St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fifth Sunday in Lent/ March 17, 2024
Silent Prayer and Reflection
I am not lucky, but I am favoured because luck runs out; but God’s favour will abide with me forever ~Gift Gugu Mona
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome Pastor Cheryl Schalm
Opening Voluntary
*Call to Worship/Passing of the Peace
Hayley Dykowski, lector
One: Where ignorance, self-love and insensitivity have fractured life in community,
All: Give Your light, O God of love
One: Where injustice and oppression have broken the spirit of peoples,
All: Give Your light, O God who frees.
One: Where hunger and poverty, illness and death have made life an unbearable burden,
All: Give Your light, O God of grace.
One: Where suspicion and hatred, conflict and fear have challenged Your goodness,
All: Give Your light, O God of Peace.
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
*Hymn No. 561 “It Is Well With My Soul”
Children’s Chapel “The Golden Ticket”
Family of God
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God; I’ve been washed in the fountain, Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.
Prayer of the Day Kaitlyn Isaacs, lector
Let us pray.
All: Eternal God, open the eyes of the nations and peoples so that they may walk in the light of love:
remove the ignorance and stubbornness of nations and peoples so that they may drink from the fountains of Your goodness.
When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times,
do not let our trust in you fail, but rather, help us to remember your promises
and to walk in faith. We ask all this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Anthem “Face the Cross,” Chancel Choir
Mission Point Blessings & Opportunities
Fish & Loaves, Margie Barnard
30 Hour Technology Famine, Angel Staten
March/April Mission, UCC Disaster Relief
Morning Prayer & Blessings Pastor Cheryl Schalm & Drake Dykowski
*Hymn No. 556 “Trust and Obey”
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.
Holy Baptism (pew card) Carter Eli Bock/ Rededication Scott Dreaver
Hymn No. 75 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”
First Lesson: Proverbs 16:33, Romans 8:31 Evelyn Hard
New Testament Lesson: James 2:14-26
Message: “Luck Versus Faith,” Pastor Cheryl Schalm
The 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. And 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 and ever Amen.
*Hymn No. 609, “Take My Life”
Benediction / Irish Blessing Gracie Barnosky & Eleanor Ruffner
Closing Voluntary/ Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world followed by our Pastor.
WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S MORNING SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING. You now must have a Facebook account to view our Worship Services live each Sunday and at other times. It is possible to set up a Facebook account and not be engaged in Social Media. That requires an email address. Please contact Dan Case, Gary Peters, or Michael Isaacs if you have questions/ need more information.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN will gather upstairs for a lesson, craft, and snack.
PLEASE JOIN US in Fellowship Hall immediately following worship for beverages, donuts, and fellowship. All are welcome.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY gathers at 10:30 a.m. in the West Room. Lead by interim pastor Reverend Linda Anderson. All are welcome. For more info call the office.
EXERCISE CLASS MEETS Wednesday mornings, 10:30 a.m. in the West Room. All are welcome to join for fun and fellowship. Contact Kathy Williams for more information.
CHOIR REHEARSAL Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m. in the West Room. New voices are always welcome. Contact Music Director, Tracy Hoffman, for more information.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Mark Ennis, Shirley Havenstein, Fred Miller, Jeannette Wacko, Sandi Rose, Carol Wioncek, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Justine Kimbler, Suzanne Bennett, Dennis Bennett, Brody Howell, Ailani Flores, Sherry Burchard, Sue Milatz, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Kyle Hard, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, Steve, neighbor of Vicki and Dale Simon.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH DESIGNATED AS “MISSION SUNDAY”. Mission/ outreach items will be blessed on the third Sunday of the month. Non-perishable food items for March’s Mission will benefit the Fish & Loaves Food Pantry. Collection containers are in the narthex, Christian Education department and west lobby. Please contact Pastor Schalm with any questions.
2024 LENTEN FISH DINNER Our congregation is hosting a drive-thru fish dinner Friday, March 22, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Menu: three pieces of Cod, Cole slaw, French fries, roll/ butter, and a pie slice or brownie. The children’s meal is two pieces of fish plus everything else in the adult meal. Dinners are $14.00 adults and $5.00 (4-12 years). Volunteer help is needed. To volunteer, please contact Jim Poet or the church office (313.291.1221).
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, disaster and refugee relief. An offering envelope is included in the March Tidings and available in the Narthex. See an Usher for assistance. We also offer the option of making your donation through 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 24. 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.
OUR SPRING RUMMAGE SALE set-up begins Monday April 1 in fellowship hall and Monday, April 8 in the west room. Donations welcomed Tuesday, April 2- April 30, 12 noon. Donations can be dropped off Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Household items can be taken to the west room. All donated items should be clean and in a good state of condition/ repair. Volunteers are needed from Monday April 1 to Saturday May 4 for cleanup. Please contact the church office (313-291-1221) or Trustee Toni Hill to volunteer. Any time you can share is greatly appreciated.
2024 FLOWER CHART IS UP IN THE NARTHEX. Altar vases are $15.00 for one vase, $30.00 for two. Sharing altar flowers is a nice way to honor a loved one or special event.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week March 17 – March 24
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Pastor Cheryl Schalm
Mission Sunday/ Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Bock Family Baptism 10:00 a.m./ Coffee
hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Worship Planning 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m./ Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Guild Sew ‘N Sews 10:00 a.m.
Friday Drive-thru Fish Supper 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Palm Sunday/ Sunday School Easter Party-Egg Hunt 10:00 a.m./ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
SERVING YOU IN WORSHIP TODAY
The Pastor Cheryl Schalm, Minister of Christian Education
Tracy Hoffman, Hymn Leader
John Joanette, Pianist
Dan Case, Council Rep
Jennifer Ruffner, Deacon