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DECEMBER 21, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

La Sagrada Familia | by Kelly Latimore

THE CHURCH GATHERS

Pre-Service Music

Carol of the Bells

Mykolo Leontovich

Introit

How Great Our Joy!

arr. Shelton

Call to Worship

adapted by Steve Garnaas-Holmes

People of God, the angel promises that Jesus is near. We wait with hope. The angel call us to faithfulness. We serve with love. The angel promises salvation. We worship with joy. Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Hymn

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

UMH #203

Lighting of the Advent Candle Advent Candle Response

Light One Candle

see insert

Prayer of Confession The Lord be with you. And also with you. Please join your voices and hearts with mine as we pray. God of refuge and mercy, You entered the world in vulnerability and risk, yet we confess that we often turn away from those who are vulnerable. Fear makes us suspicious. Our own comfort matters more than compassion. We fail to understand the situations so many in this world face. Forgive us. Soften our hearts. Open our eyes to recognize Christ in those who cross borders, in those who travel in secret, in those searching for stability and home. silence for prayer

Words of Assurance

The God who warned Joseph in a dream is the God who sustains the vulnerable still. The Christ who fled danger now offers grace beyond borders. 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

Hodie! Alleluia!

SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY

Acolytes - Louisa Dreibelbis, Harper Sam Liturgists - Reena Goldthree, Curt Hillegas Advent Readers - Jenni Collins, Scott Collins, Christine Shungu, Lindsey Donaldson Reader - Sandra Richardson Musicians - Intergenerational Choir, Scott Collins, Tom Shelton, Julia Hanna, Handbell Ensemble, Andrew Aryeetey Ushers -Rich Hadley, Ralph Newhall, James Frisbee, Ulanda Frisbee, David Bell

Mary Lynn Lightfoot

TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN WITH BLESSINGS OF A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

GIVEN BY ED SPROLES

Children's Time

Where Children Belong

TFWS #2233

Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-25 (p. 1), Matthew 2:13-23 (p.2) This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon

Seeking Refuge

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

TO RESPOND IN FAITH Creed

A Statement of Faith of The Korean Methodist Church UMH #884

Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom 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 kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offertory

With All of My Heart

Hymn

Doxology

T. Shelton

UMH #94

Prayer of Thanksgiving

AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD

Hymn

Blessed Be the God of Israel

UMH #211

Benediction Postlude

Go, Tell It On the Mountain We Three Kings Canon (J. Pachelbel)

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayers for those who are without homes. Prayers for those struggling with their physical and mental health. Prayers for our country and the divisiveness caused by political discourse. Prayers for our country’s leaders to chose pathways of peace and not war or violence. May we find ways to communicate and work together. Prayers for those around the world, but especially in Gaza and Sudan, experiencing war, hardship, food insecurity, and famine. May we share what we have in plenty for those who do not have nearly enough. Prayers for those being targeted for where their families are from. Prayers for people in all places in war.

HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?

For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Tyler Mathiasen at tyler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

ADVENT WEEK FOUR ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY In a world full of division, individualism, and fear, where do you see glimmers of love? There is love in a warm embrace and a homemade casserole. There is love in a phone call after a long day. And acts of empathy and kindness are acts of love. When people look each other in the eye and take a moment to see the person in front of them, that is love. Even in a disconnected and skeptical world, love is all around us. And we trust that Christ comes as Love, even amidst the isolation, fear, and divisiveness of this world. As we light these candles, we declare that love is present. *lighting of all four advent candles Come, Lord Jesus, our Love.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING SUNG RESPONSE “Light One Candle”

Light one candle for love Love you bring to our hearts We patiently wait for the light of the world Light one candle for love

HANDBELL ENSEMBLE Heather Hansen Jess Koscak Alyssa Lester Yvonne Macdonald Diane Peterson Rebecca Petti

Seeking Home

Advent is a season of yearning—for hope, for healing, for a home in which we can belong and flourish. In our “Seeking Home,” Advent worship series, we journey with the migrants of Scripture and the immigrants of today, discovering in their stories the heartbeat of our faith. From Abraham’s call to leave, to Ruth’s search for welcome, to Mary’s revolutionary song, and to Jesus, God-with-us, fleeing political violence—these are sacred stories of displacement and divine presence. Through them, we listen more deeply—to God, to each other, and to those still on the move. Immigration and incarnation meet in a God who crosses every border to dwell with us.

