Princeton UMC Bulletin 12.8.24

DECEMBER 8, 2024 SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

John the Baptist Preaching in the Desert

by Jesus Mafa (Christian Community in Cameroon, 1973)

THE CHURCH GATHERS

Pre-Service Music

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Traditional, arr. David Nevue

Call to Worship

adapted from Feasting on the Word

John came out of the wilderness to preach repentance; he preaches to us still.

Make straight the paths we now walk and prepare the way for God’s reign of justice and love.

Hymn

Come, Thou Long Expected

Lighting of the Advent Candle Prayer of Confession

UMH #196

adapted from A Sanctified Art adapted from Feasting on the Word

Refining God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always determined what is best or made way for your reign in our lives, our church, and our society.

Forgive us, we pray, and renew your covenant within us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. silence for prayer

Words of Assurance

Friends, I am confident of this: if we repent, God is sure to forgive us. The One who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Grateful for the promise of joy and of peace, let us share that peace with one another. 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

Where There’s Light, There’s Hope

Children's Time

Where Children Belong

arr. Lynn Hodges and Jan R. Esterline

TFWS #2233

Scripture Reading Luke 3:1-6 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY

TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN

Acolytes - Amissah & Ajube Hagan Liturgists - Sequoah Hadley, Allie Rosner Bass Advent Candles - Heather Hadley, Brooke Foster, Marie Griffiths, Ed Sproles Reader - Christine Shungu Musicians - Children’s Choir, Chancel Choir, Julia Hanna Ushers - Ida Cahill, Tom Sandford, Bright Rajaratnam, Bhanu Prakash

IN HAPPY REMEMBRANCES OF MY MOM AND DAD

GIVEN BY LINDSEY DONALDSON

Sermon

Hymn

Rev. Tayler Necoechea

TO RESPOND IN FAITH Toda la Tierra

UMH #210

in English and Spanish

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

Prepare Ye!

arr. Anna L. Page

Hymn

Doxology

UMH #94

Prayer of Thanksgiving

AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD

Hymn

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

UMH #213

Carillon from Film en Miniature

Martinů

Benediction Postlude

PRAYER CONCERNS Prayers for the sick, hospitalized, lonely, homeless and depressed, and for all who care for them.

Prayers for people of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Russia and all other places in war. Pray for their leaders to come to peaceful resolutions.

Prayers for our leaders during this contentious political season.

May those in elected office engage in constructive rhetoric that seeks to bridge, rather than exacerbate, our partisan divides, and may a peaceful transfer of power take place..

HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS? For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Pastor Tayler Necoechea at tayler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

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 STAFF CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Please consider contributing to Staff Christmas Gifts. You can make checks payable to PUMC with “Staff Gift” in the memo or donate electronically through the website with the note “Staff Gift.” If you have questions, please contact Iona at ifkharding@gmail.com, 973-479-2783.

STONEBRIDGE COMMUNION

You are invited to the Stonebridge Methodists communion service today at 2 p.m. at Stonebridge, 100 Hollinshead Spring Rd, Skillman, NJ in the Club Room. Rev. Jenny Walz will preside. All are welcome! Contact: postberg1@aol.com

DIAPER DRIVE

Please bring diapers starting Dec 15 to place under the Chrismon Tree. All diapers will be donated to Maker’s Place for local distribution to help families’ littlest members stay healthy and dry. The drive will end Jan 5 with a Diaper Bundling party. All sizes are welcome but larger sizes are especially needed.

ADVENT CRAFTS

Join us today at 11:15am in the Sanford Davis Room for church-wide Advent crafting time. All ages are welcome, and while youth-led, this event will be community fellowship for the whole congregation. So don’t miss out today after service.

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