St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Third Sunday after Pentecost / June 29, 2025
"I'm convinced that this is really the only good reason we make church: it's because we want a home. We want that dwelling place, a safe place to engage the questions of our day and the daily decisions of our lives." Anne Howard, The Beatitudes Society
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Fred Miller, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Fred Miller
One: We come to worship our God, to listen to the One who calls us here.
All: We come trusting God to lead us in the coming days, as surely as were our grandparents in the faith.
One: We come to worship our God, to shout with joy to the God of all people.
All: We come to the Creator of all things, to be bathed in the waters of life.
One: We come to share God's faithful word, to be guided by the One who never forsakes us.
All: We come to worship our God, to sing aloud to the One who saves us.
*Hymn No. 274 “I Love Your Church, O God”
*Morning Prayer Fred Miller
God of all life and love: we are your children, and you made us free to live in joyful relationship with you and one another. Your grace empowers us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Give us the courage to love ourselves as much as you love us and to love others with the same compassion. Amen.
Special Music
First Lesson Leviticus 19:9-18 Fred Miller
Second Lesson Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Message “The Decisions We Make,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 453 “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
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. 545 “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”
*Dismissal with Blessing
Postlude/ Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world followed by our Pastor.
*Please stand as you are able.
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.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week June 29 -July6
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Summer Sunday School / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Friday Office Closed Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Summer Sunday School 10:00 a.m. / Communion/ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
JOIN US FOR COFFEE HOUR immediately following worship. All are invited to gather in the West Room to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts, air conditioning, and fellowship. A free-will offering is invited to help off-set the ever-increasing cost of our refreshments.
NO EXERCISE/ NO MEDITATION SESSION Thursday, July 3. Will resume Thursday, July 10.
LAST SUNDAY TO RECEIVE STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH MISSION OFFERNG. This UCC offering represents the time of Pentecost, Birth of the Christian Church. Funds support a variety of ministries. There are offering envelopes available. You may also use Vanco, our electronic online mobile giving source. Visit us at www.stpaulucctaylor.org/giving, locate the Online Giving button, select Strengthen the Church and enter your donation amount. Your gift will help God’s spirit move and speak in our UCC congregations for generations to come.
DURING JUNE AND JULY, THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY invites your support as they prepare for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, “Sailing to the Lighthouse.” The following items are needed: ● Cardboard boxes of various sizes ● 1 gallon Red, 1 gallon white, 1 quart brown paint (see Candace Poet) ● Small, Medium, and Large paint brushes ● Red Tablecloths ● Light Blue Tablecloths ● Dark Blue Tablecloths ● CHILDREN. Bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, and your swimming suits/ towels every day. VBS will be open to the community July 21-23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. To volunteer, contact Candace Poet, Superintendent or Debbie Case.
CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP is collecting new items suitable for sale in the upcoming Christmas Gift Shop. Please contact Peggy Staten or Jane Dykowski regarding donations.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Irene Stoner, Dorothy Evison, Bob Robinson, Joe Mayfield, John Smith, Denise Foley, Thelma Poet, William Stears, Jr., Kathe Stears, Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Dave Lange, Sr., Dave Schmoekel, Sue Stern, Rosemarie Laslo, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Vicki Simon, Bridget Stephens, Krystal Grant, Steve Newberry, Julie Renner, Linda Schutter, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Alicia Hagen, Ailani Flores, Sue Milatz, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Kyle Hard, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink.
SUMMER MUSIC SIGN-UP SHEET is located in the church office. Please choose any available Sunday you would like to share your musical gifts and add your name and the title of your piece to the list next to the date. Please contact Music Director, Ava Janus, and let her know the date you have chosen and the title of the music you will be sharing. You may also contact the church office or complete a Make-A-Wish card and hand it to an usher.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL continues through Sunday, September 7th. If you would like to volunteer to lead a Sunday during the summer, please contact Deb Case or Kaitlyn Isaacs.
OUR SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING follows our worship service July 13. Your attendance is important to be sure we have a quorum. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. There is no coffee hour that Sunday.
USHERS AND LITURGISTS NEEDED TO ASSIST with Sunday morning worship services. If you would like to volunteer or for more information, please contact any Deacon or the church office (313.291.1221). Any time you can donate is greatly appreciated.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING a formal member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor? Please contact Rev. Linda Anderson or the church office. If you would like a copy of our Good News Bible, please contact Rev. Anderson.
COUNCIL POSITIONS STILL OPEN: 2nd Vice-President (3year commitment), 1st Vice-President (2year commitment), two Deacons (2year and 3year commitment). Please prayerfully consider filling one of these positions. A description of each position can be had by contacting the church office or by speaking to Toni Hill or Michael Isaacs, Trustees.
WEARING NAME TAGS WILL HELP Rev. Anderson and visitors put a name to our faces. If you need to update or get a new tag, please contact the church office. Cost is $22.00.
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.