YEAR-END GIVING: NOTES FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE The Finance Office knows that many of you time your donations to be recorded before the end of the calendar year. All 2019 financial gifts to LAUMC need to be received in the offering plate or church office or be postmarked on or before December 31. If the church office is closed when you stop by, put donations in the mail slot by the door to the pastors’ offices. Online donations time stamped on or before December 31 will be recorded in 2019. All stock donations should be sent to our Charles Schwab account: see laumc.org/ways-to-give for instructions. We are grateful for your generous contributions this year and always. CONFIRMATION: OWNING YOUR FAITH Starts Sunday, January 12, 10:00am, Youth Room LAUMC’s Confirmation Class is an experience for eighth graders to explore Christian faith and take ownership of their beliefs and growth—one of the most important steps in one’s faith journey. The class will be centered on interactive experiences and reflective journaling, and each student will be paired with a mentor for weekly deeper conversations. Confirmation culminates April 18–19 with an opportunity to join the church as a full member. Registration costs $50 and is available at bit.ly/confirmationlaumc2020. Scholarships are available. Please register by January 3. Contact Kim Jones (kimjones@laumc.org).

ADVENT GENEROSITY 2019: THAT ALL MAY FLOURISH Now through December 24 This year LAUMC is raising $150,000 for three organizations that reflect our vision: Salinas First UMC, Compassion Week 2020, and Dignity on Wheels. You are invited to make donations throughout Advent: cash or check in the offering plate, using PayPal to send money to adventgenerosity@laumc.org, or texting AG and your gift amount to 650-229-5200. Learn more at laumc.org/adventgenerosity2019. RADICAL HOSPITALITY TEAM PLANNING NAME TAGS Our Radical Hospitality team will distribute reusable name tags in January to all regular attenders to help us learn and recall each other’s names. Fill out a connection card to make sure the office has your preferred first name or nickname, and indicate on it if you prefer a lanyard name tag to the magnetic version. Contact Linda Nordmann (lindanordmann@laumc.org) with questions. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday–Thursday, December 24–26 The church office will be closed for the holiday. For urgent pastoral care, contact our After-Hours Pastoral Care Line at 650-823-4562. CHRISTMAS EVE PHOTO BOOTH Tuesday December 24, 2:30–7:00pm, Redwood Room LAUMC is excited to host a photo booth before our family Christmas Eve services! If you’re attending the 3:00, 5:00, or 7:00pm service, plan to arrive a little early to take a holiday photo and share it with family and friends. ONE SERVICE NEXT WEEK Sunday, December 29, 10:00am, Sanctuary Next Sunday we will have one worship service at 10:00am, and there will be no nursery care provided. (Infants are welcome in the service!) Our 8:30am, 11:15am, and 5:00pm services and nursery care will resume on January 5.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

JAVA JOY – 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am Come to the Redwood Room to enjoy fellowship, a cup of

coffee, and some goodies.

Welcome to Los Altos United Methodist Church! We believe all persons are children of God,

and we welcome ALL, regardless of age, cultural background, disabilities, ethnicity, financial circumstances, gender identity,

marital status, religious tradition, or sexual orientation.

Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24

3:00pm Traditional family service 5:00pm Traditional family service 7:00pm Contemporary family service

Youth choirs sing 9:00pm Candlelight service

Adult choir sings 11:00pm Candlelight service

Instrumental music and communion

Infant care offered in the Nursery at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00pm

Visitors, please come by the Connection Point to receive a gift. Hearing assist devices are available: see an usher. Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices. Those able are invited to stand when indicated with the † symbol. FWS: Faith We Sing | UMH: United Methodist Hymnal | W&S: Worship & Song Gathering Music - Still, Still, Still

Alleluia Ringers Handbell Choir, Patricia Tani, Director Opening Music 8:30 - Celtic Advent Carol Angerman/Barrett

New Covenant, Bill Golden, Director 10:00 - What Can It Possibly Mean D Damonte

Starfire Singers & Lightshine Choir, Carol Damonte, Director

The Call to Worship † Song - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v. 1, 2) UMH 196 † Welcome † Song - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v. 1) UMH 196 Time for Children (10:00) Lighting the Advent Candle Song - Blessed Be the God of Israel (v. 1) UMH 209 During the hymn, kids will walk to Sunday school as a class. New families, please walk with your children then quickly circle back to worship so that you know where to pick up your children after worship. Baptism (10:00) Jonathan Adams Piper Invitation to Prayer Prayers & Pastoral Prayer Lord’s Prayer Song - What Child Is This? (v. 1) UMH 219 Bible Reading Margaret Fisher, H Winston Sherard

Matthew 1:18-25 (CEB); Pew Bible p. 1 (NT)

Special Music 8:30 - Benedictus D Damonte

Kathy Marshall, tenor; Janet Campbell & Kristina Sinks, alto 10:00 - Come, Emmanuel Paris Message - Freedom to Become Rev. Kathi McShane

Advent Song - Come Now and Set Us Free D Damonte Advent Generosity Moment Response to Our Generous God In addition to the offering plate, donations may be made online (laumc.onlinegiving.org) or by texting a gift amount to 650-229-5200. Offertory - In the Bleak Midwinter † Song of Praise † Prayer of Dedication † Song (8:30) - It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (v. 1, 2, 4) UMH 218 † Song - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing UMH 240 † Sending Forth † Song of Blessing - Star-Child (v. 1, 5) FWS 2095 Closing Music - Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella CONVERSATIONAL CHURCH - 11:15am, Live Oak Room If the Christmas story was to be re-enacted today—if Jesus were to be born again—where would it happen? Who would be Jesus’ mother, and father, and community? What instruments would God use today to reveal a grand “with-ness” to the world?

IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD: Please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick, or in poverty because of natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them. SPECIAL CONCERNS: Elaine Calk, Barbara Ferguson, Pat Kennedy, Mary Sheldon, Doug Webb, Jack Wenstrand BAPTISMS: Today we celebrate the baptism of Jonathan Adams Piper, born June 24 to Brandon and Emily Adams Piper. DEATHS: Our sympathy to the family and friends of Merle Boxill, who passed away December 19. MEN & WOMEN IN UNIFORM AROUND THE WORLD: Rachel Z. E. Sheridan (USAF), James Dobson (USAF), Devin Kenny-Hernandez (USA), Phillip Lyman (USA), Kelly McCoy (USA), John Principe (USA), JP Springsteel, Jared Vallner (USA)

Do Not Be Afraid I Vow to Worship You

Welcome Advent Candle Lighting

Walk to the Manger

Prayers Do the Angels Sing to Us Today?

Message Rev. Dirk Damonte

You’re the Gift

To view an extended Prayer Concerns list, or to request prayers, please visit www.laumc.org/prayers/.

LAUMC is a Care Ministry Congregation with trained, supportive, and loving people who are available to provide you with confidential, caring support in times of special need. If you need care, call the pastoral care line (650-823-4562).