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 24, Saturday Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. December 26, Monday Church Office is closed Regeneration Ministries is cancelled
ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Sligo Church Needs Receptionists: Wishing to be more involved with your church and have the opportunity to meet new people? Be part of a dynamic office family - consider serving as a receptionist on a voluntary basis each Friday morning (8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.) at the Sligo Church office. Training will be provided. If interested, please contact Kathleen Driscoll at 301.270.6777, ext. 239 or kdriscoll@sligochurch.org Winter Haven Emergency Shelter for women and children at Sligo runs through December 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 Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org> Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:51 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 30 at 4:56 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.
Follow us now on Facebook and Twitter
welcome Welcome to Sligo on this Christmas Sabbath, when we join our thoughts and voices in celebrating the miracle of miracles – God taking on human flesh and becoming one of us and one with us. He came amid the sin and confusion of this world in order to participate in our pain, our suffering, our conflicts, our sorrows, and take our
at worship THE CHURCH
death that He might bring us back to himself. He came to let the world know that God and man belong together. For the past three Sabbaths we have been focusing on Jesus being the Light of the world. Today we December 28, Wednesday conclude our Advent Series with a message that reminds us of the fact that the darkness of the world was unable to destroy the Light and that Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. the same impregnable quality is imputed to those in whom the Light (or by phone: 949.229.4400 Pin:4997774#, 7:35 p.m.) resides. And as the incarnation is beyond human comprehension, similarly the experience of conversion is also a mystery, which we cannot understand, but for which we are grateful. - Don McFarlane
Summary of our Beliefs worship schedule SABBATH, December 31 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.
p r o f i l e o f g i v i n g - D e c e m b e r 17
• 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
nurture ministries of the church and the church school, along with necessary expenses such as utilities and maintenance of the church building.
PHONE: 301.270.6777 EMERGENCY: 301.980.1009 FAX: 301.270.3518 WEBSITE: www.sligochurch.org Domestic Violence Hotline: 240.777.4000
Last Year: Dec. 19 $ 19,790 Dec. 19 YTD $560,656
SENIOR PASTOR Charles A. Tapp, ext. 126
CHURCH BUDGET: This offering pays for the outreach and
This Year: Dec. 17 $ 4,927 Dec. 17 YTD $513,720
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 17 YTD: $572,544
Budget Booster: Dec. 17 YTD $ 17,145 Goal $ 30,000 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference. Last Year: Dec. 19 $ 62,008 Dec. 19 YTD $2,350,588 2016 Goal $2,800,000
This Year: Dec. 17 $ 27,749 Dec. 17 YTD $2,352,234 Remaining Goal $ 447,766
Today’s designated offering goes to Potomac Partners. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
CHRIST FIRST D E C E M B E R 24 , 2 016 8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
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 Offertory Shine, Jesus, Shine / Graham Kendrick +He is Born / arr. Catherine McMichael
we gather in his name SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
Prelude Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus / Franklin Ritter +Songs of Gathering Go, Tell It on the Mountain / No. 121 O Come Let Us Adore Him / arr. Teri Bryant & Matt Redman Choral Prelude Christians On This Joyful Morning / Traditional Welcome & Church Life Troy Campbell we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Angels From the Realms of Glory / No. 119 +Choral Invitation to Prayer Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us / arr. Francisco de Araujo Prayer
Geri Ann Campbell Anthem Here I Am To Worship / Tim Hughes +Wonder, Wonder / Polish Carol
*Advent Candle Lighting Driscoll family we reflect +Baby Dedication Alexa Marie Audain
THE CHURCH AT STUDY
Don McFarlane
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
we go to serve *Hymn of Reflection Angels We Have Heard on High / No. 142
Song Service
*Benediction
Theme Song I Know Whom I Have Believed / No. 511
Don McFarlane
*Benediction Response Ding Dong! Merrily on High / French Carol Postlude Toccata on “Mendelssohn” / Stephen H. Stuff
Blair Peace & Juanitta Leigh, deacon & deaconess on duty Leading our music today are: Matt Daley, organist Paul Byssainthe, Jr., chorister Sligo Singers: Paul Byssainthe, Jr., Naomy Rodrigues, Yonalda Rodrigues & Diana Giebrecht, vocalists Matt Daley, organist; Wendell Phipps, pianist; Ross Patterson, guitarist; Keri Tomenko, violinist & Deric Tomenko, violist Frank Araujo Choir Francisco de Araujo, conductor Footnotes: Troy and Geri Ann Campbell are both speakers, trainers, and performance coaches conducting seminars on leadership, communications, and team-building. They travel during the week and look forward to Sabbaths at Sligo. They love to serve God at Sligo as greeters and with hospitality. Troy is a deacon and Geri Ann is one of the hosts for Sligo Live.
James Gulley
Special Music
Kindergarten and First Grade
Lesson Study The Character of Job Prayer
James Gulley
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!
n e x t w e e k , h e r e a t S l i g o . . .
Go and tell what you have seen and heard:
Next week here at Sligo, Pastor McFarlane will endeavor to explain the reason for some our disappointments during 2016 and help us limit our expectations for 2017, in a message titled, “You Can’t Have It All”. Music will be provided by Tom PrasadaRao.
The virgin will conceive and bear a son,
Sermon Don McFarlane The Light - Unconquerable, Incomprehensible!
JESUS PROJECT:
Invitation to Give Don McFarlane
Desire of Ages, Chapter 57, Dec. 25 - Dec. 31
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. The Church Office will be closed in observance of Christmas on Monday, December 26. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301.980.1009
Scripture Troy Campbell John 1:1-5 (KJV) +Music for Meditation O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Traditional
Message from Senior Pastor
Charlotte Conway, pianist
Keep awake, therefore, and be ready.
Tamara Simpson
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.
Welcome & Prayer
Mission Spotlight *Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
Kay Rosburg
Alexis Driscoll is in fourth grade at Forcey Christian School. She loves to do cartwheels, listen to music, read and sing. She is excited about celebrating her tenth birthday on January 1, 2017.
+Children’s Message
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
The Lord is coming at an unexpected hour. The kingdom of heaven has come near.
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!
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. Sligo Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Discipleship Room to discuss “What’s so Amazing About Grace?” by Philip Yancey. 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