This Week at Prince of Peace...

The Second Sunday in Advent                                  December 6, 2015


This Sunday's Readings
Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11 
 
GOSPEL:  Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
            "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
            'Prepare the way of the Lord,
            make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
            and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
            and the crooked shall be made straight,
            and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"


Missed last week? Check out last Sunday's sermons, music and more by  clicking here!

Please remember in your prayers this week...
 
Recently Added  
Eardie Baka
Brittany Daniel (daughter of Cherie & Mike DeGeorge)
Bill Kratz (father of Laura Garretson)
Nancy Swanson
Karen Griese (mother of Kari Oakes)
Howard Weidemoyer
Carol Buck (friend of Sherry Schiebel)
Jaimee Clarke (daughter of Sherry Schiebel's friend)
Stacey Zeller (niece of Gordon Gipe)

Thanksgiving 
Birth of Kate Irene Spivak (daughter of Jill & Andy Spivak)
 
Continuing Prayers
Click here for Continuing Prayer List located below. 
 
*Please notify the church office of anyone else needing prayers, or if the concern is resolved.    
 
Coming Up at Prince of Peace
  
This Weekend...  
Saturday, December 5 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 6 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Sunday School will be held at 9:45 am
Hospice Presentation will be held at 10:00 am
Grace Notes will play at both Sunday services!
The Adult Choir will sing at the 11:00 am service!
Christmas Pageant rehearsal starts at 1:30 pm
Christmas Pageant will be held at 3:00 pm!
Confirmation Theme Event will be held at 6:00 pm
 
Advent Evening Prayer Service on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:15 pm.

    Next Weekend...  
Saturday, December 12 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
PoP Playgroup will meet at the Derwood McDonald's at 9:00 am
 
Sunday, December 13 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Sunday School will be held at 9:45 am
Grace Notes will play at both Sunday services!
Racial Justice meeting will be held at 12:30 pm
Jewelry Fundraiser Open House will be held 11am-4pm at the Pearcy's
Christmas Cantata will be held at 4:00 pm!

Looking Ahead...   

Thursday, Dec 3         6:00 PM           Faith-Full Families
                                    7:30 PM           Grace Notes
Saturday, Dec 5           7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                    5:00 PM           Worship
Sunday, Dec 6             8:30 AM          Worship
                                    9:45 AM          Sunday School
                                    10:00 AM         JSSA Hospice Speaker
                                    11:00 AM         Worship
                                    12:45 PM          Youth Handbells Rehearsal
                                    1:30 PM           Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
                                    3:00 PM           Christmas Pageant Presentation
                                    6:00 PM           Confirmation Theme Event
Monday, Dec 7           7:30 PM           Finance Committee meeting
Tuesday, Dec 8          10:00 AM         Quilters
                                    12:30 PM          Women's Bible Study
                                    7:30 PM           Church Council meeting
Wednesday, Dec 9      7:15 PM           Advent Vespers
                                    7:30 PM           Adult Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Dec 10       7:30 PM           Women's Book Group
Saturday, Dec 12         7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                    9:00 AM          Playgroup at Derwood McDonalds
                                    5:00 PM           Worship
                                    7:00 PM           Cantata Dress Rehearsal
Sunday, Dec 13           8:30 AM          Worship
                                    9:45 AM          Sunday School
                                    9:45 AM          Adult Study "Divine Drama"
                                    11:00 AM         Worship
                                    11AM-4PM      Jewelry Fundraiser at Pearcy's
                                    12:30 PM          Racial Justice meeting
                                    1:00 PM           Youth Handbells Rehearsal
                                    3:00 PM           Cantata Rehearsal
                                    4:00 PM           Christmas Cantata
Wednesday, Dec 16    7:15 PM           Advent Vespers
Sunday, Dec 20           1:45 AM          Caroling at Brightview Senior Living
Thursday, Dec 24       Christmas Eve
                                    3:00 PM           Children's Service
                                    5:00 PM           Children's Service
                                    7:00 PM           Carols, Candlelight & Holy Communion
                                    10:00 PM          Carols, Candlelight & Holy Communion
Friday, Dec 25            Christmas Day
                                    10:00 AM         Carols & Holy Communion
Saturday, Dec 26                                 No Saturday Service
Sunday, Dec 27           10:00 AM       Worship (only 1 Sunday Service)

Click here for a complete calendar

****************************
Faith-Full Families' Advent event will be held Thursday, December 3 from 6-7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Families with pre-school - elementary age children, and their siblings, are invited for dinner, crafts, a Bible story and fellowship. Email Judy Bruening or just come! We will provide a main dish. If you would like to bring a side dish/salad or a dessert, sign up in the narthex or email Judy. If you just have younger children you are welcome to join us for fellowship, too. Questions? Contact Judy.

