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
calendar of events December 22, Monday Regeneration Ministries, Office Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Many thanks to all who supported the SOS PossibiliTEA and helped raise $1,965 for Scholarshipping Our Sisters which provides tuition help for Adventist women in college globally. For more information, visit us at adventistwomensministries.org Treasurer’s Note: Many of you will be giving your year-end offerings in the month of December. There are several ways that 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. Prayer Gathering has moved to WEDNESDAYS. Join us to pray and study “prayers in the Bible” each Wednesday evening, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Plan to make Prayer Gathering a part of your weekly Wednesday routine. Where there’s more prayer, there’s more power! Sanctuary flowers: If you would like to enhance the beauty of our worship by providing flowers, please contact Flor Balay at the Church Office, 301-270-6777, ext. 114. Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:49 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 26 at 4:52 p.m. Bulletin Information Deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: kdriscoll@sligochurch.org
December 24, Wednesday Church Office is closed Prayer Gathering is cancelled Knitting Ministry is cancelled Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal is cancelled December 25, Thursday Church office will be closed December 29, Monday Regeneration Ministries, Office Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. December 31, Wednesday Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal is cancelled Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. (or by phone: 949.229.4400 Pin:4997774#, 7:35 p.m.)
worship schedule SABBATH, DECEMBER 27 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Larry Evans Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.
profile of giving DECEMBER 13, 2014
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. Last Year: Dec. 14 $ 17,838.88 Dec. 14 YTD $ 539,302.40
This Year: Dec. 13 $ 23,188.03 Dec. 13 YTD $ 540,451.71
Budget Booster: Dec. 13 $ 598.00 Goal $ 35,000.00
Total Raised $33,961.70 Needed $ 1,038.30
Church Building Improvement: Dec. 13 $ 55.00 Total Raised $106,992.15 Goal $150,000.00 Needed $ 43,007.85 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference. November 2014 contributions are $ 251,321.86 November 2013 contributions are $ 242,010.49 MTD Contributions are $9,311.37 more than last year. Today’s designated offering goes to Local Church Budget. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
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Welcome to Sligo Church. I’m sure that many of you are familiar with the idiomatic expression which says, “Big things come in small packages.” At first glance this statement may sound somewhat counter intuitive. After all, shouldn’t common sense tell us that if something is going to be big then the package which will serve as it’s container should also be big, right? But what this quote is basically saying is that size doesn’t matter and you should never look solely at the outward appearance in determining the “bigness” of anything. Because as experience has taught us all, something small may contain bigger and better qualities than something large and that something does not have to be big in size or quantity in order for it to be effective and beneficial. Today as we celebrate the fourth and final Sabbath of the Advent season, once again, we turn our attention to the babe from Bethlehem. And here is where this idiomatic expression truly comes into play; because within the infant that the Virgin Mary gave birth to, although small in every sense of the word, was contained the essence of the very nature of the greatness of God. - Charles A. Tapp
at worship THE CHURCH
Summary of our Beliefs
• The Bible is the inspired word of God and our only rule of
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 13 YTD: $556,428.00
CHILDREN & YOUTH All youth Friday night activities and Underground will return in January. Hope to see all our youth soon!
