven has come near. Go and tell what you have seen and heard:
JESUS PROJECT: Desire of Ages, Chapter 56, Dec. 18 - Dec. 24
Let us hear from you! To write the pastors a note, make a prayer request, or inquire about becoming a member of Sligo Church, please use a card from the hymnal rack.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Simple Truths for Life: Sligo’s Radio Ministry, can be heard each Sabbath morning from 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. on WGTS 91.9 FM. Listen with friends, then invite them to come to church in person at 11:00 a.m. Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes for free from Simple Truths for Life by Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church from the iTunes Store. You can also go to simpletruthsforlife. org/podcast Prayer Requests Families of these deceased: Dorothy Dorsey, Mercedes Singleton Mitchell & Jess Cooley For healing and comfort: Ellis Rich & Cornelius Stone, Jr. Carmen Lynch, Sligo Deaconess and Sabbath School secretary celebrates her 99th birthday on Friday, December 16. The Church Office will be closed in observance of Christmas on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301.980.1009
Sligo Ensemble Keri Tomenko, Matt Daley, Moyna Daley & Hannah Pelote, violinists; Deric Tomenko, violist; Carol Anne Bosco & Katia Di Pinto, cellists; Ardyce Griswald & Melissa Boyd, bell ringers Footnotes: Holly Perkins is seven years old from the Baltimore Area. Her grandmother is Shireen Mall. Holly likes to do gymnastics, iceskating, piano and violin. She is a member of the Sligo Lions Peewee Basketball team.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
The virgin will conceive and bear a son, And they shall name him Emmanuel, God with us. Prepare the way of the Lord!
Unwrap Your Gift: It’s ready for you, today, right after second service in the Memorial Chapel, from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. This is a gift you can share with your neighbors and friends -- by hosting a Bible study in your home, or joining a Homes of Hope Team, or being a Discussion Leader. Jesus is the best gift you can receive and the best gift you can share. Budget Booster: Please give extra to our budget through the Budget Booster. Our goal this year is $30,000. In faith, we allocated more for our ministries at Sligo. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your continued support of the needs here at your local church. Treasurer’s Note: Many of you will be giving your year-end offerings in the month of December. There are several ways in which you can give in addition to your giving at church. You may contribute through our on-line giving (go to <www.sligochurch. org> and click on GIVE and choose one of the options). Or if you prefer, by mail, but it must be post-marked by December 31. You can also put your giving envelope in the church office Mail Slot during the week. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving your tithe and for supporting your local church by giving liberally and systematically to the Church Budget.