Join us for our next Social Ministry Learning Event on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Gail Kropf, a RN with JSSA Hospice, will speak to the congregation about Hospice. Please come and find out more about their services as well as possible opportunities to serve as a congregation or as an individual.
 
Our Adult Study "Divine Drama" takes a break this week so all can attend the Hospice presentation at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. The Adult Study resumes next Sunday at 9:45am.

Our Christmas Pageant is this Weekend! Join us Sunday for 'Twas the Light Before Christmas, a fun "instant" Christmas play. Participants should arrive by 1:30 pm, guests by 3:00 pm. This three-and-one-half-hour, rehearsal-to-cast-party adventure provides a Christmas celebration for kids and adults as they rehearse a simple song, create a keepsake prop, and experience that Jesus is the true light of the world. Non-acting-guests (arriving at 3:00 pm) will enjoy delightful music, a hilarious, engaging play, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, and the after play cast party - all while celebrating Jesus' birth in a new and refreshing way. 'Twas the Light Before Christmas takes place from 1:30-5pm on Sunday, December 6. For more info, contact Lisa & Jon Conary. To sign up to be a part of the cast, please email or sign up in the narthex.  We will have a short reception after the Pageant. Signup in the narthex to bring cookies. If you want to participate in a Cookie Exchange, please bring extras cookies!   
   
The Serving in Worship schedule for December & January has been posted
on our website and the bulletin board in the narthex. Please review it and make arrangements for any conflicts. Thanks!    
  
The Giving Tree is UP... Make a child's Christmas joyful! Each year, PoP members can select a child's name from the Giving Tree and purchase a special Christmas gift for him/her. The City of Gaithersburg sponsors the program and this year, the Social Ministry Committee is working with Rachel Carson Elementary School to provide a happy Christmas for selected students and their siblings. Please choose one or more gift tags and return your wrapped gifts with the identification card securely attached by Sunday, December 13 for timely delivery to the families.

Gifts of Hope starts This Weekend - Help those in need while you shop for Christmas! You can purchase a Gift of Hope for a friend or relative while making a contribution to someone who is in need. You will receive a beautiful Christmas card and an explanation of your purchase, while the actual gift will be forwarded to the organization which helps those in need. From November 29 - December 20, visit the Gifts of Hope table in the narthex between or after worship services
to make your purchases, look at the catalog of 40 gift ideas, or get more information. The cost of gifts ranges from $10 to $250. Gifts of Hope are also available throughout the year at: www.GiftsofHopeDC.org.    

Join us each Wednesday in Advent (December 2, 9 and 16) for Holden Evening Prayer at 7:15 pm. Take a short break from your busy holiday schedule to slow down and enjoy this meaningful 15 minute service. Invite a friend!

Our Annual Christmas Cantata will be held on Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 pm. Join our choir and guest musicians as we usher in the season with "Festival of Lessons and Carols". Please join us and be part of this musical celebration! There will be a reception following the performance. Donations of fruits, sweets and other finger foods would be greatly appreciated, as well as help with set-up and clean-up for this event. If you can donate food or help out, please sign up in the narthex or contact Pamela Cook or Melanie Zobel.
 
Women's Book Group will celebrate Christmas together on Thursday, December 10th, sharing thoughts about The Invention of Wings: A Novel by Sue Monk Kidd.
The true story of Sarah Grimke, an aristocrat from the slave-holding South who questions slavery, is the basis of the book. The evening is hosted by Pamela Cook at her home. Festivities begin at 7:30 pm and include a Christmas tradition, a Yankee swap. Each attendee is asked to bring a wrapped book (new or gently used) that is "given" to another member. RSVP to Pamela.

Calling all early birds in December! The Playgroup will meet for breakfast on Saturday, December 12 at 9:00 am at the Derwood McDonalds (15801 Frederick Rd). Children can enjoy the playspace and a bite to eat, while parents and caregivers enjoy chat and coffee. Playgroup is a great way for families and their babies/toddlers/preschoolers to connect with each other. Please contact Jamie or Lauren with any questions!
 
LAST CHANCE to Order Daily Texts for 2016! With two daily Bible readings and a short prayer, these texts are a great way to spend time with God's word every day. To order sign up in the narthex and leave payment ($8) in envelope. See sample in narthex. Books will be in by the end of December. If you would like a copy but cannot afford it, please let Pastor Steve know. 

