Princeton UMC Worship - December 11, 2022

WELCOME TO

Princeton United Methodist Church We are a diverse faith community, engaged in enlivening spiritually thirsty people to joyfully respond to God’s love and grow as disciples of Christ, so that together we may experience the fullness of life.

SCAN TO GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128

SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192

DECEMBER 11, 2022 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Grace UPON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT TODAY | 5:00 PM Join us for an evening to remember - the PUMC children's Christmas Pageant! This year EVERYONE is invited to attend, either in person or online to see God's great story acted out by our children. If you're able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy, to contribute towards the toy drive benefitting the children served by The Maker's Place in Trenton.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT DECEMBER 18 | 5:00 PM The annual Christmas concert is next Sunday, 12/18, featuring the Chancel, youth, and handbell choirs. Come and join us as we anticipate the birth of baby Jesus.

THE LONGEST NIGHT DECEMBER 20 | 7:00 PM This special evening worship service takes place on the longest night of the year, a symbolic time to gather as a faith community to lament, cry, grieve, and process the many heavy feelings that can weigh on us during the holiday season.

CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24 | 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM There are three options for Christmas Eve worship services. At PUMC, we'll offer a 4:00 PM Family Service and an 8:00 PM Candlelight Service.

At KUMC, we'll be meeting at 5:00 PM for a Family Candlelight Service.

FOLLOW US ON

SOCIAL MEDIA

CHURCH CALENDAR www.princetonumc.org/calendar

www.facebook.com/princetonumc www.instagram.com/princetonumc

DESERT BLOOMS

BY LAUREN WRIGHT PITTMAN © A SANCTIFIED ART

THE CHURCH GATHERS Pre-Service Music

Weihnachtsglocken

Arnold Krug

Introit

Ukrainian Bell Carol

Mykola Leontovych

Call to Worship Adapted from Thom Shuman Be patient! God is coming to us!

The one who teaches joyous songs to all of creation comes to bring us fully to life.

Be strong! God is coming to be with us!

The one who paves a path to Bethlehem will walk with us every step of the way.

Do not fear! Here is your God! We worship the one who comes to save us.

Hymn

People Look East (v. 1-3)

UMH #202

Lighting the Advent Wreath Adapted from Sarah Are | sanctifiedart.org Sung Response

People Look East (v. 4)

UMH #202

Adapted from Thom Shuman Prayer of Confession It would be easy to grumble that the world has kidnapped this holy season, emptying us of hope and joy. But we must admit how often we fail to tell the true story of our lives. Let us confess our reluctance to be storytellers, as well as to live out the story, as we pray to God, saying, God of Hope and Peace, you came to save us, to bring us to life, but that is so hard to remember in this hectic season. We get so caught up in the stories of violence, we cannot hear your voice reminding us not to be afraid. Our worry and despair mute the joy available to us.

As you poured out your mercy on all who have gone before us, Gardener of deserts, shower us with grace and forgiveness. Then our eyes will be opened to all your wonders, our ears will echo with the anthems of the angels, and our emptiness will be filled with the life gifted to us through Jesus Christ. silence for prayer SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY

Acolytes - Andrew & Raphael Aryeetey Liturgists -LaVerna Albury, Susan Victor, Anna Griffiths, Alex Hoshino, Ida Cahill, Andrew Aryeetey Reader - Andrew Aryeetey Musicians - Julia Hanna, Children's Choir, Youth Choir, Chancel Choir Ushers - Vasanth Victor, Ida Cahill, Bright Rajaratnam, Bhanu Prakash, Ed Febinger, Tom Sandford

TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN To The Glory of God

Words of Assurance This is the good news: God comes to us to bring the healing of hope, to put the joy of justice into our hearts.

We don't need to wait any longer!

We will go and tell everyone what we have seen and heard!

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.

TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT

Music Ministry

Children's Time

Prepare a Way for the Lord Love Came Down at Christmas Silent Night Where Children Belong

Michael Bedford Christina Rosetti Franz Gruber TFWS #2233

Scripture Reading Isaiah 35:1-10 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon Joyful Abundance Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

TO RESPOND IN FAITH

Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel UMH #211 Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kin-dom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kin-dom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offertory Every Valley John Ness Beck Hymn Doxology UMH #95 Prayer of Thanksgiving

AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD

Hymn Benediction Postlude

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Suivons les Rois

UMH #213

J. de Montber

PRAYER CONCERNS

Donald Jones, Ian Griffiths, Larry Curtis, and their families.

The Offer, Algor, and Collins family on the passing of their loved ones.

The suffering in Ukraine, the persistence of antisemitism, gun laws, and all who suffer from natural disasters.

HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?

For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net.

Email Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

Christmas Wreaths

Christmas Wreaths

Christmas Wreaths

We will be decorating the church, inside and out, for the Advent & Christmas season.

Orders and payment must be received by the date noted next to the item.

We will be decorating the church, inside and out, for the Advent & Christmas season.

Orders and payment must be received by the date noted next to the item.

We will be decorating the church, inside and out, for the Advent & Christmas season.

Orders and payment must be received by the date noted next to the item.

Outdoor Wreaths (8 needed) $45 each Med. Altar Wreaths (2 needed) $100 each

Outdoor Wreaths (8 needed) $45 each Med. Altar Wreaths (2 needed) $100 each

Outdoor Wreaths (8 needed) $45 each Med. Altar Wreaths (2 needed) $100 each

Christmas Poinsettias $20

Christmas Poinsettias $20

Christmas Poinsettias $20

On Christmas Eve, our sanctuary will be adorned with beautiful poinsettias given to the church in honor or in memory of friends and loved ones.

On Christmas Eve, our sanctuary will be adorned with beautiful poinsettias given to the church in honor or in memory of friends and loved ones.

On Christmas Eve, our sanctuary will be adorned with beautiful poinsettias given to the church in honor or in memory of friends and loved ones.

Poinsettias may be picked up following the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.

Poinsettias may be picked up following the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.

Poinsettias may be picked up following the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.

Please complete the form below and mail it with your check (made payable to PUMC) to 7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ 08542

Please complete the form below and mail it with your check (made payable to PUMC) to 7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ 08542

Please complete the form below and mail it with your check (made payable to PUMC) to 7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ 08542

Order by December 18th

Complete this form and mail it with your check or scan the QR code below to order online.

Name: ________________________ Phone or email: _________________ Memorial/Honor statement for the bulletin: _______________________ Given By: ______________________ ___ # Christmas Poinsettias ($20) ___ # of Outdoor Wreaths ($45) ___ # of Med. Altar Wreaths ($100)

Order by December 18th

Order by December 18th

Complete this form and mail it with your check or scan the QR code below to order online.

Complete this form and mail it with your check or scan the QR code below to order online.

Name: ________________________ Phone or email: _________________ Memorial/Honor statement for the bulletin: _______________________ Given By: ______________________ ___ # Christmas Poinsettias ($20) ___ # of Outdoor Wreaths ($45) ___ # of Med. Altar Wreaths ($100)

Name: ________________________ Phone or email: _________________ Memorial/Honor statement for the bulletin: _______________________ Given By: ______________________ ___ # Christmas Poinsettias ($20) ___ # of Outdoor Wreaths ($45) ___ # of Med. Altar Wreaths ($100)