OUR VISION
welcome
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, Saturday Young Adults GLOW Study, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. December 24, Monday, Christmas Eve Regeneration Ministries is canceled Church Office is closed December 25, Tuesday, Christmas Day Church Office is closed
Sligo Church Needs Receptionists: Wishing to be more involved with your church and having the opportunity to meet new people? Then, be part of a dynamic office family by serving as a receptionist on a voluntary basis at the Sligo Church office on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays. If interested, please contact Kathleen Driscoll at 301.270.6777, ext. 239 or <kdriscoll@sligochurch. org> Prayer Ministry Participants Wanted: Sligo’s Prayer Ministry would like to invite you join us our initiative to extend the power of prayer to our members, campus, and community. If praying for others is your ministry, contact our prayer coordinator, Myrna Bas, at <houseofprayer@sligochurch.org> GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Attend a free information session at Olney SDA Church (4100 Olney-Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832), on either: • Thursday, January 3, at 7:00 p.m. or • Sunday January 6, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 301.774.7733 or 407.232.5062 ATTENTION Federal Employees: The Combined Federal Campaign ends on January 11, 2019 so there’s still time to help disadvantaged families in the community. Donate to ACSGW using code 57194. Please also consider donating food and clothing to struggling families. MISCELLANEOUS Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org> Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:49 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 28, at 4:53 p.m. 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 *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.
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December 26, Wednesday Prayer Gathering is canceled Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal is canceled
worship schedule Join us next week here at Sligo. Pr. Richard Castillo will share a message. Sligo Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Richard Castillo Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.
profile of giving - December 15 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. 16 $ 10,391 Dec. 16 YTD $ 532,228
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 15 YTD:
$581,890
BUDGET BOOSTER: Dec. 15 MTD $ 19,110 GOAL $20,000
$
NEEDED
Last Year:
This Year:
Dec. 16 $ 53,552 Dec. 16 YTD $2,364,677 2018 GOAL $2,800,000
Dec. 15 $ 42,915 Dec. 15 YTD $2,334,887 Remaining Goal $ 465,113
Take your next step at “Connection Central” in the Atrium Do life together: Join a Journey Group Fill out a pew menu card and place it in the offering plate Visit sligochurch.org/connect2ministry
CHRIST FIRST D E C E M B E R 2 2 , 2 018 8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
who can help PHONE: 301.270.6777 EMERGENCY: 301.980.1009 FAX: 301.270.3518 www.sligochurch.org Domestic Violence Hotline: 240.777.4000 National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.8255
890
CHURCH BUILDING IMPROVEMENT: Dec. 15 YTD $ 68,961 TITHE: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference to help expand the Kingdom of God throughout our region and world.
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and our only rule of faith and practice. As Scripture teaches, we believe God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, saving us from sin by grace through faith. We believe the seventh-day Sabbath was established by God at Creation and honored by Jesus in His earthly ministry as a gift of rest and rejuvenation for all. We celebrate the church as the diverse “new community” forged through the death and resurrection of Jesus, in which all are called, all are gifted, and all are valued. We anticipate Jesus’ personal and visible return to earth to raise the righteous dead, make the earth new, and dwell with His faithful children throughout eternity . We live out our love for Jesus by growing in His likeness and by serving our fellowmen. • • • •
$ 10,714 $504,228
at worship THE CHURCH
what we believe
how you connect
This Year: Dec. 15 Dec. 15 YTD
Welcome to Sligo today. Many of us have experienced so many Christmas celebrations over our lifetime that they may seem to blend together. You might reach back and only pull out specifics of a Christmas celebration because of your specific age in that memory or because of something that was terribly wrong or wonderfully beautiful, which makes your memory have weight. Sligo Church always hopes we deliver on the wonderfully beautiful side of your cherished memories and today is no different. It is our intention that you have a wonderful experience this Sabbath before Christmas. We pray that your family is warmed by the love of our church family and staff. We also pray that you are able to expand your family as you get to know many of the lovely people we call our congregation. Merry Christmas, and may the light of God shine on you as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - Richard Castillo
Today’s designated offering goes to Potomac Partners. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
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 TBD
The Washington Adventist University Church
PASTOR FOR MEDIA & OUTREACH Richard Castillo, ext. 136 rcastillo@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR WORSHIP Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123
cbridges@sligochurch.org
OUR MISSION
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
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 .