The December/January Glad Tidings is available on our website!  

It's Poinsettia time! If you would like to donate flowers for the altar this Christmas, please have your order and payment in by Sunday, December 13. Poinsettias are available for $13/each in Red, Pink, and White. Flowers can be donated in honor or memory of a friend or loved one. You may take your flowers home anytime after Christmas Day. Order forms are available in the narthex.

Our Racial Justice Team will meet on Sunday, December 13 at 12:30 pm in the youth center (conference room). If you are interested in being part of this task force or want to know more, please contact Pastor Christine.

Jewelry Fundraiser: JoAnn and David Pearcy's Annual Open House will be held on Sunday, December 13, from 11 am to 4 pm. A perfect way to purchase a surprise gift for Christmas. And Prince of Peace will benefit with a donation of 20% of all sales to our congregation. Their house is less than 2 miles from the church. Consult the PoP Directory or contact Dave if you need the address.
 
Please join us on Tuesday, December 15th for our annual Women's Bible Study Potluck Christmas Luncheon. This will be our last meeting this year. We will meet at 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a food or dessert item to share, especially if you have food allergies. We will also have a fun Gift Exchange for those who want to participate. Rules for the gifts are that they can be handmade, a white elephant gift, or a gift that is purchased - limit of around $5.For more info, please contact June Herron or Judy Bruening.

Volunteers are needed to serve during the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Please add your name to the sign up sheet in the narthex if you are available to serve at any of these services. Thank you!

The Flower Chart for 2016 has been posted. Flowers can be given in memory or honor of a person or special occasion. A donation of $30 covers the flowers for a week, and they are yours to take home after the late service. Sign up on the Chart posted on the bulletin board in the narthex and place your donation (marked "Altar Flowers") in the Offering. Thanks for adding to our worship experience!
 
Join us for Sunday School each week at 9:45 am!  For younger students we continue to use a rotational model which provides an experiential approach similar to VBS. For Middle and High School students, we use cool and quirky workbooks and short films to explore relevant topics. Your kids won't want to miss it!!
 
The Women's Bible Study is studying and discussing the Gospel of Mark this Fall on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. This is an open, fluid group of women. All are welcome to join us. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch. If you have questions or want to be included on our email distribution list, please contact Pastor Christine.  
 
Please consider giving to the ELCA Disaster Response to assist with the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. Visit the ELCA Disaster Response webpage to donate or learn more about how you can help.   
  