Gathering Immigrant Stories We seek to center stories of journey, courage, and seeking home. If you are an immigrant or part of a migrant family and are willing to share a small piece of your story (even anonymously), we’d be honored to receive your story! It’s possible that we may include it in an upcoming worship service, in our weekly email Happenings, or an upcoming newsletter. You can: Share anonymously or with your name Share something brief (as short as 1–2 sentences or a short paragraph) or, if you have a lot to share, share something longer. Share in writing, video, or audio recording Email to tyler@princetonumc.org Put a written piece in the offering plate during worship or mail to the church A few ideas about what you might share: What has helped you feel at home? What was the hardest part of the experience? Where did you experience God on the journey? What do you want others to know about your experience of immigration?

Congregational Reading for Advent:

As part of our Advent worship series, Seeking Home, we invite you to spend a few minutes this season reading the United Methodist Church's statement:

“What the UMC Believes About Immigrants and Migrants" by Laura Buchanan Use the QR code or go to bit.ly/3XjCrW5 to find the article. This short and accessible article outlines our denomination's core beliefs and commitments related to immigration, including: The God-given dignity and rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers A call to oppose unjust immigration policies and border enforcement tactics A vision of welcome, compassion, and systemic justice Reflection Questions: What surprised or challenged me in this statement? Where have I experienced the tension between faith and fear around immigration? What small or large act of welcome is God inviting me to this season?

More “Seeking Home” Immigration Resources

We’ve compiled numerous resources around immigration for you to explore and engage. You can find them on the AdventChristmas page on our website or follow the QR code below. You’ll find: Organizations that focus on Immigrants and Immigration Actions steps for justice, hospitality, and resistance United Methodist resources Explore, learn, read, watch, listen, including books for all ages Scripture passages

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.

Outdoor Wreaths (8 needed)

$45 each

Christmas Poinsettias $25 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. 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 ($25) ___ # of Outdoor Wreaths ($45)

Longest Night Service

December 22 | 7 p.m. | Sanford Davis Room

Christmas Eve Services

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COLLECTING DIAPERS FOR MAKER’S PLACE

Princeton UMC is collecting diapers in the Sanford Davis room from 12/14/25 through 1/11/26 for our annual diaper drive for Maker’s Place. The Youth will be hosting a Diaper Bundling Party on 1/11/26 at 12:30pm in the Youth Room.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND PAGEANT TONIGHT

Join us tonight at 5pm in the Sanctuary to experience our combined Christmas Concert (performed by youth and intergeneraltion choirs) and our Children’s pageant! Reception and advent crafts to follow in Sanford Davis Room.

UPCOMING SERVICES

On Dec. 22 at 7pm in the chapel we will be holding our Longest Night service to acknowledge the heavy feelings that often come with this time of year. On Dec. 24, we will be holding a family candlelight service at 4pm, and a secondary candlelight service at 8pm in the sanctuary.

STAFF GIFTS

Pastor and staff Christmas gifts can be made via check, electronically or in cash. Please specify "Staff Gift" in the note of the check or online giving page. Contact Iona Harding at ifkharding@gmail.com if you have any questions.

NEWCOMER’S GROUP

If you are a visitor and interested in learning more about PUMC or joining the church, we invite you to come to our Newcomer’s program! Starting January 18, we will hold our Newcomer’s Group on Sundays after service from 11:30-12:30 in person or on zoom. We hope to see you there!

SOCIAL MEDIA

CHURCH CALENDAR www.princetonumc.org/calendar