UNION BAPTIST CHURCH OF SWISSVALE Healing Lives, Inspiring Hope, and Glorifying God

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1 SERMON NOTES UNION BAPTIST CHURCH OF SWISSVALE Healing Lives, Inspiring Hope, and Glorifying God 2117 Collingwood Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Rev. Dr. Michael P. Friday, Interim Senior Pastor Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. - Luke 2:4-5 NKJV I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. - John 10:9 KJV

2 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 December 2017 CALENDAR Order of Worship 10:00 A.M. December 10, 2017 Sun 26 Mon 27 Corporate Prayer 8:00 AM Song of Praise... O Come, O Come Emmanuel Hymn #53, Stanzas 1, 3, and 5 The Second Advent Candle... Dorothy Dixon and Jerry W. Horn (All Stand, Please) Leader: Jesus said, I am the light of the world... People: Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness. Leader: Today we light the candle of PEACE, knowing that in Jesus, God s possibilities exceed our potentialities, and bring true peace to our lives. People: The Lord will keep in perfect peace all who keep their minds upon Him. Leader: Great God, as we worship rekindle Your Spirit in our Hearts. People: Fan the flame of peace within us, Lord, so that we might be Your agents of peace in the world through Your son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen. (Please Be Seated) The Scripture Reading: Luke 1: Maria Atkinson (Remain Seated, Please) 3 4 Corporate Prayer 8:00 AM A Testimony by Norman Carey Union s Voices... The Choir The Sermon...Rev. Juel Smith Invitation to Discipleship That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and Bible Study - 7: Sat 2 Line Dancing - 9:00 Music Workshop 10:00 AM New Member Class - 2: Worship Team Rehearsal - 6:00 Corporate Prayer - Ask A Lawyer 8:00 AM - 6:00-8:00 Fri Worship Team Rehearsal - 6:00 Communion Sunday 10 Thu Senior Citizens 10:30 AM Creative Worship 6:00 Sermon Prep - 6: All Night Prayer Meeting - 10:00 15 Creative Worship 6:00 Sermon Prep - 6:30 9 Men s Fellowship Breakfast - 9:00 AM Music Workshop 10:00 AM SHOUT - 10:30 Greeter Ministry 11:00 AM 16 Line Dancing - 9:00 Music Workshop 10:00 AM Children s Choir 12:30 Food Pantry Distribution 2:00-4:30 Worship Team Rehearsal - 6: Corporate Prayer 8:00 AM Baptism Sunday Creative Worship 6:00 Sermon Prep - 6: Line Dancing - 9:00 AM Prison Ministry - 10:00 AM Music Workshop 10:00 AM SHOUT - 10:30 Annual Church Meeting - 7:00 First Day of Winter Corporate Prayer 8:00 AM Worship Team Rehearsal - 6:00 A Song of Advent... We Pray For Peace The Morning Prayer... Rev. Andrews Amoh 28 Wed Creative Worship 6:00 Sermon Prep - 6:30 The Savior Comes! The PROCESS for The Savior: The world should Rethink! The Call to Worship... Deacon Royce Nesby Tue 30 Line Dancing - 9:00 Music Workshop 10:00 AM Kwanzaa Begins Creative Worship 6:00 31 Corporate Prayer 8:00 AM 1 2 Creative Worship 6:00 Sermon Prep - 6: Worship Team Rehearsal - 6: Line Dancing - 9:00 AM ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING Monday, December 18, 2017, at 7:00 P.M.

