d i r e c t o r y

PHONE: 301.270.6777 EMERGENCY: 301.980.1009 FAX: 301.270.3518 WEBSITE: www.sligochurch.org Domestic Violence Hotline: 240.777.4000

SENIOR PASTOR Charles A. Tapp, ext. 126 ctapp@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR ADMINISTRATIVE & ADULT MINISTRIES Don McFarlane, ext. 116 dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL CARE Debbie Eisele, ext. 127 eiseled@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR MEDIA AND OUTREACH Paolo Esposito, ext. 136 pesposito@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS Pranitha Fielder, ext. 119 pfielder@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIESGerardo Lopez, ext. 122 glopez@sligochurch.org

PASTOR FOR WORSHIPCheryl Wilson-Bridges, ext. 123 cbridges@sligochurch.org

HEAD ELDERErwin Mack 301.434.1622

Summary of our Beliefs• The Bible is the inspired word of God and our only rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). • Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God and our personal Savior from sin by grace through faith. (John 1:1-3; Ephesians 2:8).• Having been saved, followers of Jesus live in obedience to Him by observing the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20: 1-17; John 14:15). • The Sabbath – the seventh day of the week- established by God at creation and honored by Jesus in His earthly ministry, is to be observed by the followers of Jesus. (Exodus 20:8-11; 1 Peter 2:21).• Jesus is coming back to earth personally and visibly to raise the righteous dead and give His faithful children of all ages immortality in an earth made new. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 22:12; 21:1-3).• Our love for God is demonstrated primarily by our love for our fellowmen. (1 John 4:20; Matthew 25:34-40)

7700 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 I 301.270.6777

O U R M I S S I O NWe seek to grow pass ionate d isc ip les of Jesus through worship of God, nur ture o f one another,and outreach to the world .

The Washington Adventist University Church

Sligoa seventh-day adventist church

8:45 & 11:15 A.M.

at worshipT H E C H U R C H

D E C E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 3

O U R V I S I O N We w i l l g lo r i f y God by be ing increas ing ly t rans formed in to the l i keness o f Chr is t

December 23, Monday Regeneration Ministries, Office Conf. Room, 7:00 p.m.

December 24, Tuesday Prayer Gathering, Special Christmas Eve Program Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m.

December 25, Wednesday Sligo Church Office is closed Sligo Ringers will be on break until January 15, 2014 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal cancelled

December 31, Tuesday Prayer Gathering, Prayer & Praise New Year’s Eve Program Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m.

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worship.nurture.outreach

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SABBATH, DECEMBER 28

Church Service, Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,

Speaker: Charles A. Tapp

Mizo Service, Office Chapel, 11:15 a.m.

So what if Jesus was not actually born on December 25! The important thing is that He was born. It is that watershed moment in the history of our world that we celebrate with music, songs and poems today. The angels were excited as they announced the

birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field. They understood the significance of what had happened, that at last, after several millennia, the One who would deliver the world from sin had come. Why not spread the hope and the joy of Christmas during the next few days by sharing your time, influence or means with someone who needs deliverance – from loneliness, from the cold, from hunger, from pain or from hopelessness. Have a blessed, restful and giving Christmas!

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DECEMBER 14, 2013 CHURCH BUDGET: This offering pays for the outreach and nurture ministries of the church and the church school, along with necessary expenses such as utilities and maintenance of the church building. Last Year: This Year: Dec. 15 $ 21,216.76 Dec. 14 $ 6,718.15Dec. 15 YTD $ 513,533.11 Dec. 14 YTD $ 517,105.94

BUDGET FOR DECEMBER 14 YTD: $ 592,287.00

Media Projects:

Dec. 14 $ 423.00 Total Raised $ 24,296.41Goal $45,000.00 Needed $ 20,703.59 Tithe: All of these funds are sent to the Potomac Conference.November 2013 contributions are $ 242,010.49November 2012 contributions are $ 193,549.89

Today’s designated offering goes to Local Church Budget.Loose offering goes to Church Budget.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued)

First Monday on January 6 - get equipped to share hope: with a Spiritual Gifts seminar in Fellowship Hall A at 7:00 p.m. Bring soup & salad to share.

