WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIP:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Riley Peck, Brent Talbot, Sr. 6th; Karlee Fretz, Cheryl Hall, Mary Beth Musselman, Jeff Schatz, Tracy Shelton 7th; Nelda Metzler, Francis Weiss 8th; Matt Connor, Denise Kulp, Karen Mirabela, Steve Myers, David Reich 9th; Derek Freed, Stephen Tyson 10th; Connie Smith 11th.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Mark and Sharon Kostishion 7th.
THE SERMON TITLE this morning is A View of Heaven. Christmas is about heaven coming to earth. That’s what the angel Gabriel’s visit to Nazareth is about. If heaven doesn’t come to earth, then we’re all toast! In Revelation 4 the opposite happens: someone from earth is taken into heaven! It is the apostle John. Jesus, who has been speaking with John, suddenly bids John to come up. There are things Jesus wants John to see. It is a revealing view of heaven. Looking over John’s shoulder, as it were, we receive a view of heaven as well. A good way to begin Advent is by seeing and hearing heaven along with John.
THE SEASON OF ADVENT begins today. This is a four-week preparation to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus. We have an Advent Wreath in the chancel that will have another candle lighted each week. Each will feature one element of our anticipation of the birth of Jesus. This first week it is hope.
THE SACRAMENT of Holy Communion will be shared during the service of worship this morning. We invite all members of the church of Jesus Christ to share in this sacrament.
THE ISSUES & ANSWERS SCHEDULE:
- Today – Stan Ott
- Dec. 8 – Dave Reich – The Case for Christmas
SPIRITUAL COUNCIL meets this Tuesday evening at 7:30 in Room. 121.
IT BEGINS TODAY! You’re invited to be part of it. What is it? The concentrated effort to bring the light of the Gospel to the Erukulu people in Andhra Pradesh, India. Our Gospel Gleanings effort will last one year. Each day for the next year we will offer a prayer for the Erukula people and set aside one dollar to help bring the Gospel of Christ to them. If you’ve not yet signed up to be part of this effort, do so today. There are tables in the narthex where you can register and receive your silk purse to hold your daily dollar.
A SOON-TO-BE-MARRIED young couple is looking for an apartment in the Bucks County area (Perkasie, Sellersville, Quakertown) by the end of this year, if possible. Contact Kaitlyn Rittenhouse at 215-859-8531 if you know of any. Thank you.
THE LADIES OF LEIDY’S annual pot luck Christmas meeting takes place this Tuesday, at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. All ladies are welcome to attend . . . just sign up for what you would like to make on the sheet posted in the narthex. Following the meal our business meeting will be held. If you have questions, speak with 2019 President, Alice Kraus.
ADVENT WORKSHOP is today at 4 p.m. Crafters please, be on time, crafts will start promptly! Don’t forget a dessert to share.
SIGN-UP SHEETS are on a table outside the sanctuary to sign up for the 2020 Committees of consistory. Read over the responsibilities of each committee and prayerfully consider where you might best serve the Lord and Leidy’s Church.
MARCH FOR LIFE 2020 takes place on Friday, January 24th. Leidy’s Church will have a Perkiomen coach taking folk down. Cost is $12 per person. The bus will leave the Leidy’s Church parking lot at 6 a.m. and usually returns between 8:30 and 9 in the evening. A sign-up sheet is posted in the narthex. Youth under 18 years of age must have a responsible adult assigned with them.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING takes place two weeks from today. Included in today’s bulletin is a sign-up form to register for caroling. The completed form may be placed in the basket on the Welcome Desk. You may also use the form to make suggestions for persons or homes to put on our caroling list. Feel welcome to join in spreading Christmas cheer!
POINSETTIA PLANTS to beautify our sanctuary for the Christmas season may be ordered beginning today. Plants may be placed in memory or in honor of someone. The cost of the plants this year will be $15. Someone will be at the Welcome Desk after Sunday School and the service to take your order.
CONSISTORY meets this Wednesday evening at 7:30 in the Conference Room.
THE FLOWER CHART FOR 2020 is posted on the wall in the narthex for those who would like to sponsor flowers for our sanctuary. The chart will be posted until the end of December
PAUL HOLLOWAY will be 100 on December 21st. For those who knew Paul when he was an active member of Leidy’s Church and would like to mail him a card, his home address is: 4485 N. Echo Glenn Lane, Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815. Thank you. Harold and Sylvia Holloway.
DEAR LEIDY’S CHURCH FAMILY: On behalf of the Martindell, Neef, and Clarke families, we all thank you for your continued prayer support for Jean Clarke in her recovery from a stroke. She is making some progress but has a long way to go. So keep the prayers coming. They are working. And thanks for your cards and visits. She loves company!
DENNY AND SUE BARGER wrote to say: We are grateful for the service of worship and fellowship meal for my mom’s funeral. Our family and friends were blessed. Please give our thanks to the ladies that provided a wonderful meal and a time of fellowship by which family and friends could reunite. And please thank Nancy for her marvelous organ playing. Our hearts are filled with comfort and joy.
REMEMBERING OUR MILITARY: Daniel Merritt is stationed overseas and would be thrilled to get a Christmas card from some of the members of Leidy’s Church. His address is:
SPC DANIEL MERRITT
B CO 3 BEB, 3ABCT
PSC 307 BOX 5001
APO AP 96224
PRAYER-POINTERS. How might we prayer during this first week of prayers for the Gospel Gleanings outreach to the Erukula people? Here are two prayer points for this week:
- For the Holy Spirit to begin stirring Erukula hearts for God.
- For God’s direction in the selection of the 10 church planters to be sent to the Erukula people
CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS. Sunday evening, December 15th, the Penn View Brass Band presents a special Christmas Concert to benefit the Tim Tebow Night To Shine, a prom night for special-needs persons. The concert begins at 6:30, but the doors will be open at 6. Music will include Christmas carols, favorite classics, popular tunes, and some sing-along treats. Help spread the word, invite some friends, and plan to be present. It will be a festive evening.
HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THE UNEXPECTED? – Ladies, you are invited to join us in the Women’s Sunday School class on December 8th. Verna Bowman shares how we can personally relate to the inspiring stories of the women of Christmas.
IT’S COMING . . . THIS SATURDAY! The Annual Souderton Holiday Parade begins at 11:00 and will feature a Leidy’s Church Float. If you would like to participate in any way, please see Ken Merritt.