Play 10:00 a.m. Audio Service
St. Paul United Church of Christ
24158 Goddard Road, Taylor, Michigan 48180-0190
Rev. Dr. Geoffrey G. Drutchas - Senior Pastor
Pastor Cheryl Schalm - Minister of Christian Education
Mr. Tracy Hoffman - Director of Music
Mrs. Sally Sigman - Organist
Ms. Cindy Romas - Administrative Assistant for Member Services
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 17, 2019
SILENT PRAYER (Silent reverence is invited)
PRELUDE “Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” Note-A-Bells Handbell Choir
RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL
CALL TO WORSHIP/ MOMENT OF SILENCE Pastor Cheryl Schalm
OPENING HYMN No. 718 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,” Tracy Hoffman, Hymn Leader
RESPONSIVE READING Pastor Schalm & Congregation
WOMEN: O God, we give you thanks for all that you have done for us. That you have created us, and have given us the gift of life and set us to live in this fair earth; that you have given us work to do, and strength to do it;
ALL: Now thank we all, our God with heart and hands and voices.
YOUNG ADULTS / YOUNG MARRIED: We give you thanks for all that others have done for us. For those who taught us when we were children; for those who in the days of youth gave us the guidance that kept us from going astray; for those who to this day love us and surround us with their care:
ALL: Now thank we all, our God with heart and hands and voices.
MEN: We give you thanks for all that your church has done for us. For strength and guidance each week for life’s way; for the friendship and the fellowship which we here enjoy; for the sacraments of your grace, and the prayers of your people.
ALL: Now thank we all, our God with heart and hands and voices.
CHOIR: We give you thanks for all that you have done for us in Jesus Christ. That in Christ you have shown us the length and breadth and depth and height of your great love for us; that in Christ you have opened to us a new and living way into your presence.
ALL: Now thank we all, our God with heart and hands and voices. We give you thanks for everything that has given us strength for earth and hope for heaven. Accept this, our sacrifice of praise for your love’s sake. AMEN.
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Amen. Amen. Amen.
WELCOME / PASSING OF THE PEACE
ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Geoffrey Drutchas
FAMILY MOMENT OF GOD Blessing of the Shoeboxes
SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 100:1-5, Philippines 4:6-7 & 11-13 Lector: Michele McNeely
CELEBRATION OF MUSIC “O, Worship the King,” Note-A-Bells Handbell Choir
MORNING PRAYER (Strength, Healing, Thanks) Pastor Schalm
HYMN No. 715 “Now Thank We All Our God”
OFFERTORY INVITATION/ OFFERTORY/*DEDICATION OF GIFTS Special Music, “Sing it Now,” Reba McEntire
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Deuteronomy 32:10-12 Lector: Michele McNeely
MESSAGE “Masked & Disguised,” Pastor Schalm
LORD’S PRAYER (debts/ debtors)
CLOSING HYMN No. 714 “For the Fruit of All Creation”
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE (Please remain in your pews as the service closes and until all of the candles are extinguished.)
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS AND CHANGING ROOM SPACE can be reached through the side door at the east rear of the sanctuary just before the entrance to our “Family Room”. Please alert the Ushers if you need assistance.
PARENTS WITH CRYING INFANTS are encouraged to make use of our Family Room at the rear of the Sanctuary. Nursery Care is available.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES AND LARGE PRINT hymnals and orders of service are available. Tune listening devices to channel 105.5 FM.
CELL PHONES & PAGERS should be turned off or set to vibrate.
PRINTED COPIES of most sermons are available in the front vestibule.
PLEASE USE WHITE PEW ENVELOPES to request altar flowers, chancel flowers or Christmas Poinsettias.
MISSION STATEMENT
"Our mission at St. Paul United Church of Christ is to promote God’s plan of salvation in our church family and community. Knowing that all blessings come from God, we seek to share these in the church universal and proclaim God’s good news of His love and compassion, bringing together all people in Jesus Christ.”
ASSISTING WITH THE SERVICE TODAY
Council: Michael Isaacs
Deacons: Jim Nault
Ushers: Helen St. Louis
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week November 17 – November 24
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Pastor Cheryl Schalm- Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Youth Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m./ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m. Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due today
Monday TOPS 6:00 p.m./ Caregivers Group 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Worship Planning 6:00 p.m./ Cabinet 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 p.m./ Confirmation 7:00 p.m./ Chancel Choir 7:00 p.m./ Worship Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Guild 10:00 a.m./ Red Hat Outing 10:00 a.m./ Communications Ministry 7:00 p.m.
