Today: Ready, Set, Go! • Isaiah 40: 1-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14; Mark 1: 1-8 • This time of year can feel so much like a race, with Christmas, the New Year, or some special gathering being the finish line. As the Lord prepares us for Christ’s coming, He reminds us that this is not a race toward some finish line, and it is not about a destination, per se. Rather, God is paving the way toward a transformation. What obstacles lie in the way? What things in life need some straightening out or smoothing over? Even now the Lord prepares us for Jesus’ coming. Get ready! Get set. Go!
To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin: https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023_12_10-Advent-2-Larger-font.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 the 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) NEW- 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.
Advent Devotions • Looking for Advent Devotionals to help you prepare spiritually? Written by pastors and leaders in the FLGA District, you can subscribe to daily devotionals by going to https://flgadistrict.org/adventdevotions/ | Lutheran Hour Ministries also has devotions available at https://www.lhm.org/advent/.
Advent Wednesday’s Worship Service – Wednesday December 13 • Join us for midweek Advent worship at 11am in the sanctuary as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Followed by a light meal.
Advent Days of Service – Wednesdays: Family Life Center 5:45pm • Our “Advent days of service” on Wednesday evenings gather us together as we prepare for the coming Christmas season by intentionally seeking to give our time and effort to help others. ALL are invited this Wednesday December 6 to help decorate the Christmas Trees & Campus! December 13 – Angel Tree Gift Wrapping (4:00pm)
LWML Holiday Sale – Last Day to Place an Order! • Today is the last day to place an order for Christmas Cookies/Doggie Treats. Orders can be placed in-person between services.
Angel Tree Ministry –Bring Gifts by tomorrow, December 11 – Volunteers Needed for Angel Gift Wrapping • Thank you all to those who picked up an angel! Please return your gifts unwrapped by tomorrow. On Wednesday, December 13, all are welcome to join us for gift wrapping in the FLC.
Youth Christmas Party Tonight! All Middle School and High School students are invited to a night of fun, games and prizes and sometime reflecting on what Christmas really means for our faith. It will be at the normal Youth Night hours 6:00-7:30 pm. Guests are more than welcome to attend.
Hispanic Christmas Luncheon – Sunday, December 17 • All are invited to join our Hispanic Christmas Luncheon next weekend Sunday at 12pm, sponsored by our brothers and sisters in Christ in our 11:00 Spanish service. Come and get a taste of Christmas!
Christmas Poinsettias – Order Today! • If you wish to place Poinsettias this Christmas season, please fill out an online form or use the Poinsettias Envelopes located by the entrances. https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/poinsettias
Altar flowers can be ordered any time throughout the year: https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/flowers
Holiday Shopping Made Easy – Gift Cards Through RaiseRight! • The Gift Card program through Raise Right supports our youth ministry. You can use this ID code: CFA82EEB65547 to identify Prince of Peace Youth as the organization you want to benefit from your order and start shopping.
Christmas Worship Schedule • Join us for another year as we Celebrate Jesus Christ!
Christmas Eve Worship – Sunday, December 24 – Modified Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00am Traditional worship – Sanctuary | 11:00am Culto español – Templo (No 11:00am Contemporary worship)
5pm Family Contemporary Service | FLC – Glow sticks
(No 5:30PM Spanish Worship)
7:30pm & 10pm Traditional Service | Sanctuary – Holy Communion – Candlelight
Christmas Day Worship – Monday, December 25 • 10am Traditional Service | Sanctuary – Holy Communion
Pastors and Staff Appreciation Gift • Our Personnel Committee and Board invite you to thoughtfully consider giving a special donation for an end-of-year gift to pastors and staff. This is an opportunity for us to show appreciation as a whole congregation during this season of giving. Please note “Staff Gift” on your envelope or online gift. We thank you for your consideration.
Lutheran Haven Christmas Seal Outreach • Lutheran Haven’s Benevolent Care Ministry assists Lutheran Haven residents when a critical need arises. This campaign raises funds that are crucial to funding various needs for their residents such as providing home care services. See the envelopes located our entrances.