welcome
worship.nurture.outreach
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)
8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
D E C E M B E R 2 0 , 2 014
directory 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 ADMINISTRATIVE & ADULT MINISTRIES Don McFarlane, ext. 116 dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR DISCIPLESHIP & CONGREGATIONAL CARE TBD PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS Pranitha Fielder, ext. 119 pfielder@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES Gerardo Lopez, ext. 122 glopez@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR MEDIA AND OUTREACH
Sligo
a seventh-day adventist church The Washington Adventist University Church
TBD
OUR MISSION
PASTOR FOR WORSHIP Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123
cbridges@sligochurch.org
ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES Ken Flemmer 301.585.6556
HEAD ELDER Erwin Mack 301.434.1622
7700 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 I 301.270.6777
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 STUDY
THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP we gather in his name
*Hymn of Reflection Joy to the World / No. 125
Prelude In Dulci Jubilo (BWV 751) / J.S. Bach Sligo Live +Song of Gathering Blessed Assurance! / No. 462
we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Fairest Lord Jesus / No. 240 Advent Candlelighting
Alex Lamarre Ganta & Koilpillai families
we reflect + Baby Dedication Ethan Lucas Ribeiro Mowry
Charles A. Tapp
+Children’s Message
Gerry Lopez
Scripture Proverbs 30:24-28 (NIV) Sermon The Greatest Gift
James Gulley
Charles A. Tapp
+Altino Brothers Musical Message O Come All Ye Faithful / arr. Altino & Wilcox + Carol of the Bells / arr. Altino Silent Night / arr. Altino Sweet Little Jesus Boy /arr. Gimpsey Good Christian Men Rejoice/Ding Dong Merrily / arr. Altino + First Noel / arr. Wilberg + Hark the Herald Angels Sing / arr. Altino O Holy Night / arr. Altino Invitation to Give
Charles A. Tapp
Offertory Pastoral from the Messiah / Handel
we go to serve
Song Service
*Benediction Charles A. Tapp Postlude Preludio / Marco Stoppazzini
Theme Song My Hope is Built on Nothing Less / No. 522
*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
Barry Rowe, deacon on duty Marjorie Sleeman, deaconess on duty Leading our music today are: Edmond Charles, organist Desmond Pierre-Louis, chorister
Theresa Garza
Scripture & Prayer Welcome
Cheryl Wilson-Bridges
Prayer
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
Welcome and Church Life
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
welcome Carol Evans
Ken Flemmer ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Music Christmas Carol / Church Hymnal Mission Feature
Larry Evans
Lesson Study The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom
Class Leaders
Benediction
Class Leaders
Prayer
Ken Flemmer
Norman Martin, pianist
Altino Brothers with Chamber Choir
next week, here at Sligo...
We will end our Christmas worship season and look toward the new year with a word from Dr. Larry Evans, Associate Stewardship Director of the General Conference, titled “You Gotta Have a Dream!” Commune with us as we honor our Savior with heart-stirring melodies from our steel pan orchestra, The Sounds of Steel, directed by David Campbell.
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. We hold in prayer those who: Have lost loved ones: Edith McNairn, Lalitha Budde & Loida Doukmetzian Request healing: Anna Clementson & Wayne Dockter Congregational Care: Please notify Pastor Don McFarlane in the Church Office at 301-270-6777 if you know someone who is in a hospital, nursing home facility, or house bound and in need of visitation. (surgery, death, birth?) Today’s Sanctuary flowers are given by the children and grandchildren of Dr. and Mrs. Tony Futcher, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary! The Church Office will be closed for the Christmas Holiday on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301-980-1009.
Footnotes: Vijaya and Arthur Ganta have been attending Sligo church for more than 25 years. They have three children: Vijay, Vincent and Valerie - all born at Washington Adventist Hospital and dedicated at Sligo SDA church. David, Hannah and Michelle have been members of Sligo for over 20 years. David has his Dental Practice in Laurel and was recently joined by Michelle. Hannah worked for 35 years at the World Bank and recently retired. They enjoy spending time together going for walks, preparing meals and playing with their dog Rocky.
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.
litany for advent candlelighting 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: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, And they shall name him Emmanuel, God with us. Fear not, for there is good news of great joy for all people: To us is born this day in Bethlehem a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord!
4th Advent Candle - The Angel Candle or The Candle of Love – The angels announced the good news of a Savior. God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17) Message from Pr. Pranitha Fielder: I would like to thank you for your continued support as a church and as individuals over the past 13 years I’ve been involved with Sligo Church. Sligo and it’s members have played a pivotal role in my life and ministry. I want to thank each of you who came to my ordination last Sabbath. Thank you to those of you who put the delicious reception together, ran sound, ran video, and did countless other things, it was truly a day that will be etched in my memory and heart forever. My husband and I truly thank you for all the support and love you’ve shown and continue to show us. To me Sligo is home and I thank you for being my family.