St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Sanctuary and Livestreamed Worship - February 5, 2023
SILENT PRAYER/ PRELUDE “Lord of All Hopefulness,” John Joanette, pianist
RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL/ WELCOME TO FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING
CALL TO WORSHIP / INVOCATION / PASSING OF THE PEACE Pastor George Reed
One: Praise God! Happy are those who greatly delight in God’s commandments.
All: The generation of the upright will be blessed.
One: It is well with those who deal generously and conduct their affairs with justice.
All: For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
One: They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor.
All: Their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
One: May the peace of Christ be with you! All: and also with you!
*HYMN No. 284 “Gather Us In,” Tracy Hoffman, Music Director
ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Cheryl Schalm
MOMENT OF SHARING Mark Ennis
ANTHEM “Shine, Jesus Shine,” Chancel Choir
SCRIPTURE LESSONS Isaiah 59:1-12 Pastor Schalm; Matthew 5:13-20 Pastor Reed
*HYMN No. 295 “In This Very Room”
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
One: Let us pray.
All: O God who calls us to yourself: Grant us the grace to come with our whole hearts
that we may truly know you and your love. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
MESSAGE “True Fasting,” Pastor Reed
PRAYERS OF INVITATION, CONFESSSION & CONSECRATION FOR COMMUNION
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which ought to be done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But you, O Lord, are merciful. Spare us, O God, as we confess our faults. Restore us in our penitence according to your promises declared unto humankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful God, for Jesus’ sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
RESPONSE: One bread, one body, one Lord of all; one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION Pastors Reed and Schalm
LORD’S PRAYER (debts, debtors) / *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. 701 “Shall We Gather at the River”
BENEDICTION Pastor Reed
POSTLUDE “Guide Me, O The Great Jehovah”
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WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S MORNING SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING which can be viewed on Facebook at other times as well. An order of service is downloadable from our church website (stpaulucctaylor.org) with a video recording of our worship together also posted by Sunday afternoon.
COMMUNION IS OFFERED THIS MORNING. Elders are distributing sealed communion “kits” in the narthex for all baptized adults worshipping in the sanctuary. Members and friends sharing in our livestreamed service at home are encouraged to make use of bread and juice from their kitchens, which will be consecrated with prayer as communion begins. At. St. Paul we practice an “open” communion: you do not need to be a formal member of the congregation to participate. But we ask all receiving communion to commit themselves to walk more closely with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GATHERING UPSTAIRS this morning. Following a lesson in the IAM Theater, children will make Valentine’s cards for Applewood Nursing Home residents. Sunday School Celebrates the Gift of Love During a Valentine Party Sunday, February 12. The Sunday School children are invited to bring Valentine cards to share with their friends at Sunday School.
SOUPER BOWL VIII IS TODAY, 11 AM – 1 PM in our Fellowship Hall. This will be a great time to enjoy tasty soups and welcome Rev. Reed to St. Paul UCC, Taylor. An $8 donation buys a spoon and support tray that holds six bowls and allows you to taste a variety of amazing soups. All proceeds support Building and Grounds projects. For more information, please contact Jim Poet.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help prepare our famous St. Paul coleslaw Saturday, February 11, 8 a.m. cutting cabbage and 9:30 a.m. cutting peppers, carrots, and mixing the coleslaw. Donuts and coffee will be available. Please contact Jim Poet before Saturday if you would like to help. Any time you can give is greatly appreciated.
NO COFFEE HOUR this morning. Coffee will resume next Sunday, February 12 following our morning worship service.
WEARING OUR NAME TAGS WILL HELP our new minister and visitors put a name to our faces. If you need to update or get a new tag, please contact the church office.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Debbie Case, Dan Case, Loralee Wilson, Barbara Siemers, Dianne Sturgeon, Murl Nieman, Sandi Rose, Kim Beyar, Marion Bolen, Fred Block, Sally Sigman, Rev. Norm Kirsch, Michelle Mellin, John Caufield, Beverly Sitz, Linda Tank, Shelly Wilson, Jerry Rossi, Sheila Klimek, Wayne Jones, Vicki Simon, Shirley Robinson, Kyle Hard, Eleanor Rossi, Jeff Natzke, Neil MacEachern, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, Sue Spears, Bert Thompson, Margo Charette, Gabriel Siadak, Loretta Kurtsel, Hailey Smith, Brenda Stockwell, Donna Greca, Joyce LeBlanc, Sue Milatz, Lynn Case, Susan Barnard, Judy Kirsch, Debi Petri, Joseph Gawne. Happy Birthday: Sally Sigman!
DONORS ARE NEEDED FOR OUR UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16. There needs to be 59 days between donations. If you are unable to donate, perhaps you know someone who can. Donation times are from 1 to 6:45p.m. It is important to sign up ahead of time. Please contact Kathy Williams, if you have questions or want Kathy to sign you up for a time slot from 1 – 6:45 p.m. You can make appointments for yourself at your convenience through the Internet. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment. Thanks for your consideration.
A YOUTH WINTER RETREAT IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 24-26, 2023. Any 6-12 grade students interested in participating in Ice Camp should contact Pastor Schalm today.
MEDITATION MONDAYS YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP are invited and encouraged to join our post-high school young adult Bible Study group. Contact Pastor Schalm for more information.
ROCK HARD IN FAITH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP ‘ST. PATTY’S PIZZA AND DANCE PARTY’ ARC OUTREACH. The youth will be hosting a St. Patty’s pizza party and dance for members of the ARC/ Special Olympics downriver association on Saturday, March 11. Anyone interested in making cupcakes or cookies for the event should contact Pastor Schalm.
OPPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week February 5 – February 12
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. George Reed
Communion/ Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Souper Bowl VIII 11:00 a.m.
Monday Meditation Mondays Young Adult Bible Study – Off Site
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Executive Board 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m./ Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Saturday Cut Cabbage 8:00 a.m./ Cut peppers & carrots, make coleslaw 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. George Reed