December 27, 2010 - This Week At PFW-UMC

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas!

I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Alice and I enjoyed a wonderful time with our children on Christmas Day. As 2010 winds down, I am already thinking about 2011; I know God is calling and equipping us for an exciting time in the year ahead.

This Sunday, D.D. Adams will be leading the service while Alice and I are away visiting family. You can still reach me via cell phone in an emergency. See you in 2011!

Pastor Stephen

This Week in Worship: Sunday, January 2, 2011

Celebration of Epiphany

Communion Sunday

Choir Anthem: Christmas Star

D.D. Adams preaching

Sermon title: Invited to Follow

Church-wide Planning Meeting

Mark your calendars: We will hold our annual church-wide planning meeting on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. We will use the time together to plan our ministries for 2011. Everyone is encouraged to attend and committee chairs should come prepared with lists of dates and events for 2011.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study will not meet Wednesday, December 29^th.

We will resume our regular meeting on Wednesday, January 5^th, 2011!

The lessons for the Epiphany are:

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Cost is $12.00.

Pastor Stephen has copies for sale.

It can also be ordered on-line at www.lulu.com/banquo

Epiphany Meditation

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never

Over us all to rein

Frankincense to offer have I

Incense owns a Deity nigh

Prayer and praising, voices raising

Worshiping God on high

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes of life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Glorious now behold Him arise

King and God and Sacrifice

Alleluia, Alleluia

sounds through the earth and skies.

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Rev. John Henry Hopkins - 1857

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

December 20, 2010 - This Week At PFW-UMC

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - December 20, 2010

Merry Christmas!

In just a few days we will gather with the shepherds and angels to celebrate the gift of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. But, even as we draw near the manger, we must remember that glory of Christmas is seen best from Easter. The baby we celebrate at Christmas is the messiah who died for our sins on Good Friday; and the man who lived among us is the savior who rose from the grave on Easter to give us eternal life.

Pastor Stephen

Longest Night Service

Join us Monday, December 20^th at 7:00 pm

for a quiet and contemplative worship service on the longest night of the year.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone. We need to know that the light of Christ is greater than the darkness.

Christmas Eve Service

Friday, December 24^th at 8:00 pm

 Come and celebrate the birth of our Lord on the most holy night of the year.

The service will be filled with music and celebration,

and will conclude with the traditional candle-light singing of Silent Night.

Andrew Greenwood will bring the message.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, December 26, 2010

First Sunday after Christmas

Pastor Stephen preaching

Church-wide Planning Meeing

Mark your calendars: We will hold our annual church-wide planning meeting on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. We will use the time together to plan our ministries for 2011. Everyone is encouraged to attend and committee chairs should come prepared with lists of dates and events for 2011.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. The lessons for the Fourth Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Cost is $12.00.

Pastor Stephen has copies for sale.

It can also be ordered on-line at www.lulu.com/banquo

Christmas Meditation

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 the angelic host proclaim:

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come

Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Charles Wesley, 1739

“Because he himself was tested by what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested. (Hebrews 2:18)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - December 13, 2010

Good Morning!

The Advent/Christmas season is filled with moments of unexpected joy. For me, Sunday morning when the children presented the Christmas story was just such a joy filled moment. I never tire of hearing the story of Christ’s birth, and their words and singing brought the story of Christ alive for me. Thanks to the Sunday School children and leaders for proclaiming the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to be Emmanuel - God with us.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, December 19, 2010

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Christmas Cantata: Call Him Jesus

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Monday, December 20, Longest Night Service at 7:00 pm

Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve Service at 8:00 pm

Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet

Join us on Sunday, December 19^th for our Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet.

The banquet is sponsored by the United Methodist Women

and catered by Milloff’s Catering. Call Jan for tickets.

Cost is $22 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. The lessons for the Fourth Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

Longest Night Service

Join us Monday, December 20^th at 7:00 pm

for a quiet and contemplative worship service on the longest night of the year.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone. We need to know that the light of Christ is greater than the darkness.

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Cost is $12.00.

Pastor Stephen has copies for sale.

It can also be ordered on-line at www.lulu.com/banquo

Advent Meditation

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?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

William Chatterton Dix (1865)

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”. (James 5:7)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

This Week At PFW-UMC - December 6, 2010

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - December 6, 2010

Good Afternoon!

We are well into the Advent Season and are quickly approaching Christmas. I remember that as a child, the days before Christmas seemed to drag by; now they rush by too quickly. In an attempt to slow down the rush to Christmas, I encourage you to take some time this week and reflect on places you have seen Christ at work in the world, and then ask: “how can I be Christ’s presence to someone in need?”

This Week in Worship: Sunday, December 12, 2010

Third Sunday in Advent

Preacher: Pastor Stephen

Sermon Title: The One Who Is To Come

Choir Anthem: Call Him Jesus

Children from the Sunday School will present the Christmas Story

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. This upcoming Sunday we will focus on our vow to serve God with our Witness.

Stewardship Sunday

This Sunday - December 12^th is our Commitment Sunday. Everyone should be receiving a letter explaining the Stewardship Program and a commitment card in the mail this week. Please fill out the commitment card and bring it to church on Sunday. We will lay our commitment cards at the altar during the service.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Sunday, December 19, Christmas Cantata: Call Him Jesus

Monday, December 20, Longest Night Service at 7:00 pm

Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve Service at 8:00 pm

Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet

Join us on Sunday, December 19^th for our Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet.

The banquet is sponsored by the United Methodist Women and catered by Milloff’s Catering. Ticket will be available after church on December 12^th.

Cost is $22 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. The lessons for the Third Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Cost is $12.00.

Pastor Stephen has copies for sale.

It can be ordered on-line at www.lulu.com/banquo

Advent Meditation

Savior of the nations, come;

Virgin’s Son, here make thy home!

Marvel now, O heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;

by the Spirit of our God

was the Word of God made flesh,

woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

(Martin Luther, 1523)

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. (James 5:7)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - November 29, 2010

Good Morning! This is a new web ministry from Pastor Stephen. Each week I will be sending out short highlights and reminders for the week. They will also be available on the church’s website, on the church’s Facebook page (search for “Providence Fort Washington United Methodist”) and on my blog (http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com).

Please let me know of anyone who should be added to this list and also if you want to have your name removed.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, December 5, 2010

Second Sunday in Advent

Communion Sunday

Preacher: Pastor Stephen

Choir Anthem: Creation Will Be At Peace

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. This upcoming Sunday we will focus on our vow to serve God with our Service. Sunday, December 12^th will be our Commitment Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Saturday, December 4, Hanging of the Greens and decorating the church.

Sunday, December 12, Sunday School presents the “Christmas Story”

Sunday, December 19, Christmas Cantata: Call Him Jesus

Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet

Join us on Sunday, December 19^th for our Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet.

The banquet is sponsored by the United Methodist Women and catered by Milloff’s Catering. Ticket will be available after church on December 5^th and 12^th. Cost is $22 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. The lessons for the Second Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Pastor Stephen will have copies for sale soon and it can be ordered at www.lulu.com/banquo

Advent Meditation

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

(Charles Wesley, 1744)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. (Psalm 72:18)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen