Hope Lutheran Church 4131 Lehigh Drive, Cherryville, PA 18035-030 (610) 767-7203 hopecherryville.org December 29, 2013 CHURCH STAFF FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS Pastor Rev. Jami Possinger ext. #12 Assistant Pastor Rev. Paulette Obrecht ext. #13 Pastor Emeritus Visitation Pastor Rev. Clark W. Kuntz II Rev. Jerry Mraz Parish Secretary Jane Tretiak ext. #10 Director of Music David Ziegler ext. #11 Bell Choir Director Janet Filchner ext. #40 Treasurer Sexton Financial Secretary Trudy Mertz Bonnie Zmyewski Deb Gardner Communications Specialist Nina Weiss ext. #20 SERVICE PARTICIPANTS 8:00am 10:30am Acolytes Nicholas Hankee Molly Laury Crucifers Rylee O Donnell Megan Beers Greeters Ernie and Kris Doncsecz Linda Derr Lectors Pastor Jami Heather Bealer Nursery Stephanie and Baily Patterson Michele and Jenele Vadelund Ushers Livermon Team Mertz Team Communion Assistants Altar Guild for December Kim Belletti Lori Kerper Vicki Steiner Linda Derr Linda Mery Jane Wescott Vicki Steiner, Carla Green, Barb Burns, Kim Kurinec, Cory Ninos, Kasey Frey LESSONS, CAROLS and COMMUNION 8:00 & 10:30 AM Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God Prelude Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship * Gathering Song # 267 Joy to the World * Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ Candle Each week during the Advent season we pointed the way to Christmas through the lighting of the Advent wreath. Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope are the touchstones in our journey of preparing our hearts for the birth of the Christ Child. P: May the candles we light today C: warm us with the miracle and mystery of Jesus the light shining in the darkness. P: May our lives be the Light of this good news. C: May peace and joy and hope and love - which never come easy and are easily lost shine through us into the darkest corners of the earth. P: May God s light heal our lives and the world. C: May this light remind us that to be in the spirit of Christmas we must be where peace needs to be born P: Where joy needs to be sung, C: Where hope needs to be found, P: And where love needs to be shared. C: We light these candles once again in this Season which reminds us how to live most fully all our days. P: We light these candles to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. * Prayer Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song Reading I: The Story of Mary Luke 1:26-35 Hymn #296 What Child Is This Reading II: The Story of Joseph Matthew 1:18-21 Hymn #272 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming (vs 1 & 3) Reading III: The Story of Jesus Birth Luke 2:1-7 Hymn #276 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Reading IV: The Story of the Angels & Shepherds Luke 2:8-20 Hymn #289 Angels We Have Heard on High Reading V: The Story of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Hymn (Insert) We Three Kings of Orient Are (vs 1 & 5) Reading VI: Lesson of Light John 1:1-14 Hymn #292 Love Has Come * Responsive Prayer C: Hatred will vanish C: The earth will flourish C: War will be gone C: Love will be born P: When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person P: When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love P: When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes P: When the spirit of revenge dies in us P: When in our hearts we no longer want to stay apart P: When we are living fully for the God of love * Peace Meal God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ Offering/Offertory * Offertory Response #278 Away in a Manger (vs. 1 & 3) * Offering Prayer * Great Thanksgiving p 190 * Holy, Holy, Holy p 190 * The Lord s Prayer p 191 Lamb of God p 191 Communion (intinction) (PLEASE NOTE: gluten free wafers are available in the chalice in front of the baptismal font) * Blessing * Post Communion Canticle # 275 Angels, from the Realms of Glory (vs 1 & 4) * Post Communion Prayer Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world * Benediction * Sending Hymn #288 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice * Dismissal *please stand if you are able
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 29, 2013 610-767-7203 hopecherryville.org Welcome! We are happy to have you worship with us! Visitors and members don t forget to sign the Hope Hospitality pads located in each pew. Thank you! TO THE GLORY OF GOD: FLOWER SPONSORS: Happy Birthday to Delores Derhammer, Love, Her Family. In honor of Ron and Kim Roth's Birthdays, Love their Family. BULLETIN SPONSORS: In Celebration of Ethan Xander s Birthday, Love, Nana and Grand-Pa. Happy Birthday to my Friend, Kay O Donnell, from, Barbara. In Celebration of Amelia Holencik s First Birthday, Love, Nana and Pappy Tretiak. IN PRAYER TODAY New Life, New Tripoli (Pastor Scott W. Lingenfelter). THANK YOU to Janet Filchner for filling in as our supply organist today while David Ziegler is on vacation. NATIVITY thank you to the following people for donating the beautiful Nativity Angel located in the narthex. Thank you to Kathy and Larry Creyer, Dolores and Gary Reenock and Shirley and Terry Green. What a wonderful addition to our Christmas decorations. NEW MEMBERS CLASSES - will begin NEXT SUNDAY, January 5 th and continue on January 12th and 19th from 9:15-10:15am. The last class (January 19th) will be a reception and the new members will also be received during the worship services that morning. If you know of someone who is interested in joining our church, please give them this information. 