St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fourth Sunday of Easter/ May 11, 2025
Mother’s Day/ Cradle Roll
“If you are…If you are good…If you are powerful…If you are merciful… If you are loving…If, if, if…”
~Debie Thomas
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Pastor Cheryl Schalm, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Cheryl Schalm
One: Within the whole family of God on earth, we gather as God’s church in the name of Jesus Christ
All: for worship, for fellowship, and for service, for mission, witness, and mutual discipline: and for our nurture and renewal as disciples of Christ.
One: Transcending all barriers with the human family we received the gift of ministry and reconciliation.
All: All dominion in the church belongs to Jesus Christ, it’s Lord
and head, upon whom the whole body depends.
Special Music “Gentle Shepherd” Mark Ennis, soloist
*Morning Prayer Cheryl Schalm
Gracious God, our Shepherd, we seek the assurance of your presence in this time of worship. We have come to listen and to receive your counsel. Melt our stubborn hearts to remove the barriers that keep up from seeing your glory and doing your will. Challenge all that is worthless and unprofitable in our lives, that we may become worthy imitators of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn No. 558 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Ministry Moment
“Jesus Loves the Little Children”
First Lesson Acts 9:36-43 Cheryl Schalm
Gospel Lesson John 10:22-30
Message “Our Shepherd’s Voice,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 545 “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought!”
Cradle Roll
A Tolling of the Church Bell/ Blessing of the Infants and Families
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. 33 “How Great Thou Art”
*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.
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.
MUFFINS FOR MOM CELEBRATION. Men’s Fellowship is honoring the women of our congregation with a special “Muffins for Mom” continental breakfast after the morning worship service, in Fellowship Hall. All are invited to this special event.
CRADLE ROLL SERVICE HONORS NEWBORNS born over the last year to members and will be honored at the Cradle Roll Service today. Parents are invited to place a photo of their child on the altar for the service.
Cradle Roll Roster
Maeve Gracelynn Rischel, born July 13, 2024, to Jacob Rischel and DeAnna Schalm. St. Paul Grandparents: Jim and Cheryl Schalm. St. Paul Great-Grandparent: Pat Herkimer. Sibling: Liam.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GATHERING upstairs for lesson, crafts, snacks, and fun.
Calendar Week May 11 – May 18
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Cradle Roll Service/ Muffins for Mom 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Council 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Guild Sew ‘n Sews 10:00 a.m./ Exercise 11:00 a.m./ Meditation 12
Friday Girl Scout Banquet 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Ralph Brown
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
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.
SEWING GUILD Sew ‘n Sews will gather Thursday, May 15, 10 a.m. in the West Room.
Bring a sandwich, dessert and coffee are provided. No sewing experience necessary. Join us for ‘food for thought.” Contact Janet Staffeld, chairwoman, for more info.
EVERY DAUGHTER BANQUET. All ladies 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”, dress up and join in the fun. A buffet-style dinner includes chicken, meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, salad bar, rolls, dessert, and beverage—all for $5 per person will be served. Children 5 years and younger are free. Special prizes will awarded, a 50/50 raffle and basket door prizes are available. Tickets can be purchased in the Fellowship Hall 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.
GRADUATE NAMES NEEDED FOR OUR PRINTED ROSTER If you or a family member are receiving a high school diploma, G.E.D., college degree, or continuing education certificate since last June, please contact Cindy Romas in the church office by June 8 for inclusion in the Baccalaureate/Youth Sunday Service, June 15. All graduates are invited to participate in gown and mortarboard. Forms are available from an usher or on our web page.
USHERS 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.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Bob Robinson, Joe Mayfield, Dorothy Evison, 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, Sandi Rose, 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.
Happy Birthday to Pastor Cheryl Schalm May 7!
MAY’S COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY In honor of the youth, past and present, who annually did a 30-hour famine to benefit World Vision, we will be collecting monetary gifts on their behalf during the month of 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