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 November 30, Sunday 55+ Club Brunch Potluck, Fellowship Hall A, 10:00 a.m. December 1, Monday Regeneration Ministries, Office Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. First Monday, Fellowship Hall A, 7:00 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) House of Divine Guidance, in partnership with Sligo Homeless Ministries, invite you to attend a fundraising benefit concert and dinner on Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. The event will feature gospel recording artist and motivational speaker, Doreen Vail. It will also launch the second annual Winter Haven Hypothermia Overnight Shelter at Sligo. Save a life with the gift of housing. Contact Donna Robinson at 301325-5596 or visit the website at www.houseofdivineguidance. org for ticket information. 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. Prayer Gathering has moved to WEDNESDAYS. Join us to pray and study “prayers in the Bible” each Wednesday evening, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Plan to make Prayer Gathering a part of your weekly Wednesday routine. Where there’s more prayer, there’s more power! Sligo Women’s Ministries Book Club will meet on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Discipleship Room to discuss “God is Back” by John Micklethwait/Adrian Wooldridge. Sunset: Sabbath celebration ends today at 4:47 p.m. and commences on Friday, December 5 at 4:46 p.m. Bulletin Information Deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: kdriscoll@sligochurch.org
CHILDREN & YOUTH Attention Youth! You are welcome to bring a friend and join us for a “Lock-in” tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
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December 3, 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, 7:30 p.m. December 6, Sabbath Elders Meeting, Senior Pastor’s Office, 8:30 a.m.
worship schedule SABBATH, DECEMBER 6, HOLY COMMUNION 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. Crossroads, WAU Student Activity Center, 11:00 a.m.
profile of giving NOVEMBER 22, 2014
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. 23 $ 15,063.06 Nov. 23 YTD $493,793.49
This Year: Nov. 22 $ 12,245.61 Nov. 22 YTD $496,426.89
BUDGET FOR NOVEMBER 22 YTD: $492,285.00
Budget Booster: Nov. 22 $ 443.00 Goal $ 35,000.00
Total Raised $26,914.70 Needed $ 8,085.30
Church Building Improvement: Nov. 22 $ 848.00 Total Raised $105,487.15 Goal $150,000.00 Needed $ 44,512.85 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference. October 2014 contributions are $ 190,753.60 October 2013 contributions are $ 224,254.75 YTD Contributions are $33,501.00 less than last year. Today’s designated offering goes to North American Division Evangelism. Loose offering goes to Church Budget.
worship.nurture.outreach
welcome Welcome to Sligo Church. It is hard to believe that the holiday feasts of Thanksgiving Day are now over, and we have entered into the Advent Season. Our theme for Advent is “The Gift.” I will begin our four week sermon series with a message titled, “The Unwanted Gift: Characters Welcome.” For most of us, the Advent Season brings blessings, good tidings, holiday cheer and pure joy. As Christians we welcome the characters of Christmas such as: Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa Claus. Yet it is the coming of Jesus Christ that must truly captivate our hearts and minds. While we selfishly focus all our attention on these characters, “The Coming of Jesus Christ,” the real reason for the season can be obscured. My sermon today will expand on USA Network’s familiar slogan “Characters Welcome” and reveal how the characters in Scripture were in the presence of Jesus Christ, yet missed the purpose and glorious gift of His coming. As we celebrate our season of gift giving, we rarely keep the unwanted gifts. Today, we will learn that although Jesus Christ came as a gift to all mankind, it was His willingness to accept the unwanted gift that saves our souls. - Cheryl Wilson-Bridges
at worship THE CHURCH
Summary of our Beliefs
• 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)
8:45 & 11:00 A.M.
N O V E M B E R 2 9 , 2 014
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 ADMINISTRATIVE & ADULT MINISTRIES Don McFarlane, ext. 116 dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org PASTOR FOR DISCIPLESHIP & CONGREGATIONAL CARE TBD 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 MEDIA AND OUTREACH PASTOR FOR WORSHIP Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123 ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES Ken Flemmer 301.585.6556
Sligo
a seventh-day adventist church The Washington Adventist University Church
TBD
cbridges@sligochurch.org HEAD ELDER Erwin Mack 301.434.1622
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 STUDY
THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP we gather in his name
we go to serve *Hymn of Reflection Lift Him Up/ No. 371 *Benediction Cheryl Wilson-Bridges
SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.
