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
ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued)
December 9, Saturday Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. December 11, Monday Recovery Ministry, Office Conference Room, 7:30 p.m.
Young Adults Social: Mark your calendar and prepare to join us on Saturday, December 16 @ 7:00 p.m. for dinner and fellowship in Silver Spring, MD. Transportation will be provided. Sligo Book Club will meet on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Discipleship Room to discuss “Secret Daughter” by Shilpi Gowda. Lost and found: An iPad has been found at Sligo Church. If you lost an iPad, please come to the church office to see if you can identify it with your passcode. 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.
MISCELLANEOUS Bulletin information deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: <kdriscoll@sligochurch.org> Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:46 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 15 at 4:46 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.
December 13, Wednesday Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. (or by phone: 949.229.4400 Pin:4997774#, 7:35 p.m.) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 8:00 p.m.
worship schedule
profile of giving - December 2 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.
Dec. 3 YTD
This Year:
$ 495,531
$ 17,042
Dec. 2 YTD
$511,404
$541,923
Dec. 2 YTD $41,415 Balance from 2016 & YTD $78,471 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference to help expand the Kingdom of God throughout our region and world. Last Year:
This Year:
Dec. 3
Dec. 2
$ 100,831
Dec. 3 YTD $2,273,880
Dec. 2 YTD
$2,263,462
2017 Goal
Remaining Goal $ 536,538
$2,800,000
Today’s designated offering goes to Adventist Community Services/WB. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
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• 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 9 , 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:
57,364
at worship THE CHURCH
directory
Dec. 2
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 2 YTD:
$
Welcome to Sligo. If you are a member of Sligo, you have probably heard me say on several occasions that the celebration of The Lord’s Supper is very special to me. From the time I was a student studying for the ministry at Oakwood College, now Oakwood University, it has always been a service that has touched the depths of my soul, and for many reasons. As a student at Oakwood I was able to sit at the feet of pastors who took very seriously the administration of every aspect of this service. They showed such awe and reverence that I never wanted to be absent when Communion was being served. Sadly, for too many Christians this is not the case. The most prominent reason for this, I believe, lies in a lack of understanding that this service is first and foremost an invitation from our Lord to commune with him. Simply put, Jesus has extended to us a RSVP. RSVP is a request for a response from the invited person. The term is derived from the French phrase Répondez s’il vous plaît meaning “Please respond.” Your presence here today means that you have responded in the affirmative and all of heaven is happy that you are here. - Charles A. Tapp
Summary of our Beliefs
SABBATH, December 16 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Charles A. Tapp Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Kerala Church, WAU Richards Hall, 10:00 a.m.
Last Year: Dec. 3 $ 14,406
welcome
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
We Prepare
w e g a t h e r i n h i s n a m e
+Children’s Lesson
Holy Communion
Let Us Break Bread Together / No. 403
+Song of Gathering
Come, Christians, Join to Sing / No. 10
+Sligo Live
Cheryl Wilson-Bridges A Sligo Story Welcome & Church Life Don McFarlane +Pranitha Fielder Gerry Lopez
*Hymn of Praise Hark! the Herald Angels Sing / No. 122 Prayer Kristina Penny +DeWhyte Nisbeth Anthem Soon and Very Soon / arr. Jack Schrader +Do you hear what I hear / arr. Calvin Custer *Advent Candle Lighting
Mowry family
Invitation to Give
Charles A. Tapp
Chayah Miranda
The Lord’s Supper *Litany Pranitha Fielder Leader: Merciful Father, be present with us, as you were present in the Upper Room, and have mercy upon us as we come to Your table. Congregation: Help us to examine our thoughts, our actions, our motives and our attitudes toward you and toward others, that we may represent your character. Leader: We stand in need of your grace, your strength and your mercy. Look upon us with compassion and forgive our sins. Congregation: As we eat the bread, which represents the body of your Son that was broken for us, open our eyes to recognize the intimacy that you yearn to share with us. Leader: As we drink the cup, which represents the blood of your Son that was shed for us, open our hearts to accept Him anew and the life-giving power that He provides through the Holy Spirit. All: May your love renew us for service and enable us to transcend our doubts, our circumstances, our inadequacies and our enemies, for the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sharing at the Table
We Reflect Berilo Bacud
+Priya Gardner
Charles A. Tapp
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
James Gulley
Special Music Little Friends, Kindergarten & Primary I How to Spell Christmas Lesson Study Children of the Promise Closing Prayer
Heather Griffin, pianist
We Go To Serve *Hymn of Response
2nd Advent Candle Lighting:
When We All Get to Heaven / No. 633 *Benediction
Charles A. Tapp
*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only Leading our music today are: Paul Byssainthe, Jr., organist Kay Rosburg, chorister Sligo Men’s Chorale, Paul Byssainthe, Jr., director Washington Concert Winds, Jose Luis Oviedo, director An Emergency Aid Offering will be received by the deacons as you leave. Michael Dulcich & Helen Espenida, deacon & deaconess on duty n e x t w e e k , h e r e a t S l i g o . . . Join the Sligo family as we continue the celebration of the season of Advent with excerpts from Handel’s Messiah performed by the Sligo Sanctuary Choir, Sligo Strings and other special musical guests. And our senior pastor Charles Tapp has an inspirational thought for the season.
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: Jean Ott, Patrick Alston & Ed Davis Today’s Sanctuary flowers are in celebration of Mauricia and Paul Weir’s 6th wedding anniversary!
Charles A. Tapp
Postlude Toccata on “Mendelssohn” / arr. Stephen H. Sturz
Offertory Jesus Paid it All / arr. Howard Helvey +Silent Night / arr. Jay Dawson
Responsive Scripture Reading Revelation 3:14-20 (NKJV) +Music for Meditation Jesus Paid it All / arr. Howard Helvey Homily The Hope of Glory: By Invitation Only
Dana Audain
Special Music
Prelude My Heart is Filled with Longing / J. S. Bach +Christmas! / arr. Paul Jennings
Olivia Rae Simuzoshya
SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
+Hymn of Reunion
We Gather
+Baby Dedication
Adult Sabbath School
+Ordinance of Humility
SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
THE CHURCH AT STUDY
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. Prepare the way of the Lord!
Eat Chocolate. Pathfinder Candy is back for the holidays - it tastes great and makes a wonderful gift. Stop in the Atrium today to place your order to help out the kids. Orders must be placed by December 16 and will be available for pick up on December 23. For more information email <pathfinder@sligochurch.org> 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. 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. 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>