St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Third Sunday after Advent/ December 14, 2025
Christmas Pageant
Christmas possesses universal appeal because every human wants to be loved and to have peace.
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
Third Advent Reading Marilyn Lang, Rodney Gish
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle (Joy)
Hymn No. 128 “One Candle is Lit (vs. 1-3)
Call to Worship (unison) Kaitlyn Isaacs, liturgist
ONE: Beloved, we gather to rejoice in God who does wondrous things, who promises that someday all manner of things shall be well.
ALL: We rejoice in the truth of the day that all the earth awaits.
ONE: We worship with joy now, confident that God will not stop until all creation is at peace.
ALL: We rejoice in the truth of the day that all the earth awaits.
ONE: We lift our voices in song and story, in prayer and praise, as we remember and rejoice in all that God has done and will do among us.
ALL: We rejoice in the truth of the day that all the earth awaits. ONE: Come! Let us worship God with joy as we work with God toward the day when all of creation lives in everlasting joy.
ALL: Come! Let us rejoice in the truth of the day that all the earth awaits.
Hymn No. 125 “Come, O Long Expected Jesus”
Morning Prayer Kaitlyn Isaacs
We come, O God, with adoration and praise, as well as thanksgiving, to you. Our anticipation grows as we come nearer to the day of great celebration of the birth of your Christ. Open our hearts that we may truly receive the gift of your Son, and know the true joy of life with you. This we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn No. 154 “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
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.
Hymn No. 132 “When God is a Child”
Christmas Pageant “Awaiting Christmas”
Closing Words
The 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. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Hymn No. 143 “Joy to the World”
Postlude/ Blessing for lunch:
Please remain in your seats as we have a blessing for lunch.
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.
Rev. Linda Anderson Interim Senior Pastor
Ava Janus Director of Music
Pastor Cheryl Schalm Minister of Mission Outreach
Tim Ruffner President of Church Council
Dan Case Treasurer
Suzanne Mrowka Office Manager
Cindy Romas Administrative Assistant
Toni Hill Council Rep
Teri Staffeld Deacon
Kaitlyn Isaacs Liturgist
St. Paul United Church of Christ Phone 313.291.1221
24158 Goddard Road Email: stpaulucctaylor@stpaulucctaylor.org
Taylor, MI 48180 Website: www.stpaulucctaylor.org
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.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL children and GIRL SCOUT TROOP 74590 are presenting their 2025 pageant in our Fellowship Hall this morning. A luncheon and Cookie Walk will follow the pageant; and, we may get a surprise from a jolly ole elf! No Sunday School December 28 or January 4, 2026. Classes will resume January 11, 2026, 10 a.m.
NO COFFEE HOUR today. A luncheon will be shared after our Service. Kitchen help is always appreciated. Need Coffee Hour host(s) Sunday, December 28. See Sue Mrowka for more information.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
December 14 – December 21
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
St. Paul Christmas Pageant 10:00 a.m./Luncheon & Cookie Walk 11:00 a.m./Christmas Gift Basket Sale 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Exercise 11:00 a.m. – FH/ Blue Christmas 7:00 / Fish Dinner Cabinet 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. –
Rev. Linda Anderson Sunday School 10:00 a.m. – Parlor / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
CHRISTMAS GIFT & BASKET SALE TODAY 11 am to 1 pm. All are invited to browse through the West Room. There are many Christmas Gifts and Baskets available for purchase. Please contact Peggy Staten or Jane Dykowski if you would like to donate some time to help with the event.
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE is 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Church office will be closed Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26. Open Communion is served.
REMEMBER TO SUPPORT our ongoing food collection for Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry. Food staples are always in need as we recognize the food insecurity within our neighborhood. Donations can be placed near the front entrance of the church or in the box near the office and west entrance. Please, recognize that all donations are appreciated! So far 200 pounds of food has been collected and donated.
LAST SUNDAY TO COLLECT hats, gloves, scarves, and undergarments on behalf of the Salvation Army’s Holiday Shop assisting families in need. The Angel Tree gifts are due today as well. For more information, contact Pastor Cheryl Schalm.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS must be received in the church office by Sunday, December 28 to be recorded for 2025 tax purposes.
DECK THE SANCTUARY WITH BOUGHS OF POINSETTIAS? In keeping with custom, our chancel area will be banked with fresh poinsettias honoring and commemorating loved ones and friends or a special event in someone’s life. You can purchase a poinsettia to be included in the Christmas Eve floral array. The names of those whom you wish to honor or remember will be included in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Your poinsettia can be retrieved after the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service. If you need assistance, ask an usher. Use one of the white envelopes in the pews, include your $10 contribution per plant, mark the envelope “Poinsettias,” and indicate whom you would like to commemorate. The envelope can be dropped in a collection plate, handed to an usher, or returned to the church office.
All orders are due by Sunday, December 14.
THE CHIRSTMAS FUND OFFERING for Retired UCC Clergy and Lay Persons will be received any Sunday in December. Your offering provides direct financial assistance via “Thank You” gift checks. Your contributions do make a difference! You will find envelopes in the Narthex and one was included in the Monthly Tidings mailing. You may also use Vanco, our electronic online giving source. Visit us online at www.stpaulucctaylor.org/giving, click on the blue Online Giving button, scroll down to the bottom of the “Donations” listing, and select UCC - Christmas Fund Veterans of the Cross and enter the amount of your donation. On behalf of the Stewardship of St. Paul, God Bless you, Merry Christmas, and Thank you.
2025 FLOWER CHART IS IN THE NARTHEX A vase ($20) or two ($40) is a nice way to honor someone special or commemorate a special time in life. Contact the office for more info.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Makenna Gorbe, Conrad Heidt, Bill Pattenaude, Krystal Grant, Marjie Barnard, John Smith, William Stears, Jr., Billy-jo Stears, Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Sue Spears, Dave Lange, Sr., Denise Foley, Darlene Babin, Shirley Lande & Family, Nora Cousino, Lynn Jenkins, Wendy Wendt, Holly Staten Thompson, Kathleen Walsh, Sue Stern, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Sue Milatz, Al Wierzbicki, Dave Schmoekel, Steve Newberry, Blain Tayler, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, Diane Williams, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Ailani Flores, Linda & Tom Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, William Veteto.