St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fourth Sunday in Lent/ March 15, 2026
“Darkness is not synonymous with evil: it is also the place of growth and gestation.” ~ Bruce Epperly
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Christine Schwab, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Christine Schwab
One: Great is our God, says the psalmist.
All: And greatly to be praised!
One: For God has stretched the heavens above us.
All: And filled the earth with everything.
One: We live and move and have our being in God.
All: And in God is our everlasting hope!
One: Let us worship God.
*Hymn No. 100 “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
*Morning Prayer (unison) Christine Schwab
Infinite Love, heart of all life, you loved this word into being with such love as to birth yourself among us, Love begotten as the Beloved. Your presence does not separate but unites; love does not push away but embraces; you do not condemn but save. Trusting this, we know we are loved, never rejected. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Anthem “Love Grows Here”
First Lesson Ephesians 5:8-14 Christine Schwab
Gospel Lesson John 9:1-12
Message “Living Light-filled Lives,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 339 ”Just as I Am, Without One Pleas”
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/ Silent 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.
*Hymn No. 66 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
*Benediction
Postlude/ Recessional: 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.
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. 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
Harold Fick Deacon
Christine Schwab Liturgist
St. Paul United Church of Christ Phone 313.291.1221
24158 Goddard Road Email: stpaulucctaylor@stpaulucctaylor.org
Taylor, MI 48180 Website: www.stpaulucctaylor.org
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.
COFEE HOUR follows our worship service. All are invited to gather in the fellowship Hall to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts, and fellowship. A free will offering is appreciated to help off-set the increasing price of our yummy donuts.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE You’re invited to join in as we host carry-out fish dinners on Fridays—March 20th, and 27th—from 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Menu: three pieces of wild-caught Icelandic Cod, French fries, mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, roll/ butter, and a slice of pie or brownie for adults. Children under 12 will receive two pieces of fish and all the same sides. Adults are $15.00, and children’s meals are $5.00. Please contact Jim Poet to volunteer.
LENTEN WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM Gather with us each Wednesday evening as we welcome a guest speaker who will share their personal faith journey and reflections at 7:00 pm in the Parlor. Light refreshments will be available.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
March 15 – March 22
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School/ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Cabinet 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Choir 6:00 p.m./ Lenten Wednesday Program 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Guild 10:00 a.m./ Exercise 11:00 a.m.
Friday Fish Dinner 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson Sunday School / Confirmand Breakfast 11:00 a.m.
EASTER LILIES available to honor or remember loved ones. The lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary Easter morning and will be available to take home after the service. An Easter Lily Roster will be published in the morning’s worship bulletin, as well as posted online. Cost of each Easter Lily is $10. Checks can be made out to St. Paul United Church of Christ along with your dedication request. Please complete the white envelopes found in the pew racks. All orders must be received by Sunday, March 22.
MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP April 2, 7 p.m. with Communion.
JOIN US FOR A SOUP & BREAD LUNCHEON Friday, April 3, 11:00 a.m. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE is April 3, 12noon in the Sanctuary. READERS ARE NEEDED for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. Please contact Rev. Anderson or the church office to volunteer.
EASTER PARTY/ EGG HUNT hosted by the Sunday School staff during Sunday School hour on Sunday, March 29th. This includes hands‑on activities and a child‑friendly Easter lesson that shares the joyful story of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope we celebrate at Easter, marsh-mallow and cookie decorating, along with an Easter egg hunt (outdoors, weather permitting). And keep an eye out — the Easter Bunny just might hop by to say hello! To help with the cost of filling the Easter eggs, donations of wrapped candy is invited. Donations may be placed in the bucket at the Sunday School Welcome Center or given to the ushers in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. If you’d like to help with the celebration or have any questions, please contact Sheri Herkimer.
MARCH MISSION PROJECT – We are collecting peanut butter, jelly, and bread for the Maher Community Outreach Project. Also, we’re collecting snack food items for lunches to benefit the Pope Francis Medical Center shelter in Detroit. Please label and put necessary items in the refrigerator. For more information, contact Pastor Cheryl Schalm.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING RECEIVED ANY SUNDAY IN MARCH All 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 is included in the March Tidings and can also be found in the Narthex. We also offer the option of donating through our electronic giving process, 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.
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! So far over 200 pounds of food has been collected and donated.
2026 FLOWER CHART IS IN THE NARTHEX Flowers are a nice way to honor someone or commemorate a special time. Due to the cost flowers/tariffs, there is a $5.00 increase for each arrangement, which is $25.00 for one; $50.00 for two. The 2026 Flower Chart reflects the price increase. For more information, please see Sue Mrowka, Office Manager.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Marion Bolen, Colleen Baca, Mary Smith, Peggy Staten, Fred Miller, Dan Newton, Jim Block, Sandi Rose, Makenna Gorbe, Conrad Heidt, Bill Pattenaude, Krystal Grant, John Smith, William Stears, Jr., Billy-jo Stears, Betty Mayfield, Sharon Podpora, Louise Stanek, Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Sue Spears, Dave Lange, Sr., Denise Foley, Darlene Babin, Shirley Lande & Family, Nora Cousino, Holly Staten Thompson, Kathleen Walsh, Sue Stern, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Al Wierzbicki, Dave Schmoekel, Steve Newberry, Pam Jones, 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, Jeff MacZink.