Princeton UMC Worship 12.12.2021

Third Sunday of Advent December 12, 2021

Image from pikist.com

The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music

“Toccata” from “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Words of Welcome The Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Call to Worship The days are surely coming when God's promises shall be fulfilled.

When our love for one another and for all God's children will increase.

The days are surely coming when God's promises shall come true.

When God will strengthen our hearts in humility and holiness.

The days are surely coming when God's promises are realized in us.

When we will walk the paths of faithfulness and steadfast love. {by Thom Shuman}

Hymn

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

UMH #196

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Response O Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Prayer of Confession In this season of hope, love, and joy, how often do people experience these gifts living in us? Let us give our failures and foolish behaviors into the hands of God the potter, who can remake us into the ones God created us to be.

Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light; we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts. Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom.

Words of Assurance This is the good news, dear ones: God does wonders for us - forgiving us, refreshing us with love, shaping and molding us in God's image.

We praise the One who calls us beloved, who shapes us with love, for love.

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 Special Music Children’s Time

Scripture Sermon

“Silent Night”

Gruber

This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song.

This is where children belong.

“Luke 3:1-6; Isaiah 64:1-9” This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. “The Potter Who is Coming to Make us Potters”

TFWS #2233

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

To Respond in Faith Hymn

“Abba, Abba, Father”

Beck

Refrain: Abba, Abba, Father. You are the potter; we are the clay, the work of your hands. Abba!

1. Mold us, mold us and fashion us into the image of Jesus, your Son, of Jesus, your Son. {Refrain} 2. Father, may we be one in you. May we be one in you as he is in you, and you are in him. {Refrain} 3. Glory, glory and praise to you. Glory and praise to you forever, amen, forever, amen. {Refrain} Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy 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 thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the top QR code.

Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the lower QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal.

Offertory

“Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele”

Walther

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts!

Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Thanksgiving

And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn

“All Earth is Waiting (Toda la Tierra)”

UMH #210

1. All earth is waiting to see the Promised One, and the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.

All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty; it cries out for justice and searches for truth.

1. Toda la tierra espera al Salvador y el surco abierto, la obra del Senor; es el mundo que lucha por la libertad, reclama justicia y busca la verdad.

3. Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain; open new highways, new highways for the Lord.

He is now coming closer, so come all and see, and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.

3. Montes y valles habra que preparar; nuevos caminos tenemos que trazar.

El esta ya muy cerca, venidlo a encontrar, y todas las puertas abrid de par en par.

Benediction Postlude

“Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”

Bach

Have Prayer Concerns?

Today’s flowers are given in memory of

George Fox

by Barbara Fox

For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337.

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

Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Designated Singers: Advent Wreath:

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz William Wong Leslie Levey, Doug Fullman Jenni Collins, Lori Pantaleo Griffiths Family, Victor Family, Wong Familiy

Musicians: Potter: Sound & Video: Ushers:

Rich Spotts, Children’s Choir Hyosang Park Ian Macdonald, Bill Gardner Ida Cahill, Bright Rajaratnam

For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/ Sunday, December 12 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministry in the Education Wing 11:30 am Outreach Ministry Team 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 12:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 3:00 pm Christmas Pageant in the Sanctuary Monday, December 13 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Children & Youth Formation Ministry Team 7:00 pm NJGMC Weekly Rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Membership & Growth Ministry Team Tuesday, December 14 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 4:30 pm PhilaFLAM French Class in Rooms 202 & 203 7:00 pm Trustees Ministry Team 8:00 pm Worship Ministry Team 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, December 15 9:00 am Love Lives On 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 6:00 pm Communications Ministry Team Thursday, December 16 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 5:45 pm Girl Scouts in Room 104 7:00 pm Toastmasters in the Fellowship Hall 8:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in the Rms 204/205 Saturday, December 18 3:30 pm Cristina Altamura Christmas Recital in the Fellowship Hall Sunday, December 19 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministry in the Education Wing 11:30 am Love Lives On in Room 203 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group 5:00 pm PUMC Christmas Concert in the Sanctuary

Drop off your diaper donations in the Sanford Davis Room this month to support families in need.

Prayer Concerns Sara and Zion Hicks The Birkel Family Emma’s Grandmother Pastor Jae Hong & Family

Michele’s sister, Jacqueline Terry Dries, Andrea, Diane Joseph Guidry Nicole Meo’Martino

Jonathan Seltzer Alex DiStase Iona Harding & Family Dan and Lavonne

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Sign Up To Help Today!

Want some guaranteed Christmas Joy? Ring bells with us in Downtown Princeton! This will be the 11th year Princeton UMC has supported the Salvation Army by ‘ringing the bell’ at three locations in Princeton. This year we expect to exceed $100,000 in total collections since our beginning. All of these dollars stay in Mercer County, supporting many needed causes. If you have never experienced this wonderful event, please consider “giving a little and receiving so much.” If you have any questions, contact Dana Dreibelbis at danadreibelbis@gmail.com. You can sign up to volunteer right now by clicking here.

Children's Christmas Pageant Today | 3:00 pm The children of PUMC will perform a live Christmas pageant this year in the Sanctuary on December 12th at 3:00 pm. Due to capacity limits, families of performers and their invited guests are welcome to attend the pageant in person. All others are encouraged to attend online via live stream. Following the pageant, inperson guests will be treated to refreshments outside and caroling led by Tom Shelton.

Christmas Concert December 19 | 5:00 pm We are delighted to welcome members of our Beloved PUMC Community back into the Sanctuary for our annual Christmas Concert on December 19th at 5:00 pm. Please note that masks are required. Livestream will be available for those wishing to attend online. If wishing to attend in person, please fill out one online form per household/family. Upon form submission, we will send you tickets. Questions? Call the office at 609-924-2613.

Christmas Poinsettia and Wreath Orders This Week We are decorating the church, inside and out, for the holiday season. Orders and payment must be received

by December 12. Orders can be placed online. Email Tyler or order by phone at 609-924-2613.

Christmas Card Alternative This Month We present you with an alternative to giving Christmas cards this year. Make a gift to United Front Against Riverblindness (UFAR), an organization that manages the distribution of preventive medicines to millions with the proven achievable goal of the eventual control and elimination of several targeted neglected tropical diseases. Click here to make your gift to UFAR today, designating "Christmas Card Alternative" in the comments or write a check to Princeton UMC and designate “Christmas Card Alternative.”

Christmas Appreciation for PUMC Staff PUMC is blessed with committed and creative people who serve God and our community throughout the year. The pastoral, executive and maintenance ministries maintained by our 13 paid staff and four interns touch us, teach us, and lead us in growing the Beloved Community. Please consider extending your gratitude and best wishes through contributing to a monetary gift for each of PUMC’s staff. Give online at princetonumc.org/giving, selecting “Other” and adding a note to dedicate your gift to the Staff Gift Fund.

Contact LaVerna Albury at lalbury8@gmail.com with any questions and thank you for sharing the joy of this season.

Christmas Eve Worship Services December 24 | 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm This year we offer three options for Christmas Eve worship services. At the Princeton Campus, there will be a 4:00 pm Family Service and 7:00 pm Candlelight Service. Both of these services will be open for participation in person and live streamed at princetonumc.org. At the Kingston Campus, there will be an 8:00 pm worship service, which will be open for participation in person and online via Zoom. If you wish to attend a Christmas Eve service in person, please complete a sign-up form for your preferred service.

Princeton UMC 4:00 pm

Princeton UMC 7:00 pm

Kingston UMC 8:00 pm