December 29, 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.

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

January Events

Office closed 1/1
1/11 9:00 am Undecking the Halls

Gathering
December 29, 2024

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

Call to Worship
Rev.  Linda Patzke

Leader: Like Joseph and Mary, we want to protect the child Jesus.

People: We want him to be safe and sound.

Leader: And when something unexpected happens, we are frightened.

People: We wonder what we should have done differently.

Leader: Lord, in this day, help us to remember that God is ever with us.

People: Let us place our trust in God's loving presence as we grow in our own faith. AMEN.

*Hymn
O Come, All Ye Faithful
1-3, 6 UMH #234

1. O come all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye,
O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and
behold him,
born the
King of angels;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

2. True God of true God,
Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not
the Virgin’s womb;

Son of the
Father,
begotten,
not created;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

3. Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens
of heaven above!

Glory to God,
all glory in
the highest;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

6. Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be
all glory given.

Word of the
Father,
now in flesh
appearing:

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

Invocation
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

The Nicene Creed
UMH #880
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God,
Light from Light.
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things
were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the
Holy Spirit and
the Virgin Mary,
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death
and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with
the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right
hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living
and the dead,
and his kingdom will
have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father
and the Son,
who with the Father
and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken
through the prophets.
We believe in the one
holy catholic and
apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection
of the dead,
and the life of the
world to come.  Amen.

*Hymn
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
UMH #240

1. Hark! the herald
angels sing,
“Glory to the
newborn King;

peace on earth,
and mercy mild,
God and sinners
reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye
nations rise,
join the triumph
of the skies;

with th’angelic
host proclaim,
“Christ is born
in Bethlehem!”

Refrain
Hark! the herald
angels sing,
“Glory to
the newborn King!”

2. Christ, by highest
heaven adored;
Christ, the
everlasting Lord;

late in time
behold him come,
offspring of
a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh
the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,

pleased with us
in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our
Emmanuel.

Refrain
Hark! the herald
angels sing,
“Glory to
the newborn King!”

3. Hail the heaven-born
Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun
of Righteousness!

Light and life
to all he brings,
risen with healing
in his wings.

Mild he lays
his glory by,
born that we
no more may die,

born to raise us
from the earth,
born to give
us second birth.

Refrain
Hark! the herald
angels sing,
“Glory to
the newborn King!”

Passing of the Peace

Mystery Box
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

A Word of Inspiration

Scripture Reading
Luke 2:41-52
Rev. Linda Patzke

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor.

Sermon
Jesus: Human & Divine
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Prayer Song
What Child Is This
UMH  #219

1. What child is this
who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet
with anthems sweet,
while shepherds
watch are keeping?

Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.

2. Why lies he in
such mean estate
where ox and
ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear,
for sinners here
the silent
Word is pleading.

Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring him incense,
gold, and myrrh,
come, peasant,
king, to own him;

the King of kings
salvation brings,
let loving
hearts enthrone him.

Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.

Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer, Lord’s Prayer  
Rev.  Linda Patzke
   
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

Giving Back

Introduction to the Offering  
Rev. Linda Patzke

Offering  
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanksgiving  
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

*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

*Hymn
Joy to the World
UMH #246

1. Joy to the world,
the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let every heart
prepare him room,

and heaven and nature sing,
(and heaven and nature sing,)
and heaven and nature sing,
(and heaven and nature sing,)
and heaven, and heaven,
and nature sing.

2. Joy to the world,
the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods,
rocks, hills and plains

repeat the sounding joy,
(repeat the sounding joy,)
repeat the sounding joy,
(repeat the sounding joy,)
repeat, repeat
the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins
and sorrows grow,
nor thorns
infest the ground;
he comes to make
his blessings flow

far as the curse is found,
(far as the curse is found,)
far as the curse is found,
(far as the curse is found,)
far as, far as
the curse is found.

4. He rules the world
with truth and grace,
and makes
the nations prove
the glories of
his righteousness,

and wonders of his love,
(and wonders of his love,)
and wonders of his love,
(and wonders of his love,)
and wonders, wonders
of  his love.

Benediction
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts