St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Second Sunday of Advent/ December 8, 2024
We hear Your voice, O God, calling us. We are settled in deep, O God, into the bleakness, and yet we know Your voice is calling us, and will move us and shake us and stir us to do something, for You will make all things new. The world is about to turn.
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Prelude Shirley Lande, pianist
Second Advent Reading Drake & Hayley Dykowski
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle (Peace)
Hymn No. 128 “One Candle Is Lit” (1st & 2nd verse)
*Call to Worship Conrad Heidt, liturgist
One: In this season of waiting, our God comes.
All: Come suddenly, Holy God, into our slow expectations and fill us with your urgent hopes for justice.
One: In this holy season of delight and wonder, our Savior comes.
All: Come suddenly, Companion of the poor, and challenge us to share in the gospel of welcome for all.
One: In these days of remembering what our lives are to be, our Spirit comes.
All: Come suddenly, Preparer of the way, to take us by the hand to walk with our sisters and brothers down the path to service.
*Hymn No. 129 “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” Tim Ruffner,
*Morning Prayer Conrad Heidt, liturgist
Creator God, we give thanks to You for making all things new. In this time of worship, may our hearts and minds be open to receiving You in a new way; to new insights in scripture, to new ways of understanding Your presence among us, to new experiences of You in our lives. May we be open to receiving one another in mutual love and care, lifting up one another, and sharing Your peace with one another. We join our hearts together in prayer and in praise of You, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
Choir Anthem “As Some People Tell It” St. Paul Choir
Ministry Moment Rev. Anderson
“Jesus Loves the Little Children” (insert)
First Lesson Malachi 3:1-4 Conrad Heidt, liturgist
Gospel Lesson Luke 3:1-6
Message “Life Redirected” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 527 “More Love to Thee, O Christ”
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. Amen.
*Hymn No. 153 “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
*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.
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.
NO COFFEE HOUR TODAY All are invited to browse through the West Room. There’s many Christmas Gifts and Baskets available for purchase from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. today. For more information contact Jane Dykowski or Peggy Staten.
SUNDAY SCHOOL children will gather upstairs for lessons, crafts, and fun.
BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Come and enjoy lively discussion and fellowship.
EXERCISE CLASS Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. in the West Room. A $3 - $5 donation is appreciated.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS must be received in the church office by Sunday, December 29 to be recorded for 2024 tax purposes.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week December 8 – December 15
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Second Sunday of Advent/ Sunday School 10:00 / Christmas Gift & Basket Sale
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m./ Advent By Candlelight 6:45 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Pastor Cheryl Schalm
Sunday School Pageant Fellowship Hall 10:00 a.m./ Luncheon & Cookie Walk
SERVING YOU IN WORSHIP TODAY
Rev. Linda Anderson, Interim Senior Pastor
Shirley Lande, pianist; Tim Ruffner, Hymn leader;
Conrad Heidt, liturgist; Drake & Hayley Dykowski, Advent readers;
Sue Mrowka, Council Rep; Teri Staffeld, Deacon
THIS SUNDAY WE CONTINUE TO COLLECT hats, gloves, scarves, and undergarments on behalf of the Salvation Army’s Holiday Shop assisting families in need. All donations should be dropped off today, December 8. The Angel Tree is set up in Fellowship Hall. For more information, contact Pastor Cheryl Schalm.
LAST DAY TO ORDER POINSETTIAS The names will be included in the Christmas Eve bulletin and posted online. To reserve a poinsettia, use one of the white envelopes in the pews, include $10 per plant, mark the envelope “Poinsettias,” and indicate whom you would like to commemorate. If you purchase through VANCO, please contact the church office with your dedication and quantity. The envelope can be put in the collection plate, handed to an usher, or returned to the church office. Orders are due today, December 8. Poinsettias may be taken home after the Christmas Eve Worship Service.
THE CHIRSTMAS FUND OFFERING for Retired UCC Clergy and Lay Persons will be received any Sunday in December. Your offering provides direct financial assistance via “Thank You” gift checks. Your contributions do make a difference! You will find envelopes in the Narthex and one was included in the Monthly Tidings mailing. You may also use Vanco, our electronic online giving source. Visit us online at www.stpaulucctaylor.org/giving, click on the blue Online Giving button, scroll down to the bottom of the “Donations” listing, and select UCC - Christmas Fund Veterans of the Cross and enter the amount of your donation. On behalf of the Stewardship of St. Paul, God Bless you, Merry Christmas, and Thank you.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Jack Burchard, William Stears, Jr., Debbie Case, Lori Kuhn, Everett Hard, Roger Staten, Dave Schmoekel, Pam Jones, Rosemarie Laslo, John Smith, Barbara Brewer, Julius Enesey, Justine Kimbler, Beverly Sitz, Sandi Rose, Carol Wioncek, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Barbara Gish, Vicki Simon, Steve Newberry, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Andrea Matney, Kelly Potter, Tess Richardson, 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. Condolences to the McGahey family and friends on the loss of Shirley Zabik who passed away November 29, 2024, at the age of 93 years. Funeral service was December 3, 2024, at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home, New Boston.