St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
March 12, 2023/ Third Sunday in Lent
Silent Prayer and Reflection
It is only when I am not afraid to recognize my own brokenness, to say,
“Turn us again, Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine and we shall be
whole” -- that the broken bones may begin to heal, and to rejoice.
Madeline L’Engle
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Prelude Beverly M. Glenn, organist
*Call to Worship/Passing of the Peace
One: O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to
the rock of our salvation!
Many: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us
make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
One: For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Many: In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
One: The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
All: O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
*Hymn No. 501 “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” Tracy Hoffman, Music Director
*Prayer of the Day
One: Let us pray.
All: O God, you are the outpouring of life to us, a humanity parched with
thirst, you offer the living water of grace which springs up from the rock,
our Savior Christ. Grant your people the gift of the Spirit, that we may
profess our faith with courage and announce with joy the wonders of your
love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Anthem “Face to Face,” Chancel Choir
First Lesson: Exodus 17:1-7 Lector: Barbara Schultz
Gospel Lesson: John 4:5-26, 39-42
Message: “The Man at the Well,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 337 “Jesus Calls Us o’er the Tumult”
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.
Prayers of the People
Adoration/Confession/Thanksgiving/Supplication
Lord’s Prayer (debts, debtors)
*Hymn No. 72 “To God Be the Glory”
*Dismissal with Blessing
Postlude Beverly M. Glenn, organist
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.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GATHERING UPSTAIRS this morning. The children will learn the importance of “putting other people first.” Through music, games, message, and hands-on activities the Sunday School children will learn Jesus teaches us, “if we want to be great, we will serve others.”
COFFEE HOUR this morning following our morning worship service in Fellowship Hall. Brewed coffee, tea, donuts, and other refreshments served.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Linda Tank, Dorothy Evison, Sandi Rose, Bernard Baca, Aaron Johnson, Peggy Staten, Jennifer Lee, Barbara Siemers, Beverly Sitz, Debbie Case, Dan Case, Loralee Wilson, Dianne Sturgeon, Murl Nieman, Kim Beyar, Fred Block, Sally Sigman, Rev. Norm Kirsch, Shannon Block, Michelle Mellin, John Caufield, 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, Brenda Stockwell, Donna Greca, Joyce LeBlanc, Sue Milatz, Lynn Case, Susan Barnard, Judy Kirsch, Debi Petri. Condolences: to the family and friends of Joan Rensel who passed away March 6, 2023, at the age of 85 years. Funeral service was private. Arrangements by Voran Funeral Home, Taylor Chapel; to the family and friends of Janice Schuman who passed away March 8, 2023 at the age of 87 years. Arrangements are pending.
TURKEY AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS. Over 47,000 people have fallen victim to a devasting earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria. The area has since experienced a second earthquake. Donations are still being welcomed for relief efforts. You can place your donation in the offering basket in the Narthex. Checks should be made out to St. Paul UCC marked Turkey/ Syria earthquake relief. One check will be sent to the UCC for relief efforts. Contact Pastor Schalm with any questions.
A LENTEN BIBLE & BOOK STUDY March 13 – April 3, 7 p.m. in the Parlor. “You Were Made for This Moment, Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow” by Max Lucado will be offered on Monday evenings. Any one interested contact Pastor Schalm or the church office. Books will be available for purchase.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS ST. PATRICK’S PIZZA & DANCE PARTY was yesterday. Thank you to everyone who came out to help and support our annual event. A great time was had by all.
FOLLOWING WORSHIP, we will gather for lunch then head out to see the movie, Jesus Revolution. CBN News reported the film tells the true story behind the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, including how Pastor Chuck Smith welcomed hippies looking for truth at his church. It gave birth to one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in American history.
PALM PASSION SUNDAY READERS NEEDED On Palm Sunday (Palm/Passion Sunday) we will be reading the entire story of Jesus’ passion which is almost two chapters long. We will do this in a readers’ theater style with various folks reading the lines of each character. We need 6 volunteers to read. Most of the parts are short and we will be reading so you don’t need to memorize lines. Palm Sunday is April 2, and we will have a practice read through after worship on March 26. To volunteer, please see Pastor Reed. Thank you.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING is received during the month of March. You are invited to participate in this UCC Mission Offering which assists our Christian friends world-wide in the development of health and education, and disaster and refugee relief. An offering envelope was included in the March Tidings and in the pew racks. We also offer the option of making your donation thru our electronic giving process. Visit us at www.stpaulucctaylor. org/giving, click on the blue Online Giving button, scroll through the “Donations” listing, select UCC – One Great Hour of Sharing and enter the amount of your donation. Please prayerfully consider your gift to those in need.
ORDER YOUR EASTER LILY. White envelopes (found in the pew racks) are due no later than Sunday, March 26. Lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning and can be taken after service. Please indicate whom you would like to honor or commemorate. The ‘Lily List’ is published in the Easter morning bulletin and on the church website. $10 each.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week March 12 – March 19
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Coffee hour 11:00 a.m./ Youth Lunch-Movie 11
Monday Bible and Book Study 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Council 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m./ Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Friday Fish Supper-Drive Thru only 3:30 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Pastor Cheryl Schalm
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Coffee hour 11:00 a.m.