December 30, 2017

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)

calendar of events

Young Adults GLOW Worship & Homeless Feeding: Come join us on January 6 for the young adult worship service (ages 18-35). GLOW Worship starts at 11:15 a.m. in the Youth Room!

Pr. Joseph Khabbaz will share a powerful message titled, “When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned” This worship service is held once a month on the first Sabbath of the month. At 2:00 p.m., GLOW Outreach will meet in the Discipleship Room at Sligo Church to prepare meals to feed the Homeless in D.C. Youth Worship Service: Sligo Underground Worship will be held on January 13 at 11:15 a.m. in the Youth Room for a worship service run by youth for youth. Worship, fellowship, go deeper!

Our theme will be “Know God.” Youth Social: Go Karting! Come and join the Sligo Youth for Go Karting on January 13! We’ll meet at Sligo Church at 5:00 p.m., in Fellowship Hall A. Transportation will be provided! Cost: $50 for three races (not including taxes) Address: Autobahn Indoor Speedway 8251 Preston Ct, Jessup, MD 20794. Bring a friend and don’t forget your permission slip!

Are you suffering with anxiety and/or depression? An upcoming 8-week program could help. The Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery program will be held at the Olney SDA Church (4100 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD 20832) from January 22 to March 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Attend a free information session: Thursday, January 4 at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday, January 7 at 4:00 pm. For more information call 301.774.7733 or 407.232.5062 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. MISCELLANEOUS Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org>

December 30, Saturday Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m.

December 31, Sunday, New Year’s Eve Exercise class is canceled

January 1, Monday , New Year’s Day Holiday!

Regeneration Ministry meeting is canceled Church Office will be closed January 3, Wednesday Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 8:00 p.m.

SABBATH, January 6 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Speaker: Pr. Charles A. Tapp Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m.

Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.

profile of giving - December 23 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.

This Year: Dec. 23

$ 14,323

Dec. 24 YTD $ 537,879

Dec. 23 YTD

$546,561

BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 23 YTD: $615,481

• 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 3 0 , 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

Church Building Improvement: Dec. 23 YTD $45,095 Balance from 2016 & YTD $82,15

Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference to help expand the Kingdom of God throughout our region and world.

Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:55 p.m. and commences on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 4:59 p.m.

Last Year:

This Year:

Dec. 24

Dec. 23

$

*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.

Dec. 24 YTD $2,473,570

Dec. 23 YTD

$2,438,957

2017 Goal

Remaining Goal $ 361,043

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at worship THE CHURCH

directory

Last Year:

Dec. 24 $ 21,895

$2,800,000

Welcome to Sligo. It seems that I am happiest when I am in the midst of sharing a story, whether telling it myself or listening to someone else share theirs. Through my lifetime of hearing stories, I’ve realized that it is through these stories that we learn about each other. It’s one thing to be told what happened, it’s an entirely different thing to hear someone share their personal account. The memories, feelings and thought process that goes into something becoming what we would consider worthy of a story. Do you have a story? The last time you were sitting around a table and having a conversation; what was the story you told to bring the house down? Or maybe you told a story that belonged to someone else. We do that on a regular basis, and it usually begins with, “A friend of mine told me”, or “My cousin was once,” but if it’s a good story, it’s worthy of telling. Throughout history, storytelling was the way that our society shared its history, culture and values. A good story can be a better teacher than any long textbook. Do you have stories to share, is your life one long epic detailing the existence of an amazing human being? Do you share it or do you keep it to yourself? Today we have been asked to share a story, in fact, it has been given to us as a challenge. Our challenge is to share the story of Jesus; His life, His death and His will to save each and every one of us. When was the last time you told the story of Jesus?

- Richard Castillo

Summary of our Beliefs

worship schedule

$ 120,344

welcome

71,544

Today’s designated offering goes to Local Church Budget.

Loose offering goes to Church Budget.

worship.nurture.outreach

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 Sylvan Coke, deacon on duty Marion Hudson, deaconess on duty

we gather in his name SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.

