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) Attention Federal Employees! The Combined Federal Campaign is under way. Please donate to Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington (ACSGW), using CFC Code 57194. Thank you for supporting ACSGW! The campaign ends January 12, 2018. Clase en español - La clase de escuela sabática en español se a estado reuniendo en la parte izquierda del balcón del santuario. Desde 2 de diciembre el Hno. Edwin Martinez a enseñando la clase a los miembros del habla hispana. Están invitado a formar parte de esta clase todos los sábados a las 10:00 a.m. (All are welcome to be part of a new Spanish Sabbath School class, led by Edwin Martinez, that meets at 10:00 a.m. on the left side of the balcony). Save the date: Sunday, December 24, 7:00 p.m. in The Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland, College Park, featuring the Lloyd Mallory, Jr. Singers, Tre Voce, The Three Tenors, Monique Griffiths and a full orchestra. This live recording will benefit ongoing hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean. All donations are tax deductible. For ticket information visit: <www. mohiminc.com/events> Share in the mission! Conference leadership hopes to see you at the DC Metro / Maryland regional town hall meeting. This is a time to learn about conference happenings, like that of the Cultivate Initiative, women in ministry, office relocation, conference finances, development for Camp Blue Ridge and Impact: Camp Meeting Re-imagined. This is also an opportunity for open dialogue with church leaders and to share items of your own. This meeting will be held on January 13 at 5:15 p.m. at the Southern Asian SDA Church at 2001 E. Randolph Road, Silver Spring MD. Lost and found: Tolu Tola, a valuable Apple product is currently in our possession. Please come to the church office and claim it. Thank you! MISCELLANEOUS Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org> Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:50 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 29 at 4:53 p.m. *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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welcome
Welcome to Sligo. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Australia and visit my family whom I hadn’t seen in more than two years. I was looking forward to Australia’s summer December 23, Saturday sun, however, what my wife and I both dreaded was the 18 hours of flying required to get there, not to mention our Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. lengthly layover. Sometimes the anticipation of seeing a loved one can feel like an eternity. I imagine many Jewish December 24, Sunday, Christmas Eve families must have felt that long-waited anticipation as they expectantly held Exercise class is canceled on to the hope of the Messiah’s appearing. The coming of the Messiah was December 25, Monday , Christmas Holiday! foretold in Eden, repeated through the prophets and studied by the Jews. Yet, for four hundred years there was silence between the old and new Regeneration Ministry meeting is canceled testaments. Then, all of a sudden a flurry of angelic activity sweeps through Church Office will be closed Galilee and interrupts the plans of a young teenage woman planning her wedding. The angel tells Mary the shocking news - she’ll be pregnant before December 27, Wednesday her marriage ceremony. What do you do when God interrupts your plans? Our Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. Advent theme, “The Hope of Glory” can sometimes mean things may not turn out the way you expected. Mary would ask the angel, “How can this be?” Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal is canceled Today, we’ll discover that God’s interruptions are always an invitation. Mary, did you know? - Joseph Khabbaz
calendar of events
Summary of our Beliefs
worship schedule SABBATH, December 30 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Pr. Richard Castillo Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.
p r o f i l e o f g i v i n g - D e c e m b e r 16 CHURCH BUDGET: This offering pays for the outreach and nur-
ture ministries of the church and the church school, along with necessary expenses such as utilities and maintenance of the church building. Last Year: Dec. 17 $ 5,410 Dec. 17 YTD $ 515,984
Dec. 16 Dec. 16 YTD
$ 10,391 $532,228
Church Building Improvement: Dec. 16 YTD $43,215 Balance from 2016 & YTD $80,271 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference to help expand the Kingdom of God throughout our region and world.
Dec. 17
$
Dec. 16
$
Dec. 17 YTD $2,353,226
Dec. 16 YTD
$ 2,364,677
2017 Goal
Remaining Goal $ 435,323
$2,800,000
CHRIST FIRST D E C E M B E R 2 3 , 2 017 8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
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
This Year: 29,036
• 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).
directory
This Year:
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 16 YTD: $590,962
Last Year:
at worship THE CHURCH
53,552
Today’s designated offering goes to Potomac Partners. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
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 Finale, on “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” / David Willcocks
Prelude Of the Father’s Love Begotten / Wilbur Held +Songs of Gathering Christmas Canon / Paul O’Neill Joy To The World, A Christmas Prayer / Nick Jonas +Sligo Live Merry Christmas
Erwin Mack
we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Silent Night, Holy Night / No. 143 Prayer Sara Devaraj Anthem Noel / Chris Tomlin +More Than a Baby / Ruth Elaine Schram +Jesus Born On This Day / Mariah Carey
Vonumu Family
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Song Service *Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
Richard Castillo
Welcome & Church Life
+Advent Candlelighting
Joseph Khabbaz
Roland Halstead 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.
Theme Song A Mighty Fortress / No. 506 Welcome & Prayer
Blair Peace, deacon on duty Ivybelle Roye, deaconess on duty
Lesson Overcoming Evil with Good
Prayer
Enoch Thomas ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enoch Thomas
Leading our music today are: Paul Byssainthe, Jr., organist Vernon Rogers, chorister Zelma Edwards, pianist Sligo Singers Paul Byssainthe, Jr., director
Victoria Browning
Jewels & Friends Raissa Jei Labrador, Olivia Cortez, Jhenelle Siarez, Angel De Guzman, Jacqueline Pandiangan, Alyssa Lisay & Almire Saulo
Scripture Alexandra Giesbrecht Luke 1:30-34, 37 (NKJV) +Music for Meditation Noel / Chris Tomlin Sermon Joseph Khabbaz Mary, Did You Know?
n e x t w e e k , h e r e a t S l i g o . . . Pastor Castillo will share a message for the final Sabbath of 2017. Music will be provided by Judy Vandeman.
w e g o t o s e r v e
“The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God.”
*Hymn of Reflection Angels We Have Heard On High / No. 142
-C. S. Lewis
Invitation to Give Joseph Khabbaz Offertory Shine, Jesus, Shine / Graham Kendrick
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: For healing and comfort: Jean Ott, Patrick Alston & Ed Davis The Church Office will be closed in observance of Christmas on Monday, December 25. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301.980.1009
Sligo Children’s Choir Joya Follette, director
we reflect +Children’s Message
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
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. 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!
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. Winter Haven Emergency Shelter operated by House of Divine Guidance, opens on December 17, 2017 and runs through March 17, 2018. The homeless shelter for women and children will operate seven days a week from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. beginning here in the Sligo Youth Room through the end of the year. Volunteers and donations are needed. You can provide meals, supplies, or financial contributions through your church offering, designating it for Winter Haven. For more information, contact Donna Robinson at 240.888.6775 or <donna.robinson@houseofdivineguidance.org> Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington is thankful for your support in 2017! What if...Prayer Gathering 2018! Join us on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. for the very first Prayer Gathering of the New Year. For this special service we will lay our plans before the Lord and pray for His special blessing on us and our Community.