3 Church Directory The Offering shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9 Announcements Church Office Church Office Fax Walter L. Shaw Fellowship Hall Food Pantry Give By Text Message Transportation Ministry (To and from Church Services) Interim Senior Pastor (Rev. Dr. Michael P. Friday) Assistant to the Pastor (Min. Rodney H. Smith, Sr.) Executive Minister (Min. Les A. Scales) Minister Emeritus (Pastor Henry Sowell) Congregational Care Minister (Min. Linda Williams) Discipleship Minister (Min. Julie Motley-Williams) Evangelism Minister (Min. Ella C. Scales) Equipping Pastor (Pastor Jacquelyn M. Lewis) Fellowship Minister (Min. Synthia A. Sweptson-Brown) Health and Wellness Minister (Min. A. Michele Tedder) Magnification Pastor (Pastor Juel L. Smith) Minister of Worship (Min. Charles Sledge) Prison Pastor (Pastor Ruth Jeffries) Teaching Pastor (Pastor Andrews Amoh) Chair, Diaconate Ministry (Deacon Bertha Pollard) Vice-Chair, Diaconate Ministry (Deacon Royce Nesby) Chairman, Trustee Ministry (Bro. Damon Oliver)... damon.oliver@unionbaptistpgh.org Administrator (Sis. Danel Payne) Bereavement Ministry Coordinator (Deacon Bertha Pollard) Facilities Manager (Bro. Eugene W. Turner) Information and Technology Coordinator (Bro. Jerry W. Horn) The Benediction and Dismissal... Rev. Juel Smith emember to whisper a prayer for those R who are sick; those who are shut in; those who are bound, brokenhearted, or in prison; those who are bereaved; and those who are lost... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16) Our Hospitalized and Shut In Members Bro. Lawrence Conners... North Braddock Bro. Tyrone Day... Swissvale Sis. Mary Annette Heath... Homestead Sis. Edna Jackson... Wilkinsburg Sis. Mary Ann Jackson... Munhall Sis. Bobbie Ragin... Duquesne Bro. Walter L. Shaw, Jr.... Swissvale Sis. Dorothy White... Braddock Min. Henrietta White... Pittsburgh Sis. Olabrice Wilkerson...North Versailles Bro James Jimmy Williams... Seneca Place Alice Barber Melvin Chism Sis. Margaret Creighton Sis. Charlene Hester Sis. Debbie McKinnon Desirea s Patterson Sis. Carolyn Rhodes Bro. Sandy Roy Prayer List *Indicates new addition or change

4 I f you need a ride to church on Sunday, call the Transportation Ministry voic at (No later than 6:00 P.M. on Saturday evening.) and leave your pickup information and telephone number. Please note that the driver is only authorized to drop you off at the same place where you were picked up. No exceptions, please. A sk A Lawyer - Do you have a legal question or need general legal advice? Every second Monday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. you can consult with a lawyer free of charge. The next scheduled session is tomorrow in the UBC Annex. Walk-in or by appointment. Call for additional details or to make an appointment. An informational flyer is posted. L A ine dancing is fun and is for everyone. If you re in a rut or want a different challenge, join us every Saturday morning except the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 A.M. Classes are offered though Union s Health Ministry and are free of charge. (Rom 12:1, MSG) Sunday Fellowship Breakfast is served on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of the month from 9:15 9:50 A.M. Please join us. 1) The Interim Senior Pastor is, with some exceptions, available for counseling appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 4:00 and 6:00. 2) The Interim Senior Pastor may, with some exceptions, be in office on Mondays, Wednesdays,and Thursdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00. 3) Persons wishing to see the Interim Senior Pastor, at any other time or for any of the times listed, are strongly advised to make an appointment through the Church Administrator, Sis. Danel Payne ( ). L OG ON TO TO BOOK ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS INCLUDING RENTAL CARS AND CRUISES ONLINE AT COMPETITIVE RATES. A PORTION OF THE COMMISSIONS GOES TO UNION BAPTIST CHURCH. E ven the happiest babies can become irritable and fussy when their first teeth come in. This generally happens between four and seven months, and the signs of discomfort can come and go as additional teeth emerge. It s natural to want to ease your child s pain, but some of the remedies available can put your child s health at risk. The FDA recently issued a warning against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels. In an investigation that is still ongoing, the FDA has associated the deaths of at least ten babies and the serious illness of many others with the use of these remedies. Over the counter gels and liquid benzocaine products such as Anbesol and Orajel are also unsafe for teething babies. Amber teething necklaces should also be avoided. Despite these concerns, there are safe and effective ways to ease your baby s pain. Massage your child s gums with a clean finger or toothbrush, provide a cold wet washcloth for your child to chew, or give your child a teething ring or toy made of soft silicone, rubber, or wood. Health Tip Source: org F or local community announcements and additional information, remember to read the bulletin board regularly. A ll announcements should be submitted one week in advance. Announcement forms are available in the Distribution Center in the vestibule. The form is also available on the church website ( Place completed forms in the slot marked Bulletin Clerk. You may also leave voice mail at or send an to info@unionbaptistpgh.org.