Prelude Infant Holy, Infant Lowly / Wayne L. Wold +Song of Gathering Go, Tell It on the Mountain / No. 121

+Sligo Live Jordan Mission Trip

Welcome & Church Life

Geri Ann Campbell Joseph Khabbaz

we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Angels From the Realms of Glory / No. 119

 Prayer Lynson Nallathambi

Anthem That First Noel / Don Besig

we reflect +Children’s Message

Dana Audain

Scripture Wendell Phipps John 15:26-27 (NIV)

Sermon Richard Castillo I Love to Tell the Story

Invitation to Give

Richard Castillo

Offertory This Christmastide / Donald Fraser

w e g o t o s e r v e *Hymn of Reflection I Love to tell the Story / No. 457 *Benediction

THE CHURCH AT STUDY

Richard Castillo

Postlude Toccata on Mendelssohn / Steve Struz *Congregation is standing  Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only

Leading our music today are: Matt Daley, organist Judith Pino, chorister Judy Vandeman, harpist & vocalist

Footnotes: Judy Vandeman is an RN working in the Short Stay unit of Washington Adventist Hospital. She learned to play the folk harp to accompany herself when providing music in churches when she traveled with her minister/administrator husband, Rob. She is a frequent visitor at Sligo, where she is able to worship with her daughter Keri Tomenko, son-in-law, Deric, and their children, Nikolai, Elena and Natalia.

Lynson Nallathambi is a dentist from India who is pursuing dentistry here in the United States. He currently works as a dental assistant and serves on the Sligo GLOW young adult media team and small groups ministry. n e x t w e e k , h e r e a t S l i g o . . .

Pastor Charles A. Tapp will share a message for the first Sabbath of 2018. Music will be provided by Nicole Donovan.

Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.

Song Service

Theresa Garza 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 Special Music

Joviah Ndahayo Juniors, Primary I & II

Lesson Christian Living Prayer

Joviah Ndahayo

******************************************************************** ******************************************************************** A Poem by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Norman Martin, pianist

With every power for good to stay and guide me, comforted and inspired beyond all fear, I’ll live these days with you in thought beside me, and pass, with you, into the coming year.

Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving even to the dregs of pain, at thy command, we will not falter, thankfully receiving all that is given by thy loving hand.

But, should it be thy will once more to release us to life’s enjoyment and its good sunshine, that we’ve learned from sorrow shall increase us and all our life be dedicate as thine.

To-day, let candles shed their radiant greeting: lo, on our darkness are they not thy light, leading us haply to our longed-for meeting?

Thou canst illumine e’en our darkest night.

When now the silence deepens for our harkening, grant we may hear thy children’s voices raise from all the unseen world around us darkening their universal paean, in thy praise.

While all the powers of Good aid and attend us, boldy we’ll face the future, be it what way.

At even, and at morn, God will befriend us, And oh, most surely on each new year’s day!

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: For healing and comfort: Milam family, Jean Ott & Patrick Alston It is with heavy hearts that we announce the following deaths: • Roger Milam on December 27. Roger is survived by his three sons: Darrell, Glen and Dale. The family plans to hold a memorial service in Spring of 2018 when family can all be together.

While all the powers of Good aid and attend us, boldly we’ll face the future, be it what may.

At even, and at morn, God will befriend us, and oh, most surely on each new year’s day The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening: the long days of our sorrow still endure.

Father, grant to the soul thou hast been chastening that Thou hast promised—the healing and the cure.

OUR LIFE TOGETHER

sabbath devotional

“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words.

That is your role, your gift.”

- Erin Morgenstern

• Henriette Jaffa on December 17. A celebration of life service will be held here at Sligo SDA Church tomorrow, December 31 at 11:00 a.m.

• Ellis Rich on December 2. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “E & E Rich Student Scholarship Fund” at Escondido Adventist Academy (1301 Deodar Road Escondido, CA 92026).

The Church Office will be closed in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday on Monday, January 1. If you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until the office reopens, please call our emergency number 301.980.1009 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.

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.