ACTION IN MONTGOMERY VOLUNTEERS: Interested in working on community initiatives that enhance the lives of the less fortunate? Action in Montgomery (AIM) is an interfaith alliance of 30 congregations and neighborhood organizations in Montgomery County that develop leaders to organize change for social justice in the County. As a member of AIM, Sligo SDA Church has been blessed to play an instrumental role in the development and successful adoption of past AIM initiatives, such as Affordable Housing in the County. As Sligo’s “Year of Hope” approaches, we are seeking 50 committed volunteers who are passionate about helping others and are interested in being an integral part of this important community outreach initiative. If you would like to become part of the Sligo AIM Team, please fill out an information card to indicate that and place it in the offering basket. Alternatively you can contact Pastor McFarlane this week at dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org. We will be kicking off development of our 2014 Sligo AIM Strategy in January. Training will be provided for all volunteers.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Sligo Underground will resume on January 11, 2014.

Mission Trip meeting will be held on January 18 in the Youth Room at 1:00 p.m. for those attending the July 20-27, 2014 trip to the Dominican Republic. All those high school students who have registered please be present along with your parents. Lunch will be provided. Email pfielder@sligochurch.org if you have not yet registered. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for anyone who wants to go on the mission trip.

Bulletin Information Deadline is Monday evening! E-mail information to: bulletin@sligochurch.org

sunsetTonight: 4:49

Dec. 28: 4:53

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Simple Truths for Life: Sligo’s Radio Ministry, can be heard each Sabbath morning from 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. on WGTS 91.9 FM. Listen with a friend, then invite them to come to church in person at 11:15 a.m.

We hold in prayer those who: Have lost loved ones: Dawson, Gilbertson, Lamarre, Molina, Fielder & Castro families Request healing: Karnnel Charles, Tammie Conway, William Miongo, Mary Peters & Carol Hammond

Experience the festive atmosphere in the Atrium today, surrounded by the ambiance of live Christmas Carols! There are displays of International Nativity Scenes and Homes of Hope Christmas Cards to give away- and don’t forget to pick up your Pathfinder Fundraising Chocolate!

The Hope of His Coming: Get the gift that keeps on giving. Give a program booklet from our Christmas Worship Service to your friends and family. ‘The Hope of His Coming’ booklets with poems written by our own award-winning poet, Soraya Homayouni, are available this Sabbath only. Give a beautiful, limited-edition poetry book that tells the story of Jesus Christ’s birth as a special holiday gift to your friends and family. Please make a generous donation for these lovely books. Donations for each book can be placed in the giving envelope and noted in “Other Offering” for Worship Ministry.

Treasurer’s Note: Many of you will be giving your year-end offer-ings in the month of December. There are several ways that you can give in addition to your giving at church. You may contribute through our on-line giving, or if you prefer, by mail, but it must be post-marked by December 31. You can also put your giving enve-lope in the church office Mail Slot during the week. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving your tithe and for supporting your local church by giving liberally and systematically to the Church Budget.

Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve Prayer Gathering: Two special prayer and praise celebrations you won’t want to miss!

Membership Report (first reading): Joining Sligo: Diana Gomez, Kathy Martin, Leonardo Ramos, Eugenia Roque, Ana Velazquez Joining elsewhere: Michael Atolagbe, Cheryl Hill, Donna Morningstar, Yvonne Peart, Amanda Rich, Ashley Rich, Ethan Wu, Nahla Wu, Sarah Wu

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Let us hear from you! To write the pastors a note, make a prayer request, or inquire about becoming a member of Sligo Church, please use a card from the hymnal rack.