5 L et s pray together! As we search for a new senior pastor, the congregation is asked to take a few minutes daily wherever we are to pray. Three times have been designated: 8:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M. (Noon), and 8:00 P.M. We may be apart from one another in location, but we can be together in prayer. L et s pray together! As we search for a new senior pastor, the congregation is asked to take a few minutes daily wherever we are to pray. Three times have been designated: 8:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M. (Noon), and 8:00 P.M. We may be apart from one another in location, but we can be together in prayer. C C hurch School Advent Classes - All ages are invited to learn about and celebrate the Christmas season in a new and exciting way on Sundays, December 3-24, 2017, from 8:30-9:30 A.M. Sign up in the vestibule. Contact Pastor Jacquelyn Lewis or Min. Julie Williams for additional information. T he UBC Nursery is located in the UBC Annex directly across the street from the church. The Nursery accepts children in ages from infant to five years old. hurch School Advent Classes - All ages are invited to learn about and celebrate the Christmas season in a new and exciting way on Sundays, December 3-24, 2017, from 8:30-9:30 A.M. Sign up in the vestibule. Contact Pastor Jacquelyn Lewis or Min. Julie Williams for additional information. T he UBC Nursery is located in the UBC Annex directly across the street from the church. The Nursery accepts children in ages from infant to five years old. I I mportant Notice - Please do not schedule ministry meetings without first coordinating with the Church Office to verify there is space available! mportant Notice - Please do not schedule ministry meetings without first coordinating with the Church Office to verify there is space available! E cumenical Carol Festival - Today, Sunday, December 10, 2017, 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the City Reach Church, 7327 McClure Avenue. Carols sung by the audience will be interspersed with music, readings, storytelling, etc. from members of area churches. A reception will follow. The offering will benefit local Food Pantries. F ree CD s - You can get a free audio compact disc of the Sunday service on request. DVD recordings are $10 each. wissvale Borough does not accept Styrofoam S for recycling. Please do not put your coffee cups or plates in the blue recycle bins. Thank you. E cumenical Carol Festival - Today, Sunday, December 10, 2017, 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the City Reach Church, 7327 McClure Avenue. Carols sung by the audience will be interspersed with music, readings, storytelling, etc. from members of area churches. A reception will follow. The offering will benefit local Food Pantries. F ree CD s - You can get a free audio compact disc of the Sunday service on request. DVD recordings are $10 each. wissvale Borough does not accept Styrofoam S for recycling. Please do not put your coffee cups or plates in the blue recycle bins. Thank you.

6 he Daughters of The King Ministry for women ages 18 T and older is on hiatus. We will resume meeting on the on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 P.M. For more information about the Daughters of the King and its programs, please contact Min. Ella C. Scales at or by at ella.scales@unionbaptistpgh.org he Toys For Tots distribution will take T place ONE DAY ONLY this Saturday, December 16, 2017, from 10:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M. Please pick up your toys in the church s fellowship hall during this time. It is important to note that we are unable to hold or store any items. No exceptions can be made. This distribution is for registered participants only. Please do not call the church, contact the Toys For Tots coordinator, Sis. Kathy Chamberlain ( ), for additional information. he UBC Nursery Ministry is seeking additional T volunteers. We need men, women, parents, and students (at least 16 years of age) to assist in caring for the babies during the worship hours. If you are interested, please contact Sis, Kathy Chamberlain for more details. B ring your music instrument and join the Music Workshop on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Musicians and aspiring musicians of all skill levels including beginners are welcome. And remember, it s free of charge!

7 December Prayer Focus T he Union Family has committed to praying three times a day for our next Senior Pastor and the search process. The designated times for prayer are 8:00 A.M., Noon, and 8:00 P.M. We ask that you set your watch or telephone timer to one minute before and pray as God leads you. Week of December 3rd Pray for the Senior Pastors relationship with God Sensitive to the Lord Openhearted and desiring obedience to God Structured prayer life (private time with God is vital, regular, and productive) Week of December 10th Fellowship/communion with God remains a priority Sees personal direction from God to be essential Seeks to know God s vision for ministry Week of December 17th Has a teachable spirit Has discernment concerning priorities Manages time wisely Week of December 24th Open to God s adjustments and training Not crowded out by responsibilities Able to deal with the loneliness and aloneness associated with the position Week of December 31st Divine health - emotional, mental, and physical Appropriate sleep and rest Supernatural strength - spiritual, emotional, physical

8 Union Baptist Church of Swissvale Advent, 2017 THE SAVIOR COMES! While the observance of Advent might be new or even strange to some, evangelical Christians among whom many Baptists are included often do not celebrate the major festivals of the Christian calendar beyond Christmas and Easter. Christians who ignore the other seasons may be robbing themselves not only of a deeper knowledge of the history of the faith, but also of the various movements and contents of the faith. Advent is not Christmas. Advent is that period that the Church, for hundreds of years, contemplates and reflects on the various experiences of many who waited for and anticipated the coming of Jesus. So Jesus has already come one might say; Why go through this old history again? The answer is that there is value in the attitudes and the expressions of the faith that we should learn and experience today: hope, confession, process, change, joy, and more. All this, even before the celebrations that attend Christmas. These four Sundays of Advent are meant to enable us to do exactly that: to revisit some of the people, experiences, attitudes and faith-building nuggets that await a journey through this season. The season of Advent should renew our faith and contribute to making us a spiritually robust congregation. The theme is The Savior Comes! The sub-themes are: 3 rd The Pining for the Savior: the world needs reform! 10 th The Process for the Savior: the world should reimagine! 17 th The Preparation for the Savior: the world should repent! 24 th The Provision of the Savior: the world should rejoice! The world now, as when Jesus first came, is in deep trouble. There remains hope and power and possibilities. Celebrate Advent. Celebrate Jesus!