7 7 0 0 C a r r o l l A v e n u e , Ta k o m a P a r k , M D 2 0 9 1 2
THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP we gather in his name SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
we go to serve *Hymn of Reflection When the Roll is Called Up Yonder / No. 216
*Benediction
Advent 4 Richard Castillo
+Song of Gathering There’s a Song in the Air / No. 120 Welcome & Church Life
Richard Castillo
we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Power in the Blood / No. 294 Prayer
Richard Castillo +Jessica Flores
Anthem The First Noel / Carrie Underwood +Oh Holy Night / Adam *Advent Candle Lighting
we reflect
Futcher family +Cancelado family
Richard Castillo
+Children’s Message Scripture Reading John 14:1-3 (NCV)
Dana Audain
+Music for Meditation All is Well / Michael W. Smith Sermon I’ll Be Back
Fitzroy Thomas
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Blair Peace, deacon on duty Leela Job, deaconess on duty Leading our music today are: Patrick Alston, organist Vernon Rogers, chorister Jackie Ventouris, vocalist The Sounds of Steel Pan Orchestra David Campbell, director
Song Service
Roland Halstead
Theme Song In Christ There is No East Nor West / No. 587 Welcome & Prayer Lesson Study Church Organization and Unity Prayer
Enoch Thomas
Patrick Alston, pianist
Children’s Message Musicians Jana Rei Labrador, vocalist Raissa Jei Labrador, ukelelist *************************************************************
What shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts, thine own dear Son, begotten, not created, my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute, his self-emptying incomprehensible, his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: he came below to raise me above, he was born like me that I might become like him.
Mark Sigue
Offertory Mary Did You Know / Mark Lowry +Angels Watching Over Me / Richard Smallwood
Herein is wisdom; when I was undone, with no will to return to him, and no intellect to devise recovery, he came, Godincarnate, to save me to the uttermost, as man to die my death, to shed satisfying blood on my behalf, to work out a perfect righteousness for me. O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge my mind; let me hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore, my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose, my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father! Place me with ox, ass, camel, goat, to look with them upon my Redeemer’s face, and in him account myself delivered from sin; let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart, embrace him with undying faith, exulting that he is mine and I am his.
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: Chad Drumheller For comfort and healing: Karen Ott-Worrow & Suseela Drumheller Message from Suseela Drumheller: Dear Sligo family, I am deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support I received following the sudden loss of my son, Chad. You have truly helped sustain me through this heart-wrenching time. Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.
O Source of all Good,
Herein is power; when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created.
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.
Enoch Thomas
Herein is love; when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace, to raise me to himself.
+Child Dedication Samuel Francis Andrew
*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible +11:00 service only
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
Mark Sigue
Postlude Long Time Ago in Bethlehem / Jester Hairston
Prelude Air on the G String (Suite No. 3) / J.S. Bach +Sligo Live Winterhaven
THE CHURCH AT STUDY
4th 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: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, And they shall name him Emmanuel, God with us.
In him thou hast given me so much that heaven can give no more.
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.
- From The Valley of Vision
Prepare the way of the Lord!
The Church Office will be closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301.980.1009 Treasurer’s Note: Many of you will be giving your year-end offerings this month. 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. Save the date for EQUIP-HD, February 2, 2019: The Potomac Conference is coming to Sligo on February 2 with 14 equipping and training seminars. The program starts at 4:00 in the afternoon and ends at 8:00 p.m. Whether your passion is soul-winning, discipleship, multi-media, mentoring, leadership, worship, family life or something else, there will be at least one seminar that will help you to be more effective in responding to God’s call to service. Register online at <www.pcsda.org/equip/> or call 540.886.0771, ext. 238 *Child-care will be provided for children who are 100% potty trained. Please register your child/children at the same time you register for your seminars.