Today in Worship • “Ask for a Sign” – Isaiah 7:10-17, Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7 • Through the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord gave the sign of the coming Messiah that would be born some 700 years later: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”—and God’s word confirmed the fulfillment of that sign when the virgin Mary was carrying Jesus. His arrival signaled that God had really come to be with us to deliver people from their sins. We ask the Lord to lead us to see in His word the signs of His love. And ask him to lead us to see the role He has given us to signal to others that God has come for all people through Jesus, God with us. Our love becomes a sign pointing the way to Jesus’ love; our compassion as a sign of His compassion; our presence a sign of the gracious presence of our Lord that brings hope and peace.
Bible Classes
Adult Sunday Morning Bible Class at 10:00 am • The class is led by Jim Essig. We are looking at the Gospel of Luke. Classes are in the Music Room during our 10:00 am Education Hour, between the 9 am & 11 am worship services.
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGE 4 – GRADE 5: Foundations of Faith • Kids will make crafts, play games, and learn the basic truths about God using both Old Testament and New Testament stories. Kids will walk away from each class with a new “God is…” statement (i.e. “God is powerful” or “God is kind”). Sunday School meets upstairs in the Family Life Center classrooms from 10:00-10:45 on Sunday mornings.
“Kid Video” every week: Did you know that DCE Eric Gerken produces a weekly kid video that ties into the Foundations of Faith lesson? Great for kids, families, and adults. The video is posted weekly to our Facebook and YouTube channels. (Tip: start a faith-conversation with your kids or grandkids using that video as a starting place.)
YOUTH SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS (6th-12th) • “Word One Bible Studies” – a mixture of discussion and experiential learning – come check it out – in the far, upstairs classroom in the Family Life Center from 10:00am-10:45am.
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/newsletter/ and clicking “Seasonal Devotions.” | 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!
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 – Order Today! • If you wish to place Poinsettias this Christmas season, please fill out an online form or use the Poinsettias Envelopes which are 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 – Saturday, December 24
5pm – Family Contemporary | Glow Sticks | FLC
5:30pm – Nochebuena | Candlelight | Templo
7:30pm & 10pm – Traditional | Candlelight | Holy Communion | Sanctuary
Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25 • 10am Traditional | Holy Communion | Sanctuary
New Year’s Eve Worship – Saturday, December 31 – 6pm Traditional | 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 4:00pm on Thursday, December 22 and will resume regular office hours on Tuesday January 3. 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.
Drivers Needed! • Some of our church members could use transportation to appointments, Sunday worship, or occasional trips to the store. If you are willing and able to help in that way, we can help you connect with someone who has expressed a need. Please contact Adriana in the office 407.277.3945 adriana.alas@poporlando.com for more info.
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 at our entrances.
Support the Youth by shopping with RaiseRight! • You can purchase gift cards online for family and friends, from the comfort of your home. Simply go to RaiseRight.com, sign up and input the enrollment code: CFA82EEB65547 and provide a little personal information and you are set to shop! Make sure to identify “Prince of Peace Youth” as the organization you want to benefit. Contact DCE Eric Gerken with any questions. eric.gerken@poporlando.com
PoP Preschool • Do you know someone who might be looking for an amazing preschool for their child? While our infant and 1y/o classes are full, we still have limited openings for 2y/o through VPK. Call (407) 275-6703 to learn more!
Fruits of Faith
Worship Attendance: December 11
9:00 Traditional: 109 | 11:00 Contemporary: 66 | 11:00 Spanish: 64 | TOTAL: 239
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
November 27 offerings $25,160
December 4 offerings $10,222
December 11 offerings $15,482
needed each week: $11,202
Thrivent Choice Dollars • Support Prince of Peace by directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars®. Simply go to www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
PRAYERS
Recovering: Bill Jordan, Merle Kroeplin
Healing and Strength: Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Earl Caldwell, Karin Collins, Danny Conlin, Alice Darling, Elizabeth Dawson, baby Elijah, John Elmore, Jim Essig, Carol Fennell, Judy & Jim Finnie, Dwight Foote, Ginny Fussell, Rev. Dennis Glander, Noah Glasberger & family, Bob Hahn, Michael Halstead, Joe Heinz, David House, Jerry Jordan, Jim Lord, Michael McCarty, Lewis Mendez, Rick Perre, Nitza Rohena, Nancy Schloemer, Rex Serio, Cindy Sibley, Shirley Stockett, Meridith Swanson (wrist), Gwen Taliver, Sonia Tellez, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Barbara Browne, Rev. Amy Bradley, Sarah vB, Jan Fry, Kent Jespersen, Dorothy R, Rev. Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Marleen S, Cathy Smith, Jeff S, Joni S, Janet V, Debbie W, Dayton Whites, Brenda Williams
Continued Care: Chuck Boogher, Kelly DeFrietas, Al & Linda Dicks, Eleanor & Gail Eaton, Bob and Colleen E, Linda House, Minnie Hutchinson, Linda Jackson, Bill Jordan, Joan & Otto K, Mary K.M, Joyce Miller, Todd O, Annette Royal, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms, Michael, Noel, & Roger V, Harry Wahl, Gloria White
Special: We pray for our outreach to families this past week: our Preschool Christmas program, Angel Tree gifts distributed on Friday, Food pantry yesterday. May our service be a sign of God’s love in this world. We also pray for all those who will worship this Christmas, kneeling at the manger to ponder that Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us• We continue to pray for recovery efforts for Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole • We ask the Lord to be with President Biden, members of Congress, and the Supreme Court, as well as all state and local leaders. • We pray for those who serve our nation in the armed services. We also ask the Lord to watch over and keep our first responders safe.