Today: Giving the Gift of Joy • Isaiah 61:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 • Have you ever noticed how this world has a “joy deficit”? There are so many circumstances that seem to squish the joy out of life. The theme for this 3rd Sunday in Advent is one that highlights “joy.” The Scriptures that are appointed for today speak of God giving us—His people—“a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Not only do we ourselves have a great need to experience these things in real and tangible ways, our world desperately needs a replenishment of joy, as only God’s Son can do so. But how? Learn today about God’s design to deliver these good gifts to people just in time for Christmas.
To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin: https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023_12_17-Advent-3.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/.
LWML Holiday Sale – Order Pick up Today • Thank you to all who helped support the mission and outreach! Please plan to pick up your orders today in between services. Contact Kathy McCartin for more information
Hispanic Christmas Luncheon TODAY • All are invited to join our Hispanic Christmas Luncheon today at 12pm, sponsored by our brothers and sisters in Christ in our 11:00 Spanish service. Come and get a taste of Christmas!
Advent Wednesday’s Worship Service – Wednesday December 20 • 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. For those who are not able to make it to PoP at 11:00 we will live stream the service and run an “evening edition” of the recording at 7:30pm.
The Angel Tree Ministry • Thank you to all those who supported our Angel Tree Ministry by purchasing a gift, donating funds, or helping wrap gifts and distributing them. Special thanks to Deac. Ligia Borges, who is our vital link to the local schools and community, and who heads up this effort.
Christmas Poinsettias – Still time to order! • 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
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
New Year’s Eve Worship – Sunday, December 31 – Regular Sunday Morning Schedule (9am Traditional, 11am Contemporary, 11am Culto español); 6pm Traditional NYE worship | 7:30pm Adoracion en espanol • We invite you to join us for special evening worship services on New Year’s Eve as we give thanks and praise for the year gone by and pray for God’s continued guidance, grace, and provision in the year ahead.
Holiday Office Hours of Operation • The church office will be closed at noon on Friday, December 22 and will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, January 2. Church staff members are available to serve you by appointment. As staff will be in and out of the office during this time. Please call ahead if you are planning to stop by or have a need. For pastoral emergencies, please feel free to contact Pastor Ken (703) 338-4387, or Pastor Borges (407) 777-5119, directly.
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. https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/staffgift
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 – Tomorrow, December 18 at 7pm • The 24th anniversary tour of Peter Mayer’s acclaimed Christmas Concert. Tickets available online: https://bit.ly/Peter-Mayer-Christmas-Concert
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.
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 10
9:00am Traditional: 103 | 11:00am Contemporary: 56 | 11:00am Spanish: 70 | TOTAL: 229
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
November 26 offerings $12,035
December 3 offerings $10,126
December 10 offerings $10,214
needed each week: $11,923.
Food Pantry special year-end fund drive: $17,967.05
PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort: We pray for the Lord’s comfort for the family and friends of Joyce Miller, who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 12. Joyce was 90 years old and had been a member of Prince of Peace since 1958, not long after we formed as a congregation.
Recovering: Barbara Conyers, Carol Fennell, Gene Fresk, Joshula Flowers, Minnie Hutchinson, 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, Vincent Ward, Ted Wessel, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Ellen Boogher (upcoming surgery), 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, Jean LaPointe, Micki & Sal LoBue, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms; Michael, Noel, & Roger V, Harry Wahl
Special: Lord Jesus, You did not hesitate to come into this world, a place where people experience discouragement and a deficit of joy. You are our joy-giver, the one who give us garments of praise instead of a spirit of despair. By Your Spirit bless us with such joy that it would be evident to others that we are Your people, and so others would be drawn to know the good news of Your coming to bring peace, hope, and an everlasting joy. • We ask for the Lord’s travel mercies upon all those who are traveling this time of year. • For upcoming Christmas services: Lord Jesus, as we prepare for our celebration of Your birth, be with all the preparation for our upcoming Christmas worship services. Help us to be inviting of others and welcoming all you draw to Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz to kneel before Your manger. • 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 Wednesday December 20; followed by a light meal. (Accepting free will donations for Advent Lunch) **LWML will not be meeting on December 20.
Monday, December 18 at 7pm – “Stars and Promises” Christmas Concert Tour (Peter Mayer) The 24th anniversary tour of Peter Mayer’s acclaimed Christmas Concert. A limited number of tickets continue to be available online at 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
- Save the Date: 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