Today: “The God Who Gives…Authenticity” • Amos 5:18-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 • What does “authenticity” look like? As we consider the words of the Old Testament Prophet, Amos, and as we take an honest look at ourselves, we would have to admit that there are times (perhaps, many times) “authenticity” doesn’t look like us. Like the people to whom Amos preached, we live in a world where appearances can be more important than substance, where checking-the-box sometimes replaces living-it-out. The Lord’s call is to an authentic faith where doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God are not just words, but a way of life. This only happens as we turn in repentance to the Son, where we will see God clearly paint the picture for us: authentic faith flows from Jesus, the righteous One, the One who is faithful and just.
To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin:
https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023_11_12-Trad-Pentecost-24.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) • We are currently exploring “Parables”- the stories that Jesus used to teach. How do these stories help a modern teen? How do we relate to stories about shepherds and Samaritans and kings holding banquets? Come join the discussion as we enjoy some fun activities that will help us explore the depths of God’s love for us. Meet in the Office Conference Room each Sunday at 10:00am
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.
Altar Flowers • To sponsor Altar Flowers in celebration of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one, or simply out of thanksgiving to God, you can do so at https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/flowers or by contacting the office.
Last Sunday’s Altar flowers were given by Marleen Schmidt in celebration of Ron Schmidt’s 80th birthday. (Our sincere apologies for the omission in the Weekly News.) Altar flowers also given by Mike & Julie Fleming in Celebration of their daughter, Janet Gunnoe’s, heavenly birthday on November 10.
Thanksgiving Basket Outreach – Distribution is Friday, November 17 • We are again sharing God’s love by providing turkeys for families in need. Our link to those in need is through local schools, and this year there will be 90 families receiving Thanksgiving meals. Please donate online or in person during the week or on Sunday morning at worship. Please mark your donation as “Thanksgiving Outreach” | https://poporlando.com/give/
Preschool & Church Thanksgiving Feast • Save the Date: Thursday, November 16 at 6:30pm – FLC • Join us for food and fellowship as we thank God for His many blessings! This is a time to join our church and preschool families together, to get to know one another and give our thanks to God for another year of His blessings.
Pint Jars Needed for LWML Holiday Sale • LWML ladies are asking for donations of pint jars, wide mouth or regular ones, for the cookie/doggie treats sale in December. You can drop off the donations during the week in the church office or leave them in the narthex or FLC for the ladies. Thank you!
LWML Holiday Sale – Preorders Begin Today! Orders Due by December 10 • The LWML ladies will begin taking preorders for Christmas cookies and Doggie treats in between services beginning today. Orders can be placed in-person or by filling out the form at the link below. If you have any questions, contact Kathy McCartin. https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cookieorderform2023.pdf
Compassion Project – Items Needed • Looking for donations of men’s tennis shoes: size 10+ (new or used in good condition). Please drop off donations in the church office.
Piano & Violin Recital: Keys and Strings – From Europe to America – Sunday, November 19 a 3pm • Former PoP organist, Ammon Perry, Pianist, will be playing alongside Ayako Yonetani, Violinist. They will be playing pieces by European and American composers, including LeClair, Bach, Liszt, Brams, Gershwin and Zabach. Free admission.
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 Trivia Fu(n)draiser – Hosted by the Youth • December 2, 3pm • Save the date for this friendly competition over 3 rounds of Christmas related trivia songs, movies, history, and traditions. Admission is $20/person. Come as a team or form a team when you get here. Prizes for the winners. Christmas treats available for refreshments.
Sports Card Donations • You can donate any old sports, magic, Pokémon or yu-gi-oh cards to Prince of Peace or to Jeff Powell to be sold for the general fund. Jeff oversees 4 Sports Consultation which is the name he uses for online sales of sports cards. He has years of experience in this so be assured that this will be handled professionally. You can contact Jeff with any questions. (407)538-5206 | 4sportconsultation@gmail.com 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. We are continuing to receive gifts. Note “Food Pantry” on your checks or donate at https://poporlando.breezechms.com/give/online
Fruits of Faith
October 29
9:00 Traditional: 114 | 11:00 Contemporary: 55 | 11:00 Spanish: 68 | TOTAL: 237
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
October 15 offerings $16,264
October 22 offerings $12,807
October 29 offerings $12,484 needed each week: $11,923.
PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort: We offer prayers of comfort for the family and friends of Amaury Suarez, PoP/PdeP member, former member of the Board, living in Puerto Rico. We continue to pray for Carol Fennell and her family at the death of her brother, Chris Johnson.
Palliative Care: Dorothy Reynolds
Hospitalized: Barbara Conyers
Recovering: Deaconess Ligia Borges (at home), John B, Gene Fresk, Janice & Rev. Dennis Glander, Bjorg Hodges, Henry Leon, Camille Neville, Norma Poutre, Sheila Roberts, Cindy Sibly, Joni Steidly, Harry Wahl, Pat Williams
Healing and Strength: Karen Adkins, Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Danny Conlin, Alice Darling, Elizabeth Dawson, Sarah D, Steven Dorsagano, Gail Eaton, John Elmore, Amanda Fearce, Judy Finnie, Leonard G, Michael Halstead, Kristen Ivanic, Joe Heinz, Jim, Bill Jordan, Jerry Jordan, Merle Kroeplin, 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 B., Sarah vB, Ellen Boogher, Kent Jespersen, Cameron LaPointe, Doug P, 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, Minnie Hutchinson, Linda Jackson, Otto Krumpholc, Mary K.M, Micki & Sal LoBue, Joyce Miller, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms; Michael, Noel, & Roger V
Special: Move us, Lord, to live lives of faithfulness, true to You, authentic and true to who You have called us to be. Empower us to live justly and work for justice, to lift those up who are downtrodden, to care for the vulnerable and defend the oppressed.
Veterans Day: On this Veterans Day weekend, we are thankful for all those who have served in the uniformed services of our nation. We thank You for the way of freedom that they have sought to preserve. Stretch forth Your mighty arm to protect all those who serve in our armed forces today. 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.
A Prayer for Peace: • We pray for all those affected by war or violence in our world (the shootings in Maine; terror, war, and unrest in Israel and Gaza) Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (from LSB, p.314)
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, November 16 – Thanksgiving Feast – Preschool & Church (FLC 6:30pm)
Sunday, November 19 – Piano and Violin Recital: Keys & Strings (3:00pm)
Wednesday, November 22 – Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Traditional Worship | Sanctuary • 7pm
Thursday, November 23 – Adoración de Acción de Gracias | Templo • 11am
November 23 & 24 – Church & Preschool Offices closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday, December 2 – Campus Christmas Decorating (8:00am)
Saturday, December 2 – Christmas Trivia Youth Fundraiser – 3:00-5:00pm, $20/person
Sunday, December 3 – Combined (bilingual) Worship – one service at 10:30
Pot-luck and Congregational Meeting follows worship
Wednesday Morning Advent Services
11:00am on Wednesdays December 6, 13, & 20; followed by a light meal
Saturday, December 9 (morning) – Community Rummage Sale
Saturday, December 9 at 7pm – Christmas Choir Concert by Coral Clave de Sol (Hispanic Community Choir)
Monday, December 18 at 7pm – “Stars and Promises” Christmas Concert Tour (Peter Mayer)
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
5:00pm Contemporary Christmas Eve Worship | Glow Sticks | FLC
5:30pm La Vispera de Navidad | Templo
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
This month we begin our 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.
- Sunday, November 19 at 3pm – Piano and Violin Recital: Keys & Strings – from Europe to America. (No Cost – Free will Offering) The Artists, you may remember our former organist, Ammon Perry, Pianist, will be playing alongside Ayako Yonetani, Violinist. Two professional musicians coming together to play pieces by European and American composers, including LeClair, Bach, Liszt, Brahms, Gershwin and Zabach.
If you would like to view past performances of both artists, below are the links to their websites.
Ammon Perry: https://www.ammonperrypianist.com/
Ayako Yonetani: https://www.ayakoyonetani.com/
- Saturday, December 9 at 7pm – Christmas Choir Concert – Coral Clavel de Sol. A Holiday tradition that is done every year by the community choir. With tenor Rafael Cavero and Andres Soler, Conductor (more information will be provided sometime next month)
- 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.