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)
January 5, Sunday Pathfinder Meeting, Office Chapel, 9:00 a.m. 55+Club Brunch & Potluck, Fellowship Hall A, 10:00 a.m.
Adult Sabbath School quarterlies for January to March, “Discipleship”, are now available at the reception desks. A small supply of quarterlies will also be available at the Church Office. Large print quarterlies are a special order item. If you signed up for one last quarter, there will be a copy waiting for you at the desk on the organ side. Please remember the extra expense for this material in your giving. Remember, complete SS lessons with commentary are always available online for your convenience: <http://www. ssnet.org> Media Ministries Opportunity: Many exciting projects and opportunities lie ahead in 2014 for our Media and AV Ministry teams. These new projects and upgrade also bring more opportunities for you to join our team! If you would like to be part of the 2014 AV Team please join us for a brief meeting, orientation, and lunch on January 12 at 11:00 a.m. in the Media Room (Balcony baptistry side). For more information, please send us an email at media@sligochurch.org ACTION IN MONTGOMERY VOLUNTEERS: Interested in working on community initiatives that enhance the lives of the less fortunate? Action in Montgomery (AIM) is an interfaith alliance of 30 congregations and neighborhood organizations in Montgomery County that develop leaders to organize change for social justice in the County. If you would like to become part of the Sligo AIM Team, please fill out an information card to indicate that and place it in the offering basket. Alternatively you can contact Pastor McFarlane this week at dmcfarlane@ sligochurch.org. We will be kicking off development of our 2014 Sligo AIM Strategy this month. Training will be provided for all volunteers. CHILDREN & YOUTH
Have you ever wondered what is so special about coming to the end of a year and preparing to enter into a new one that gives January 6, Monday birth to such optimism and hope, even in Regeneration Ministries, Office Conf. Room, 7:00 p.m. the hearts of the biggest of cynics? Think First Monday, Fellowship Hall A, 7:00 p.m. about it for a moment. Isn’t it just another January 7, Tuesday day like all the rest? Aren’t we still going to be faced with new Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. challenges along with those that we carried over from the previous year? Although that may be true, as Christians we January 8, Wednesday have the hope that in spite of these obstacles, old as well as Sligo Ringers will be on break until January 15, 2014 new, we serve a God who will be there not only encourage, Sligo Book Club, Discipleship Room, 7:00 p.m. but to empower us to meet these new challenges head on. As Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 7:30 p.m. we embark upon this New Year 2014, although there will be January 10, Friday some difficult days ahead, God is faithful and as we continue to place our trust in him, he will continue to provide our Takoma Academy Program, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. hearts with “Hope for Trying Times!”
Summary of our Beliefs
worship schedule SABBATH, JANUARY 11 Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:15 a.m., Speaker: Charles A. Tapp Sligo Underground, Sanctuary, 11:15 a.m., (Youth & Young Adult Service) Crossroads, WAU Activity Center, 11:15 a.m., (WAU Collegiate Service) Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:15 a.m.
profile of giving DECEMBER 31, 2013
Midnight Madness, a basketball charity event will be hosted by Sligo Adventist School on Saturday, January 11, from 7 - 10:30 p.m. in their gym. For more information, please refer to the poster on the notice board or visit their website at www.sligoadventistschool.org A mandatory “Mission Trip” meeting will be held on Saturday, January 18 in the Youth Room at 1:00 p.m. for those attending the July 20-27, 2014 trip to the Dominican Republic. All high school students who have registered must be present along with your parents. Lunch will be provided. Email pfielder@sligochurch.org if you have not yet registered. Bulletin Information Deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: bulletin@sligochurch.org
sunset Tonight: Jan. 11:
5:00 5:06
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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)
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. Online $ 32,500.00 Dec. 29 $ 21,359.65 Dec. 31 YTD $ 583,307.94
at worship THE CHURCH
welcome
This Year: Dec. Online $ 29,502.93 Dec. 28 $ 30,143.75 Dec. 31 YTD $ 594,228.35
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
BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 31 YTD: $ 667,410.00
Media Projects: Dec. 31 $30,321.87 Total Raised $55,938.18 Goal $45,000.00 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference. November 2013 contributions are $ 242,010.49 November 2012 contributions are $ 193,549.89
PASTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL CARE Debbie Eisele, ext. 127 eiseled@sligochurch.org
worship.nurture.outreach
J A N U A R Y 4 , 2 013
directory
PASTOR FOR ADMINISTRATIVE & ADULT MINISTRIES Don McFarlane, ext. 116 dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org
Today’s designated offering goes to Local Church Budget. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
8:45 & 11:15 A.M.
