St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Third Sunday of Easter/ May 4, 2025
“With Peter we can move from fishing to tending sheep!”
Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Jeannette Wackro, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music
*Call to Worship Jeannette Wackro
One: Our gathering here today is another wave of the one, mighty, resurrection event. All: We are convened by the living Christ.
One: Let us delight in God’s Presence, and reaffirm our love and commitment. All: We love because Christ has first loved us.
One: Christ is risen!
All: He is risen indeed!
One; To the One who was, who is, and forever will be,
All: be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever.
Hymn No. 25 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,”
Morning Prayer Jeannette Wackro
God of things made utterly new, as we gather here in the name of the risen Christ, uplift us with his continuing Easter joy. Extend our worship beyond habit, higher than loving duty, and deeper into that universe of the spirit where delight and praise flow more freely than the air we breathe. To the glory of your name. Amen.
Anthem
First Lesson Psalm 30 (Read Responsively) Jeannette Wackro
Gospel Lesson John 21:1-19
Message: “The Safety to Try Again,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 461 “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble 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.
Holy Communion / Prayer of Confession (see insert)
Invitation
Sung Response: One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup
of blessing which we bless. And we, though many through out
the Earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
Receiving of the Bread and Cup
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. 16 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
*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.
Confession May 2025
Call to Confession
We can hold on to hurt until our hands begin to cramp, and keep holding. Though they bow our back, we refuse to set our grudges down, because we don’t know what it would feel like to have that weight off us. And we think that is the way God operates as well. But God’s anger lasts for just a moment, while the grace, the forgiveness, and the hope God offers never goes away. Let us dare to bring our prayers to the One who hears us and heals us, as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
Now that Easter is done and gone, Holy One, we no longer hear the special music, but listen to temptation’s familiar refrains. We no longer walk those straight paths of joy and wonder, but wander the crooked streets to our old haunts. Rather than living in the newness you bring, we do things the way they have always been done. Fortunately, God of seaside breakfasts, you know the way out of our messy lives, and so take us by the hand to lead us. You wipe our busy schedules off our calendars so we may spend more time with those who need our love and attention. You challenge us to fish from the other side of our worries, so we may pull in all the grace, wonder, and mercy offered to us by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silent prayer and meditation
Assurance of Pardon Why should we weep? Joy comes to us this morning, and every moment of our lives. The Lamb of God has come, to share mercy and hope with us, so we can praise our God with joyous hearts.
We will lift glad songs of joy, for all the blessings God has given to us. We will offer our hearts and hands in love and serve to others. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
PSALM 30 (Read Responsively)
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O LORD, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O LORD, I cried, and to the LORD I made supplication: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
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.
COMMUNION IS OFFERED THIS MORNING. At the usher’s bidding, you are invited to come forward to receive both bread and cup from our pastor and elders. We observe an “open communion.” Membership is not required to partake in the Lord’s Supper. We simply ask that all receiving Communion seek to know our Lord more completely. You may immediately consume the elements before returning to your pew.
NO COFFEE HOUR DUE to Rummage Sale activities. “Muffins for Moms” Celebration, Mother’s Day. Men’s Fellowship will be honoring the women of our congregation on Sunday, May 11 with a special continental breakfast. The celebration will be held after the morning worship service, in Fellowship Hall. All ladies should mark their planners for this special event.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GATHERING upstairs for lesson, crafts, snacks, and fun.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Join us for lively discussion and fellowship.
CHOIR PRACTCE Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. Please contact Music Director, Ava Janus or Tim Ruffner for more information. New voices are always welcome.
EXERCISE CLASS Thursdays, 11:00. A $3 - $5 donation is appreciated.
MEDITATION CLASS meets on Thursdays, 12 noon in the Parlor.
SPRING RUMMAGE SALE Donations will be welcomed until May 6, 12 noon and can be dropped off Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. All items should be clean and in good condition. Volunteers are needed daily through Saturday, May 10. Please contact the church office or Toni Hill to volunteer. Any time you can share is greatly appreciated.
FLOWER SALE – May 4, before and after worship. There are NO order forms. If you have any questions or would like additional information, see Crystal Poet or Diane Poet. All items are supplied by Blocks Greenhouse and Stand.
Calendar Week May 4 – May 11
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Communion/ No Coffee Hour/ Plant-Flower Sale
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Rummage Sale 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m./ Exercise 11:00 a.m./ Meditation 12 noon
Friday Rummage Sale 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday Rummage Sale 9:00 -11:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. / Cradle Roll/ Muffins for Moms 11:00 a.m.
EVERY DAUGHTER BANQUET MAY 22. All moms, daughters, daughters-in-law, grandmothers etc. are invited to our “Every Daughter Banquet,” Thursday, May 22, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Garden Party”, so dress up and join in the fun. A buffet-style dinner will be served. Menu includes chicken, meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, salad bar, rolls, dessert, and beverage—all for $5 per person. Children 5 years and younger are free. Special prizes will be given out, a 50/50 raffle and basket door prizes. Tickets can be purchased in the Narthex before or after worship service. Advance ticket purchase is required, no tickets will be sold at the door. Last day to purchase tickets is Sunday, May 18. This year’s “Every Daughter Banquet” is being hosted by the Girl Scouts and the Women’s and Men’s Fellowship.
CRADLE ROLL SERVICE HONORS NEWBORNS Infants born over the last year to members of our congregation will be honored at the annual St. Paul Cradle Roll Service on Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m. Parents are invited to place a photo of their child on the altar for the length of the service. Please contact the church office if you would like to participate or include a child or grandchild in the roster of those acknowledged and honored.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Bob Robinson, Joe Mayfield, John Smith, Denise Foley, Thelma Poet, William Stears, Jr., Kathe Stears, Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Brent Kuhn, Dave Lange, Sr., Dave Schmoekel, Sue Stern, Pam Jones, Rosemarie Laslo, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Barbara Gish, Bridget Stephens, Krystal Grant, Steve Newberry, Julie Renner, Linda Schutter, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, F. Scott Miller, 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.
MAY’S COMMUNITY OUTREACH In honor of the youth, past and present, who annually did a 30-hour famine to benefit World Vision, we are collecting monetary gifts on their behalf during May. World Vision International is an ecumenical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization. It provides emergency and advocacy work for those living in poverty and struck with natural disasters and war. They report: · Food insecurity is growing: Over 258 million people across 58 countries face crisis or higher levels of food insecurity, according to the World Food Program (WFP). · The war in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza are impacting global hunger: Even before the war began, food insecurity was rising worldwide. · Food insecurity forces families into distressing choices: When families don’t have enough to eat or money to buy food, they must often make difficult and dangerous decisions that impact their children’s well-being and put them at risk of violence. · Millions of children are dangerously malnourished: 30 million children are suffering from wasting (also known as acute malnutrition). In addition to collecting funds, we are collecting non-perishable food items for Fish & Loaves, our local food pantry. All checks can be made out to St. Paul United Church of Christ and marked World Vision on the memo line. One check will then be sent to World Vision in June. Food donations can be dropped in the box located in the Narthex. Thank you for all your support and generosity. Pastor Schalm