This Week at Prince of Peace...

The Fourth Sunday in Advent                                 December 20, 2015


This Sunday's Readings
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10
 
GOSPEL:  Luke 1:39-45
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."


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

Please remember in your prayers this week...
 
Recently Added  
Rohanie Bacchus (friend of Sherry Schiebel)
Julie Stokes
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

Thanksgiving 
Birth of Margaret Peace Sahmel (granddaughter of Jane & Rainer Sahmel) 

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 19 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 20 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Sunday School will be held at 9:45 am
The Youth Handbell Choir will perform at both Sunday services!
Christmas Caroling at Brightview Senior Living at 1:45 pm!
 
Children's Christmas Eve services will be held on Thursday at 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve services of Carols and Holy Communion will be held on
Thursday at 7:00 pm & 10:00 pm
Christmas Day service will be held on Friday at 10:00 am

    Next Weekend...  
Saturday, December 26 - No Saturday service
Sunday, December 27 - One Worship service will be held at 10:00 am
No Sunday School - resumes on January 10 at 9:45 am

Looking Ahead...   

Saturday, Dec 19        5:00 PM           Worship
Sunday, Dec 20           8:30 AM          Worship
                                    9:45 AM          Sunday School
                                    9:45 AM          Adult Study "Divine Drama"
                                    11:00 AM         Worship
                                    1:45 PM           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)
Thursday, Jan 7          6:00 PM           Faith-Full Families
Saturday, Jan 9           6:00 PM           Holy Land Trip Presentation
Sunday, Jan 10           12:30 PM          Human Trafficking class
Thursday, Jan 14        7:30 PM           Women's Book Group
Sunday, Jan 17            6:00 PM           Racism Webcast & Discussion
Saturday, Jan 23         6:15 PM           Saturday Dinner Out at Hot Breads
Sunday, Jan 24                                   Casseroles for N Street Village
Sunday, Jan 31            1:00 PM           Annual Congregational Meeting

Click here for a complete calendar

****************************

Join us on Sunday as we go Caroling at Brightview Senior Living!  We will meet around 1:45 pm at Brightview (9200 Darnestown Rd, Rockville) to sing carols with the residents and bring some holiday cheer! (no singing skills required!!) For more info, please contact Pastor Christine or Gina Linton.
 
Join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 & 5 pm (Children's service) and 7 & 10 pm (Carols and Holy Communion) and on Christmas Morning for worship at 10 am. Share the Good News: invite friends and neighbors!
Please note there will be no Saturday service on December 26th and one Sunday service on December 27th at 10:00 am.  

Upcoming Sunday School Schedule ~ Regular Sunday School classes will be held on 12/20. Enjoy celebrating the season with your family and friends at home on 12/27 and 1/3! Sunday school resumes on 1/10.

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!

This is the Last Weekend for Gifts of Hope ~ 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. 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: 

Women's Bible Study will take a break for the holidays and resume classes on Tuesday, January 5, at 12:30 pm. All women are welcome to join us as we continue to study the Gospel of Mark.
 
Faith-Full Families' Epiphany event will be held Thursday, January 7 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. Sign up in the narthex, 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 let Judy know. If you just have younger children, you are welcome to join us for fellowship, too. Questions? Contact Judy Bruening.  

Called to Serve: Openings on Your Church Council: The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for four seats becoming available on Council in January - three adult and one youth member - to be elected at the POP Annual Congregational Meeting on January 31. Being on the POP Council is a great way to learn more about how Prince of Peace works, make new friends, and serve God and community. If you are interested in being on Council, know someone who would be a good candidate, or need additional info, please contact Shafer Smith by January 7.
   
Pastor Steve will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in September of 2016! Many of you have seen pictures and heard Pastor Steve speak about his last two trips, but this time, Pastor Steve is leading the trip and inviting PoP members and friends to join in! If you'd like to learn more, Pastor Steve will be offering an info session at 6 pm on Saturday, January 9 (right after the Saturday service). If you can't come, you can click here to read the brochure or email Pastor Steve. This will be a great trip and an excellent opportunity to deepen your faith and to learn more about the Bible and biblical history in a hands-on, experiential way!

Many thanks to all those who donated gifts and gift cards for our Giving Tree and Adopted Family. Special thanks to Bertha Carreras for coordinating the Giving Tree project and to the Confirmation students for their work on putting together the Tags for the Tree!

Join us on January 17 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary to view the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA's newest broadcast entitled, "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning." The January webcast will raise the question of the racial disparity in the U.S. criminal justice system. Prince of Peace's Racial Justice Team is hosting this event. Potluck dinner will be served. Please bring something to share. We plan to eat during the broadcast and discussion.

Mark your calendar for our Annual Congregational Meeting on January 31 at 1:00 pm! At our annual meeting, we approve our budget, elect Church Council members and make other important decisions about our ministry together in the coming year. A Potluck lunch will be held prior to the meeting (following the late service).
 
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!
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 December/January Glad Tidings is available on our website!  

Our Adult Study "Divine Drama" continues Sunday at 9:45am in BYC conference room. Join us for this year long, in-depth course that examines the Bible as a whole and its major themes. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to delve deeper into their faith and God's word. You do not need to attend every week-come when you can. Questions? See Pastor Christine.   

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!!  
 
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.   
             
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), Carol Buck (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Joanne Catteltt (friend of Sherry Schiebel), The Rev. Jeong & Nam Cho (parents of Claire Cho), Elizabeth Langum Chung, Sydney Clark (friend of Cathy Berninger), Jaimee Clarke (daughter of Sherry Schiebel's friend), 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), 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), Stacey Zeller (niece of Gordon Gipe) 
    
*Please notify the church office of anyone else needing continuing prayers, or if the concern is resolved.   
 
   
Attendance Last Weekend
 
Saturday                          5:00 PM                     19                    
Sunday                             8:30 AM                    59
                                           11:00 AM                   71 
Total:                                                                    149
 
Serving in Worship Sunday
                                    
8:30 AM                              11:00 AM
Team Leader                    Laura Garretson               Crawford Griffith           
Altar Guild                        Laura Hurst                       Ann Callahan
Communion Assts.        Laura Hurst                       Ann Callahan
Lector                                   Judy Logeman                   Tom Panning
Acolyte                                 Kelly Garretson               Brayan Panning
Ushers                                  Laura Garretson &          John Militzer &
                                                Jean Bernstein                    Aubrey Merchant-Dest
Greeters                               Nancy & Chet                    Gordon Gipe & TBA       
                                                Wolejsza
Snacks                                  Judy Logeman                   Tracy Solomon
Prayer Writer                     Pastor Steve
Counters                              Laura Garretson & Jim Herron
Cookie Brigade                 Muma family (Bake & 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:

office@poplutheran.org

301-869-3666 

Church Council:
council@poplutheran.org

Pastor Steve:

pastor@poplutheran.org

301-980-0160 (cell)

Pastor Christine:

pastorchristine@poplutheran.org

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


Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter:  @PoPGaithersburg
 Subscribe to us on  YouTube