2 SAINT PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Fleetwood, Pennsylvania The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany February 4, 2018 All (singing) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (vs.1) 3 INTROIT GATHERING OPENING HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy No. 277 PASSING THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us share signs of Christ s peace with one another. JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH SPECIAL MUSIC CENTERING PRELUDE An original composition Merrill Schaefer-piano We gather in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People (singing): Amen Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, enjoyed by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He has shown his people the power of his works, The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his ways are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. Holy and awesome is his name. His praise endures forever. Psalm 111(interpreted)
4 PENITENCE ALL (singing): 5 Since we have Jesus the Son of God, who in every respect has been tested as we are, We can approach the throne of grace with boldness and seeking mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16, adapt Let us pray God of light and love and grace, there is so much with which we wrestle. We have struggles that we keep to ourselves and worries that we hide away in the dark places. We hope against hope that things will just work out and that problems will disappear, but they rarely do. God, help us to lay everything at your feet. Defeat the fear and the shame that can hold us down and shine your redeeming light into those corners where only darkness resides. Guide us in hope and in love to a place where we can truly know healing. (Silence) Jesus said. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. My beloved, you are forgiven! -John 16:23. All :( singing) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (vs.2) SERMON Healing (Congregation May Be Seated) (Congregation Stands) RESPONSIVE HYMN There Is a Balm in Gilead No. 553 (Congregation May Be Seated) Let us say again what it is that we believe. PASTORAL PRAYER I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen OFFERING INVITATION Let us give thanks to God by giving our tithes and offerings. THE OFFERTORY "Break Thou the Bread of Life" W. Sherwin DOXOLOGY (All singing): (Congregation Stands) (The congregation may be seated.) PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION WORD GOSPEL READING Mark 1:29-39
6 7 THE TABLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to God Most High. It is right to give God thanks and praise. Jesus, Son of God, we lift our hearts in thankful remembrance of your reconciling love, outpoured on the cross once and for all time. We praise you for your victory over the powers of evil and death, assuring us that neither life nor death nor anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God. Jesus, Good Shepherd, rd, you laid down your own life so that others may have life and have it abundantly. We thank you for naming us the lambs of your own redeeming, redeeming and enfolding us in the flock of your shepherding care. ALL: Jesus, Bread of Life, you are the living bread, come down from heaven for the life of the world. We pray that you will break this bread for us, that it may be your body broken to feed us until we feast at last at the heavenly table. Jesus, True Vine, you are the life-giving source, apart from which the branches cannot flower by themselves, yet, if they abide in you, bear fruit abundantly. We pray that you will fill this cup for us, that it may be your blood poured out for us, and, that drinking of it, we shall never thirst again. Jesus, Light of the World, whoever follows you will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. We offer you ourselves, our souls and bodies, a living sacrifice, dedicated to your service and united in a common ministry, that all may come to believe you are the Christ, and in believing, may have new life in your name. By the blessing of your Holy Spirit sanctify us and this bread and wine, that we may be nourished in the body through these holy mysteries, and strengthened for service in the name of Jesus Christ. Immersed In the Spirit, Mitman Let us pray together the prayer our Savior taught us. 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. And 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, for ever. Amen Joel Rainey CHANCEL CHOIR ANTHEM The Welcome Table I m gonna sit at the welcome table, O Lord, I m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days. Hallelujah! I m gonna sit at the welcome table, I m gonna sit at the welcome table, and we ll break bread together on our knees. I m gonna feast on the bread of heaven, O Lord, I m gonna feast on the bread of heaven one of these days. Hallelujah! I m gonna feast on the bread of heaven, I m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days. I m gonna share my cup with Jesus, O Lord, I m gonna share my cup with Jesus one of these days. Hallelujah!
8 I m gonna share my cup with Jesus, I m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days. And we ll break bread together on our knees. Yes! We ll break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O, Lord, have mercy on me. O, I m gonna sing with the heavenly choir, O Lord, I m gonna sing with the heavenly choir one of these days. Hallelujah! I m gonna sing with the heavenly choir, with the heavenly choir, and I ll sit at the welcome table one of these days. One of these days, one of these days, One of these days, one of these days, gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days. CHORAL SENDING 9 Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ. Through the cup of blessings we participate in the new life Christ gives. THE SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS (We offer wine or grape juice as the symbol of the Blood of Christ. Grape juice is the light, wine is the dark. A single usher will talk down the center with gluten free wafers. Please signal this usher with a wave if you are sensitive to gluten). BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN (Children who did not receive communion and infants are welcomed to come forward and receive a blessing at this time). PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (unison) CHIMES ALL: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. THE POSTLUDE "I Love to Tell the Story" W. Fisher THE RECESSIONAL HYMN Amazing Grace No. 547 THE BENEDICTION
10 MISSION STATEMENT As Followers of Jesus Christ we commit ourselves to: Enthusiastically proclaim and teach God s love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Share God s love with neighbors near and far. Live as a Christian community of hope, acceptance, and encouragement in a rapidly changing world. WELCOME TO ST. PAUL S If you are visiting and would like to know more about St. Paul s please fill out the visitor s card located in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. One of our pastors will contact you. There are assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired available at the sound board in the rear of the church. Children are always welcome in our worship space (as are the joyful noises that they sometimes add). For those moments when it might be needed, we do have a nursery room in the rear of the church that anyone with younger children are welcome to use. The room is equipped with a speaker that will allow you to continue enjoying the service. Please ask an usher if you need any assistance. Activity bags for children can be found on a rack in the Narthex. ANNOUNCEMENTS (For the week of February 4th, 2018) The Altar Flowers are sponsored by Susan Landis. The Bulletins are sponsored Peter and Sharon Koller. The Upper Room Publication for this month is sponsored by Michael and Gail Noll to the Glory of God. Coffee Time Sponsor: Ruemmler Family Readers: 8:55 a.m. Bob Wolf 10:25 a.m. Jason Crockett Acolytes: 8:45 a.m. Ethan Raudenbush and Zach Fry 10:25 a.m. Jade Vojtasek and Katelin Pytleski Ushers: 8:55 a.m. TBD 10:25 a.m. TBD Attendance: January 28, 2015 8:55 a.m. 122 10:25 a.m. 112 December Income Expense Difference General Acct $68,754.44 $45,329.86 $23,424.58 Other Accts $21,193.64 $27,704.67 $- 6,511.03 Year to date General Acct $435,571.72 $478,721.95 -$43,150.23 Other Accts $163,842.53 $160,138.67 $ 3,703.86