2013 OFFERINGS any offerings received on or after January 1, 2014 MUST be credited as 2014 contributions. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2013 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL TAX STATEMENTS Statements to be used for income tax purposes will be given only to those who request them. Please complete the information below and have your child give this form with their offering, or phone Nancy Creyer at 610-767- 8942 (leave message). Statements will be completed in January of 2014. NAME(S) ENVELOPE NUMBER(S)
CONGREGATIONAL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - Maybe you noticed the homework assignment in the last couple of bulletins, challenging you to find out the date of your baptism. Or maybe you didn t. Well? How s your research going? You still have time ask your family or unearth those baby books. What was the date you became a child of God? DID YOU RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION THIS YEAR? -Did you sign the hospitality sheet indicating that you received communion this year? Please make sure you complete one TODAY (if you didn t or you re not sure). Our constitution requires active members to receive Communion regularly. CHURCH GIVING - It is important to keep up with your regular giving. Please remember to fulfill your commitment to the mission and ministries of Hope Lutheran Church. Here is an update on giving to the general fund as of 11/30/13. Income $324,846.04 Expenses $364,748.27 Net Income ($39,902.23) FAMILY FAITH CHALLENGE The theme of the family faith challenges for December 2013 is Martin Luther as a Gift; We challenge you to learn more about Martin Luther. December 29 - January 4: Luther s Small Catechism is a gift. Sometimes we receive gifts and don t even realize it. Luther considered his greatest gift the fact that God forgives us as a free gift. What is one of your favorite gifts that you gave this year? The greatest gift God gave to us is Jesus! Read aloud 2 Corinthians 9:15. For fun, look up Luther s Seal or Luther s Coat of Arms on the Internet. Read about what the different colors and symbols mean. On a paper plate, make a coat of arms or family seal for your family. PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK The Congregational Council is encouraging all our members to grow in their spirituality through a regular Prayer Life. One way of doing this is by lifting up in prayer one family from our church each day of the year. This week s families are: 12/29/13 Andrew Shupp and family 12/30/13 Joshua, Sherie, Allison, Nathan Hahn and family 12/31/13 Gregory, Jennifer, Sophia, Olivia Thomas and family 01/01/14 Amy Weil and family 01/02/14 Daniel, Katherine, Juliana, Kacee, Sophia Medei and family 01/03/14 Lloyd Jr., Loretta Moats and family 01/04/14 Amy, Giada Nyce, Alexis Soltis and family
STATISTICS Last Sunday s attendance; 8:00am service 160; 10:30am service 185; Sunday School - 130. Total offering - $12,298.15 (includes $306.00 for the building fund; $157.15 for Sunday School and $1,180.00 for the year end appeal). Christmas Eve s attendance; 4:00pm service 256; 6:00pm service 254; 8:30pm service 347; 11:00pm service 200. Total offering - $18,846.34 (includes $492.00 for the building fund; $9,273.00 for Christmas and $1,050.00 for the year end appeal). REMINDER TO WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS SUNDAY, Jan. 5, 2014 8:00am 10:30am Acolytes Alexa Ebert Lily Fasching Crucifers Ryan Conway Steven Fuquay Communion Assistants Sharyn Kratzer Robin Zamadics Volunteer needed, please call the church office at 610-767-7203 Greeters Amy Nichols Judy Dieter Lectors Brian Schell Karen Koplin Nursery Josh and Ivy Larkin Eleanor Black and Samantha Ancelitz Ushers Rock Team Benninger Team Altar Guild for January Lock Up for January Sign Changers for Jan. TODAY Tuesday Wednesday Loretta Weil, Jane Wescott, Marge Zimmermann Doug and Leslie Daniel Doug and Leslie Daniel CALENDAR OF THE WEEK For complete rehearsal schedules, see the online calendar at calendar.hopecherryville.org Lessons, Carols and Communion National Youth Gathering Video Church Office Closed Church Office Closed 8:00 & 10:30am 12:00pm Thursday Next Sunday Pastor s Bible Study Evangelism Council Installation New Members Class Holy Baptisms Youth Group Leader Meeting 10:00am 6:30pm Both Services 9:15am 10:30am 12:00pm