St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost - July 19, 2026
Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting
Ringing of the Bell
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
Welcome Rev. Lesa Branham
Announcement Highlights Rev. Branham
Opening/ Recessing Semi-Annual Meeting Tim Ruffner, President
*Congregational Greeting
*Opening Song “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” Mark Ennis
*Call to Worship (responsive) Pam Lange
Leader: Come, people of God! Come just as you are, bringing your joys, your burdens, your questions, and your gifts.
People: We come to worship the One who has called us by name.
Leader: God has given each of us gifts through the Holy Spirit, not for ourselves alone, but for the building up of Christ's church.
People: We offer our hearts, our hands, and our lives to God's service.
Leader: Let us worship the One who equips, empowers, and sends us into the world with purpose.
People: Lord, use our gifts for Your glory and for the upbuilding of Your church. Amen.
Joys and Concerns Rev. Branham
*Morning Prayer (unison) Pam Lange
Gracious and loving God,
We gather this morning with grateful hearts, thankful for the gift of life and for the privilege of worshiping You together. We acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Thank You for the unique abilities, talents, passions, and spiritual gifts You have placed within each one of us.
Forgive us for the times we have doubted our value, buried our gifts out of fear, or allowed busyness to keep us from serving You. Open our eyes to see that no act of service is too small when it is done in love.
As we worship today, fill this sanctuary with Your Holy Spirit. Open our ears to hear Your voice, our minds to receive Your Word, and our hearts to respond in faithful obedience. Inspire us to say, "Here I am, Lord. Use me."
May all that we do today bring glory to Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and who calls us to do the same.
Special Music “There Is a Balm in Gilead” Kathy Williams, Dulcimer
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.
A Time to Pray/ 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. 588 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord!”
First Lesson Exodus 4:2–5 Pam Lange
Second Lesson Romans 12:4-8
Message “What’s in Your Hand?” Rev. Branham
*Hymn No. 452 “Here I Am, Lord”
*Dismissal with Blessing
Reopening of the Congregational Semi-Annual Meeting
*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. Lesa Branham Senior Pastor
Ava Janus Director of Music
Tim Ruffner Council Rep
Jeannette Wackro Deacon
Pam Lange Liturgist
Email [email protected]
Website: www.stpaulucctaylor.org
OUR SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING follows our worship service. Your attendance is important to ensure we have a quorum. Members, please sign in and take an information packet if you’re staying for the meeting. There is no coffee hour that day.
WORSHIP PLANNING MINISTRY meets Thursday, July 23, 5:30 p.m. in the Parlor.
MISSION OUTREACH Our group will head to Detroit on Saturday, August 1 for a morning visit to Eastern Market. Afterwards, we will head to Cass Social Services where we will be volunteering from 1-4 p.m. in the kitchen. Ready those legs! It will be a full day with plenty of walking. Please contact Pastor Schalm if you are interested in attending. We are collecting boxes of cereal for Cass Social Services who meets the needs of people where they are in life by offering food, affordable housing, skill building, and vocational training which promotes self-sufficiency.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week July 19
july26
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Lesa Branham
Sunday School / Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting 11
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Thursday Exercise 11:00 a.m. / Worship Planning 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Coffee with the Pastor 12 Noon Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Lesa Branham
Coffee Hour 9:30 a.m. / Church Picnic 11:00 a.m.
COFFEE WITH PASTOR LESA. This is a relaxed opportunity to connect, share conversation, and build relationships within our church family. Whether you’re new to St. Paul United Church of Christ or have been here for years, all are welcome. Come enjoy a cup of coffee, fellowship, and meaningful conversation. Listed are the dates: Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Noon; Sunday, August 2 – Following Worship Service.
ANNUAL ST. PAUL CHURCH PICNIC SUNDAY JULY 26. This year’s theme is “AN OLD FASHION PICNIC.” Come dressed in summer attire. Our morning begins at 9:30 a.m. with a coffee hour hosted by Men’s Fellowship. Our service will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be led by Rev. Lesa Branham. Following worship, Christian Education will provide activities for the children, and a bounce house will be available. After lunch there will be a friendly game of Bingo. There will be a 50/50 raffle. Lunch will be served at approximately 11:45 a.m. Our menu includes: hot dogs and brats, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, pasta salad, fruit salad, corn on the cob, individual bags of chips, and beverages. At 1:00 p.m., we will gather for an old fashion ice cream social. We hope you will join us for this blessed celebration, and we encourage you to invite your family members, neighbors, and friends. All are welcome. Volunteers are always welcome.
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY hosts Tenth Annual Steak Fry August 8th from 4:00–7:00 pm. The men of St. Paul will be happy to assist you with grilling your choice of a New York Strip Steak or a BBQ Chicken Breast. Dinner includes a Baked Potato (Regular or Sweet), Corn on the Cob, Garlic Bread, Salad, Dessert, and Beverage. For an extra $3, you may also purchase an optional shrimp skewer with five pieces of shrimp. Purchase your ticket in advance to reserve your steak or chicken, as only a limited number will be available at the door. Tickets are $20 per person and will be available at the Kiosk Table during July Coffee Hour or by calling the Church Office at (313) 291-1221 or Jim Poet, Gary Staffeld, or Dan Case. All Grill Masters are invited to share their time and talents. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jim Poet, Gary Staffeld, or Dan Case. Come and bring your family and friends.
JOIN US FOR A JOYFUL CELEBRATION of faith, fellowship, and community as we welcome family and friends to worship with us on Family & Friends Day, August 23, 2026! Invite someone special to share in a meaningful worship experience filled with music, encouragement, and the love of Christ. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce others to our church family and celebrate the blessings God has given us. Bring your family. Invite your friends. Come expecting a day of worship, connection, and celebration! Everyone is welcome — and we can’t wait to see you there!
SPECIAL MUSIC SIGN-UP SHEET is located in the church office. Please add your name and the title of your piece to the list next to the date of your choice. If you have any questions, please contact Music Director, Ava Janus, the office, or complete a Make – A – Wish card.
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!
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN:
DeAnna Schalm, Kirk Blanchard, Pauline Arndt, Harold Fick, Vicki & Dale Simon, Roy Staffeld, Makenna Gorbe, Dennis Bennett, Holly Staten Thompson, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Pam Martinez, Henry Martinez, Steve Newberry, Kelly Potter, Jeff MacZink, Randy Snelson, Dave & Denise Thorpe, Cindy Terwillger, Dave Terwillger
Exodus 4:2-5 (NRSV)
The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A staff.’ And he said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So he threw the staff on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses drew back from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Reach out your hand, and seize it by the tail’—so he reached out his hand and grasped it, and it became a staff in his hand— ‘so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.’ Here ends our first lesson. May God Bless our understanding to His Holy Word.
Romans 12:4-8 (NRSV)
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.