Friday Painting with a Purpose 7:00 p.m./ ChristNet Dinner Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas – Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Kronemann Family Baptism 10:00 a.m./ Youth Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m./ Coffee Hour 11:00 am.
MORNING TIDE
PLEASE JOIN THE ST. PAUL CONGREGATION for light refreshments following the morning worship service. We will be gathering in our Fellowship Hall, hosted by our Youth and Young Ault Ministries.
ALTAR FLOWERS are in loving memory of George B. Yenkel from your loving wife, Shirley, and Family. ROSE ON THE PULPIT celebrates the birth of Silas Gregory Block, born Tuesday, November 12, 2019 to Sean & Gregory Block. Siblings are August & Gabriel. Grandparents are Gordon & Laurie O’Neil, Jim & Paula Block, and Pam Block. Great-Grandparent is Virginia Maruszewski.
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE is Tuesday, November 26. Worship Service will be in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. A fellowship period is in the West Room with fresh pie served for those remaining after the service. Mark your calendars for a night of thanksgiving together.
Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. 1 Peter 4:10
Looking to utilize your special gift? Please consider serving on the St. Paul Council. Council positions open for nomination in 2020 include first vice president (two-year position), second vice president (three-year position), secretary (one-year position), elder (three-year position), deacon (three-year position), and trustee (three-year position). Detailed job descriptions are available for all Council positions per request. Council meetings are the second Tuesday of every month excluding July and August. Any church member interested in being nominated should speak with Church Trustees Michael Isaacs, Dave Badarak, or Toni Hill.
PINK TIME & TALENT CARDS continue to be received today. Please place them in an offering plate or you may hand them to an usher.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN – PRAYER LIST
Your prayers are requested for the following church members and friends: Dave Badarak, Liz Bechtol, Stacey Black-Quantz, Sean Block, Dave Cowper, Charlie Duncan, Terry Dyer (Heartland, Allen Park), Christine Gilliland, Vicki Grant, Kyle Hard, Doris Hilliker, Shirley Koths, Beverly Jean Lloyd, Christopher Natzke (Beaumont, Royal Oak, nephew, Michael Natzke), Bill Pattenaude, Shirlen Powell, Shirley Robinson, Sheryl Schwab, John Sharp (father, Gina Hribik), Beverly Sitz, Diane Sturgeon, Paul Tetreau (nephew, Kathy & Gary Peters), Doreen Thompson, Carol Wioncek, and Frank Wolfram. Please contact the church office if your family member or friend needs to be listed longer than three weeks or their health has been restored.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS SPONSORING their annual “Advent by Candlelight”
program on Sunday, December 8, from 6:45-8:45 p.m. This is where one woman hosts a table
and asks up to 7 other ladies to join her for an Advent Program, fellowship and dessert. There
is a sign-up sheet available during coffee hour all through November, or you can call or email
Debbie Case (debbiescase@aol.com). It is quite easy to be a hostess and I will have envelopes
for each hostess with all the information. There is another sign-up sheet for ladies that do not
want to host a table but would like to attend. We will do our best to find a place for every lady
that would like to attend. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, November 24. I will need to know
total numbers at each table by December 1. The table arrangement is based on the order that
you sign your group up by. You will be better able to sign up by emailing me and then I can
email the hostess papers to you.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION’S Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry is due today.
The shoe boxes will be delivered to the Dearborn collection center where they will be loaded
into semi-trucks for distribution. Christian Education is pleased to share an opportunity
to be an Angel” to a child in need this holiday season. An Angel Tree adorned with angel
ornaments identifying the gender and age of a child in need is in the Fellowship Hall. Simply
pull an ornament, log the number on the sheet located on the table, and return the gifts
unwrapped with the ornament taped to it by December 8. Gifts will be delivered to the
Salvation Army on Monday, December 10. Our Sunday School Children are collecting hats,
gloves, mittens, scarves, socks and undergarments for children and families in need. All items
can be dropped off upstairs and/or placed in the gigantic stocking located at the bottom of the
stairs. Items will be delivered to the Salvation Army on December 8 in time for their annual
“Families in Need Christmas Store.” If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Schalm.
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS to honor someone special in your life or in memory of a loved one. The cost is $8.00 per plant and can be ordered by filling out one of the white envelopes found in the pew racks. Designate ‘Christmas Poinsettias’. Last day to order is Sunday, December 8. The poinsettias will be placed in the Chancel area prior to December 22 and will remain there throughout our candlelight services. You can take your plant(s) after our Christmas Eve Worship Service. Any plants left behind will be given to our shut-ins or nursing homes where church members reside.
THE SEWING GUILD Sew ‘n Sews is looking for anyone who knits or crochets and would like to make baby blankets, lap blankets, kid size blankets, baby or kid's cancer hats. All yarn will be supplied. Please contact Sharon Leonard or the church office if you are able to help us utilize a large donation of yarn. It would be great if you could attend our meetings, but not necessary. We meet in the West Room the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. Bring a sandwich, dessert and coffee are provided. Join us for 'food for thought'. Our next meeting is Thursday, November 21, 10:00 a.m.
‘BLUE CHRISTMAS’ SERVICE’ members and friends who have lost loved ones over the past year or more and are experiencing Christmas the first or second time without a loved one are invited to attend a special “Blue Christmas” program and worship service on Thursday, December 5, 7 p.m. We will gather in the parlor and then join for a time of very special worship in the Chancel of the St. Paul Sanctuary. Participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one with them that night to place on the altar. The “Blue Christmas” Service will be led by Pastor Geoff Drutchas. For more information, contact the church office.
SANTA’S MAGIC FOREST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS for St. Paul Day on Saturday,
December 7, 12-8 p.m. Volunteers are needed to welcome visitors to Downriver’s finest
holiday display. In lending a hand, our volunteers help raise funds for the Fish & Loaves Food
Pantry which is Michigan’s largest food pantry. Santa’s Magic Forest opens its doors on
Saturday, November 30, just in time to welcome Santa at the head of city-wide Winterfest
parade through Heritage Park at 5 p.m. The “Magic Forest” holiday display, welcomes visitors
through Sunday, December 22. Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well the Grinch. It’s
a beautiful, fun time for kids, parents, and volunteers. There is a small $3 cash only admission
charge which directly benefits the Fish & Loaves Pantry providing food assistance to thousands
of Downriver families throughout the year. Photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch are
available at $8. Volunteer stints for St. Paul Day at the Magic Forest are two hours. To volunteer
complete a Make-A-Wish card and add it to the offering plate or contact the church office.
HEALTH MINISTRIES - Exercise Classes – Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. There is no charge for these sessions. Meditation classes - Individual sessions are available. Please contact Kathy Williams. Health/ Medical supplies – If you have or need medical supplies, such as walkers, wheelchairs, please contact parish nurse, Kathy Williams. Updating our Call List – Please notify the church office (313-291-1221) if you would like to be contacted when there are important messages to share (such as a death, meeting cancellation, etc.). This list is for members without e-mail. Medicare Enrollment Time is here until December 5. Not sure about which Medicare supplement to choose? The Senior Alliance assists persons changing programs and/or Part D (medication plan). See the Health Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall for dates and places.
RED HOT PURPLE ANGELS Thursday, November 21st, 10:00 a.m., we will carpool to the Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan to tour the church and Christmas decorations. Tour is at 11:00 a.m. Admission is free.
Our Christmas Dinner celebration is Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. at Lakes of Taylor. The contact is Sally Sigman. Money, $28, is due by Sunday November 24. Remember, it will be time to reveal yourself to your secret pal at the dinner. So, bring her a gift and reveal who you are on the card. If you cannot attend the dinner you can always leave a gift in the west room and someone will take it to the dinner for you and yours will be left in the west room for you to pick up. If you didn’t participate in the Secret Pal and want to be part of the gift giving, bring a gift costing approximately $10 to exchange. There is no obligation to do so. Please sign up on the RHPA bulletin board in Fellowship Hall if you will be attending the dinner.
USHERS NEEDED Anyone interested in volunteering can visit our Usher Sign-up Board located in the Narthex (back) of the Church. Being an usher is easy and experience is not necessary. Our Deacons will be glad to answer any questions and walk you through the process prior to the worship service. LECTORS (Scripture readers) are needed to read during worship services. No experience is needed. Training provided. Copies of all readings are available Thursday or Friday of each week and for your convenience can be emailed to you by our church’s administrative assistant, Cindy Romas.
CAREGIVERS’ GROUP MEETS Monday, November 18. The small group provides
opportunities for those providing care for family members or friends to share insights and
experiences in a mutually supportive environment that maintains confidentiality. Led by
Pastor Drutchas and Parish Nurse Kathy Williams, the group meets in the church parlor at
7:30 p.m.