St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Worship Series: Who Are You?~ Proclaim Transformation
February 23, 2020
10:30 am

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

~ GOD GATHERS US ~

PRELUDE                                Prelude #15 in D-flat Major                                   by Chopin
                                                         ‘Largo’ from Xerxes                                  by G.F. Handel
                                                                                 Diana Carlson, piano  |  Anna Meek, violin

LIGHTING THE CANDLES                                                                             Cade Sullivan

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

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

Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today!

Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong.

*OPENING PRAYER                                                                                            Aidan Jewell

One     Holy and loving God, we boldly claim the promise of Christ—
that where two or three are gathered in that holy name, Christ is present.

Many  With Christ among us, we know the power of your love for us.

One     With Christ among us, we see your glory in each other.

Many  With Christ among us, we believe we can do all things
through love’s strength at work in us.

One     Set our hearts on fire with compassion!

All       Send forth your word and let there be light! Amen!

CHORAL ANTHEM          Obey the Spirit of the Lord    Spiritual, arr. Robert de Cormier
Stephanie Litz, soloist

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

O I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

I'm gonna obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing, hallelujah!

Gonna sing when the spirit says sing, yes,

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing,

I'm gonna obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

I'm gonna shout when the spirit says shout, hallelujah!

Gonna shout when the spirit says shout, yes,

I'm gonna shout when the spirit says shout,

I'm gonna obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

Let the earth be glad, O let the sea be moved,

Let the fields be filled, be filled with joy!

Obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing, hallelujah! etc.

 

Let the skies rejoice, O let the mountain sing,

Let the heavens shout, O shout with joy!

Obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing, hallelujah! etc.

 

I'm gonna pray when the spirit says pray

I'm gonna pray when the spirit says pray

I'm gonna pray when the spirit says pray

 

I'm gonna obey the spirit of the Lord.

 

For the earth is His, He made the hills,

And He sits on a heavenly throne!

 

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

O I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

I'm gonna sing when the spirit says sing

I'm gonna obey the spirit of the Lord.

~ CLAIMING OUR HUMANNESS & GOD’S ASSURANCE OF LOVE ~

PRAYER OF LONGING(all)                                      Cindy Mueller, Interim Lead Minister

One     Merciful God, your people are parched from the heat of our own sin.

Many  Flow among us! Flood all peoples with your grace and mercy!

One     Life-giving God, your people grow cold as the world’s grief takes its toll on us.

Many  Our hearts and souls lie bare before you, God. Manifest your presence here.

One     Let your voice be heard in the silence of our spirits and the roaring in our ears.

All       Let your acceptance waft over us like a summer breeze, your calm and
comfort envelop and cradle us. Let your love fill us with joy. May others
sense your presence in our hearts and see you in our actions. Amen.

SILENT MEDITATION & INTERLUDE                                    Diana Carlson, piano

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE                                                                                       

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

*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                                                                        

Children & Youth may come forward during the singing

YOUTH MINISTRY RECOGNITION  |  Hearing from our Youth Group and their leaders

~ THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM ~

ADDRESS & STATEMENTS OF COVENANT

PRAYER OVER THE BAPTISMAL WATERS

THE ACT OF BAPTISM

UNISON DEDICATION (all)                                                                                               

Julia and Aidan, your lives have been given to you, to your parents, and to all of us as gifts from God.
We—your parents, sponsors, and congregation alike—dedicate you and rededicate ourselves to God.
We promise to continue to do our best to be channels of God’s love for you, to teach you the ways of Jesus,
our Friend and Savior, and to empower you through the Holy Spirit. May the light of God’s loving concern
never cease to shine upon you and through you.

BAPTISMAL PRAYER & PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

BLESSING ONE ANOTHER

Children: God be with you,

Congregation: And also with you.

BAPTISMAL HYMN          Child of Blessing, Child of Promise                       STUTTGART

During the singing, young people age 3–Grade 4 may leave for Sunday School

READING FROM THE GOSPELS       Matthew 17: 1–9                            Griffin Lawrence

MESSAGE                                                                                                   Rev. Clare Gromoll

~ OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS ~

PRAYERS FOR TRANSFORMATION                                                           Julia Wallinga

 

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                                    Abide With Me                             by William H. Monk

                                                                                                                arr. Heather Sorenson

Forgot your checkbook? Don’t have cash? You can give electronically!
Scan the QR code on the next page and make your gift today. Thank you!

*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)                                                                                         

Mighty God, we dedicate these gifts and our very selves to your way of empowering
love. Stay with us as we share in the risks and challenges of living our faith. By your
powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage and our confusion to confidence. As your
glory shone in the face of Jesus, so shine in our hearts and lives. Amen.

*CLOSING SONG (all)     We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding                       see insert

                                                                 verses 1 & 3                                                                 

*BLESSING TO SEND US FORTH

POSTLUDE                                  The Lily of the Valley                          by William S. Hays

                                                                                                                          arr. Mark Hayes

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

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

Today  |  February 23
Baptisms of Aidan Jewell and Julia Wallinga  |  Chili/Soup Cookoff Youth Fundraiser

•   10:20 am   Explorers Room opens (infant & toddler care)
•   10:30 am   Worship  |  Sanctuary
•    11:00 am   Sunday School  |  various rooms
•    11:30 am   Chili/Soup Cookoff Youth Fundraiser  |  Great Hall

Monday February 24  | Office closed

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

Tuesday February 25

•    5:45 pm   Nominating Committee  |  Conference Room

Wednesday February 26  |  Ash Wednesday

•    6:30 am   Women’s AA  |  Fireside Room
•   6:00 pm   Ash Wednesday meal  |  Fireside Room
•    6:45 pm   Ash Wednesday service  |  Sanctuary
•    7:30 pm   Creation Justice Task Force  |  Conference Room

Thursday February 27

•    6:30 am   11th Step Meditation  |  Fireside Room
•       Noon   Soup & Substance  |  Fireside Room
•    1:00 pm   Seamsters  |  Fireside Room
•    6:45 pm   Childhood Center Annual Meeting  |  Fireside Room
•    7:00 pm   Ministry Board  |  Fireside Room

Friday February 28

•     6:15 pm   OA  |  Fireside Room

Saturday February 29

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

Sunday March 1  |  First Sunday in Lent

•    9:00 am   Milestone Event (Grades 3 & 4)  |  Worship Around the Year  |  Fireside Room
•    9:00 am   Childcare (infants–Grade 5)  |  Explorers Room
•   10:20 am   Explorers Room opens (infant & toddler care)
•   10:30 am   Worship with Communion for all  |  Sanctuary
•    11:00 am   Chapel Time
•    11:30 am   Fair Trade Coffee Hour  |  lobby
•       Noon   Ziplock care kit assembly  |  Fireside Room
•  12:30 pm   Called to Care support group  |  Fireside Room
•    6:30 pm   Confirmation  |  Fireside Room

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