O U R L I F E T O G E T H E RT H E C H U R C H A T W O R S H I P T H E C H U R C H A T S T U D Y

Adult Sabbath School

SANCTUARY – 10:00 A.M.

Song Service Theresa Garza

Theme SongThe Wonders of Redeeming Love

Scripture & Prayer Archie Marshall

Welcome Archie Marshall

Christmas Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem / No. 135

Mission Feature Lesson Study Class LeadersThe Cosmic Conflict Over God’s Character

Benediction & Offering Class Leaders

Norman Martin, pianist

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We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ, coming again to reign in glory. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!

Keep awake, therefore, and be ready.The Lord is coming at an unexpected hour.The kingdom of heaven has come near.Go and tell what you have seen and heard:The virgin will conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel, God with us. Fear not, for there is good news of great joy for all people:To us is born this day in Bethlehem a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.

Prepare the way of the Lord!

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SANCTUARY – 8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M.

PreludeEcho Noel / Louis Claude D’Aquin

+Song of GatheringWe Have This Hope / No. 214

Welcome & Church Life Cheryl Wilson-Bridges

Hymn of Praise Angels We Have Heard on High / No. 142

Prayer Eugenio Romero +Gabriel Morency

Advent Candle Lighting Romero Family +Morency Family

+Children’s Message Gerry Lopez

The Hope of His Coming Don McFarlane

The Inn Keeper’s Song Cheryl Wilson-Bridges

Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent / arr. C.Courtney Sligo Sanctuary Choir

Gabriel to the Son of the Most High Victor Kindo

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild / arr. J. D. Kimball Sligo Ringers Bell Choir

Joseph to Mary Steve Chavez

The Archangel to the Lord Most High John Ehrlich

In the Bleak Midwinter / Gustav Holtz Soraya Homayouni, soprano

The Shepherdess of the Night Watch to Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Soraya Homayouni

Who Would Imagine A King / Hill & Warren Sligo Children’s Choir

Offertory Inn Keeper / Cheryl Wilson-Bridges

The Donkey to the Angel Ian Gilbertson

Mary to Her Baby: A Lullaby Tanya Muganda

Glory to God in the Highest / arr. Lloyd Larsen Sligo Sanctuary & Youth Choirs

Homily Don McFarlane

Hymn of Reflection Joy to the World / No. 125

Benediction

Postlude Go Tell It on the Mountain / Richard Elliot

*Congregation is standing Congregation is kneeling where possible + 11:15 service only

Barry Rowe & Carol Hooker, deacon & deaconess on duty

Leading our music today are:Patrick Alston, organistJon Gilbertson, chorister Soraya Homayouni, sopranoIan Gilbertson, maracasMyles Gilbertson, claves Sligo Sanctuary Choir Jon Gilberston, directorSligo Children’s Choir Charisse Sullivan-Mensah, directorSligo Youth Choir Matt Daley, director Sligo Ringers Bell Choir Ardyce Griswold, director

Footnotes:Eugenio and Maxima Romero came to the United States in 1979 from Peru. They immediately felt at home in the Sligo Church family and sent their children, two boys and two girls, to Sligo School and Takoma Academy. For the Romeros, Sabbath is the highlight of the week when they gather together with their children and grandchildren. Their daughter, Iraida and granddaughter Isabelle, who travel to Sligo each week from Olney, join them in the candle lighting service today.

Darwin and Martine Morency are the proud parents of triplets- two boys, Gabriel and Ethanael, and a girl, Janelle. All 3 children entered this world weighing less then 3 pounds. When they are able to find some time away from the busyness of doing everything in triplicate, they enjoy spending time together as a family- traveling, reading and listening to their children tell stories about

each other. Their family Bible text for this year has been Isaiah 43:18-19. Advent Calendar/We Have This HopeSabbath, December 28Speaker: Charles A. Tapp / We Have This Hope

Sanctuary, 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.