Sunday, December 29, 2024

 Blessings

Even when Christmas is over, the Light of the world is still here.

This is a lyric from Matthew West's song, "Day After Christmas."  If you would like to listen to this song, there is a link at the end of today's post.

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 Good Morning!

 

 

 

 Living Christmas
Living in the Hope

Call to Worship and Prayer

Hymn #197, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

Offering and Doxology

Hymn #183, “I Wonder As I Wander”

Praise and Prayers

Responsive Reading: Living in Hope

Leader: God Himself may be wondering why so many Christians are content to live in a cloud of despair and self-imposed power-lessness, while clinging to the prospect that someday when God’s Kingdom comes, their problems will be resolved, and life will be happy. Did they forget that Jesus announced the Kingdom had come and was already living among them, His disciples?
All: Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”
(Luke 17:20-21)
Leader: That the Kingdom was similar to living seeds someone else planted in the ground - seeds that His disciples were to nurture and harvest?
All: Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvest time.” (Mark
4:26-29)
Leader: That they themselves were to be bearers of Gospel light - so convincing by their good works that others would see the glory God in their midst?
All: In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Leader: That in Revelation 21:5, John saw Jesus saying - in the present tense - “Look! I’m making all things new”? The Second Advent is proclaimed in the future tense in the chapter that follows:
All: “Look! I’m coming soon. My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12-13)
Leader: Perhaps, the return of Christ has been delayed for so long, because we Christians have not taken the Kingdom of God seriously as a reality already implanted in the world by Jesus - a Kingdom in and by which He actually expects us to live our daily lives. The good news is that the Kingdom is present today, and we have the knowledge of living in it by following Jesus.

Hymn #171, “Joy To The World”

Special Music:
“Blessings” by Laura Story

Thank you Nancy Newlon for arranging the bulletin

Sermon: “Living Hope”

Hymn #193, “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Benediction

 

 Prayer List

 Joan Tiemeyer - broken hip, Donna Glenn - caretaker, Jim Glenn on hospice at home, Mary Sherwood, Wava and Don Shipley, Mike Shipley, Jennie Evans - surgery recovery, Mindy’s DIL Jackie, cancer,
Sherrie Thompson, cancer, Jon Horenstein, cancer, Davie Warren - cancer, Randy Snapp - cancer, Ellie Warren - weight loss, Drew, Dave Heuberger, Harley Niles, kidney disease, Phyllis Crom - broke arms and leg, The Warren baby

 

 The PCC Board requests the congregation to help reduce the budget shortfall by augmenting their donations. Also donations are accepted for new doors in basement.

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Here are a few images from the Christmas Eve Service.

 

     

And in this last photo, did anyone else spot the "heart" on the ceiling?  

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Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on their life to others and releasing their offspring to form new congregations. ~ unknown

 

 

 Today's Sunday Church Share...

 

Picture via Pinterest

 

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Percy's Tidbit

 

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Here is the link to the "Day After Christmas" song by Matthew West if you would like to listen to it.

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Have a great week

Sunday, December 22, 2024

 Blessings

 

                   

 Good Morning!

    

 Living Christmas 

Living Life Forward

Call to Worship and Prayer

Advent Candle

Hymn #180, “What Child Is This”

Offering and Doxology

Hymn #184, “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing”

Praise and Prayers

Responsive Reading: Living Life Forward

Leader: Our calling as followers of Jesus is to live life forward. We have no basis to conclude almost two thousand years later that the plan has now changed. What has changed is the over the years, it was put away for safekeeping by most Christians, who saw their Christianity as a kind of eternity-time club membership, not a call to radical Kingdom-of-God living and action in the here and now. The
apostle Paul gives a clarion wake-up call to the Church in Rome. He senses the Kingdom on the horizon.
All: Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light. Let’s behave appropriately as people who live in the day.
Leader: Here we are almost twenty centuries later, and still, we live on the expectant edge. Spectacular forecasters of End Times always fail with their settings of the exact year and date.
All: But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the angels in heaven and not the Son. Only the Father knows. Watch out! Stay alert!…What I say to you, I say to all: Stay alert!
Leader: Paul does not give the Church in Rome a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts for this way of living. His list is probably illustrative of suggestive of a broader list. Whatever the context of that place and time, the admonitions speak to us all.
All: Open your eyes and arm yourself with the weapons of light. Live in the light of day and not in the scandals of darkness. Dress yourself with Jesus that your identity and lifestyle are clear. Don’t make any plans involving the indulgence of your selfish desires and motivations.
Leader: The fact is that in some real way, Jesus is coming today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and every day. Remember when He was leaving after the first visit, He said He would send the Holy Spirit. In other words, Jesus visits us every day through His Spirit! We need to be looking for Him everywhere. We need to be living the way He shows us. We need to be ready for His coming at any time.

Hymn #195, “Silent Night”

Special Music:
“Mary Did You Know” by Clay Aiken

Thank you Barb Handy for arranging the bulletin

Sermon: “Wake Up to God’s Love”

Hymn #193, “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Benediction

 

 Prayer List

 Joan Tiemeyer - broken hip, Donna Glenn - caretaker, Jim Glenn on hospice at home, Phyllis Layman - not well, Mary Sherwood, Wava and Don Shipley, Mike Shipley, Kate Little - back surgery 12/26/24, Jennie Evans - surgery recovery, Mindy’s DIL Jackie, cancer, Sherrie Thompson, cancer, Jon Horenstein, cancer, Davie Warren - cancer, Randy Snapp - cancer, Ellie Warren - weight loss, Drew, Dave Heuberger, Harley Niles, kidney disease, Phyllis Crom - broke arms and leg

Praise

Thank you to the eight children who participated in the best Children's Program ever!

 

 The PCC Board requests the congregation to help reduce the budget shortfall by augmenting their donations. Also donations are accepted for new doors in basement.

 

Today after the Service, Christmas treats

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 LOOKING AHEAD...

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 4 pm
Dec. 25 No service
Dec. 29 Sunday Service
Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve gathering, Marcia’s home

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 Last Sunday's Christmas Program

 

 We were thrilled to have eight children participate in our Christmas program this year! Our program was based on the "Fruits of the Spirit" which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. One of the best gifts we can give our family, friends, and everyone around us is showing these characteristics on a daily basis. The children gave specific examples of how they can do this every day. The children also sang "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger," and "Joy to the World."  Mary Zach directed the program.

We realize how fortunate we are to have Mary teaching our Sunday School. Her enthusiasm and passion for teaching will certainly leave an impact on each and every one.

 

 

 

Some of the kids asked if they could take a "goofy" picture 😊

 

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 And here's a "too cute not to share" photo of Pastor Donna and sweet little Vincent...

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Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on their life to others and releasing their offspring to form new congregations. ~ unknown

 

 

 Today's Sunday Church Share...

 

Picture via Pinterest

 

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Percy's Tidbit

 

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Merry Christmas!