12.26.2021 Princeton UMC Worship Bulletin

First Sunday After Christmas December 26, 2021

Nativity Art from Indonesia

The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music

“Gavotte”

Albéniz

Words of Welcome The Peace The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Call to Worship Rejoice! We have received good news for all people. A child has been born for all of us. Alleluia!

The angels sing on earth to celebrate Jesus's birth. Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people on earth!

Let us praise God for the light and peace that has been brought to us through Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ, light of the world, we worship you! Let us worship God. Hymn

“Angels from the Realms of Glory”

UMH #220

Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight over all the earth; ye who sang creation's story now proclaim Messiah's birth: Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new born King.

Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching over your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: {Refrain} Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star: {Refrain} Prayer of Confession Often when we ask God to restore us, we hope that God will bring us back to the way things were. But when we do this, we don't ask God for nearly as much as God longs to give to us. God is not content to return us to the way things were, or to restore the status quo. Instead, God seeks to bring reconciliation and abundant life. With confidence in God's generosity and redemptive justice, let us confess our sins and seek the new life offered to us in Jesus's life.

Generous God, we confess that too often we are comfortable with the way things are in our lives, in the church, and in the world. We close our hearts to the new life you offer through Jesus's life and the way of love. Your way of love overturns our notions of power and hierarchy. Too often, we are sure of our own righteousness and are quick to judge others. We want to believe we are in control of our lives and we hold on to our gifts with a strong grip. Forgive us God, for seeking to advance our own interests at the expense of others, especially the marginalized and the poor. Help us to bend our lives toward your own life of light, love, and generosity. Fill our world with the abundant love of Christ until we are all made new in your image. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen. {silence for prayer} Words of Assurance Hear the good news: Through Jesus, God causes life to spring up in barren landscapes. In troubled waters, God creates paths of safety. God transforms our brokenness, restoring us to joy and laughter and ushering in reconciliation and redemption. In the name of 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

“Carol of the Bells”

arr. Arman

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.

“Psalm 126, Luke 2:8-14” This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. “Sources of Hope”

TFWS #2233

Pastor Rebekah Anderson

To Respond in Faith Hymn

“Nino Lindo”

UMH #222

Refrain: Child so lovely, here I kneel before you, child so lovely, you are Christ my God. Child so lovely, here I kneel before you, child so lovely, you are Christ the Lord.

You have heaven's beauty, and God's purity, stealing my devotion, stealing my affection, stealing all my soul.

Refrain: Nino lindo, ante ti me rindo, nino lindo, eres tu mi Dios.

Nino lindo, ante ti me rindo; nino lindo, eres tu mi Dios.

La vida, bien mio, y el alma tambien te o frezco, gusto so, te o frezco, gusto so, rendido a tus pies.

Refrain: Child so lovely, here I kneel before you, child so lovely, you are Christ my God. Child so lovely, here I kneel before you, child so lovely, you are Christ the Lord.

Adios, tender baby, adios, child, adios, adios, sweet beloved, adios, sweet beloved, adios, child, adios.

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 QR code.

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

“We Three Kings”

Hopkins

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

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

TFWS #2091

Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King."

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with us to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel! {Refrain} Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. {Refrain} Benediction Postlude

“Carillon”

Marinů

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

Pastor Rebekah Anderson William Ponder TJ Mortensen, Hyelim Yoon Stephen Offer, Hyosang Park

Acolytes: Musicians: Sound & Video: Ushers:

Juli Collins, Maggie Collins Julia Hanna, Youth Choir, Children’s Choir Ian Macdonald, Bill Gardner Ian Griffith, Doug Fullman

For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/

Sunday, December 26 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 6:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in the Fellowship Hall Monday, December 27 **PUMC Office Closed for Staff Renewal Time** 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm NJGMC Weekly Rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall Tuesday, December 28 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 Wednesday, December 29 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal Thursday, December 30 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Toastmasters in the Fellowship Hall 8:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in Rooms 204 & 205 Friday, December 31 **PUMC Office Closed for New Years Eve** Sunday, January 2 10:00 am Worship Service 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour 11:30 am Love Lives On in Room 203 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group 6:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in the Fellowship Hall

Virtual Coffee Hour

January 2 | 11:30 am

Worshiping online with us next Sunday? Please join us for Virtual Coffee Hour: an online time and space for us to gather and connect with one another! Click here to join us on Zoom at 11:30 next Sunday after church!

(Meeting ID: 815 2083 0257; Passcode: 435077)

Baptism of Our Lord Sunday

January 9 | 10:00 am

Come! Remember your baptism and be thankful! We will kick off our “Powerful Purpose” sermon series January 9th with a baptism celebration. Start reflecting on your own baptism. What do you remember about it? Where were you? Who was there with you?

Newcomers Class

Begins January 23 | 11:30 am

This 5-week class beginning in the new year offers an opportunity to learn more about Princeton UMC and consider how you might get more plugged into the many ministries happening in the life of our church. At the end of the five weeks, participants will be invited to join into membership at PUMC. Email Pastor Jenny if you want to participate. Have someone in mind who you think should join? Extend them a special invitation!

Confirmation Class

Begins January 9 | 10:00 am

Do you have an 8th grader or high schooler who would like to take a next step in their faith journey? We hope they can join our next Confirmation Class, beginning this January! Please email Evangeline (evangeline@princetonumc.org) to sign up or ask questions!

Poinsettia Flowers

Today

If you ordered poinsettia flowers for this Advent season, you may take them home today following the worship service. All flowers that are still left after January 2nd, will be distributed to people who are infirmed.

Terracycle Program As more of us are coming to in-person worship, we want to invite you to contribute to our Terracycle donation bins, now located downstairs, just outside of the Fellowship Hall. Click here to get the current information about which items can be donated (or find the website at princetonumc.org under ’Community.’)

Proceeds go to support the Appalachian Service Project.

Have Prayer Concerns?

Today’s flowers are given in loving memory of

Brenda Engel

by Rick Engel

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.

Prayer Concerns Sara and Zion Hicks The Birkel Family Pastor Jae Hong & Family Emma Worrall & Family Michele’s sister, Jacqueline

Terry Dries, Andrea, Diane Joseph Guidry Nicole Meo’Martino Jonathan Seltzer Alex DiStase

Iona Harding & Family Dan and Lavonne Rosi Jones Midwest Storm Victims