“Love, Hope, and Light in the Community”

ADVENT 3

9:30 Sunday School

Today's Leaders

*Song Leader: Joe Shenk
*Worship Leader: Danny Weaver
*Children’s Time: Lois Sell

Sermon:
Pastor Kevin Gasser

Announcements

Congratulations to Denay, Ben, AJ and KC True on the birth of Rachel Marie! You may sign up on the bulletin board to bring them a meal.

Come to a 'Walk Through Bethlehem" (Outdoor Live Nativity) this evening, 6-7:30 pm at Weavers Mennonite Church. Stroll the streets of Bethlehem the day Jesus was born: meet the wise men, shepherds, animals, townspeople, craftsmen, angels, Mary & Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger! Finally, end your experience in the Bethlehem Cafe with a hot drink and cookies. This event is free.

There will be a Christmas Benefit Concert for SACRA on Monday, December 12, beginning at 7:00 pm at Memorial Baptist Church. This concert will feature local artists, such as the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, The Faithful Men, Christopher Bono, and Mr. Jefferson’s Bones. See the bulletin board for more information.

Eastern Mennonite School will be presenting Handel’s Messiah, December 13 and 15, beginning at 7:30 pm both evenings.

Church Council will not meet this month.

There will be a carry-in Christmas lunch after church on December 18. After the service all are welcome to participate in or watch a special Christmas edition of Bible Quizzing.

Please pray for:

• Those affected by the fires in North Carolina and Tennessee.
• Those traveling over the holidays.

Matthew 11:5-11 - New International Version (NIV)

5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

No one truly knows Christ unless they follow Him daily in life" - Hans Denck

Thank you for joining us in worship today.  If this is your first time at Staunton Mennonite, please fill out the “Welcome” card in the back of the pew and place it in the offering plate.

Take heart Call to Worship Leader: In the nighttime of sorrow, we become impatient and lose hope. People: Our joy disappears, and our songs become silent. We forget the truth that God will restore all of creation. All: Come! Walk in the way of God’s heart! Confessing/Reconciling Leader: God of healing, People: we yearn to walk in your way but often choose our own path of turmoil and pain. Save us, Lord, from the pride and foolishness of choosing our own course, that we may humbly and confidently follow your lead, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Leader: Throughout the tumult of life, God holds you close in love. Rejoice, because God’s wisdom is your guide, God’s compassion is your strength. God’s love is your redemption. All: Come, let us walk in the way of God’s heart! Sending Come! Walk in the way of God’s heart. The dawn is breaking! Christ is coming to set us free from chaos. He will show us the way. Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent–Epiphany worship resources are produced cooperatively by Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church USA, and Leader magazine. Bible readings for today: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. Bible readings for next Sunday: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25. Mennonite Worship Bulletins © 2016 MennoMedia, Harrisonburg, Va., and Kitchener, Ont. Printed in the USA. December 11, 2016. Cover design by Paul Stocksdale; © 2016 Church of the Brethren.