St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fourth Sunday of Advent/ December 21, 2025
“It’s not yet Christmas. Wait. Ponder. Listen to how God might be speaking through the person and story of Joseph”. ~Rev. Sharron Riessinger Blezard
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Tim Ruffner, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
Fourth Advent Reading Eleanor & Lizzie Ruffner
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle (Love)
*Hymn No. 128 “One Candle is Lit” (four verses)
*Call to Worship (unison) Tim Ruffner
O God, in this time of worship, may we be open to your promises, your love, and your transformation. May we vision and dream. May we be surprised. May we receive the life you give us. May we encounter Emmanuel—God with us. And may we never be the same. Amen.
Hymn No. 155 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
*Morning Prayer Tim Ruffner
ONE: In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, remind us that you are always with us, that like Joseph we might always be eager to fulfill your will, and be eager to pray:
ALL: Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.
ONE: Out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and you, O God, shall judge between the nations. We pray for our nation, and all nations, that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.
ALL: Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.
ONE: In your Kingdom, O Lord, wolves lie down with lambs and children play with serpents without fear. We pray for the sick, the suffering, and those in distress of any kind that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief, and settle all wrongs.
ALL: Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.
ONE: In your Kingdom, O Lord, even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice. We pray for those who rejoice this week as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…); that they might obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing might flee away.
ALL: Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.
ONE: In the fulness of time, O God, you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary. And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us. We thank you for your Presence with us, and we pray that you might be always present with those whom we love but see no longer.
ALL: Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.
ONE: Christ, hear our prayers, restore us, and show us the glorious light of your countenance, that we might be saved. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymn No. 150 “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
First Lesson Isaiah 7:10-17 Tim Ruffner
Special Music Christa Grix, Harpist
Gospel Lesson Matthew 1:18-25
Message “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Rev. Anderson
Choir Anthem English Carols
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. 147 “Away in a Manger”
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. 144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
*Benediction
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.
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
Wendy Warner Council Rep
Harold Fick Deacon
Tim Ruffner 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 will meet today in the Parlor for a movie, lesson, and snack.
No Sunday School December 28 or January 4, 2026. Classes will resume January 11, 2026.
COFFEE HOUR immediately follows our worship service. Join us to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts, and fellowship. A free will offering is invited to help off-set the increasing cost of our yummy refreshments. We need Coffee Hour host(s) Sunday, December 28. See Sue Mrowka for more information.
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE is 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Open Communion is served. The Church office will be closed Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
December 21 – December 28
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Worship 10:00 a.m./ Sunday School – Parlor 10:00 / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Merry Christmas Office is closed
Friday Office is closed
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m./ No Sunday School
CHRISTMAS GIFT & BASKET SALE The gift shop is closed for the season. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the sale. This included many items donated by Women’s Fellowship and church members. This produced a variety of items available for purchase. Special thanks to those who created and assembled the baskets. Thanks to all who helped during sale hours and those who shopped and made purchases. Thanks to all who helped move items from upstairs and set up the shop and then tear down and again return items to the upstairs workroom. Once again, special thanks to Conrad Heidt who shared the profits from his beautiful stained glass creations. The resulting profit of over $3400 will go toward the steeple repair and the Sew ‘n Sews many outreach mission projects. Thanks again to everyone. Thinking ahead, Peggy Staten and Jane Dykowski will continue to collect new items you wish to donate for the 2026 Sale.
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, that all donations are appreciated! So far 200 pounds of food has been collected and donated.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS must be received in the church office by Sunday, December 28 to be recorded for 2025 tax purposes.
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.
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, John Smith, William Stears, Jr., Billy-jo Stears, Betty Mayfield, 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, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, William Veteto.