St. Paul s United Church of Christ We are a welcoming, Christ-centered community called to embody, nurture and share God s Loving Light both within St. Paul s and our wider community. www.stpaulsbirdsboro.org
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost November 26 th, 2017 9:30 am Worship We re Glad You are Here! Welcome: Inspired by Christ and his ministry of God s invitation, we proclaim, No matter where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! Restrooms: These are located on the basement level of the church. Either go through the double doors in the front of the sanctuary and turn right to go downstairs, or use the stairwell in the back of the sanctuary and then walk through the fellowship hall. Children: Children of all ages are welcome within our worship services, so that they may learn how to worship God. (We readily expect to hear their presence and recognize their occasional need for a break from the worship space.) Children s activity bags, for use during the service, are available by both entrances to the sanctuary. A nursery, located beyond the double doors in the front of the sanctuary, is also available for children up to 5 years old. Please see a greeter for assistance. Pew pads: Found along the center aisle, these are a great way for us to get to know you, and to share our welcome and thanks for your presence. Please fill out the pew pad and pass it along to your neighbor, before returning it to the center aisle. Hearing amplification devices: These personal devices are available for your use. Directly connected into our sound system, they make it possible to hear those leading worship without amplifying background noises. Please see our sound person for assistance. Remember: As we enter into worship, turn off or silence your cell phone, pager, or watch chime. Your presence is a blessing to God and to us! Please feel free to share with us any ways in which we might be a blessing to you in this journey of faith and life. Get Connected: To become involved in the ministries of St. Paul s, to grow in discipleship, or just to learn more, signup online for the weekly E-news or monthly Cornerstone Newsletter, like us on Facebook, give us a call, or send an email. It is our joy to journey with you! Today s Scripture Readings Ezekiel 34:17-24 + Psalm 97:1-6, 10-12 + James 1:22-2:5 + Matthew 25:31-46 300 West First Street, Birdsboro PA 19508 610-582-8461 + office@stpaulsbirdsboro.org + www.stpaulsbirdsboro.org Pastor s e-mail: pastormotz@stpaulsbirdsboro.org
Order of Worship Welcome & Announcements Prelude (Prayer: Let the truth of your mercy rain down upon me, O God. Open my eyes to what has been poured out, as you open my heart to the mercy that is being called forth through me.) (Please rise in body or in spirit) Call to Worship Leader: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. People: Let us come before God with thanksgiving and extol God with music and song. Leader: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. People: In His hand are the depths of the earth; the mountain peaks belong to Him. Leader: The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. -Psalm 95:1-7a Hymn: Ye Servants of God, Your master Proclaim #41 Call to Confession (Please be seated) All: Corporate Confession Almighty and most merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their sins. Restore those who are penitent. And according to the promises of Christ, fill us each with the power and presence of your Spirit that we may more fully walk in your way, live of your truth, and share of your love. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Silent Confession (A time of personal prayer for God s healing and redeeming peace.) Leader: Lord have mercy upon us. People: Lord have mercy upon us. Leader: Christ have mercy upon us. People: Christ have mercy upon us. Leader: Lord have mercy upon us. People: Lord have mercy upon us. Assurance of Grace Leader: Glory be to the Lord of life who redeems us each this day. People: Amen! (Please rise in body or in spirit) Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns #51 (verses 1,3,4) Passing of the Peace Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you. (After sharing Christ s Peace with others, please be seated.) Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 34:17-24 (p. #1342) As Israel experiences pain and suffering inflicted by their own leaders, the promise of God is to raise of a leader in the likes of David who will serve the people with justice and righteousness. Psalm: Psalm 97:1-6, 10-12 (Responsive) Leader: The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
People: let the distant shores rejoice. Leader: Clouds and thick darkness surround him; People: righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne. Leader: Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. People: His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. Leader: The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, People: before the Lord of all the earth. Leader: The heavens proclaim his righteousness, People: and all the peoples see his glory. Leader: Let those who love the Lord hate evil, People: for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Leader Light is shed upon the righteous People: and joy on the upright in heart. Leader: Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, People: and praise God s holy name. Epistle Lesson: James 1:22-2:5 (p. #1881) Faith cannot be mere thoughts or propositions held. Faith needs to be that which drives and directs the daily living of our lives. Otherwise our faith is useless. Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46 (p. #1542) Concluding his public teaching before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus speaks of the power of one s own acts of mercy to save. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! Sermon The Power of Mercy (Please rise in body or in spirit) Statement of Belief Philippians 2:5-11 Leader: If we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then let us be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. In this our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
All: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess to the glory of God: Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen. Hymn: God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
