St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost/ September 28, 2025
"I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Announcement Highlights Marilyn Lang, liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Marilyn Lang
One: God who comes to us in Word and Spirit, calls us to be a table set for all who hunger.
All: We hunger for grace and forgiveness; we hunger for justice and peace.
One: God knows and meets our deepest hungers with bread which always satisfies.
*Hymn No. 66 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
*Morning Prayer Marilyn Lang
O Lord, we have come. Come, now, to us. Send upon us your Grace, for you have called us to be your stewards. Speak to us your Word, for you have summoned us to be its witness. Let the working of your power be seen among us, O God, that our works might declare your presence among the nations. Amen.
Choir Anthem “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”
First Lesson Psalm 91 Marilyn Lang
Gospel Lesson Luke 16:19-31
Message “The Investment” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 546 “Amazing Grace!”
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 host. Amen.
A 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 and ever Amen.
*Hymn No. 613 “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
*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
Wendy Warner Council Rep
Dan Case Deacon
Marilyn Lang 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.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week September 28 – October 5 Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m./ Blue Jean Sunday/ Elders – Parlor 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Rummage Sale 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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. / World Communion Sunday
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & ELDERS will gather in the Parlor immediately following our worship service this morning.
NO EXERCISE CLASS THURSDAY, October 2.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY AND SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM need a few more people. We are looking for a Superintendent, 1-2 teachers to help in our rotation (a monthly commitment/ not weekly), and a couple to be on call in case we need a substitute. We will help you and provide you with training and all materials. Most of all, we would like to increase our student body, especially between the ages of 5-14. If you can help us with any of these things, please contact Deb Case or the church office.
OUR ANNUAL ST. PAUL FALL RUMMAGE SALE is Thursday, October 2 through Saturday, October 4. Rummage sale hours are Thursday & Friday 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday 9 am to 11 am. Donations will be welcomed through 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 30. All donations should be clean and in a good state of repair. Volunteers are needed from set-up through clean-up. To volunteer, please contact the church office (313) 291-1221 or see Toni Hill. All proceeds from the rummage sale support church-related projects. Any time you can donate is appreciated. There is no tent for outside related items this fall. We will not be accepting tools, furniture, bikes, large electronic items, building supplies, lawn equipment, etc. If you have any questions, please contact Toni Hill.
CONTINUING TO SERVE AS THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST, St. Paul UCC is preparing lunches (date to be determined) for the guests of the ChristNet day Center. We will meet at St. Paul at 5 p.m. to prepare 50 sack lunches to be distributed to guests the following day. Donations needed include: · Lunchmeat · Cheese · Bread · Individual Snack cakes or cookies · Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges) · Bottles of water. Please have all donations to the church today so I can assess what is still needed. A sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex. Peace & Many Blessings ~ Cheryl
WE ARE UPDATING OUR HEALTH MINISTRIES CALL LIST. If you know someone who doesn’t receive St. Paul email notifications regarding the death/ illness of a church family member, please, contact the church office so we can reach out to them. It is important to be included. If you would like be part of our call team, contact Kathy Williams.
CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP is collecting new items suitable for use in the upcoming Christmas Gift Shop. Please contact Peggy Staten or Jane Dykowski regarding donations. Proceeds go to repair St. Paul church steeple.
2025/2026 CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN with an informational adult/ confirmand (7th grade – high school) meeting Sunday, October 5 immediately after worship service. All will gather in Mrs. Lori Roger’s classroom (Junior/ Senior room) upstairs. Confirmation class begins Sunday, October 12, 10 a.m. in the Junior/Senior Classroom. Class will be confirmed on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026. Mrs. Rogers’ class will meet as usual in the Junior/Senior Classroom today. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Dykowski.
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.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING a formal member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor? Please contact Rev. Linda Anderson or the church office.
WEARING NAME TAGS WILL HELP Rev. Anderson and visitors put a name to our faces. If you need to update or get a new tag, please contact the church office.
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:
Maeve Rischel, Sue Spears, Shirley Gratrix, Marjie Barnard, Joe Mayfield, John Smith, William Stears, Jr., Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, Dave Lange, Sr., Jeannette Wackro, Mary Hard and Family, Denise Foley, Lynn Jenkins, Dave Schmoekel, Sue Stern, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Bridget Stephens, Al Wierzbicki, Sue Milatz, Steve Newberry, Linda Schutter, Blain Tayler, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Ailani Flores, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Tom Tank, Jennifer Lee, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Roy Staffeld, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink.