St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Christmas Eve/ December 24, 2025, 7 p.m.
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights
Processional “Ding, Dong, Merrily on High,” Yolanda McDonald, bagpipes
Advent Reading Debbie & Dan Case
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hymn No. 128 “One Candle Is Lit” (all verses)
Carol No. 148 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Call to Worship
L: Tonight old dreams die and new dreams come to life.
The promise is fulfilled.
P: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace.
L: Hope gives way to joy and prayer to proclamation.
P: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace.
L: The candles tell the story. Dawn invades midnight.
The Light of the world has come.
P: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace.
L: This light is a light for all, warming us from within, radiating love, lighting our lives with the presence of God in human flesh, within us and among us now and always.
P: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace. Goodwill to all.
Carol No. 149 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
Isaiah 9:2-7 Fred Miller
Holy Communion (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
Choir Anthem “Coventry Carol”
Psalm 96 (see insert)
Special Music “Scottish Medley” Yolanda McDonald
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.
Luke 1:26-33 Brenda Murphy
Choir Anthem “O Holy Night”
Matthew 1:18-25 Marilyn Lang
Carol No. 144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Luke 1:39-45, 46-56 Kathy Williams, Michelle Matney
Carol No. 160 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Luke 2:1-7 Tim Ruffner
Carol No. 151 “The First Noel”
Luke 2:8-20 Sue Mrowka
Solo “Mary Did You Know?” Mark Ennis, soloist
Carol No. 143 “Joy to the World”
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.
Sharing the Light of Christ
Carol No. 145 “Silent Night, Holy Night”
*Benediction
Postlude/ Recessional “Ode to Joy,” Yolanda McDonald 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.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Phone 313.291.1221
24158 Goddard Road Email: stpaulucctaylor@stpaulucctaylor.org
Taylor, MI 48180 Website: www.stpaulucctaylor.org
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
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
December 21 – December 28
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
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.
THE CHIRSTMAS FUND OFFERING for Retired UCC Clergy and Lay Persons will be received any Sunday in December. Your offering provides direct financial assistance. You will find envelopes in the Narthex. You may also use Vanco, our electronic online giving source. On behalf of the Stewardship of St. Paul, God Bless you, Merry Christmas, and Thank you.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS must be received in the church office by Sunday, December 28 to be recorded for 2025 tax purposes.
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, Jim Cousino, 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.
NO EXERCISE CLASS Thursday, December 25, January 1, 2026, or January 8, 2026. Class will resume Thursday, January 15, 11:00 a.m. A $3 - $5 donation is appreciated.
OUR CHANCEL AREA IS BANKED with fresh poinsettias. The names of those honored are included in the Bulletin and posted online throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas. You may take any Poinsettias you have purchased after worship. Please see any Usher for assistance.
THE CHIRSTMAS FUND OFFERING for Retired UCC Clergy and Lay Persons will be received any Sunday in December. Your offering provides direct financial assistance. On behalf of the Stewardship of St. Paul, Merry Christmas and Thank you. For more information, please contact Dan Case, Treasurer.
ST PAUL ANNUAL WILD GAME DINNER Saturday February 14. The doors will open at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $45. Tickets can be purchased at the KIOSK table during Coffee Hour or by calling the Church office.