DECEMBER 28, 2025 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
La presentación de Cristo en el templo by Kelly Latimore
7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ, 08542 609 924 2613 www.princetonumc.org
THE CHURCH GATHERS
Pre-Service Music
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Call to Worship
John Carter
adapted by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
God of love, Christ is born, and we give you praise! Your love is embodied among us, and we give you thanks. You are not abstract, but real. You are not far, but near. We search for you, and we find you. Jesus, lead us to the place of God. We worship in awe, with gratitude, with love.
Hymn
Joy to the World
UMH #246
Prayer of Confession The Lord be with you. And also with you. Please join me in prayer: God of justice and mercy, God of peace and hope, you have come near to us in love, and we confess that we often stay where we are. We cling to what is known and comfortable instead of going where your Spirit leads. We hesitate to move toward those who are vulnerable, afraid, still waiting for justice and peace. Forgive us when we receive your grace but resist being changed by it. Forgive us when we forget that your presence sends us outward in love. silence for prayer
Words of Assurance
The God who was recognized in the arms of Simeon and proclaimed by Anna is still moving among us. God’s mercy does not end at the manger. God’s grace does not remain still. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY Acolytes - Kate Potts, Elliot Walz Liturgists - Michele Tuck-Ponder, Raphael Aryeetey Reader - Scott Collins Musicians - LaVerna Albury, Julia Hanna, Ushers -Tim Ewer, Pam Ewer, Ian Griffiths
TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRENDA ENGEL
GIVEN BY RICK ENGEL
TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT
Music Ministry
What Child Is This
arr. Tom Shelton
Children's Time
Where Children Belong
TFWS #2233
Scripture Reading Luke 2:22-40 (p. 54) This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon
“God with Us. . .Always”
Israel Gwatana
TO RESPOND IN FAITH Hymn
Song of Simeon
see insert
Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Offertory
Love Came Down at Christmas
Hymn
Doxology
arr. Ian Good
UMH #94
Prayer of Thanksgiving
AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD
Hymn
Go Tell It on the Mountain
UMH #251
Benediction Postlude
Sing Joy
arr. Mark Hayes
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers for those who are without homes. Prayers for those struggling with their physical and mental health. Prayers for our country and the divisiveness caused by political discourse. Prayers for our country’s leaders to choose pathways of peace and not war or violence. May we find ways to communicate and work together. Prayers for those around the world, but especially in Gaza and Sudan, experiencing war, hardship, food insecurity, and famine. May we share what we have in plenty for those who do not have nearly enough. Prayers for those being targeted for where their families are from. Prayers for people in all places in war.
HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?
For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Tyler Mathiasen at tyler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.
Seeking Home
Advent and Christmas are seasons of yearning—for hope, for healing, for a home in which we all can belong and flourish. In our “Seeking Home,” Advent-Christmas worship series, we journey with migrants of Scripture and immigrants of today, discovering in their stories the heartbeat of our faith. From Abraham’s call to leave, to Ruth’s search for welcome, to Mary’s revolutionary song, and to Jesus, God-with-us, fleeing political violence—these are sacred stories of displacement and divine presence. Through them, we listen more deeply—to God, to each other, and to those still on the move. Immigration and incarnation meet in a God who crosses every border to dwell with us.
Gathering Immigrant Stories
We seek to center stories of journey, courage, and seeking home. If you are an immigrant or part of a migrant family and are willing to share a small piece of your story (even anonymously), we’d be honored to receive your story! It’s possible that we may include it in an upcoming worship service, in our weekly email Happenings, or an upcoming newsletter. You can: Share anonymously or with your name Share something brief (as short as 1–2 sentences or a short paragraph) or, if you have a lot to share, share something longer. Share in writing, video, or audio recording Email to tyler@princetonumc.org Put a written piece in the offering plate during worship or mail to the church A few ideas about what you might share: What has helped you feel at home? What was the hardest part of the experience? Where did you experience God on the journey? What do you want others to know about your experience of immigration?
Congregational Reading for Advent and Christmas:
As part of our Advent-Christmas worship series, Seeking Home, we invite you to spend a few minutes this season reading the United Methodist Church's statement:
“What the UMC Believes About Immigrants and Migrants" by Laura Buchanan Use the QR code or go to bit.ly/3XjCrW5 to find the article. This short and accessible article outlines our denomination's core beliefs and commitments related to immigration, including: The God-given dignity and rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers A call to oppose unjust immigration policies and border enforcement tactics A vision of welcome, compassion, and systemic justice Reflection Questions: What surprised or challenged me in this statement? Where have I experienced the tension between faith and fear around immigration? What small or large act of welcome is God inviting me to this season?
More “Seeking Home” Immigration Resources
We’ve compiled numerous resources around immigration for you to explore and engage. You can find them on the AdventChristmas page on our website or follow the QR code below. You’ll find: Organizations that focus on Immigrants and Immigration Actions steps for justice, hospitality, and resistance United Methodist resources Explore, learn, read, watch, listen, including books for all ages Scripture passages
WELCOME TO
Princeton United Methodist Church We are a diverse faith community, engaged in enlivening spiritually thirsty people to joyfully respond to God’s love and grow as disciples of Christ, so that together we may experience the fullness of life.
SCAN TO GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128
SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EPIPHANY WORSHIP SERIES Please join us in our upcoming epiphany worship series, “Reoriented” as we explore the ways God reshapes our identity, practices, desires, and hopes through Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. NEWCOMER’S GROUP
If you are a visitor and interested in learning more about PUMC or joining the church, we invite you to come to our Newcomer’s program! Starting January 18, we will hold our Newcomer’s Group on Sundays after service from 11:30-12:30 in person or on zoom. We hope to see you there!
COLLECTING DIAPERS FOR MAKER’S PLACE
Princeton UMC is collecting diapers in the Sanford Davis room from 12/14/25 through 1/11/26 for our annual diaper drive for Maker’s Place. The Youth will be hosting a Diaper Bundling Party on 1/11/26 at 12:30pm in the Youth Room.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MULTIFAITH SERVICE
The annual Multifaith Service to Honor the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, will be held at PUMC this year on Monday, Jan 19 at 7 pm. Diverse faith leaders from a wide range of traditions will co-lead the worship Service.
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