St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost/ November 5, 2023
Silent Prayer and Reflect
Do I think of myself as a child of God? Do I act like one?
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome
Opening Voluntary
As the music begins, anyone mourning a loved one who is being memorialized today is invited to light a remembrance candle on the altar. Please speak with an usher if further assistance is needed.
*Call to Worship/Passing of the Peace Lector: Marjie Barnard
One: God calls us God’s own beloved children.
All: In humility we receive God’s adoption.
One: The Christ comes to us as our Elder Brother.
All: We are blessed to be part of the family of God.
One: God’s own Spirit dwells among and within us.
All: We are, indeed, called to be God’s saints.
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
*Hymn No. 637 “For All the Saints”
*Prayer of the Day Lector: Marjie Barnard
One: Let us pray.
All: O God who dwells among us and within us:
Grant us the wisdom to see the saints among us
and the humility to allow your Spirit to live through us. Amen.
Piano Solo “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”
First Lesson 1 John 3:1-3 Lector: Marjie Barnard
Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:1-12
Message “Children of God”
*Hymn No. 452 “Here I Am, Lord”
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
Invitation
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer (debt/debtors)
Receiving of the Bread and Cup
Prayer after Receiving
The Memorial Service
Time of Remembrance/ Tolling of the Bell
*Hymn No. 277 “Christians, We Have Met to Worship”
*Dismissal with Blessing
Closing Voluntary/ Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world followed by our Pastor and Choir at the close of service.
WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S MORNING SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING which can be viewed on Facebook at other times as well.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN are gathering upstairs for lesson, crafts, snacks, and fun.
COMMUNION IS OFFERED THIS MORNING. At the usher’s bidding, you are invited to come forward to the front the sanctuary to receive both the bread and cup from our pastors and elders. We observe an “open communion.” Membership is not required to partake of the Lord’s Supper. We simply ask that all receiving Communion be baptized and either confirmed or of adult age. You may immediately consume the communion elements before returning to your pew.
COFFEE HOUR this morning follows our worship service in Fellowship Hall. Coffee, tea, donuts, and other refreshments are served. All are welcome.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets at 10:30 a.m. in the West Room. Led by Rev. Reed, we are taking a tour through the book of Genesis, a foundational book which lays the groundwork for understanding much of the rest of the Bible. All are welcome.
CHANCEL CHOIR REHEARSALS 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: Rev. George Reed, Sally Sigman, Dave Lange, Judy Albright, Dan Newton, Mark Ennis, Joan Smarr, Tom Williams, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Kyle Hard, Bill Pattenaude, Marybeth Staffeld Gibbs, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, Gabriel Siadak, Jane Zeuner, Abdual Family.
CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP GRAND OPENING Sunday, December 3, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. After worship on the day of our annual Advent by Candlelight Event, you will have an opportunity to shop at Christian Education's Christmas Gift Shop in the West Room. Invite your friends and neighbors. The Gift Shop will also be open after Advent by Candlelight in the evening for anyone interested in browsing. Please contact Jane Dykowski or Peggy Staten with any questions.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Shoe boxes and materials are available in Fellowship Hall. A huge “Thank you” to Jane Dykowski for wrapping all of our shoeboxes. Shoeboxes are due back Sunday, November 19 so they can be delivered to the warehouse for shipping. For more information about how you can help a child overseas receive a Christmas box adding to their holiday joy, contact Pastor Schalm.
OUR ANNUAL “ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT” program is Sunday, December 3, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
One woman hosts a table and asks seven ladies to join her for a program, fellowship and dessert. There is a sign-up sheet available during coffee hour all November; or, contact Debbie Case (debbiescase@aol.com). It is easy to be a hostess and I will have envelopes for each hostess with all the information. There is also a sign-up sheet for ladies that do not want to host a table but would like to attend. We will do our best to find a place for every lady that would like to attend. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, November 19. The table arrangement is based on the order that you sign up. I need to know total numbers at each table by November 26.
AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE, St. Paul Treasurer Dan Case will be in the West Room to answer any questions/ concerns about the 2023 and 2024 budgets. Copies of the proposed 2024 budget will be available for review. The 2024 budget process began in September with a draft budget presented to the Council. The Budget and Finance Ministry will meet Thursday, November 9, 2023, to review and discuss the proposed budget. The process will continue through the final vote on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at our Annual Meeting.
ST. PAUL COUNCIL NOMINEES are being sought for 2 Elder positions for three-year terms beginning January 2024. Please consider serving our church and ministry in this vital, faithful way. For more information regarding positions duties or to offer nominations, please speak with one of our Trustees.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week November 5 – November 12
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Pastor Linda Anderson
Communion/ Totenfest/ Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Budget Review with Treasurer 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m./ Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
SERVING YOU IN WORSHIP TODAY
The Pastor Linda Anderson
Tracy Hoffman, Hymn leader; John Joanette, Pianist,
Marjie Barnard, Liturgist; Aaron Johnson, Acolyte
Jennifer Ruffner, Deacon