Pastor Steve will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in September of 2016!
Brochures are available online and in the narthex. Contact Pastor Steve for more info.              
We are experiencing phone problems in the Office and voicemail is not working.  If possible, please send an email instead of calling.     
Please remember in your prayers this week...
ContPrayers 
Continuing Prayers
Lisa Adams, Emily Adams Muhler, Scott Baka (son of Eardie Baka), Becca, Jeremy, & Shea Baldwin, Carol Barotti (former PoP Administrator), Margaux Bereston (friend of Cherie DeGeorge), Madelyn Berkeley, Allen Bernstein (father-in-law of Jean Bernstein), Micah Biello (grandson of Vickie & Brad Smith), Becky & Nick Biello (daughter & son-in-law of Vickie & Brad Smith), Marjorie Blackburn (sister-in-law of Nettie Horne), Rosemarie Blanco (mother of Judy Bruening), John Bokor (grandfather of Michelle Cockerham), Joanne Catteltt (friend of Sherry Schiebel), The Rev. Jeong & Nam Cho (parents of Claire Cho), Elizabeth Langum Chung, Sydney Clark (friend of Cathy Berninger), Joanne Claycamp (mother of Gregg Claycamp), Susan Collis (mother of Jill Spivak), Gilda Damiani (friend of Tonya Meyer & Amy Ceralde), Amanda Dantus (friend of Tracy Barr), David family, Donica (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Kathy Drake (friend of Dave & Nancy Swanson), Andrianne Emmons (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Nathan Farrar (nephew of Richard Farrar), Stephen Farrar (brother of Richard Farrar), Terry Forish, Ruth Garretson (grandmother of Kelly Garretson), Torie Gensch (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Kelly Gibson (sister of Dan Gibson), Andrea Goble, Goodwin family, Sarah Gowing, Joni Hanley (friend of Jean Bernstein), Rob, Lucy, & Luke Harbert (friends of Megan Bruening), Haris (friend of Greg Von Wald), Ralph Heckel, Leonard Hepner (father of Donna Von Wald), Mary Christine Hevner (sister of Judy Wooldridge), Steven Hill, Lisa Holmes (friend of Lisa McGurgan), Wes Horne (brother of Nettie Horne), Janet Howard (friend of Nettie Horne), Mario Ierardi and family (friend of Debra Aplan), Jessica Jeffery, Christopher Johnson (son of Roy Johnson), Doris Johnson (mother of Donna Nelson), Roy Johnson, Pat Juhrs, Brenda Kapp (friend of Cynthia Watter), Kim (friend of Donna Von Wald), Dan Kohler and family (friends of Valerie Corbin), Greta Kunkle, Mike Langum, Remi Langum, Roberta Lucas (friend of Forish family), Margaret & Tom Mahan (parents of Julie Boyce), Carole Mattis (friend of Donna Von Wald), Jim McNerney, Mark Miller (friend of Butler family),
Sandy Moore, Debbie Mulhern (friend of Martha Rogers), Jayson Musser (friend of the Butler family),   Ray Nopper (friend of Andrea Goble), Bill Prueter, Linda Prueter, Ted Prueter (father of Bill Prueter), Greg Rayman (uncle of Julie Stokes), Ed Rebisz (relative of Dick Weis), Diane Rench (friend of Richard Farrar), Heather Robinson, Martha, David and James Rogers, Kathy Rossmeisl, Richard Sawyer (father of Sarah Bolek), Wilma Schambura (friend of Forish family), John Shay (friend of Mike & Cherie DeGeorge), Pauline Shumaker (mother of Lisa Conary), Pastor Les Stano, Matt Stokes, Kathy Tezla (relative of Sofi Yanevskyy), Lindsay, Chris, & Carson Vidler (niece of Madelyn Berkeley), Liz Wagner (aunt of Lisa McGurgan), David Weis (son of Dick Weis), Joy Weis (daughter-in-law of Dick Weis), Dianne Werley (friend of Ann Callahan), Dan Whithaus (friend of Joan Beeler), Harold Wilkey (husband of Cynthia Watter's aunt), Kathy Williams (stepdaughter of Ann Callahan), Laura Wilson, Matthew Wolejsza (son of Nancy & Chet Wolejsza)
   
*Please notify the church office of anyone else needing continuing prayers, or if the concern is resolved.   
 
   
Attendance Last Weekend
 
Saturday                          5:00 PM                     30                  
Sunday                             8:30 AM                    38
                                           11:00 AM                   60
Total:                                                                    128
 
Serving in Worship Sunday
                                    
8:30 AM                              11:00 AM
Team Leader                    Jean Bernstein                    Debbie Chan      
Altar Guild                        Regina Harrington           Sarah Yonder
Communion Assts.        Regina Harrington &      Sarah Yonder & Deborah Dixon
                                                Jonathan Sander
Lector                                   Scott Gowing                     Dick Moore
Acolyte                                 Dekker Spielman              Adam Hawley
Ushers                                  Nancy & Chet                    Tom Kettler & David Malmgren
                                                Wolejsza
Greeters                               Chuck Harrington &       Julie & Matt Stokes          
                                                Elton Nelson
Snacks                                  Jamie Pflasterer                 Lisa Woodard
Prayer Writer                      Jane Sahmel
Counters                              Peter Carr & Laura Hurst
Cookie Brigade                 Alice Baur (Bake) & Chris Michel (Deliver)

              Click here for a complete Serving in Worship schedule.          
 


VolunteerSpot is our new way to stay informed and sign up for volunteer opportunities at Prince of Peace. An email is sent for each need, as it is identified. The message contains a link that makes it easy to add your name as a helper. Here are our current volunteer requests:
 
Volunteer Need   
Worship Volunteers (Ushers, Snack volunteers, Prayer Writers, Acolytes, etc.) 
 
There is a button with a link to current volunteer opportunities on our church web page; you can also click on the specific Volunteer Need above or here to see the complete list. Thank you for sharing your time and talents!!  
Contact Information

Church Office:

[email protected]

301-869-3666 

Church Council:
[email protected]

Pastor Steve
:

[email protected]

301-980-0160 (cell)

Pastor Christine:

[email protected]

703-517-0728 (cell)
Visit Pastor Christine's blog at:

http://tinydartfrog.com 

 

Sermon mp3 downloads are available at:
http://poplutheran.org/sermonsmusic/sermonsandmusic.html

Monthly Newsletters ("Glad Tidings") are available at:

http://poplutheran.org/newsletters.html


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