St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

Worship Series: Who Are You?~ Who God Calls You to Be

January 19, 2020

10:30 am

Journeying together toward deeper faith, justice, and love for all

~ GOD GATHERS US ~

PRELUDE                                     Variations on a Noel                                by Dupré

                                                           Song of the Bells                                    by Simon

                                                                   Angelus                                            by Ritter

Geoff Olson, organ

WORDS OF REFLECTION

O God, all people are your Beloved, across races, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations,
and all the ways we are distinctive from one another. We are all manifestations
of your image. We are bound together in an inescapable network of mutuality
and tied to a single garment of destiny. You call us into your unending work of justice, peace, and love. Let us know your presence among us now: Let us delight in our diversity
that offers glimpses of the mosaic of your beauty. Strengthen us with your steadfast love
and transform our despairing fatigue into hope-filled action. Under the shadow
of your wings in this hour, may we find rest and strength, renewal and hope. We ask this, inspired by the example of your disciple, Martin Luther King Jr., and in Jesus’ name. Amen.

LIGHTING THE CANDLES                                                               Griffin Lawrence

We light candles to symbolize the light of Christ in our midst

RINGING THE BELLS

WELCOME  |  ANNOUNCEMENTS  |  PRAYERS FOR WELLBEING          Clare Gromoll, Associate Minister

SINGING BOWL  |  CENTERING STILLNESS

In this moment of stillness, we quiet our minds and open our hearts.
We give thanks for the good that surfaces in the stillness.

*UNISON PRAYER (all)                                                                       Griffin Lawrence

God of all people, we come here as your church this morning to worship you in community. May we listen with our hearts as you call each of us by name as you speak in the silence, in song, in scripture, in a sermon this Sabbath morning. May we continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who have peacefully worked for justice and equality for all people. Forgive us for what we have left undone. Help us to become vessels of reconciliation and to recognize our responsibility to fight racism, sexism, economic deprivation, homophobia, environmental destruction, and injustice wherever it is. We share the same hopes, tears, laughter, and dreams with all humanity. May we respond to Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one.” Amen.

*GATHERING SONG (all)       Arise, Your Light Is Come                             FESTAL SONG

                                                                                   verses 1 & 3                                                                     

~ ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHRIST IN ONE ANOTHER ~

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

Offer a smile, a handshake, or a hug as a sign of the peace of Christ

*SUNG RESPONSE (all)   We Are Marching in the Light of God

Children & Youth may come forward during the singing

Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos', siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'. (2x)
Siyahamba, Oooo!
Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'. (2x)

We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God. (2x)
We are marching, Oooo!
We are marching in the light of God. (2x)

~ HEARING SACRED STORIES OF FAITH ~

A SPECIAL TIME WITH YOUNG PEOPLE              Dream God’s Dream          Cindy Mueller, Interim Lead Minister
                                                   Singer/Songwriter Rev. Bryon Sirchio, www.sirchio.com

BLESSING ONE ANOTHER

Children: God be with you,

Congregation: And also with you.

Young people (age 3–Grade 8) and their leaders depart for Sunday School

INTERLUDE

SOLO                                                  A Winter Carol                  by Austin C. Lovelace

                                                                                                 text by Samuel Longfellow

’Tis winter now; the fallen snow

Has left the heavens all coldly clear;

Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,

And all the earth lies dead and drear.

 

And yet God’s love is not withdrawn;

For life within the keen air breathes;

God's beauty paints the crimson dawn,

And clothes the boughs
with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad
the sharp winds blow,

And skies are chill, and frosts are keen,

Home closer draws her circle now,

And warmer glows her light within.

 

O God! Who gives the winter’s cold

As well as summer’s joyous rays,

Us warmly in your love enfold,

And keep us through
life’s wintry days.

A READING FROM THE PROPHETS     Isaiah 49: 1–7                       Rick Panning

A READING FROM THE GOSPELS        John 1: 35–42

MESSAGE                                                                                                   Rev. Cindy Mueller

SONG (all)                         Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant                    see page 5

                                                                                   verses 1–5

~ OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS ~

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Response    One:    … God, in your love,

                              All:        Hear our prayer.