9 HERE S A GREAT IDEA HERE S A GREAT IDEA INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS!... or Four Reasons why I should bother to pray, ask, and remind people to come when I d rather just relax and sit around munching sugar cookies.... or Four Reasons why I should bother to pray, ask, and remind people to come when I d rather just relax and sit around munching sugar cookies. 1. Life is Scary 1. Life is Scary The economy, war, terrorism, ill health there are many things to be afraid in our world today. But those who have met the One who calms storms, knows that though the journey might challenging, we are ultimately promised a safe harbor. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, the only reliable guide through scary times. The economy, war, terrorism, ill health there are many things to be afraid in our world today. But those who have met the One who calms storms, knows that though the journey might challenging, we are ultimately promised a safe harbor. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, the only reliable guide through scary times. 2. People Are Lonely 2. People Are Lonely Lies, abandonment, abuse, disappointment no matter how wonderful the person or relationship, there are times when the best of human companionship will disappoint. That s because, as St. Augustine said, we all have a God-shaped place inside that only Jesus can fill. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, the only person whose love will never fail through all of life, death, and into eternity. Lies, abandonment, abuse, disappointment no matter how wonderful the person or relationship, there are times when the best of human companionship will disappoint. That s because, as St. Augustine said, we all have a God-shaped place inside that only Jesus can fill. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, the only person whose love will never fail through all of life, death, and into eternity. 3. Everyone Needs A Purpose 3. Everyone Needs A Purpose As a former Watergate conspirator said, many folks live their lives climbing the ladder of success only to realize it was leaning against the wrong wall. Jesus resurrection provides us the power to live lives of significant purpose and to discern between true and false success. Invite your friends to discover Jesus, the only compass to guide you to a life of genuine, meaningful purpose. As a former Watergate conspirator said, many folks live their lives climbing the ladder of success only to realize it was leaning against the wrong wall. Jesus resurrection provides us the power to live lives of significant purpose and to discern between true and false success. Invite your friends to discover Jesus, the only compass to guide you to a life of genuine, meaningful purpose. 4. We re All Going To Live Forever 4. We re All Going To Live Forever Most folks today believe that and the Bible agrees. The question is, if you are going to live forever, what neighborhood will you live in? Jesus promised that for those who believe in Him they will in an eternal neighborhood of light, joy, purpose, and companionship with loved ones. But Jesus won t force anyone to live in His neighborhood. Problem is, any place outside His source of light, joy, purpose, and companionship is an eternal place of darkness, pain, regret, and isolation - not a neighborhood we want anyone to live in. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, so they an live forever in the neighborhood of joy. Most folks today believe that and the Bible agrees. The question is, if you are going to live forever, what neighborhood will you live in? Jesus promised that for those who believe in Him they will in an eternal neighborhood of light, joy, purpose, and companionship with loved ones. But Jesus won t force anyone to live in His neighborhood. Problem is, any place outside His source of light, joy, purpose, and companionship is an eternal place of darkness, pain, regret, and isolation - not a neighborhood we want anyone to live in. Invite your friends to meet Jesus, so they an live forever in the neighborhood of joy.

10 Bible Study Specially For Ministers, Deacons, and Leaders (But ALL are welcome!) Tuesdays, 7:00-8:15 P.M. January 9 & 16, 2018 February 6 & 20, 2018 March 6 & 27, 2018 Congregational Bible Study Wednesdays, 7:00-8:15 P.M. January 3 & 10, 2018 February 7 & 21, 2018 March 7 & 28, 2018 There will also be an 11:00 A.M. - 12:15 P.M. class providing we get at least 10 participants. (A sign up sheet is in the Vestibule) Please Note: 1. Study Topics/Focus to be announced later 2. Tuesday s study material will be different from Wednesday s 3. The Wednesday 7:00 P.M. study will be a repeat of the Wednesday 11:00 A.M. study.

11 Free Ask A Lawyer Seminar! Get answers to your questions and learn more about these important topics: Estate Planning Bankruptcy Landlord/Tenant Child Custody Saturday January 20, Collingwood Avenue Swissvale, PA A Continental Breakfast Will Be Served Call for more information and to reserve your seat. Don t miss this opportunity!