Sermon Series: Embrace • At the beginning of this new year, we have opportunity to embrace the uncertainty of the days ahead with a sure confidence in the God who goes with us, whose hand is leading us and whose love is supporting us. Walking with Jesus, the One who embraces us with His boundless love, gives us great faith as we go out with good courage.
Today: Embrace a New Perspective • Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12 • Jesus the Messiah has come, and He has some visitors bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To welcome this toddler-king to our world, they have followed the star in faith and have come to worship Him. Will you embrace what God has in store for you for this coming year, following in faith? Are you willing to lay down all you are and all you have as you bow before this king?
To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin: https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_01_07-Epiphany-Sunday-1.pdf
Bible Classes
Adult Sunday Morning Bible Class at 10:00 am • The class is led by Jim Essig. We are studying the book of Ephesians. Classes are in the Music Room during our 10:00 am Education Hour, between 9 am & 11 am worship. SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGE 4 – GRADE 5: Heart of God • This year, our Sunday School will be digging into the “Heart of God.” Our volunteers will help children understand God’s attributes through Bible stories, crafts, games and more. Each week the children will learn about who God is and how we can follow Him. The children will have a lot of fun and learn important faith lessons at the same time. | https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/57d9c8
YOUTH SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS (6th-12th) Pray Like Jesus Prayed – We are looking at the big events in Jesus’ life- and the prayers he prayed about them. What can we learn from Jesus’ prayers to help us pray today. This will be a fun, interactive discussion. We meet in the Church Office Conference Room from 10:00-10:45 each Sunday.
The Mid-week Bible Class for Adults • Wednesday Mornings 9:30am – 10:30am in the Board Room. Our topic is looking at Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday’s theme. Led by Pastor Ken.
Pick Up Poinsettias Today! • Thank you to all those who made contributions to the Poinsettias that made our worship at Christmas so beautiful. If you have not already done so, you may pick up your poinsettia from the courtyard at PoP. Thank you again to all who helped beautify our worship spaces through your gifts. (Missed the list? You can see it in last week’s news at https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Weekly-News-12-24-and-12-31-Xmas-n-NYE-combined.pdf)
Volunteers Needed! Help Serve the Lord • We are looking for volunteers that are willing to help serve the Lord by helping with ushering, communion assistant, projection, live stream, altar guild and transportation. If you are willing to help in any way, please contact Adriana at (407)277-3945 for more information. | adriana.alas@poporlando.com
Altar Flowers • If you wish to sponsor Altar Flowers at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in celebration of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please fill out a form online or contact our church office. https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/flowers
Youth Spirit Nights Back at Broadway Pizzeria – Beginning Tuesday, January 9 • On the 2nd Tuesday of each month, dine in and carryout orders between 5:00pm-8:00pm that mention PoP Youth at checkout will result with a portion of the profits being donated to our Youth Ministry fundraising efforts. Bring the family or gather with friends and enjoy fun, food, and fellowship to benefit our teens. Broadway is located just accross Semoran from the church at (1700 Woolco Way.)
First Youth Night of 2024 for Middle/High school students – Today at 6pm in the FLC • Students are invited to bring friends to enjoy a fun night of games and activities as well as a creative look ahead to what Scripture says about a New Year and new opportunities. We meet from 6:00-7:30 in the Family Life Center. This will be a grow in faith with friends as you head back to school.
Compassion Project • Works with the Samaritan Resource Center and the Healthcare Center for the Homeless and the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. There is a collection site in the church office hallway to donate items such as a clean pair of jeans, a change of underwear, men’s shoes (athletic/tennis), a blanket, a backpack, some shampoo, etc.
Thank you for being the Heart, Hands and Feet of Jesus in the Heart of Orlando!
Fruits of Faith
Worship Attendance:
December 24
Advent 4 (morning): 9:00am Traditional: 97 | 11:00am Spanish: 80 | Sunday morning TOTAL: 177
Christmas Eve (evening) 5:00pm Contemporary: 106 | 7:30pm Traditional Candlelight: 296 | 10:00pm Traditional Candlelight: 95 | TOTAL: 497
December 25, Christmas Day
10:00am Traditional: 44
December 31
Morning: 9:00 Traditional: 103 | 11:00 Contemporary: 50 | 11:00 Spanish: 55 | TOTAL: 208
NYE 6:00pm Traditional: 30
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
December 17 offerings $12,763
December 24 offerings $9,046
December 31 offerings $18,263
needed each week: $11,923.
Food Pantry special year-end fund drive: $17,967.05; we also celebrate a $25,000 grant for 2024 from the City of Orlando and a Q1 2024 grant of $16,666 from Second Harvest Food Bank.
PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort: We pray for the Lord’s comfort for the family and friends of Kent Jespersen, who fell asleep on the Lord on Tuesday, December 26.
Recovering: Barbara Conyers, Carol Fennell, Gene Fresk, Joshula Flowers, Camille Neville, Norma Poutre, Sheila Roberts, Cindy Sibly, Pete Spudich, Joni Steidly, Cheryl Strauss, Pat Williams
Healing and Strength: Karen Adkins, Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Deaconess Ligia Borges, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Danny Conlin, Elizabeth Dawson, Sarah D, Steven Dorsagano, Gail Eaton, John Elmore, Amanda Fearce, Judy Finnie, Leonard G, Rev. Dennis Glander, Michael Halstead, Joe Heinz, Bjorg Hodges, Jim & Pam Ingersoll, Chris & Kristen Ivanic, Bill Jordan, Jerry Jordan, Merle Kroeplin, Henry Leon, Jim Lord, Kathy McCartin, Michael McCarty, Maddie, Royanne Martin, George Meder, Lewis Mendez, Christopher Miller, Mario Muniz, Skylar Newport, Debbie Noss, Rick Perre, Miriam Rivera, David Rodgers, Nitza Rohena, Rex Serio, Hannah Steinbronn, Shirley Stockett, Meridith Swanson, Ted Wessel, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Ellen Boogher, Sarah vonBraun, Cameron LaPointe, Pastor Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Marleen Schmidt, Jeff S, Tina T, Janet V, Vincent Ward, Debbie W, Staci Welburn, Dayton Whites, Brenda Williams, Michelle Zicarelli
Continued Care: Chuck Boogher, Rick Burns, Pat C., Kelly DeFrietas, Al & Linda Dicks, Bob E, Linda House, Linda Jackson, Otto Krumpholc, Mary K.M, Jean LaPointe, Micki & Sal LoBue, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms; Michael, Noel, & Roger V, Harry Wahl
Special: Lord God, guide us as we follow Jesus so we would embrace all you have prepared for us in this new year. Help us to lay down everything before Him as we bow down to worship Him. Fill us with joy and confidence as we share Your love with each other and with the world. • Be with President Biden, members of Congress, and the Supreme Court, as well as all state and local leaders. • Lord, watch over and keep our first responders safe.
Prayers for those in the military or deployed: We pray for those who serve our nation in the armed services and for those who are deployed, especially those connected with our PoP/PdeP family: Jake Allison, Zachary Carbonell, Cody Dowling, Kyle Holysz, Matthew Rojas, Amanda S, Greg S, Geoffrey W.
Be with all families and children as school resumes. Bless all teachers as they selflessly give of themselves as they impart knowledge and wisdom to children. Be especially with the staff of Prince of Peace Preschool, the children we serve, and the families whose lives are transformed by the connections with Jesus made here.
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 15 – MLK Day • The preschool and church office will be closed.
Monday, January 22 – January 26 • National Lutheran Schools Week
Saturday, January 27 – Food Pantry Distribution 9am-11am: Save the date and Spread the Word!
ESOL Registration is now open! The 1st level class begins January 17 • If you know of anyone who is a Spanish speaker interested in learning English, direct them to our website which provides detailed information or provide them the church office number and they can speak with Adriana. | https://poporlando.com/esol/ (There is a fee of $250)
Friday, January 26 – Rock the Universe at Universal Studios (5pm-11:30pm) • Our youth ministry will be heading to “Rock the Universe” at the end of this month. More information will be provided soon.
Ash Wednesday, February 14 – 11am Traditional Service and 7pm Combined bilingual service • Save the date on your calendars for our Ash Wednesday services. The Lenten season helps us as followers of Jesus to focus our attention on our need for repentance and to turn toward the redemptive mercy and forgiveness that is ours through Jesus. More information will be provided soon!
Saturday, March 2 – Choir Concert – Cornerstone University Chorale • Dr. Kent Walters, Conductor. More detailed information will be provided soon as the time gets closer.
Staff Contacts:
Rev. Ken Green, Senior Pastor ken.green@poporlando.com
Rev. Adolfo Borges, Assoc. Pastor adolfo.borges@poporlando.com
David Ludwig, Jr., Worship & Music david.ludwig@poporlando.com
Deaconess Ligia Borges, Outreach ligia.morales@poporlando.com
DCE Eric Gerken, Families and Youth eric.gerken@poporlando.com
Anne Dobbins, Preschool Director anne.dobbins@poporlando.com
Jim Essig, Senior Adult Ministry jim.essig@poporlando.com
Pam Fuller, Chief of Staff pam.fuller@poporlando.com
Adriana Alas, Administrative Assist. adriana.alas@poporlando.com
Office Contact information: (407)277-3945 | staff@poporlando.com