December 8, 2024

St. Paul's December Mission Focus is Christmas Unlimited, which is a mission the church has supported for many years. It is dedicated to serving families in the Pikes Peak Region with year round programs. Last year Christmas Unlimited served over 2,100 families and 5,100 children through their programs. There is a list of requested items in this newsletter. There will be a box in the Narthex for your donation.  

“Please donate now - the holiday season is almost here and Christmas Unlimited needs your financial support! Unfortunately, inflation has decreased the number of donations we have received. Without additional funding, we may not be able to continue our 102-year-old mission of providing new Christmas gifts and school supplies to children and families who are less fortunate throughout the Pikes Peak Region.

Established in 1923, Christmas Unlimited is one of the region’s oldest 501 (c) 3 non-profit charities in Colorado Springs. Last year, we served 8,756 children from 2,500 families. Because we are a completely volunteer run organization, we rely on the community’s financial assistance to help cover essential operating expenses which have increased dramatically in recent years.

We have been helping families celebrate the beauty of Christmas gift-giving by enabling parents or caregivers to select toys for their children in a store-like setting. Parents “shop” without their children so the youngsters will be surprised by their gifts on Christmas morning. The entire process is festive, friendly, and fun; all in the spirit of helping a child experience the magic of Christmas.

Christmas Unlimited greatly appreciates any and all donations. Thank you so much for your consideration and support.”

Monetary donations should denote December Monthly Mission or Christmas Unlimited.

We are especially in need of:

Toys for 0-5 years old including: Fisher Price toys and Little People sets, Littlest Pet Shop, Bluey, Cocomelon, Paw Patrol, PJ Mask, anything Disney, Farm animals, zoo animals, dinosaurs, military men, little girls makeup, Lincoln Logs, Nail polish sets, Legos, Duplos, building sets, large toy cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, Games, craft activity sets and art classes, LOL Dols and baby dolls, Barbie and Barbie clothes, kitchen play sets: toy food, dishes, tea sets, Nerf Guns and balls, Play-Doh sets, toy musical instruments, remote control vehicles, hats, scarfs, mittens, holiday pj’s
 
Please denote in your check memo line: monthly mission or Christmas Unlimited or put on the offering envelope. If you are donating on line select Monthly mission: December.

Transforming our beautiful sanctuary into a beautiful sacred Christmas space is something we look forward to every year. In the past, you have had the opportunity to purchase a poinsettia for the sanctuary décor in memory or honor of a loved one.

St. Paul’s transitioned to silk poinsettias to use for church decorations during the Christmas season. You can now choose to donate to RENT-A-POINSETTIA this holiday season. (Suggested donation is $20.) Your donation will help support St. Paul’s December Mission Focus, Christmas Unlimited, and help one of the oldest charitable organizations in the Pikes Peak region fulfill their mission: To provide material and emotional support to families in need through our school supply and holiday gift programs, while assisting youth to achieve a positive self-image through our mentoring and work skills opportunities.

With your donation, complete a RENT-A-POINSETTIA form. Your loved one will be mentioned in the December 22nd bulletin. Turn your donation and form into the offering plate during worship, or in the church office, no later than December 15th.

Order Form
Your Name:_______________________________________________________
Phone Number:____________________________________________________
Color and Number of Silk Poinsettias: _________Red  _________  White
In Memory of:___________________________________________________________
In Honor of:____________________________________________________________
Amount enclosed:__________________

Mission Committee introduced a new Mission Focus for November…Rocky Mountain Kids. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with teenagers who have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. There are two girl’s and two boy’s houses. There 24 kids between the 4 houses, at this time.

We support these kids throughout the year with Valentines, Easter baskets, Back to School supplies, Halloween goodies (They are not able to go Trick-or-Treating) and Christmas stockings. We will be decorating the stockings on Sunday, December 8th during Fellowship Time.

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

5:00p Youth Group at St. Paul's UMC
Monday
6:30p Jubilee Bell Rehearsal
7:00p Vocal Fusion Rehearsal
7:30p Peak Experience Barbershop Chorus

December Events

12/8 Second Sunday of Advent
12/10 5:00 p DKG in Waddill Hall
12/12 6:00p Finance Meeting
12/14 11:00a Woody Woods Celebration of Life
12/15 Third Sunday of Advent
12/17 5:30p Potluck
6:00p Annual Charge Conference
12/18 6:00p Blue Christmas
12/19 11:30a Worship Committee
12/19    6:00p Trustees Meeting
12/22 Fourth Sunday of Advent
    Christmas Cantata
12/24 Christmas Eve
    5:00p Children’s Service
    7:00p Candlelight and Carols Service
12/25-12/26 Office is closed
12/29 Pastor Donnie Peaching

December 8, 2024

Gathering

Prelude
Sounds from Bethlehem Hills
Cynthia Hibbetts

Welcome
Rev. David Petty

Moment for Missions
Christmas Unlimited

Crossing the Threshold

Threshold Moment
Jackie Fletcher & Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Jackie Fletcher: On the way to Bethlehem, we travel to Jerusalem. The Temple is the site of the dramatic high point of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story of waiting so long for prayer to be answered. As Zechariah carries out priestly duties and Elizabeth waits outside with others, the usual and customary becomes anything but ordinary! An angelic messenger reveals a divine plan that leaves Zechariah literally speechless.

Pastor Donnie Sturgill: It feels poignant that this week we visit Jerusalem in our Advent story and the city is known as “the city of peace.” Certainly we’ve been focused on the difficulties of prevailing peace in this turbulent part of the world even today. There is also the matter of our own “new Jerusalem” within. We wait for the day when we will feel more peace, have more peace, within ourselves. This week, we ask, “what are we waiting for?” and we learn that what happens within us while we wait is as important as the outcome. Can we be at peace–work for peace–“live peaceably”–even while waiting?

You are invited to rise in body and/or spirit as the first and second Advent candles are lit.

*Threshold Song
O Little Town of Bethlehem
v.1 UMH #230
We’re on Our Way
Rachel Ford, Soloist

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep
and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

We’re on our way
We’re on our way
Dream of the day
When peace holds sway

With all the earth
In all our hearts
We’re on our way
This is the day.

*Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Doug & Betsy Meikle

Reader: The journey continues, and this candle will help light our way.

People: We are on our way to more peace.

Reader: Life is full of expectations and waiting for the right time, the right answer, the right opportunity.

People: We are a people who wait for Good News.

Reader: It is hard to wait, but there are milestone moments when we get a glimpse of what true peace feels like.

People: God’s light goes before us, we are not alone.

We’re on our way
We’re on our way
Dream of the day
When peace holds sway

With all the earth
In all our hearts
We’re on our way
This is the day.

Opening Prayer & Words of Assurance
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Holy and Living God, we pray to you in the midst of unanswered questions.
Often we are anxious and impatient as we desperately
want to know outcomes and chart our life’s path with certainty. Give us patience, God.

Call us to pause in peaceful surrender, even and especially when the pieces of our lives
seem to be falling apart rather than getting put together. Open our hearts to know your enduring presence in this very moment, in this waiting.

We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus, the Christ, the Prince of Peace.

People: Amen.

*Opening Hymn
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
UMH #211

1. O come, O come,
Emmanuel,
and ransom
captive Israel,

that mourns in
lowly exile here
until the Son
of God appear.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.

2. O come, thou wisdom
from on high,
and order all things
far and nigh;

to us the path of
knowledge show
and cause us in her
ways to go.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.

3. O come, O come,
great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes
on Sinai’s height

in ancient times once
gave the law
in cloud and majesty
and awe.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.

4. O come, thou Root
of Jesse’s tree,
an ensign of
thy people be;

before thee rulers
silent fall;
all peoples on thy
mercy call.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.

Pastor Donnie Sturgill: Let this be a marker of assurance that we are moving in a faithful direction: God is with us every step of our way toward the Peace of Bethlehem. Jesus is being born into our lives even now. The Spirit is transforming us in this place.

Peace be with you!
People: And also with you.

Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ

Mystery Box

A Word of Inspiration

Scripture Reading
Jackie Fletcher

Romans 12:9-18

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Message
Jerusalem: A Place of Waiting
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Guided Prayer, Silent Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer
Jackie Fletcher

Guide: We begin our prayer time today remembering that when we need guidance the most, we can turn to God in prayer. Today we are guided by Peace.

Prayer Song
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
UMH #204
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 (Mt. 1:23)
© 1976 C. A. Music (div. of Christian Artists Corp.)

Emmanuel,
Emmanuel,
his name is called
Emmanuel.

God with us,
revealed in us,
his name is called
Emmanuel.

Guide: Let us pray:
God of Peace, we come to you today longing for your presence in our lives and with all those who suffer–in body, mind, or spirit. We pray this day for…

God of Peace, we come to you today so deeply grateful for celebrations, triumphs, and even small steps toward the lives we seek and the world we desire. We pray this day for…

Holy God, we know you are near. We know that every step along the way to Bethlehem in this Advent season is a step closer to renewed life in Jesus, the Christ. We know that your Spirit resides within us, growing day by day into the fullness of Peace. In this moment, we pause in silence, marking your presence with awe and asking you to fill us and guide us, along our journey.

Moments of Silence

May we live by the prayer you taught us…

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen

Invitation to Offering
Jackie Fletcher

Offertory
Sanctuary Choir
 
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastor Donnie Sturgil

Doxology
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
 
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
 
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

Sending Forth

We Set Off  
Jackie Fletcher
Guide: We have checked the signs and markers to make sure we are moving in a faithful direction. With renewed peace, we move on towards Bethlehem, knowing that the Light of Christ shines through the night. We are not alone. Our waiting is transforming us into those who know the gift of dependence on God. We release our expectations and open to new possibilities we have not imagined. Peace, not panic, perseveres.

*Closing Hymn
We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom

1. We wait the peaceful kingdom,
When wolf and lamb shall lie
In gentleness and friendship
Without a fear or sigh,

When lion shall be grazing,
When snake shall never strike;
A little child shall lead
Us both strong and weak alike.

2. When is the peaceful kingdom?
When will this new day start?
We long for peace and comfort
To reign within each hear.

Yet not in our lives only,
Nor simply in our home;
We pray that all creation
Will one day find shalom.

3. When wars of desolation
And hate come to an end,
When nation meets with nation
And calls the other “friends”,

Still peace in all its fullness
Will only have begun:
Shalom for all creation
Begins with justice done.

4. That little child shall lead us
To walk the chosen way,
To share the peaceful kingdom,
To greet God’s newborn day.

The child born in a stable
Is sent to break our chains,
To bring through word and table
The day when justice reigns.

*Benediction    
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

And now as you go forth from this place, know that all the places you encounter in the world will contain signs and markers of God’s work among us.

So keep your senses alert, your perception wide, and your heart open  to new discoveries along the way.

*Sung Benediction
O Little Town of Bethlehem
v. 4 UMH #230
We’re on Our Way

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us we pray,
cast out our sins, and enter in;
be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel.

We’re on our way
We’re on our way
Dream of the day
When peace holds sway

With all the earth
In all our hearts
We’re on our way
This is the day.

Postlude
Prepare the Way, O Zion
Cynthia Hibbetts