(Please be seated) Harvest Home Celebration (Harvest Home is an annual celebration giving thanks to God for all we have received over the last year to sustain and nourish us within this life. We give thanks by collecting food, money, and other items for our local food pantry and its mission to care for all those in need.) Leader: Praise and thanksgiving are due to God this day, for we have been abundantly blessed by the hand of God. Together, let us glorify God for the richness of our blessings. People: God has fed us in the wilderness with manna; God has led us in times of plenty and of want. Leader: The earth is crowned with God s bounty; there is abundance to be shared. People: God visits the earth and waters it; God scatters blessing to nourish the rich and the poor. Leader: Surely all that we give has first come from God. People: Surely all that we have is a gift of God; Leader: In this blessing, God touches us and directs us to share in his kingdom. People: God calls us to witness to his love; to share the Gospel with every act of our lives. Leader: Standing in the example of Jesus, we offer ourselves and these gifts of food and other blessings for the ministry of the Community Table and our continuing witness to the loving mercy of Christ. People: May our gifts be a sign of the living reality of God s kingdom, and our love for all those who hunger and need within this world. Leader: Glory be to God, whose presence we pray is shared in the giving and receiving of these gifts. People: Amen. Amen. Amen! Receiving of Tithes and Offerings (We give as an act of worship, tangibly offering ourselves to God s service.) Offertory (Please rise in body or in spirit to sing glory to God)
Offertory Prayer Commissioning Benediction Sending Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee #36 Postlude (As the acolyte carries the Light of Christ out into the world, so too are we to carry Christ s light from this sanctuary into the world, our communities, and our homes. May the presence of the Spirit go with you until we gather again in the shared joy of God s worship.) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Minister All Members Pastor Rev. Joseph A Motz Organist Grace Griffith Worship Leaders Worship Steward Pat Babel Acolyte Ethan Nuss Ushers Dawn Fear & Judy Reeser
Announcements Hanging of the Greens / Following Worship Today Come and share in the fun of decorating the church for the Christmas season. There is a need for several hands to help put up lights, greenery, and the Christmas tree. We are looking to have the church decked out to welcome the many, many guest who will be here on December 2 for the Christmas Bazaar. November s Special Offering / Harvest Home / Donations Due Today If you have chosen to give a monetary gift, you can either mark a special giving envelope for Harvest Home or give through your Thanksgiving envelope. Every dollar received can purchase nearly $20 worth of food through the Greater Berks Food Bank. Christmas Poinsettias / Orders Due Today / Help Decorate the church for Christmas Eve! They are $9.00 each and will be used to decorate the church for the Christmas Eve worship services (You will be able to take your poinsettia with you, following the Christmas worship service). Order forms are in the bulletins. Adult CE Classes / This class meets every Sunday mornings from 8:30am-9:10am in St. Paul s church multipurpose room. The book 'An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer' by Timothy M. Gallagher's is being used for the discussion. (Purchase is not required) If you have questions, please contact Pat Babel. Prayer Around the Cross / Wed., Nov 29 from 7-7:30pm / St. Paul s Sanctuary - Since we are on the cusp of Advent, our focus in prayer will be Watching and Waiting. All are very welcome to join in a time of special readings coupled with peaceful silence! Shop with Scrips / Order your Christmas Gift Cards now through December 10 - A list of all participating vendors can be found on the table at the side door entrance of the church. If you have questions about the program, please contact Luwaina Baker at 610-582-8461 or office@stpaulsbirdsboro.org. Orders will be delivered Sunday, Dec 17. Request to Borrow an Electric Keyboard with a Pedal An Electric keyboard is needed for the Blue Christmas service which will be held at the Birdsboro Library. Full size is preferred, but a smaller, intact instrument may be fine as well. Please see Grace Griffith if you have and are willing to lend a keyboard with a stand and pedal for this event. Making a Difference for God s Earth / Nov. 30 th, 6-8pm / Exeter Community Library Join members of the Covenant Association to discern if there is value in starting a local chapter of the Citizen s Climate Lobby (CCL). CCL is a non-partisan national organization devoted promoting climate change policy at all levels of government. For questions contact Marian Shearer, uccrev77@gmail.com, 518-248-0738
St. Paul s UCC Christmas Bazaar- Saturday December 2, 2017 Much preparation goes into the Annual Christmas Bazaar. Below is the schedule of activities that will be taking place this week. Any help would be greatly appreciated, even if it s only for an hour or two. Bazaar Set-up Wednesday, Nov 29 Start @ 9am **Craft drop off - any time between 10am 2pm Cooking Thursday, Nov 30 Start @ 9am Baking Friday, Dec 1 Start @ 9am BAZAAR Saturday, Dec 2 **Workers Start @ 7am **Doors Open 9am 2 pm Also, Raffle Tickets are available for Sale. If you would like more information about the Bazaar, or if you have questions, please contact Anna Oister or Nancy Dragan. Family Friendly Advent Workshop / December 3 rd beginning at 11am / Today is the Last Day to Sign Up - There is no cost to participate. The signup sheet and sample craft display is located on the side entrance welcome table. The event will be held at St. Mark s Lutheran Church. Christmas in Birdsboro / December 9, 2017 in Main Bird Park / 8:30am 8:00pm A full day of festivities include breakfast with Santa, Christmas craft show, outdoor Christmas marketplace, live nativity, holiday music, horse drawn carriage rides and fireworks! (Note that St. Paul s will not be having a stand this year as the Touching 1,000 lives team gives deep thanks for all who assisted in the Light In The Night event.) Sharing God s Loving Light / Sun, Dec. 10 th, following worship You are invited to share God s Loving Light by distributing 500 bags of Hershey Kisses and Christmas worship invitations to households right around the church. Young children are welcome and lunch will be provided. The goal is to be done by 2pm. Sign up with Stuart Wells, Bonnie Frankhouser, Sandi Swavely, or Star Gunn so we can best prepare. Blue Christmas: Service of Hope & Light / Thurs, Dec. 14 th, 6:30-7:30pm / Daniel Boone Library, 129 N Mill St, Birdsboro - Redesigned to focus more fully on our common need for God to rekindle hope and light within our lives, you are invited to take an evening s pause from the pace and expectations of this season in order to be reminded of the love and grace God has and continues to birth within this world. Filled with grace filled hope, this service is perfect for anyone longing for peace, wonder, and the beauty of Christ s light. Sing and Share some Christmas Cheer! / Sunday, December 17, following worship - You re invited to join in the fun of a pizza lunch, then to sing and share Christmas Cheer with our Home Congregants! Song sheets and travel directions will be provided. Carpooling is encouraged. Please join us! Contact Pat Babel at 484-366-6700 with any questions. Thank you.