THE PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT (all)

 

There are different versions of the prayer Jesus taught, which is why we offer choices.
Please know you are welcome to recite the version that is most familiar or comfortable
to you. We want to make this prayer meaningful for all who choose to share in it.

Our Father/Mother, who art/is in heaven, hallowed/holy be thy/your name.
Thykingdom/Your kindom come, thy/your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
for thine/yours is the kingdom/kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

THE INVITATION

OFFERTORY                                           Carol of the Bells                            by Leontovich

OFFERTORY RESPONSE (all)                                                          OLD HUNDREDTH

O God, may we who bear your name

By gentle love your grace proclaim,

Christ’s gift of peace on earth declare

And your anointing spirit share. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (all)

O God, you offer us wonderful gifts. In these offerings, may we make for change, that which does not yet exist.May we give it a name. May we move through our fears.May we dare to call this hope wonderful. In the hope of the Christ, we pray. Amen.


*CLOSING SONG (all)              Lift Every Voice and Sing                                    #631

SONG (all)                         Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant             SERVANT SONG

                                                                                   verses 1–5

*BLESSING TO SEND US FORTH

POSTLUDE                                         Huron Carol                                   by Lovelace

                                                          Sing Ye, Sing Noel                                by Wetzler

We carry the light of Christ out into the world!

The Postlude is a time of worship and meditation for many people.
You are invited to remain and enjoy the Postlude in silence
or to depart to the lobby for fellowship and conversation.
Please join us for our Fair Trade Coffee Hour.

Rev. Cindy Mueller Interim Lead Minister  |  Rev. Clare Gromoll Associate Minister

Judith Melander Director of Music  |  Geoffrey Olson Organist

Today  |  January 19

• 10:20 am   Explorers Room opens (infant & toddler care)
• 10:30 am   Worship |  Sanctuary
•   11:00 am   Sunday School  |  various rooms
•   11:30 am   Fair Trade Coffee Hour  |  lobby
•       Noon   Childcare  |  Explorers Room
•   12:15 pm   Active Hope book study  |  Fireside Room
• 12:30 pm   Friends in Fellowship Winter Get-Together @ Mancini’s Char House
•    5:15 pm   Evensong service with Folk Ensemble  |  Sanctuary
•   6:30 pm   Confirmation  |  Fireside Room

Monday January 20  |  Martin Luther King Jr. Day |  Office closed

•   7:00 pm   Widening Circle Women’s AA  |  Fireside Room

Tuesday January 121

•    5:30 pm   Finance Committee  |  Conference Room
•    6:10 pm   SPCC Board of Directors  |  Conference Room
•    7:15 pm   Active Hope book study  |  Conference Room

Wednesday January 22

•    6:30am   Women’s AA  |  Fireside Room
•   6:00 pm   Wednesday evening meal  |  Fireside Room
•   6:30 pm   Journey of Faith  |  Fireside Room

            Topic: Pursuit of a Call from Traditional to Humanitarian Medicine

•   6:30 pm   Childcare  |  Explorers Room
•    7:30 pm   Sanctuary Choir rehearsal  |  Music Room

Thursday January 23

•    6:30am   11th Step Meditation  |  Fireside Room
•       Noon   Soup & Substance  |  Fireside Room
•    1:00 pm   Seamsters  |  Fireside Room
•  7:00 pm   Ministry Board  |  Fireside Room

Friday January 24

•    6:15 pm   OA  |  Fireside Room

Saturday January 25

•    7:30 am   2nd Men’s AA  |  Great Hall
•   9:00 am   Men’s AA  |  Great Hall

Sunday January 26  |  Annual Business Meeting

•  9:00 am   OWL (Grades 5–6)  |  Fireside Room
•   9:00 am   OWL (Grades 5–6) Parents  |  Conference Room
•   9:00 am   Childcare (infants–Grade 5)  |  Explorers Room
• 10:20 am   Explorers Room opens (infant & toddler care)
• 10:30 am   Worship  |  Sanctuary
•   11:00 am   Sunday School  |  various rooms
•   11:30 am   Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon  |  lobby
•       Noon   Childcare (infants–Grade 8)  |  Explorers Room

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