St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fifth Sunday in Lent/ April 6, 2025
Girl Scout Sunday
We give our old selves to God without restraint, all that we have and all that we are. In return, we trust God for a new self, shaped by his unlimited love. In the words of the psalmist,” We. sow in tears, with the hope to reap in joy.”
Ringing of the Bell
Announcement Highlights Christine Schwab, liturgist
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
Procession of Girl Scout Troop #74590 with flags
*Call to Worship (Psalm 119 selected verses) Christine Schwab
One: With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments.
All: I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
One: Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes.
All: With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
One: I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches.
All: I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.
One: I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
All: Let me live that I may praise you, and let your ordinances help me.
*Hymn No. 17 “O Worship the King”
*Prayer of the Day Christine Schwab
Mighty and merciful God, giver of grace and goodness, we come as grateful children this day. We come confessing that we are not always grateful to you or as gracious to others we encounter in the twists and turns of our lives. We thank you, that you have promised your forgiveness to us as we place our trust in you. Hear our prayers that we might be forgiven, renewed and restored to a fuller life—the life you have shown us in Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Anthem
Recognition and Introduction of Girl Scout Troop # 74590
First Lesson Isaiah 43:16-21 Christine Schwab
Gospel Lesson John 12:1-11
Message “Tradition and Innovation, Past and Future” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 207 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
*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.
Holy Communion/ Time of Confession (see insert)
Invitation
Sung response: One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many through out the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
Receiving of the Bread and Cup
A Time of Prayer/ Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Hymn No. 472 “We Are Living, We Are Dwelling”
*Dismissal with Blessing
*Response: Girl Scout Song
Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That's how long I will be your friend. A fire burns bright, it warms the heart. We've been friends from the very start. You have one hand I have the other. Put them together, we have each other. Silver is precious, gold is too. I am precious, and so are you. You help me and I'll help you and together we will see it through. The sky is blue. The Earth is green. I can help to keep it clean. Across the land, Across the sea. Friends forever, we will always be.
Postlude/ Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world at the close of service.
*Congregation standing as you are able.
WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S WORSHIP SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING You must have a Facebook account to view our Worship Services. An email address is required. It is possible to have a Facebook account not connected to social media. Please contact Dan Case, Gary Peters, or Michael Isaacs for more information.
COFFEE HOUR immediately follows worship. All are invited to gather in Fellowship Hall to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts and fellowship. A free-will offering is appreciated to help off-set the ever-increasing cost of our yummy refreshments.
SUNDAY SCHOOL children will gather upstairs for lessons, crafts, and fun.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Join us for lively discussion and fellowship.
CHOIR PRACTCE Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. in the West Room. Please contact Music Director, Ava Janus or Tim Ruffner for more information. New voices are always welcome.
EXERCISE CLASS Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. A $3 - $5 donation is appreciated. No class April 10 or April 17. MEDITATION CLASS meets Thursdays, 12 noon. No class April 10 or 17.
Calendar Week April 6 – April 13
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m./ Girl Scout Sunday/ Communion
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Lenten Study 6:30 p.m./ Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.
Friday Fish Supper 3:30 – 6:00 p.m./ First-Aid 5:30 p.m.
Saturday First-Aid 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Palm Sunday/ Sunday School Easter Party & Egg Hunt 10:00 / Coffee hour 11:00
Confession April 6, 2025
Call to Confession
As we offer our prayers of confession, remember that God chooses to forget about our past, forgiving us so we may embrace the new life and new hope offered to us in grace. I invite you to join me, as we pray together,
Prayer for Confession
Like Judas, God of new things, we like to complain about your generous ways, rather than living in your grace. The poor are always with us, we believe, which justifies our ignoring them. In our memories, we see a perceived golden past, and so close our eyes to the new things you do in our midst. We are so enamored with our achievements that we are not willing to throw them away in order to follow Jesus.
Forgive us, Restoring God, and help us to notice the kingdom springing forth in our midst. By your grace, may our fears turn to faith and our seeds of grief produce a bumper crop of joy, and our tears turn into torrents of tenderness as we journey with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to Jerusalem.