PASTOR FOR MEDIA AND OUTREACH Paolo Esposito, ext. 136
pesposito@sligochurch.org
PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS Pranitha Fielder, ext. 119 pfielder@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES Gerardo Lopez, ext. 122 glopez@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR WORSHIP Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123
cbridges@sligochurch.org
HEAD ELDER Erwin Mack 301.434.1622
7700 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 I 301.270.6777
Sligo
a seventh-day adventist church The Washington Adventist University Church
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 STUDY
THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP we gather in his name
*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:15 service only
SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Song Service
Prelude
Sylvan Coke & Carol Hooker, deacon & deaconess on duty
Prayer
Blanca Davis +Palan Mulonda
Anthem God’s Been Good /Shutte
we reflect +Children’s Message Scripture Mathew 23:19-26 (NIV)
Gerry Lopez Dennis Medvee +Evelyn Wasli
+Music for Meditation My Help / Farris Sermon Charles A. Tapp Hope for Trying Times, part 1: “First Things First.” Invitation to Give
Charles A. Tapp
Offertory Trust Me / Lewis
w e g o t o s e r v e *Hymn of Reflection I Surrender All / No. 309 *Benediction
Charles A. Tapp
Postlude He Is King of Kings / arr. R. Sampson
Theme Song Hark! ‘Tis the Shepherd’s Voice I Hear / No. 361 Scripture & Prayer
James Gulley
Welcome
James Gulley
Special Music
Footnotes: His Excellency, Palan Mulonda, and his family moved to Washington DC in January 2013 from Lusaka, Zambia to take up his role as Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States and Central America. He is married to Mutinta Mulonda and they have three daughters. Palan Mulonda has been a member of the Lusaka Central SDA Church since 1988. The family enjoy their daily devotions and good music, and have been attending Sligo since arriving in the country. Blanca Davis, known affectionately as Rosie, has been at Sligo since 1962, after arriving from South America as a nurse. She served as a member of staff at both Washington Adventist Hospital and Washington Adventist University. She retired from the Doctors Community Hospital recently but was invited back to work on a part time basis. Among her duties at this hospital she serves as an official interpreter of Spanish to English and vice versa. Rosie is married to Charlie. Dennis Medvee is a child of Sligo, having been here all his life. He retired from a career in National Public Radio in November, 2013, following 42 years’ service. Dennis is married to Constance. They have a daughter and 2 grandchildren. Dennis is pleased that at last he is able to enjoy his grandchildren without the intervention of work. Dr. Evelyn Wasli (Dolly) has been a member of Sligo since the early sixties. She has been a strong supporter of Christian education and her children all went to Sligo School. Her career has been in psychiatric care. In addition to working at Washington Adventist Hospital, she also served as a supervisor at the St. Elizabeth Hospital for several years. Dolly is retired and helps out each week as one of Sligo Church’s volunteer receptionists.
Mission Feature Lesson Study Class Leaders Disciples and Scripture Benediction & Offering
welcome 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. ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Hymn of Praise My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less / No. 522
Leading our music today are: Patrick Alston, organist Jon Gilbertson, chorister Denise Barclay, soprano
+Song of Gathering How Great Thou Art / No. 86 Welcome and Church Life Don McFarlane we honor and praise him
Morning Has Broken / arr. F. Bock
Class Leaders
Zelma Edwards, pianist
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 a friend, then invite them to come to church in person at 11:15 a.m. We hold in prayer those who: Have lost loved ones: Dawson, Gilbertson, Lamarre, Molina, Fielder & Castro families Request healing: Carol Dawson, Karnnel Charles, Tammie Conway, William Miongo, Mary Peters & Carol Hammond Sanctuary flowers are presented by the Walters family in celebration of Mary McFarlane’s birthday. Takoma Academy Fine Arts (Drama Troupe, Band, String Ensemble, Chorale and Camerata) present “From the Manger to the Throne” - a musical and dramatic celebration of the life of Christ” on Friday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sligo Church Sanctuary. For more information, please contact Lulu Mupfumbu at 301.434.4700
sabbath devotional
“The hope set before us— what is it?—The hope of eternal life. Nothing short of this will satisfy the Redeemer, and it is our part to lay hold of this hope by living faith in Him.” - E. G. White
First Time Visitor’s Comment: “Until today, I had never visited a Seventh-day Adventist church, but I decided at the spur of the moment to visit Sligo Church in Takoma Park, which used to be the headquarters for the SDA Church in the US. They had a lengthy Christmas service that was beautifully orchestrated and performed, and I must say that the congregational singing and warmth and genuine friendliness of the congregation left an indelible impression on me. I had cut my right thumb right before the 11AM service and asked an usher in the foyer if she had a band-aid, and she literally ran to get one for me, and put the band-aid on my thumb herself! Certainly the sign of a servant.......I think Jesus would’ve been pleased. All in all, a wonderfully enriching spiritual experience!” First Monday on January 6 - get equipped to share hope: with a Spiritual Gifts seminar in Fellowship Hall A at 7:00 p.m. Bring soup & salad to share. Sligo Book Club will meet on January 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Discipleship Room to discuss “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou.