PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH Associate Member: United Church of Christ

833 Gravel Pike PO Box 66

Palm PA 18070 215-679-5321

PalmSchwenkfelder@comcast.net www.palmschwenkfelderchurch.com

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PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mission Statement of PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH:

Our task is to proclaim the Living Word of God, which empowers us to care for and share with our community and the world.

Vision Statement of PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH: Serving the glorious God, claimed by Jesus, and inspired by scripture, honoring our history, with renewed commitment we will reach out to our community and the world through worship, spirit enriching programs, and outreaching mission.

Chimes

Welcome and Announcements

Prayer Prelude “Give Me Jesus” Mark Hayes *Call to Worship

Awaken to a season of anticipation. God is offering peace within and among us.

How good is it to gather in God’s house! God draws us together for this time of worship.

God calls us to celebrate our diversity. Differences shall no longer divide us.

We want to see one another through God’s eyes. We will look for the good in our neighbors.

Seek the highest and best for each other. Come to the mountain of God’s love.

We will follow in the paths that God leads. Our ears are open to hear God’s instructions.

*Hymn #135 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession God of forgiveness and mercy, hear our prayer as we confess our sin. With moments so critical, we let time go by. With deliverance so near, we linger in the darkness. With Christ as our armor, we yet fear the unknown foe. With the night having passed, we still hesitate to greet the new day. O God, lead us forth, that we may meet the moment you graciously give us. Dispel the shadows, so that your will may be clear. Clothed with light and new life in Christ, let us go forth as those awake to your will. Amen.

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Time of Personal Confession Assurance of Pardon Scripture Isaiah 2:1 – 5 (NRSV p. 550; LP p. 1063 – 1064)

Matthew 24:36 – 44 (NRSV p. 806: LP p. 1549 – 1550)

Lighting the Advent Candles of Hope and Peace

Advent is a time of reflection and renewal.

God of light, shine in our hearts and renew our hope.

Advent is a time of self-examination.

God of light, shine in our hearts and renew our resolve.

Advent is a time of joyful expectation.

God of light, shine in our hearts and renew our faith.

Advent is a time of service and searching.

God of light, shine in our hearts and renew our faith.

“Light of Light” arr. Joel Raney

Senior Choir Anthem “Celtic Advent Carol”

David Angerman, Michael Barrett

Children’s Sermon Children’s Church Barb Master *Hymn #142 “Long Ago, Prophets Knew” Sermon “On the Lookout for Hope”

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Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Call to Offering

Offertory “Pastorale” Giuseppe Sammartini

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Thank you, God, for the privilege of sharing your bounty with

those in need. Thank you for prospering our work and witness.

We seek to walk in your light and follow the pathways where you

lead. We want to share the good news of salvation through these

gifts and by the way we live. May all your people be made ready

for Christ’s coming. Amen.

*Hymn #157 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” *Benediction Postlude “No. II” Joseph Rheinberger *All who are able, please stand. The bulletins for Sunday, December 1st were sponsored in loving memory of Bobby Miller by Rick and Kay Kleppinger. The bulletins are sponsored today in loving memory of Evelyn Schultz by Wilmer Schultz.

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…Things of Interest to Our Palm Schwenkfelder Family…

This week, please keep in your daily prayers:

The family of Laverne “Ernie” Weller, Jeff Treichler, the family of Alberta

Rothenberger, Abby Tomlin, Alaina DeMenno, Barb Master, Robin Hepler,

Richard Leh, Paul Boyer, Darlene Jones, David Singley, Tom Dunn, Evelyn and

Jack Bold. Please also keep in your prayers the men and women serving in the

United States Military. This month from our Schwenkfelder Prayer List we uplift

the Men of Palm.

The Deacons ask that you please check the Prayer List and let us know if there are any persons who no longer need to be on it. Also, if you know of someone who needs our prayers, you can submit their name to Dan Ferry in the church office by phone (215-679-5321) or by e-mail (palmadministrator@comcast.net). Remember, in order to respect people's privacy, please be sure you have their permission before submitting their names for the prayer list.

December Youth Birthdays

Happy Birthday to…

Andrew Colvin (12/21), Faith Ann Linsinbigler (12/27), Jonas Kinsler (12/30)

Children’s Church

This is offered for children aged Toddlers thru 4th Grade. Visitors are welcome to

join us. After the children’s sermon, children may go to the 1st & 2nd Grade

Classroom for a Bible story, activity, and snack. An adult leader and youth

helper will lead children’s church. The bulletin will say who the leader is or if

there is no Children’s Church for that particular Sunday. Notify the adult leader

if your child has food allergies or other restrictions. After worship parents can

pick up their children upstairs at the 1st & 2nd Grade Classroom.

Pancake Breakfast Committee

If you would like to join the breakfast committee, please sign up in the narthex.

We could really use your help to grow this breakfast as a community outreach, as

well as help our church by being able to donate back to the church to help with

needed funds.

Holiday Bazaar Youth Table

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the youth table to purchase a bag of

chocolate covered pretzels. We hope that you enjoyed them!

Military Care Packages

There is still a sign-up sheet to add names of individuals that you know who are

serving in our military. Please let us know if there is anyone that we can send an

encouraging note to.

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College Care Packages

We are ready to accept donations for the College Care Packages. You may make a

monetary donation and we will shop for you. Or, you may bring in items which

will be divided among the students. Some examples of items that you can donate

would be: snacks, office supplies, first aid supplies, toiletries, and small trinkets.

Lights in the Parkway

On Friday, December 20th travel along a spectacular Christmas light display at

the Parkway in Allentown. This is open for Youth of all ages. Meet at the church

at 6:00pm. Sign-up is required due to coordinating transportation. After the

light display, join us at the home of Kevin and Barb for a hot chocolate social.

Parents are welcome to join.

Adopt-a-Family

This is the last Sunday to sign up to help purchase Christmas gifts for an Open

Link family of 4 children. You may sign up in the narthex. All gifts are due back

today. There are 4 clip boards, one for each child. Write your name and phone

number next to the gift that you would like to purchase, take the tag, purchase the

gift, and return the gift unwrapped and with the tag taped to the gift. Please see

Barb Master with any questions. Thank you.

Sunday School Christmas Program

The Youth will present their Christmas program on Sunday, December 22nd

during the worship service. Please join us for refreshments after worship in the

Adult Sunday School Classroom. If you are able to help provide refreshments,

please drop them off in the room before worship. Thank you.

Rehearsal Schedule for Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday, December 8th, 15th, and 22nd – during Sunday School

Saturday, December 21st – 9:30am to 11:30am.

Palm Country Day School

We still have openings in our 2–day, 3–day and pre–K. If you are interested or

know somebody interested please have them call us for more information. Did

you know that you can order books from Scholastic to support our preschool?

There are catalogues available in our front hallway. If you order through

Scholastic using our code VXKHW, PCDS gets points to use on the purchase of

books and other supplies for the classroom. We are working to earn enough

points to buy the classroom a drying rack so please consider buying from

Scholastic. Orders are due by this Tuesday, December 10th. We would like to

welcome you to take a look at all the art work in the classroom and in the hall.

The children have been working very hard.

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Thank You To All

The Social Service Committee of the Ladies’ Aid Society would like to thank

everyone for the great support we received this year for our Christmas Project. It

was a great success. We were able to send 40 Christmas stockings to Pennsburg

Manor, and per their request, 60 plastic bags to Norristown State Hospital.

Thank you again for all your support,

The Social Service Committee: Miriam Hausman, Ruth Weaver, Sally Wright,

Sandy Kriebel, and Ethel Soffa

Stewardship Report – Yearly Giving through November

Actual Budget Difference

Offering Envelopes $226,645.75 $220,000.00 $ 6,645.75

Faith Budget $ 3,750.00 $ 31,496.63 ($27,746.63)

Totals $ 230,395.75 $ 251,496.63 ($21,100.88)

Raise the Roof Capital Campaign

It has come to the attention of the Board of Trustees that the roof on the

Christian Education building is in need of replacement. Contractors have

surveyed the roof and have determined that a new roof will be needed within the

next 2 to 3 years. In order to raise the funds needed for this project, the Board

has decided to run a capital campaign entitled “Raise the Roof.” The campaign

will begin immediately and run through December 31, 2021 or until the

determined amount of $100,000 is reached. Please prayerfully consider helping

us protect and maintain our facility by donating to this very important campaign.

A progress chart will be posted in the narthex along with update reports in the

bulletin and newsletter. Thank you for your support,

Board of Trustees

Men of Palm

The meeting of the Men of Palm has been rescheduled and will be held on

Sunday, January 19, 2020 immediately following the worship service, in the

Adult Sunday School Room. This meeting is being held to discuss the future of

the Chicken Barbecue.

Christmas Concert

The United Schwenkfelder Choir will present its 89th Annual Concert today. The

non-denominational choir, representing membership in 30 churches from

Montgomery and Bucks Counties, will perform a program of traditional and

contemporary Christmas music at 2:30 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. at the Central

Schwenkfelder Church, located at 2111 Valley Forge Road (Route 363), Lansdale,

just north of Skippack Pike (Route 73). A free will offering will be taken. For

additional information, contact choir president Dennis Alderfer at 215-393-9974,

or www.unitedchoir.org.

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Special Congregational Meeting

A Special Congregational Meeting will be held next Sunday, December 15th,

immediately following the worship service, to elect our church leadership and

approve our budget for 2020. There will be copies of the budget in the narthex

available before the meeting. Please be sure to attend this important meeting.

Ladies’ Aid Epiphany Party

We’re trying something new! For those who are unable to attend the week-day

meeting, we would like to invite you to attend a special Saturday event. If we get

enough interest other Saturday events/meetings can be scheduled. Come help us

plan for the coming year. Date change: Ladies’ Aid Epiphany Party and luncheon

will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 12:00 noon. Please bring a covered

dish to share. We will be collecting monetary donations for Open Link. The

monthly Ladies’ Aid business meeting will follow the lunch at 1:00PM.

Altar Flowers and Bulletins

All flower and bulletin sponsorships for the remainder of the year have been

taken. Thank You! The new 2020 charts are in the hallway outside of the office,

and for this year the Deacons are once again giving people the option of

sponsoring one arrangement or both arrangements. The cost of one arrangement

will remain $25, and the cost of sponsoring both arrangements will remain at

$50. If you would like to sponsor one arrangement, you need only sign up on one

chart, but if you’d like to sponsor both arrangements, you will need to sign up on

both charts for that particular Sunday. Or if you choose, you may sponsor one

arrangement on one Sunday, and sponsor a separate arrangement on a

completely different Sunday. If you have any questions, please speak to one of

our Deacons. Thanks!

Did You Know…?

This is where we list items of interest to members and visitors. If you have any

items to add, please call or email Dan Ferry in the church office. Thank you.

Did You Know…?

CCTV – We broadcast the Sunday worship service on closed circuit

televisions in both the Nursery and the Adult Sunday School Room.

Listening devices are available for those who would like them. Please see

an usher to assist you.

A fully accessible restroom is located in the hallway, across from the

office. A baby changing table is there, also.

In case of an emergency, there is an AED (Automated External

Defibrillator) located in the rear of the sanctuary, in the alcove where the

mailboxes are and where the sound system is kept.

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Palm Schwenkfelder Church

Sponsors Luminaries for Christmas Eve

Every Sunday until December 15th

, you may contribute $5.00 per line for

a luminary to decorate the church driveway on Christmas Eve. Your

contribution may be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” friends or loved

ones. There will be a special insert in the Christmas Eve bulletin

acknowledging your gifts. Please order your luminaries at the table

located in the narthex after worship services or place your order and

payment in the office lock-box before the deadline of Sunday,

December 15th.

Please make checks payable to:

PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH

Memo: Christmas Eve Luminaries

PLEASE PRINT

Donor’s Name____________________________________________________

Phone Number _______________________

“In Honor of”

1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

“In Memory of”

1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

Total Donation $___________Check #__________ Cash__________

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This Week at PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH

Sunday, December 8 9:00am Sunday School - Rehearsal for Children's Christmas

Program 10:15am Second Sunday of Advent Worship Service 11:30am Youth Lunch & Trip to United Choir Concert 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Daniel 8–10 3 John 2:30pm United Schwenkfelder Choir Concert 7:00pm United Schwenkfelder Choir Concert Monday, December 9 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Daniel 11–12; Jude 7:00pm Scouts BSA - Troop Committee Meeting Tuesday, December 10 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Hosea 1–4 Revelation 1 6:30pm Buildings & Grounds Committee 7:00pm Cub Scout Pack 79 Meeting 7:00pm Scouts BSA - Troop Meeting 7:30pm Board of Trustees Wednesday, December 11 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Hosea 5–8 Revelation 2 6:30pm Senior Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm Senior Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 12 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Hosea 9–11 Revelation 3 Friday, December 13 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Hosea 12–14 Revelation 4

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Saturday, December 14 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Joel 1–3 Revelation 5 Sunday, December 15 9:00am Sunday School - Rehearsal for Children's Christmas

Program 10:15am Third Sunday of Advent Worship Service 11:30am Special Congregational Meeting Following the Worship

Service 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Amos 1–3 Revelation 6

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PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH 833 Gravel Pike

PO Box 66 Palm PA 18070

Office Phone: 215 – 679 – 5321 Fax: 215 – 679 – 2650

Pastor Nick’s Cell Phone: (267) 374 – 5691

Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m.

www.palmschwenkfelderchurch.com

Church Administrator E-mail: palmadministrator@comcast.net

Church Office Email: palmschwenkfelder@comcast.net

Pastor’s E-mail: palmpastor@comcast.net

Copyright License Number: 1433223

Serving You at PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH Ministers: All Church Members Pastor: Rev. Nicholas Pence Director of Music: Ed Bieler Junior Bells: Beth Croll Senior Bells: Joanne and David Luz Organist: Eric Muhlenberg Church Administrator: J. Daniel Ferry Youth Director: Barbara Master Sexton: Kevin Master 484 – 358 – 1684 Greeter: Gregg Hoffman Ushers: Richard Kleppinger, Scott Kriebel, Brent Master, Matthew Wright Prayer Chain: Nancy Hoffman The Call to Worship and the Prayer of Dedication are both reprinted by permission of United Church Press from Taught by Love by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1996 by United Church Press. The Prayer of Confession is reprinted by permission of United Church Press from When We Gather by James G. Kirk. Copyright 2001 by Geneva Press.