Silent Prayer and Reflection
Assurance of Pardon
Making a way through all the foolishness and mistakes of our lives, God leads us into new life, where we are restored to grace, to hope, and to peace.
Do we notice what God has done for us? What God is doing in us? This is good news for everyone. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
LAST DAY TO ORDER YOUR EASTER LILY. White envelopes (in the pew racks). Lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning and can be taken after service. Please indicate whom you would like to honor or commemorate. The ‘Lily Roster’ is published in the Easter morning bulletin and on the church website. $10 each.
LAST LENTEN WEDNESDAY STUDY April 9, we will gather at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Our talks will center around the church. Come and share your thoughts and ideas.
LAST LENTEN FISH DINNER – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to host our last fish dinner Friday, April 11, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Dinners, $15.00 and $5.00 (4-12 years), kids. Please contact Jim Poet.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION INVITES CANDY DONATIONS for their Easter Party and Egg Hunt April 13. Donations can be dropped off upstairs or in the office. RSVP to the church office.
FLOWER SALE - THINK SPRING! Once again there will be a flower sale with a variety of items available for purchase: hanging baskets, flats, patio pots, veggie plants, and more from Blocks Stand and Greenhouse. Stop by and see what we have. There are NO order forms. If you have any questions or would like additional information, See Candace Poet or Jim Poet any Sunday before or after church. Items ready for pickup on Sunday, May 4th before/after worship service.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Eddie Brainard, John Smith, Denise Foley, Thelma Poet, William Stears, Jr., Kathe Stears, Dave Schmoekel, Bob Robinson, Pam Jones, Rosemarie Laslo, Julius Enesey, Justine Kimbler, Sandi Rose, Carol Wioncek, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Barbara Gish, Diane Brainard, Bridget Stephens, Krystal Grant, Steve Newberry, Julie Renner, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, F. Scott Miller, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Alicia Hagen, Ailani Flores, Sue Milatz, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Kyle Hard, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink.
Condolences to Lori Rogers, Harold Fick, Pauline Arndt, and family on the loss of Eward H. Krueger who passed away March 28, 2025, at the age of 90 years. Funeral service was March 31, 2025, at Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock.
JOIN US FOR A SOUP & BREAD DINNER, 6 p.m. April 17. Maundy Thursday worship is 7 p.m. with Communion. Please fill out a Make-A-Wish Card to RSVP your dinner attendance and drop it in an offering plate or give it to an usher.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE is April 18, 12noon in the Sanctuary.
APRIL COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSION Kindness is a principle mentioned throughout the Bible. As God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. For the remainder of Lent, our community outreach will revolve around doing “random acts of kindness” for others, those within our homes, our extended families, our neighbors, those in our communities and strangers. These selfless acts are meant to show others that they are cared for and to help us put the needs of others first. This Lenten initiative allows the Holy Spirit to bear good fruit through us. You are encouraged to do one random act of kindness per day for the remainder of Lent… and beyond! Listed below are ideas and suggestions. Please feel free to share your random acts of kindness by posting them on the board located in the Narthex. May the Light of Christ shine in and through you! Blessings ~ Pastor Cheryl Schalm
Ideas/Suggestions for Random Acts of Kindness:
*Give a stranger a compliment *Cook a meal for a friend *Call/visit your grandparents, sick or elderly *Pay for someone’s meal *Tell someone you’re grateful for them *Bring snacks for your coworkers *Offer your seat to someone *Leave a close parking spot for someone else * Invite someone over *Ignore the mess, enjoy *Make a donation of clothes or other items *Send a video message to someone far away *Leave an encouraging note on someone’s car *Lend a friend a favorite book or movie *Pay for someone’s gas *Clean up litter around your neighborhood *Send a letter to a friend rather than text *Warmly smile at every one you see today *Give money or food to a homeless person *Affirm someone in front of others *Call a friend that you haven’t talked to *Do a friend/family member’s laundry *Actively listen *Let someone in front of you in line *Forgive someone *Give someone flowers or a plant *Avoid complaining *Leave a generous tip at a restaurant *Email someone who deserves recognition *Leave a treat or baked good for a neighbor
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Random Act______________________________________________________________
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