St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost/ September 8, 2024
Jesus does the most difficult thing for those of us born into the unfortunate privilege of dominance or prejudice. He listens. And allows himself to be fundamentally changed. (Andrew Prior)
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Prelude Shirley Lande, pianist
*Call to Worship (Psalm 104:31, 33-35b) Sharon Podpora, liturgist
ONE: May the glory of the Lord endure forever,
ALL: May we rejoice in God’s works!
ONE: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live,
ALL: I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
ONE: May our meditations be pleasing to God,
ALL: For we rejoice in the Lord.
ONE: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
ALL: Praise the Lord
*Hymn No. 100 “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
*Morning Prayer Sharon Podpora, liturgist
Loving God, we enter this space today with grateful hearts and songs of praise. We know that You are a Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God, the Everlasting One and Proclaimer of Peace. Guard our hearts and minds from the distractions of this world: all the busy-ness of our to-do lists and things left undone. Guide us in this time of worship to center our lives in You, to remember Your great love for us, and to be encouraged in our love of one another. All this we pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Teacher Installation/ Children’s Time (insert) Rev. Anderson
“Jesus Loves The Little Children”
Special Music
First Lesson Isaiah 35:1-10 Sharon Podpora, liturgist
Gospel Lesson Mark 7:24-37
Message “Along the Holy Road” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 576 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
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. 560 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
*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.
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. '"Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
THANK YOU
To all who help to shape our young people.
Candance Poet Superintendent
Deb Case Chairperson of Christian Ed
Teachers, Helpers, Substitutes, and Center Leaders
Candance Poet Lori Rogers
Mary Hard Helen St. Louis
Sheri Herkimer Kathy Isaacs
Louise Stanek Cindy Romas
A special big Thank You to
Doreen Thompson who is retiring after 25 Years teaching
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.
COFFEE HOUR is immediately following our worship service. All are invited to gather in the West Room to enjoy coffee, tea, donuts, and fellowship. A free will offering is appreciated to help off-set the increasing cost of our yummy donuts.
SUNDAY SCHOOL children will gather in the Sanctuary. After Teacher Installation, they will head upstairs for lessons, crafts and fun.
BIBLE STUDY WILL RESUME on Tuesday, September 10, 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Come and enjoy lively discussion and fellowship.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week September 8– September 15
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
Monday Rummage Sale Set-up 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday Rummage Sale donations 9:00 a.m./ Bible Study 10:30 a.m./ Council 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Itty Mathews
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
SERVING YOU IN WORSHIP TODAY
Reverend Linda Anderson, Senior Interim Minister
Shirley Lande, accompanist; Tim Ruffner, Hymn Leader;
Sharon Podpora, Liturgist; Pam Lange, Council Rep
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.
FOURTH SUNDAY DESIGNATED AS “MISSION SUNDAY” and items collected will be blessed at that time. St. Paul UCC Supports and Supplies the Needs of Local Community Outreach Programs. During August, church attendees donated school supplies for children being served through the Fish and Loaves Food Pantry. Supplies were generously donated. Thank you to all who so kindly and bigheartedly supported this outreach. During September, church members have the opportunity to help feed the homeless and downcast. September 8 and 22 St. Paul UCC is providing lunches for the ChristNet Day Center guests. Lunch items for September 8 have already been donated. Items needed to prepare September 22nd’s lunch: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Three/four volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve. We are also collecting paper products and breakfast foods for the center: cereal, cereal bars, granola bars, etc. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pastor Cheryl Schalm. All items collected can be dropped in the drop box located in the narthex. All dinner items should be marked “ChristNet lunch” and dropped in the kitchen. Please contact Past Schalm with any questions.
THE NEW MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY for St. Paul United Church of Christ will be ready for publication in September 2024. Anyone interested in placing an advertisement or personal messages in our new directory should call Jill Garner at (800) 544-6903 ext.109 toll free or email her at jgarner@cathedraldirectories.com. Your current ad or business card could be used or help in making up an ad or a new ad could be arranged. Please feel free to pass this information on to others. Advertisers do not need to be members.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Jim Poet, John Smith, Marion Bolen, Barbara Brewer, Julius Enesey, Justine Kimbler, Robert Black, Sandi Rose, Carol Wioncek, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Barbara Gish, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, F. Scott Miller, Pam Pierce, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Diane Williams, Brody Howell, 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.
CONGRATULATIONS to Dough and Janet Staffeld celebrating 50 years of marriage September 14, 2024.