THE LONGEST NIGHT, A SERVICE OF SOLACE Thursday, December 19, 7:00pm, Sanctuary Find solace, safety, warmth, and welcome if you are suffering in your heart during this season, feeling overwhelmed, or in need of quiet reflection. There is a place for you in this season, too. CHRISTMAS FLOWER DELIVERIES You are invited to deliver Christmas flowers to those who are homebound or have lost a loved one. Pick up the flowers after the last Christmas Eve service and deliver them to assigned recipients. Volunteers can bring children along. Contact Cheryl Mathews (cmathews4@me.com) to sign up. RADICAL HOSPITALITY TEAM PLANNING NAME TAGS Our Radical Hospitality team will distribute reusable name tags in January to all regular attenders to help us learn and recall each other’s names. Fill out a connection card to make sure the office has your preferred first name or nickname, and indicate on it if you prefer a lanyard name tag to the magnetic version. Contact Linda Nordmann (lindanordmann@laumc.org) with questions. TREE SAFETY NOTICE The facilities team has studied the valley oak tree in front of the Children’s Center and determined that it has a high probability of a large limb or the whole tree failing due to wood decay. The team has obtained a permit to remove the tree and has set up a Tree Removal Permit sign by the tree with copies of the tree summary articles submitted to the city if you are interested in further information.

ADVENT GENEROSITY 2019: THAT ALL MAY FLOURISH Now through December 24 This year LAUMC is raising $150,000 for three organizations that reflect our vision: Salinas First UMC, Compassion Week 2020, and Dignity on Wheels. You are invited to make donations throughout Advent: cash or check in the offering plate, using PayPal to send money to adventgenerosity@laumc.org, or texting AG and your gift amount to 650-229-5200. Learn more at laumc.org/adventgenerosity2019. TUESDAY AT THE MOVIES Tuesday, December 17, 1:00pm, Live Oak Room Come view Aladdin (2019) with the senior adults ministry. Drinks and snacks are provided. Contact Tom Gazdayka (thomas.gazdayka2010@gmail.com) with questions. ADVENT SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING Wednesday, December 18, 6:00–8:00pm, Creekside All are invited to share dinner together, followed by a class with Senior Pastor Kathi McShane on storytelling: telling and listening to stories, hearing how connections are made through stories, and recognizing the traces of God in our lives. Please register by Monday (laumc.org/school-of-christian-living) so that we can provide dinner ($10/adult, $5/child) and class seating for you. VOLUNTEER DINNER SERVING OPPORTUNITIES The Bold Service and Social Justice team has arranged to serve dinner to those in need: December 19 at Project WeHOPE and December 26 at the cold-weather shelter at our Mountain View campus. Contact Jan McDaniel (janmcdaniel2@yahoo.com) for details and to sign up. HONOR A LOVED ONE WITH CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Donate toward the cost of our Christmas flowers in honor of a loved one. Fill out a flower envelope (at the Connection Point) by Monday, December 16 with your information and enclose $15/plant. The flowers will be delivered after Christmas Eve to congregants on our care list.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

JAVA JOY – 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am Come to the Redwood Room to enjoy fellowship, a cup of

coffee, and some goodies.

Welcome to Los Altos United Methodist Church! We believe all persons are children of God,

and we welcome ALL, regardless of age, cultural background, disabilities, ethnicity, financial circumstances, gender identity,

marital status, religious tradition, or sexual orientation.

Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24

3:00pm Traditional family service 5:00pm Traditional family service 7:00pm Contemporary family service

Youth choirs sing 9:00pm Candlelight service

Adult choir sings 11:00pm Candlelight service

Instrumental music and communion

Infant care offered in the Nursery at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00pm

Visitors, please come by the Connection Point to receive a gift. Hearing assist devices are available: see an usher. Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices. Those able are invited to stand when indicated with the † symbol. FWS: Faith We Sing | UMH: United Methodist Hymnal | W&S: Worship & Song Gathering Music - Sleepers, Wake! Sobaje

Eric Holderman, organist Opening Music 8:30 - Come Emmanuel Paris/Sterling

New Covenant, Bill Golden, Director 10:00 - What Can It Possibly Mean D Damonte

Starfire Singers, Carol Damonte, Director

The Call to Worship † Song - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v. 1, 2) UMH 196 † Welcome † Song - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v. 1) UMH 196 Time for Children (10:00) Lighting the Advent Candle Song - Blessed Be the God of Israel (v. 2) UMH 209 During the hymn, kids will walk to Sunday school as a class. New families, please walk with your children then quickly circle back to worship so that you know where to pick up your children after worship. Invitation to Prayer Prayers & Pastoral Prayer Lord’s Prayer Song - My Soul Gives Glory to My God (v. 1, 3, 5) UMH 198 Bible Reading Melanie Ercoli, John Yen