“Stars and Promises” Christmas Concert – Monday, December 18 at 7pm • The 24th anniversary tour of Peter Mayer’s acclaimed Christmas Concert. Peter is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released 25 of his own albums, toured internationally with his own band, and was lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band for three decades. Tickets available online: https://bit.ly/Peter-Mayer-Christmas-Concert
Food Pantry Fund Drive Update: Thank you to all those who have participated! We are more than halfway to our goal of $25,000 (either in one-time gifts or regular, recurring gifts) to support our Food Pantry outreach. If you wish to give a special year-end gift, please note “Food Pantry” on your checks or donate at https://poporlando.breezechms.com/give/online
Fruits of Faith
December 3
10:30am Combined Bilingual Worship: 200
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
November 19 offerings $12,097
November 26 offerings $12,035
December 3 offerings $10,126
needed each week: $11,923.
PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort: We continue to pray for Joanne Hahn and family at the death of her husband, Bob, on November 30. A memorial service is being planned in the new year on January 13.
Recovering: Barbara Conyers, Carol Fennell, Gene Fresk, Minnie Hutchinson, Camille Neville, Norma Poutre, Sheila Roberts, Cindy Sibly, Pete S., Joni Steidly, Cheryl Strauss, Harry Wahl, 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, Rick Perre, Miriam Rivera, David Rodgers, Nitza Rohena, Rex Serio, Hannah Steinbronn, Shirley Stockett, Meridith Swanson, Vincent Ward, Ted Wessel, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Ellen Boogher, Sarah vonBraun, Kent Jespersen, Cameron LaPointe, Pastor Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Marleen Schmidt, Jeff S, Tina T, Janet V, 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, Micki & Sal LoBue, Joyce Miller, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms; Michael, Noel, & Roger V
Special: Heavenly Father, work within us by the power of the Spirit to prepare us for the coming of Your Son. Remove every obstacle and clear a way for Jesus’ to transform us. • 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
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday Morning Advent Services
11:00am on Wednesdays December 13, & 20; followed by a light meal.
(Accepting free will donations for Advent Lunch) **LWML will not be meeting on December 20.
Advent Days of Service at 5:4pm in the FLC: ALL are welcome to spread the Christmas Spirit!
December 13 – Angel Tree Gift Wrapping (4:00pm)
December 21 – More info will be provided soon.
Wednesday, December 13 at 4pm – Angel Tree Gift Wrapping
Friday, December 15 at 5:30pm – Angel Tree Ministry Gift Distribution – Gifts due by Monday, December 11
Monday, December 18 at 7pm – “Stars and Promises” Christmas Concert Tour (Peter Mayer) https://bit.ly/Peter-Mayer-Christmas-Concert
Sunday, December 24 – Modified Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00am Traditional worship | Sanctuary
11:00am Culto español | Templo
No Bible classes or children’s Sunday School
No 11:00am Contemporary worship
Christmas Eve Worship — Sunday, December 24 – NO Spanish (5:30p) Christmas Worship service.
5:00pm Contemporary Christmas Eve Worship | Glow Sticks | FLC
7:30pm Traditional Worship | Candlelight | Sanctuary
10:00pm Traditional Worship | Candlelight | Sanctuary
Christmas Day Worship — Monday, December 25
10:00am Traditional Worship | Sanctuary
Sunday, December 31 – Regular Sunday Morning Schedule
(9am Traditional, 11am Contemporary, 11am Culto español; no children’s Sunday School)
New Year’s Eve Worship — Sunday, December 31
6:00pm Traditional Worship | Sanctuary
7:30pm Culto español | Templo
Church and Preschool Offices will be closed Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1.
The church office will be on a modified schedule between Christmas and New Years.
Concert Series
We are excited to be able to host artists and musicians to hear how wonderful they all play! Save the date and share the news with family and friends.
Below you will find the upcoming concert series dates.
- Monday, December 18 at 7pm – “Stars and Promises” Christmas Concert Tour – The 24th anniversary tour of Peter Mayer’s acclaimed Christmas Concert. Peter is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released 25 of his own albums, toured internationally with his own band, and was lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band for three decades. Tickets available online:
https://bit.ly/Peter-Mayer-Christmas-Concert - Saturday, March 2, 2024 – Choir Concert – Cornerstone University Chorale Dr. Kent Walters, Conductor. More detailed information will be provided in the new year.
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