St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost/ November 16, 2025
“Jesus does not speak of the end of the world, but of frightening times that will take place within our time.”
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Peggy Staten, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Peggy Staten
ONE: Behold, God is our salvation. We will trust and not be afraid.
ALL: The Lord God is our strength and song, and has become our salvation. ONE: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
ALL: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon God’s name.
ONE: Make God’s deeds known among the nations.
ALL: Shout and sing for joy, you who dwell in Zion.
ONE: For great in our midst is the Holy One of Israel.
*Hymn No. 581 “Near to the Heart of God”
*Morning Prayer Peggy Staten
Great is your name, O God of all creation, and blessed is your Son Jesus the Christ. As we give you thanks and praise in this gathering of your people, we pray that you would adjust our vision and align it with your own – your vision for a world made new – that we may fervently pray for it and work for it in the days that lie ahead. This we pray in the name of Christ. Amen.
Choir Anthem “Down by the Riverside”
First Lesson Isaiah 12 Peggy Staten
Gospel Lesson Luke 21:5-19
Message “Just Keep Going” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 578 “I Need Thee Every Hour”
Mission Moment “Blessing of the Shoeboxes”
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.
Time of 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. 323 “Wonderful Words of Life”
*Dismissal with Blessing
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
Dan Case Council Rep
Harold Fick Deacon
Peggy Staten 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 MORNING 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.
COFFEE HOUR is immediately following worship. All are invited to the Fellowship Hall to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts and fellowship. A free will offering is invited to help off-set the increasing cost of our yummy refreshments. Please give. We are also in need of small groups to host Coffee Hours.
ANNUAL ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT EVENING, Sunday, December 7, 6:45 p.m. Please sign up at the Kiosk during Coffee Hour, indicating if you would like to host a table or would like to be included as a guest. Deadline to sign up is November 30. Contact Peggy Staten at 734-740-0647 or pstaten75@yahoo.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP Calendar Week November 16 – November 23
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
OCC Boxes due/ Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ CE & Teacher Meeting 11:00 a.m. -
Parlor/ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Cabinet 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Guild 10:00 a.m./ Exercise 11:00 a.m.-Fellowship Hall
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. /Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m./ Active Shooter training 11
ANNUAL WOMENS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON is Thursday, December 11, 2025, 12 noon at Woodside Meadows, 20820 Inkster Rd., Romulus, 48174. All women are invited. Please RSVP to Chairwoman, Toni Hill no later than Monday, December 8. A count is needed to ensure proper seating.
CONTINUING TO SERVE AS THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST Our November/ December Community Outreach is the “Angel Tree” gift outreach for the Salvation Army: Please pick a tag from the Angel tree located in Fellowship Hall. There is no name on the tag, the tag will identify gender and age. Please purchase a gift ($25.00 average) for a child in that category. Register your tag by signing your name along with the tag number on the sheet located at the table. A list of gift recommendations will also be available on the table. GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED BY DECEMBER 8. Gifts will be delivered on Monday to the Salvation Army for use in their Shop free Christmas Store. Pre-registered parents can shop for their children at designated times. Each parent is permitted to pick one big gift and a stocking stuffer for their child/ren. In addition, we will be collecting hats, gloves and undergarments for the Salvation Army. Collection boxes are in the Narthex and lobby area. Please contact Pastor Schalm with any questions. Operation Christmas Child Showboxes due today. After being blessed, they will be delivered to the collection center in Boone, NC. From there they will ship to various countries, including the USA to children in need.
REMEMBER TO SUPPORT our ongoing food collection for Fish & Loaves. Food staples are always in need as we recognize the food insecurity within our neighborhood. Donations can be placed in the area near the front entrance way of the church or in the box near the office and west entrance. Please, recognize that all donations are appreciated!
CHRISTMAS GIFT & BASKET SALE will open early for CHURCH MEMBERS AND FRIENDS Thursday, December 4, 2025, 4 - 7 p.m. Public hours are Friday, December 5, 10 am to 12 noon, Saturday, December 6, 10 am to 2 pm and Sunday, December 7, 11 am to 1 pm. New items are still being collected. Help with packaging, pricing, and set-up is invited. Please contact Peggy Staten or Jane Dykowski. Also available for purchase handmade stained class items in the West Lobby.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY AND SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM need a few more people. We are looking for a Superintendent, 1-2 teachers to add in our rotation (a monthly commitment/ not weekly), and to be on call in case we need a substitute. We provide training and all materials including snacks. Most of all, we would like to increase our student body, especially between the ages of 5-14. If you can help in any way, please contact Deb Case or the church office.
PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE if you or a loved one no longer needs to be on our prayer list. You and your loved ones can always be added as concerns change.
USHERS AND LITURGISTS 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.
2025 FLOWER CHART IS IN THE NARTHEX A vase ($20) or two ($40) is a nice way to honor someone special or commemorate a special time in life. Contact the office for more info.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Makenna Gorbe, Conrad Heidt, Bill Pattenaude, Krystal Grant, Marjie Barnard, Joe Mayfield, John Smith, William Stears, Jr., Billy-jo Stears, Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, Sue Spears, Dave Lange, Sr., Denise Foley, Nora Cousino, Lynn Jenkins, Holly Staten Thompson, Kathleen Walsh, Sue Stern, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Sue Milatz, Al Wierzbicki, Dave Schmoekel, Steve Newberry, Blain Tayler, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Ailani Flores, Linda & Tom Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink, William Veteto.