Sligo Live Prelude +Still, Still, Still / arr. Robert Lau
Postlude Joyful, Joyful / arr. Diane Bish
+Song of Gathering O Come, All Ye Faithful / No. 132
*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:00 service only
Welcome and Church Life
Gerry Lopez
Allan Manuel, deacon on duty Rose Bara, deaconess on duty
we honor and praise him *Hymn of Praise More About Jesus/ No. 245, (stanzas 1, 2 & 4) Prayer
Darrell Milam Anthem Let There be Peace on Earth / arr. Courtney +O Come and Worship the King / Dennis and Nan Allen
*Advent Candle Lighting we reflect
Dulcich Family
+Baby Dedication Don McFarlane Juliana Jessica Larmie +Children’s Message
Gerry Lopez
Scripture Michael Dulcich John 12: 27-32 (NKJV) +Music for Meditation Let There Be Peace On Earth / arr. Courtney Sermon Cheryl Wilson-Bridges The Unwanted Gift: Characters Welcome Invitation to Give Cheryl Wilson-Bridges Offertory O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing / arr. Schwoebel
Leading our music today are: Wendell Phipps, organist Kay Rosburg, chorister Sligo Sanctuary Choir Jon Gilbertson, director Lori Bryan & Elaine La Bastide, soloists for anthem Sligo Children’s Choir Joya Follette, director
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
Adult Sabbath School SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.
Song Service
Judith Pino
Theme Song My Hope is Built on Nothing Less / No. 522 Scripture & Prayer Welcome
Yuri Tomenko
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.
Yuri Tomenko
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Music “Come Unto Him” - The Messiah - Handel Mission Feature Lesson Study One Lawgiver and Judge
Prayer
Judith Pino
Class Leaders
Benediction
Class Leaders
Yuri Tomenko
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 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 We hold in prayer those who: Have lost loved ones: Ofelia Beltran & Chris Picco Request healing: David Trim & Wayne Dockter Congregational Care: Please notify Pastor Don McFarlane in the Church Office at 301-270-6777 if you know someone who is in a hospital, nursing home facility, or house bound and in need of visitation.
litany for advent candlelighting
Today’s Sanctuary flowers are from Erwin Mack: Congratulations to Erwin and Sylvia Mack who celebrate SIXTY years of marriage this week! A casual meeting in 1949 subsequently blossomed into love and eventually marriage on November 28, 1954. Erwin and Sylvia have been blessed with four children, William, Denise, Larry and Keith, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Asked what has been the secret of their long-lasting marriage, Erwin said, “love and compromise.” We admire what they have achieved and wish them many more anniversaries and eternal life together when God makes all things new.
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ, coming again to reign in glory.
The Columbia Union, Potomac Conference and Sligo Church recognize Pastor Fielder’s call to ministry and giftedness for spiritual leadership. Please join her colleagues, friends and family for her ordination service on December 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sligo Sanctuary, followed by light refreshments.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!
1st CANDLE - THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him...”
Footnotes: Michael Dulcich is married to Melanie. They have two sons, Joshua and Matthew, who attend Takoma Academy. He has been attending Sligo Church for the past 20 years, where he serves as a deacon and enjoys helping out with the Sligo Pathfinder Club. He works at a local architecture firm that focuses on rehabilitation of low income family housing. Darrell Milam is a lifelong Sligo member. He was baptized and married here at Sligo Church. He graduated from CUC (now WAU), with a business degree. Darrell is our Pathfinder Club Director. He loves working with kids to help them build a relationship with God. He owns a General Contracting business. In his spare time he likes to cook and do woodworking projects. next week, here at Sligo... Plan to join the Sligo family next Sabbath as we pause to celebrate the most sacred service in Christianity, the Holy Communion. Senior pastor Charles Tapp will share the message “The Broken Gift” and harpist Judy Vanderman along with the Washington Adventist University Band will provide our musical praise. And as is our custom, we shall conclude our celebration with the joining of our hands and hearts as we sing “When We All Get to Heaven.”
welcome
Prepare the way of the Lord!