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) 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. MISCELLANEOUS Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:49 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 1 at 4:45 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.
Welcome to Sligo today. I trust that you have had a restful and relationship-building Thanksgiving with family and friends. With just 2 days shy of November 25, Saturday Thanksgiving, I have opted to stay with the theme of Young Adults GLOW, Memorial Chapel, 9:30 a.m. the season in our message today, titled, “The Joy of Thankfulness.” Thankfulness is such an integral part November 26, Sunday of character development and christian living that it ought to be included among the 7 heavenly virtues of Faith, Hope, Exercise Class, Office Chapel, 9:00 a.m. Charity, Prudence (wisdom), Temperance, Courage and Justice. The 55+ Club Christmas Brunch, Fellowship Hall A, 10:00 a.m. Apostle Paul says that we should be thankful at all times and in all November 27, Monday circumstances (Eph. 5:20) Some may think that he was stretching things a bit by saying this, but he wasn’t; he was merely outlining the Administrative Board Meeting, Fellowship Hall A, 7:00 p.m. basis on which the child of God can experience serenity in the face Recovery Ministry, Office Conference Room, 7:30 p.m. of unrelenting personal storms and joy amidst despair. He knew what November 29, Wednesday he was talking about, because he was chased out of town, beaten, imprisoned, betrayed by friends, experienced nakedness, cold, hunger, Prayer Gathering, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. shipwreck, and stoning because of his faith, but he never stopped Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 8:00 p.m. giving thanks. Thanksgiving then is more an attitude of mind than it is expressing words of thanks. - Don McFarlane
calendar of events
A Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving O My God, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow. When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness. I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, for sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly. I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity. *Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett
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SABBATH, December 2, Advent I 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.
profile of giving - November 18 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: Nov. 19 $ 9,298
This Year: Nov. 18
$
Nov. 19 YTD $ 468,192
Nov. 18 YTD
$480,848
BUDGET FOR NOVEMBER 18 YTD:
8,913
$502,994
• 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 N OV E M B E R 2 5 , 2 017 8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
directory 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
Church Building Improvement: Nov. 18 YTD $39,388 Balance from 2016 & YTD $76,444 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:
Nov. 19
$
Nov. 18
$
Nov. 19 YTD
$2,168,815
Nov. 18 YTD
$2,105,515
2017 Goal
$2,800,000
Remaining Goal $ 694,485
36,185
at worship THE CHURCH
Summary of our Beliefs
worship schedule ***************************************************************
welcome
39,357
Today’s designated offering goes to Potomac Partners. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
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 *Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
we gather in his name SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
Blair Peace, deacon on duty Francia Bissereth, deaconess on duty
Prelude selected +Song of Gathering For the Beauty of the Earth / No. 565 +Sligo Live Prayer Gathering
THE CHURCH AT STUDY
Gerry Lopez
Welcome & Church Life Cheryl Wilson-Bridges we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise Come, Thou Almighty King / No. 71 Prayer Ken Flemmer Anthem selected
w e r e f l e c t +Children’s Message
Scripture Ephesians 5: 15 - 20 (NKJV)
Mary McFarlane Rikka Batulan +Viahnca Lopez
+Music for Meditation selected Sermon The Joy of Thanksgiving Invitation to Give
Don McFarlane
Don McFarlane
Offertory selected
*Benediction
Don McFarlane
Postlude selected
SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Song Service
Footnotes: Rikka Batulan has been attending Sligo for nearly a year. She truly enjoys spending every Sabbath at Sligo and particularly loves all the music and featured singers. She is enamored with Pastor Tapp’s inspiring and passionate messages. Rikka is an event planner in Washington, DC and is a trained classical jazz and ballet dancer. She has studied and lived in Madrid, Spain and Montreal, Quebec, Canada where she finished her degree in Psychology and studied French and Spanish. When she is not working, she can be found at Metropolitan Fine Arts Dance Studio in Alexandria, VA.
Welcome & Prayer
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 Sheila Schlisner-Hendricks
Mission Feature Lesson Who Is the Man of Romans 7? Prayer
Mary McFarlane
Zelma Edwards, pianist
Ken Flemmer currently is the Executive Director of Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington. Ken and Brenda have been Sligo members for 16 years.
Jason West is originally from Bismarck ND and studied at Westminster Choir College – Rider University, Princeton, NJ and received a bachelor’s degree in organ and voice. Over the past 25 years Jason has held positions as organist/choral director for a variety of churches in California and the DC metro area. By day, Jason is a computer consultant and trainer for the Department of Labor. He also combines his love of music and technology as Sibelius music writing software trainer. 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 begin the month long celebration of the season of Advent under our theme for this year, “The Hope of Glory!” The message for the day will be brought to us by our Senior Pastor, Charles Tapp. Music will be provided by Columbia Collegiate Chorale of Washington Adventist University & New England Youth Ensemble Strings of Washington Adventist University. Come and experience glory and majesty of Advent.
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 Nominating Report (first reading): Elders: Amram Ewoo, Kenneth Flemmer, Terri Jo Hayes, Bogdan Scur, David Trim Nominating Report (second reading): Adventurers Assistant Director: Jessica Flores GLOW Sabbath School Team: Jessica Flores Membership Report (second reading): Joining Sligo: Heather Davis, Clifford DeGuzman, Mark Di Pinto, Rosemarie Flores, Carroll Rao, Ekaterina Tomenko Joining elsewhere: Francis Bolden, William Brode, Fiona Grandison, Elizabeth Hardy, Johnetta Hardy, Melvin Hardy, Victoria Hardy, Leonilde Landim, Delrose Lewis, Kimberly Malin, Gordon McWatters, Andrea Saunders
Viahnca Lopez is a 17 year old Sligo Youth member who is active in our Pathfinder club as a 4th year Teen Leadership Training (TLT) leader. She is also active as a Junior Sligo Youth Director (SYD) worker. Viahnca has been homeschooled since pre-school and plans to study psychology next year in college.
w e g o t o s e r v e *Hymn of Reflection The Lord Is My Light / No. 515
Adult Sabbath School
Leading our music today are: Jason West, organist Judith Pino, chorister Jim Williams, vocalist Atecia Edwards, flutist
Atecia Edwards is a graduate of Washington Adventist University, having studied music and business marketing. She takes great interests in spending time with loved ones and seeing people become set apart through the power of Christ.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
sabbath devotional
“Life is a tapestry. Tapestries are woven from the back side. The threads look tangled, the pattern not pretty. However, when viewed from the front side it looks like a masterpiece. God specializes in masterpieces!”
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. Youth Social: Plan to join us for a Paintball trip on Sunday, December 3 @ 9:00 a.m. Transportation will be provided. Sign up in the Youth Room today. 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,