Luke 1:46-55 (CEB) Pew Bible p. 57 (NT)

Special Music 8:30 - Angels Visit When We Sing Troeger/Trenny 10:00 - Shine On Johnson/Bryant Message - Freedom From Striving Rev. Kathi McShane Advent Song - Come Now and Set Us Free D Damonte

Advent Generosity Moment Response to Our Generous God In addition to the offering plate, donations may be made online (https://laumc.onlinegiving.org/) or by texting a gift amount to 650-229-5200. Info cards are in the pew pockets. Offertory - Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes Held Song of Praise † Prayer of Dedication † Song - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (v. 1, 2, 5, 6) UMH 211 † Sending Forth † Song of Blessing - Star-Child (v. 1, 5) FWS 2095 Closing Music - People, Look East! Mansfield CONVERSATIONAL CHURCH - 11:15am, Live Oak Room When have you said “Yes” and let yourself be led beyond your own plans and control? When have you not said “Yes”? What are the invitations that might be the voice of an angel now—to you, to us, to the Church, to this country?

IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD: Please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick, or in poverty because of natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them. SPECIAL CONCERNS: Merle Boxill, Elaine Calk, Barbara Ferguson, Pat Kennedy, Dick Osgood, Allen Rosenthal, Mary Sheldon, Doug Webb, Jack Wenstrand DEATHS: Our sympathy to the family and friends of Fran Anderson, who passed away November 12. A memorial service will be held at LAUMC on Saturday, December 21, at 11:00am. MEN & WOMEN IN UNIFORM AROUND THE WORLD: Rachel Z. E. Sheridan (USAF), James Dobson (USAF), Devin Kenny-Hernandez (USA), Phillip Lyman (USA), Kelly McCoy (USA), John Principe (USA), JP Springsteel, Jared Vallner (USA)

Canticle of the Turning My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Welcome Advent Candle Lighting

What Can It Possibly Mean

Prayers Holy Is Your Name

Message Pastor Dirk Damonte

Celebrate the Coming of the Lord

To view an extended Prayer Concerns list, or to request prayers, please visit www.laumc.org/prayers/.

LAUMC is a Care Ministry Congregation with trained, supportive, and loving people who are available to provide you with confidential, caring support in times of special need. If you need care, call the pastoral care line (650-823-4562).

C H R I S T M A S

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Special Christmas Events at LAUMC The story of God’s coming to be with us in Jesus is the story of God’s yearning for us to be set free, so that we might live fully. In this holy season, we invite you to take the time to breathe deeply and find God next to you through your story. If you cannot attend in person, our services are also streamed live online at laumc.org/live. Come Now and Set Us Free Sunday Services: December 15, December 22 8:30 and 10:00am, Sanctuary | 5:00pm, Creekside Conversational Church: 11:15am, Live Oak Room The Longest Night, a Service of Solace Thursday, December 19, 7:00pm, Sanctuary Find solace and welcome if you are suffering in your heart, feeling overwhelmed, or in need of quiet reflection. Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24, Sanctuary Prepare your heart for the Christ child at the service that best fits your schedule.

3:00* & 5:00pm*† Traditional Family Services

7:00pm* Contemporary Family Service 9:00

† & 11:00pm Candlelight Services

*Infant care provided | †Deaf interpretation provided

SCHEDULE CHANGE: One Sunday Service Sunday, December 29, 10:00am, Sanctuary Topic: The Christmas Truce The 8:30am, 11:15am, and 5:00pm services will resume on January 5.

C H R I S T M A S

A T

L A U M C

Special Christmas Events at LAUMC The story of God’s coming to be with us in Jesus is the story of God’s yearning for us to be set free, so that we might live fully. In this holy season, we invite you to take the time to breathe deeply and find God next to you through your story. If you cannot attend in person, our services are also streamed live online at laumc.org/live. Come Now and Set Us Free Sunday Services: December 15, December 22 8:30 and 10:00am, Sanctuary | 5:00pm, Creekside Conversational Church: 11:15am, Live Oak Room The Longest Night, a Service of Solace Thursday, December 19, 7:00pm, Sanctuary Find solace and welcome if you are suffering in your heart, feeling overwhelmed, or in need of quiet reflection. Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24, Sanctuary Prepare your heart for the Christ child at the service that best fits your schedule.

3:00* & 5:00pm*† Traditional Family Services

7:00pm* Contemporary Family Service 9:00

† & 11:00pm Candlelight Services

*Infant care provided | †Deaf interpretation provided

SCHEDULE CHANGE: One Sunday Service Sunday, December 29, 10:00am, Sanctuary Topic: The Christmas Truce The 8:30am, 11:15am, and 5:00pm services will resume on January 5.

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