St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost/ September 7, 2025
Rally Sunday/ Open House
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Dr. Itty Mathews
Announcement Highlights Lori Rogers, Liturgist
Prelude Ava Janus, Music Director
*Call to Worship Lori Rogers
One: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory; Glory be to you, O Lord most high.
All: Blessed is he who has come, and is to come in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
One: Holy are you, O God:
All: Holy are you, O Almighty God:
One; Holy are you, O Immortal God.
All: O Lord, our Redeemer, who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us:
One: O Lord, The Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us:
All: O Lord, have compassion and mercy upon us and accept our prayers and praises and bless us: Amen.
*Hymn No. 4 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”
*Morning Prayer Lori Rogers
Almighty God, we have turned away from you and our neighbor in fear, in shame and in arrogance. We are hiding behind many closed doors. In turning away from the needy, downtrodden, weak and the weary we have spurned opportunities to encounter your countenance; and in turning away from your inviting presence at the depth of our being we have rejected the privilege of being set free for the fullness of our own life and the life of the world. We seek your forgiveness and healing. Give us your Spirit to be open to you in the world and to the world in you. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our model, friend and Savior. AMEN
First Lesson Acts 2:1-8 Lori Rogers
Gospel Lesson John 20:19-23
Rev. Mathews Message “Behind Closed Doors” Rev. Mathews
*Hymn No. 99 “O, How I Love Jesus”
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.
Dedication of Offertory (Please remain standing) Rev. Mathews
Holy Father, who through the blood of Your dear Son has consecrated for us a new and living way to your throne of grace, we come to You through him, unworthy as we are, and we humbly beseech you to accept and use us and these our gifts for Your glory. All that is in heaven and earth is Yours, and of Your own do we give to thee. All: Amen.
Holy Communion/ Confession Pastor: Let us examine ourselves in silence, seeking God’s grace that we may draw near to him with repentance and faith. (Silent prayer)
Prayer of confession
All: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you and our neighbor. We have walked in darkness, rather than in light; we have named the name of Christ, but have not departed from iniquity. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; for the sake of Jesus Christ, forgive us all our sins; cleanse us by the Holy Spirit; quicken our consciences; and enable us to forgive others; that we may hence forth serve thee in newness of life, to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
Words of Assurance (Pastor)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all who forgive their brethren and with hearty repentance, and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness; and bring us to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Blessing of elements
Pastor: Truly Holy, truly blessed are you, O heavenly Father, who of your tender love towards mankind did give your only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one offering of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, satisfactory offering, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again:
(Who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.”)
(Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of this: for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”)
All: Amen. Your death, O Lord we commemorate, your resurrection we confess, and your second coming we await. Glory be to you, O Christ. Amen.
Invitation
All are welcome to partake in the communion
(The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you us, the bread of life.)
(The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for us, the true Vine.”
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 Bread and Cup
Prayer after Communion
(Now that we have received the body and blood of Christ, let us give thanks)
Prayer: Let us pray together:
All: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who has accepted us as Your children in Your beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and has fed us with the spiritual food of his most precious Body and Blood, giving us the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life: We thank and praise You for these inestimable benefits, and we offer and present unto You ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a holy and living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service. Grant us grace not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may learn what is thy good and perfect will, and so to obey You here on earth, that we may at last rejoice with all Your saints in the heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. 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. 587 “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”
*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. Dr. Itty Mathews Pulpit Supply
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
Lori Rogers 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 7 – September 14 Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Itty Mathew
Rally Sunday / Open House 10:00 a.m./ Communion/ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Monday Rummage Sale Set-up
Tuesday Rummage Sale Drop offs begin/ Council 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Exercise 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. / Teacher Installation 10:00 a.m.
COFFEE HOUR follows our worship service. All are invited to the air-conditioned West Room to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts, and fellowship. A free will offering is appreciated to help off-set the increasing price of our yummy donuts.
ROSE ON THE PULPIT celebrates the birth of Jovie Eleanor Jenks, born August 14, 2025, to Melanie and Kyle Jenks. St. Paul Great-grandparents are Jack and Sandy Burchard.
LOVE AND SYMPATHY to the family and friends of Bob and Shirley Robinson who passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the age of 85 years. Memorial service was September 5, 2025. Love and sympathy to Mary Hard, children and family on the loss of Kyle Hard who passed away August 29, 2025, at the age of 54 years. Memorial Service is Sunday, September 14. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and memorial service at 2 p.m.
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 Tuesday, September 9 through 12 noon on 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 will be preparing lunches in September (date to be determined) for the guests of the ChristNet day Center. The ChristNet day center has decreased their business hours due to financial issues resulting from the loss of federal funds and higher operating costs. Those participating 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 · Peanut Butter · Jelly · Individual Chips (variety packs are fine) · Individual Snack cakes or cookies · Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges) · Bottles of water. Please have all donations to the church by Sunday, September 28th in order that I can assess what is still needed. A sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex. Peace & Many Blessings ~ Cheryl
OUR 2025 DIRECTORY is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter. All information must be submitted by Friday. Contact the Church office if any of your information has changed in the last year (phone number, address, etc). Dan Case is available if you have any questions. We are also 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 familymember 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.
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.
COUNCIL POSITIONS STILL OPEN: 2nd Vice-President (3year commitment), 1st Vice-President (2year commitment), two Deacons (2year and 3year commitment). Please prayerfully consider filling one of these positions. A description of each position can be had by contacting the church office or by speaking to Toni Hill or Michael Isaacs, Trustees.
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.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN:
Marjie Barnard, Joe Mayfield, John Smith, Denise Foley, William Stears, Jr., Paula Block, Justine Kimbler, Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, Dave Lange, Sr., Dave Schmoekel, Sue Stern, Julius Enesey, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Bridget Stephens, Steve Newberry, Linda Schutter, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Kelly Potter, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Alicia Hagen, Ailani Flores, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Mary Lou, Staffeld, Roy Staffeld, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink.