Sunday, March 3, 2024

Third Sunday in Lent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, February 25, 2024

SEcond Sunday in Lent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, February 18, 2024

First Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

ASh WEdnesday

February 14, 2024

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 7:30 PM for Ash Wednesday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday FEbruary 11, 2024

Scout Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM

The "This Is Us" congregational meeting will immediately follow the worship service.



Click the button for the worship bulletin

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


Special Feature: Click HERE to check out "This Is Us," the new report on the life of St. Paul's. 

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday and will be available for viewing here.



Click the button for the worship bulletin *pdf.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


Special Feature: Click HERE to check out "This Is Us," the new report on the life of St. Paul's. Please provide your feedback about what's most important to you regarding St. Paul's ministry, mission, and goals!

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


Special Feature: Click HERE to check out "This Is Us," the new report on the life of St. Paul's. Please provide your feedback about what's most important to you regarding St. Paul's ministry, mission, and goals!

January 21, 2024

IN-PERSON WORSHIP CANCELED FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2024 due to icy conditions in the area. Pastor Pat will offer a message live through Facebook at 10:30 AM: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


Special Feature: Click HERE to check out "This Is Us," the new report on the life of St. Paul's, and provide your feedback about what's most important to you regarding St. Paul's ministry, mission, and goals.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Poinsettia & Wreath Dedications are listed in the special Poinsettia bulletin. 

Click HERE for the Poinsettia *pdf or contact the church office to request a copy by mail.


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

In-Person Worship Canceled

for January 21, 2024

There will be NO in-person worship at St. Paul's on Sunday, January 21, 2024 due to icy road and sidewalk conditions in the area. 


Pastor Pat will go LIVE on Facebook at 10:30 AM with a brief time of prayer, a message, and announcements.

Click here to view - No facebook account required.

https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington


All Sunday activities, including the congregational wide meeting and "This Is Us" discussion, will be canceled or rescheduled.

CHRISTMAS EVE

December 24, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary with an Organ Prelude at 7:00 PM and worship beginning at 7:30 PM



For the worship bulletin, click the button.

BULLETIN



Poinsettia & Wreath Dedications are listed in the special Poinsettia bulletin. 

Click HERE for the Poinsettia *pdf or contact the church office to request a copy by mail.


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering, including the Christmas Special Offering, designated in 2023 to help those outside the walls of St. Paul's through UMCOR and the Hunger Ministry.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 24, 2023

10:30 AM Worship

Celebrating Christmas Eve Day

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Poinsettia & Wreath Dedications are listed in the special Poinsettia bulletin. 

Click HERE for the Poinsettia *pdf or contact the church office to request a copy by mail.


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering, including the Christmas Special Offering, designated in 2023 to help those outside the walls of St. Paul's through UMCOR and the Hunger Ministry.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Celebrating the fourth Sunday of Advent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Celebrating the THird Sunday of Advent

Music Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Celebrating the SEcond Sunday Of Advent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Celebrating the First Sunday of Advent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News
, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


November 12, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

November 5, 2023

All Saints Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


For All Saints Sunday, we invite you to check out the special Memorial Booklet bulletin, featuring images and names of members of St. Paul's who passed away in the previous year. Names of beloved family members and constituents are also listed. Click the button here or go to our Memorials page for more information about All Saints Sunday.

All Saints Memorial Booklet


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

October 29, 2023

Worship will livestream at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

October 22, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

October 15, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.


BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

October 8, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

OCTOBER 1, 2023

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

September 24, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

and this week by permission of the author, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, at https://www.carolynshymns.com/

September 17, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

September 10, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

September 3, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

August 27, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.


Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

August 20, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

August 13, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

August 6, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News
, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


July 30, 2023

Holy Technical Difficulties, Batman! 

Seriously, we apologize that the livestream was not available on Sunday. Due to severe weather in our area over the weekend, the connections necessary for us to livestream were interrupted. Our A/V team was able to record the majority of the worship service and we are making it available to you now. We think we have all services restored now and look forward to spending next Sunday with you in our virtual worship space.

(updated 3 Aug 2023)



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

July 23, 2023

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

July 16, 2023

Musical Theatre Camp Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


July 9, 2023

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Click HERE for full citations, sources, and licensing details for all material used in today's worship service.


July 2, 2023

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Announcements are shared through the Weekly News, available online or by email.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Click HERE for full citations, sources, and licensing details for all material used in today's worship service.

June 25, 2023

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

SEnior YOuth Recognition Day

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Click HERE to find the Announcements shared through the Weekly News.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

June 18, 2023

Third Sunday after Pentecost / Father's Day

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM



For the worship bulletin, click the button.

BULLETIN


Click HERE to find the Announcements shared through the Weekly News.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

June 11

Second Sunday after Pentecost / Pride Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Click HERE to find the Announcements shared through the Weekly News.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

June 4, 2023

Bluegrass Sunday &

Confirmation Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



For the worship bulletin, click the button.

BULLETIN


Click HERE to find the Announcements shared through the Weekly News.

Click HERE to go to the Giving page to make a regular offering or special offering.


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.


May 28, 2023

Pentecost Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



For the worship bulletin, click the button.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.


May 21, 2023

Seventh Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the Worship Bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.



May 14, 2023

Sixth Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

May 7, 2023

Fifth Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

Bulletin


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 30, 2023

Fourth Sunday in Eastertide

Heritage Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. The link will be shared here when it is ready!



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 23, 2023

Third sunday in Eastertide

Native American Ministries Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 16, 2023

Second Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 9, 2023

Easter Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday, April 9.



Click the button for the worship bulletin. 

Worship BULLETIN

This bulletin includes all the hymns, prayers, and anthem lyrics for today's worship service and is in a larger format than our typical Sunday worship bulletin.



A special thank you to all who sponsored the beautiful lily plants that grace our Sanctuary, given in honor or memory of loved ones, or given anonymously to the glory of God and in celebration of Easter. Click the button below for the special Lily Dedications bulletin.

Lily Dedications



Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 6, 2023

7:30 pm

Maundy Thursday Worship

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary starting at 7:30 PM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin, including text of the song lyrics and prayers.

Bulletin


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

April 2, 2023

Palm and Passion Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

March 26, 2023

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

March 19, 2023

Fourth Sunday IN Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10;30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

March 12, 2023

Third Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. 




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

March 5, 2023

SEcond Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

February 26, 2023

First Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday

7:00 PM

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

February 19, 2023

Transfiguration SuNday & Scout Sunday

Worship is livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

February 12, 2023

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

February 5, 2023

Worship will be livestreamed Sunday at 10:30 AM



For the bulletin, click the button.

Bulletin


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

January 29, 2023

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

January 22, 2023

third Sunday after The Epiphany

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

January 15, 2023

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.

Please note: our usual A/V team are off this week. Thanks to our volunteers who are stepping in, and thanks in advance for your patience should technical difficulties arise!



Click the button on Sunday for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use and livestreaming of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Baptism of our Lord Sunday

The worship service will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full licensing and attribution details are listed in the worship bulletin.

Christmas Eve

Prelude at 6:45 PM

Worship at 7:00 PM

The organ prelude and worship service for Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, will be livestreamed here.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM. The YouTube video will be available below.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Third Sunday in advent / Music Sunday

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM




Click the button for the worship bulletin

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Second Sunday in Advent

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 27, 2022

First Sunday in Advent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 21, 2022

Christ the King Sunday

Building Renovation dedication

Worship will livestream from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin in *pdf form.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, November 6, 2022

All Saints Day

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Worship Bulletin


On All Saints Day, we recognize members and loved ones who, during the previous year, have left this earthly life for their reward in heaven. For the special Memorial Bulletin, click the button here or go to our Memorials page.

All Saints Memorial Bulletin



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the *pdf of the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The worship service will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM



Click the button for the *pdf worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the *pdf worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 on Sunday.




Click the button to open the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.




Click the button to open the *pdf worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


September 11, 2022

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



For the worship bulletin, click the button.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




For the *pdf bulletin, please click the button.


Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button below for the *pdf of the worship bulletin. Please note - you can find this week's announcements on the Epistle & Weekly News web page: https://stpaulsk.org/community/epistle-weekly-news


Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830


Sunday, August 21, 2022

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the *pdf of the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the *pdf of the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

We will worship in-person today with one service at 10:30 AM. We are experiencing some technical difficulties but the livestream should be available here at 10:30. Thank you for your patience!



Click the button for the worship bulletin with announcements and helpful information.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

July 24, 2022

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.

Please note - this week there will be NO in-person gathering. Despite our best plans, we've been told it is not safe to bring our congregation together in the Sanctuary due to renovation construction work.


 


Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

July 17, 2022

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

July 10, 2022

FIfth Sunday AFter Pentecost

REv. Joey Heath-Mason's First Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

July 3, 2022

Fourth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



bulletin



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

June 26, 2022

Third Sunday After Pentecost

UMC Peace with Justice Special Sunday


Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


To make a regular offering online or to donate to the UMC Peace with Justice special offering, please visit:

https://stpaulsk.org/giving



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.




June 19, 2022

SEcond Sunday after pentecost

The worship service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

June 12, 2022

Trinity Sunday

Pastor Kate's Last Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM

This Sunday is the last day that Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton will serve as St. Paul's Associate Pastor before moving to her next job as pastor of Trinity UMC in Germantown MD. Please download the worship bulletin for announcements and a special section of photos and well-wishes as we bid farewell to Pastor Kate.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

June 5, 2022

Pentecost

Worship this week will be held on Sunday outdoors in Reinhardt Park directly across from St. Paul's front doors at 10:30 AM. Please be patient as we cannot move our full camera set-up to the park! We are delighted to welcome our Bishop, LaTrelle Miller Easterling, as the guest preacher.



Access the *pdf worship bulletin by clicking the button.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

May 29, 2022

Ascension Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button to open the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

May 22, 2022

Sixth Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

May 15, 2022

Fifth Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. 




Download the worship bulletin by clicking the button.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

May 8, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Eastertide

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click here for the worship bulletin, complete with the order of worship and important announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

May 1, 2022

Third Sunday in Eastertide

NAtive American Ministries Sunday

The worship service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Heritage Sunday

April 24, 2022

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM.



Click the button for the bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Easter Sunday

April 17, 2022

The worship service will be livestreamed from our Sanctuary at 10:30 AM. 



Click the button to open the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Maundy Thursday

April 14, 2022

7:00 PM

This special Holy Week worship service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

Palm Sunday

April 10, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday starting at 10:30 AM.



Click the button to open the *pdf worship bulletin with prayers, scripture, and announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

April 3, 2022

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary on Sunday starting at 10:30 AM.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin with full text for prayers, scripture, and announcements.

Bulletin



Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

March 27, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sunday worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM. We are delighted to welcome guest preacher Rev. Donald Marbury to share the sermon message this week! (Pastor Kate is visiting Trinity UMC in Germantown and will be back at St. Paul's next week.) You can read more about Rev. Marbury's many accomplishments by clicking here to visit the Pastors Page.


Click the button for the worship bulletin, including the full list of announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

March 20, 2022

Third SuNday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary starting at 10:30 AM on Sunday





Click the button for the *pdf of the Worship Bulletin with text for prayers and announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

March 13, 2022

SEcond Sunday in Lent

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click here for the *pdf bulletin with the prayers, Scripture, and announcements.


Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.


March 6, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 on Sunday.



Click the button for the *pdf bulletin:

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

March 2, 2022

Ash Wednesday

7:00 pm

Start your Lenten journey with this Ash Wednesday service. Worship will be livestreamed from our Sanctuary at 7:00 PM. 



Click to download the bulletin, with the order of worship, prayers, and announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

February 27, 2022

Transfiguration Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the *pdf of the bulletin, including the order of worship, text for the prayers, and announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.



February 20, 2022

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view the service.


This week's sermon in the "St. Paul's Goes to Disney" series features lessons from the films Frozen and Frozen II.

You can view a key scene from the movie by clicking THIS LINK.


The worship bulletin, containing prayers, Scripture, and announcements, can be accessed by clicking the button here.

BULLETIN


Use of copyrighted material during worship is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

February 13, 2022

Scout Sunday

The worship service will be livestreamed here starting at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



This week's sermon in the "St. Paul's Goes to Disney" series features lessons from the film Hercules. 

You can view a key scene from the movie by clicking THIS LINK.



Click the button for the bulletin, including the order of worship, Scripture, text of the congregational prayers, and announcements.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

February 6, 2022

Fifth Sunday after epiphany

Worship is live in-person this week at 9:00 and 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. Worship will be livestreamed here starting at 10:30 on Sunday morning.


This week's "St. Paul's Goes to Disney" sermon series features a lesson from Finding Nemo. In order to prevent YouTube's algorithms from automatically freezing our livestream due to copyright concerns - even though we have licenses for video materials - we will not be showing film clips during the service. You can view the key scene by clicking THIS link.



Click the button for the bulletin, which contains the order of worship and text for prayers and Scripture readings, plus announcements and other helpful information.

Bulletin


Use of copyrighted material is covered under one of the following licenses:

CCLI license #24106074

ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A

CVLI license #504381830

Full attribution and licensing information is published in the bulletin.

January 30, 2022

Fourth Sunday after epiphany

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary starting at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Please note there is no in-person worship this week. (We return to holding in-person services on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 starting Feb. 6.)



Click the button to download the bulletin, which contains the order of worship, hymn lyrics, scripture, and announcements.


Bulletin


January 23, 2022

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning.




Click the button for the *pdf of the bulletin with the order of worship, hymn lyrics, and prayers.

Bulletin


Click the button below to be directed to the Spiritual Gifts assessment that Pastor Kate mentioned in her sermon!

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

January 16, 2022

Human Relations Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view! Please note - there is no in-person worship during the month of January due to concerns related to covid.


  



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

BULLETIN



January 9, 2022

BaPTISM OF THE lORD sUNDAY

Online worship livestreaming from the Sanctuary will be available here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.

   



Click the button for the *pdf of the bulletin, which contains hymn lyrics and congregational responses and prayers.


Worship Bulletin

January 2, 2022

Epiphany

The online worship video will be available here at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Please note - there is NO in-person worship this week due to continuing concerns related to covid.



Please click the button to download the worship bulletin. The bulletin contains the order of worship with hymn lyrics and Scripture, plus announcements and contact information.


Worship Bulletin


Sunday, December 26, 2021

First Sunday of Christmastide

The worship recording will be available for viewing here starting at 10:30 AM on Sunday.

There is no in-person worship due to covid-related concerns.



Please click the button to access the bulletin in *pdf form. Here you will find the text of the Scripture, hymn lyrics, and special annotations from Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton and Dr. Erin Bone Steele.

Worship Bulletin



CHristmas Eve

December 24, 2021

This special Christmas Eve worship service will be available for viewing starting at 5:00 PM on December 24 and will remain available for viewing at any later time. Please note there is no in-person worship service and the church is temporarily closed due to concerns about covid spread in our community.




December 21, 2021

The Longest Night

Blue Christmas Worship

The worship service for the evening of December 21 will be livestreamed here at 7:00 PM.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin.

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Music Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday, December 19.

This is Music Sunday! Please click the button below to download the *pdf bulletin to follow along with the lyrics to the anthems, hymns, and featured music selections.


 

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, December 12, 2021

Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent. The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.




Click the button for the bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent. The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, November 28, 2021

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent. The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM.



For the bulletin, click the button:

Worship Bulletin


In Person Worship Cancelled

Please click HERE for the full email message.


Dear friends,


It is with heavy hearts that we have made the decision to cancel our in-person worship services on December 24 and 26.


We made this decision based on a number of factors, including a COVID exposure in the choir and rapidly rising rates of COVID infection due to the new omicron variant. 


While we understand that many (including ourselves) are deeply disappointed that we will be unable to gather together this year, as your pastors we have pledged to honor the sanctity of life and health over every other consideration during the pandemic, and right now, that means worshiping remotely.


Recorded worship services will be offered on Christmas Eve December 24 and Sunday, December 26.


Click here to read the full email message with additional information about poinsettias, Christmas Special Offering, and worship in January.


Thankfully, no matter what we sing or fail to sing, no matter what candles we light or fail to light, the Christ child is still coming – and that is, indeed, a reason for great joy! May you and your families feel that joy deeply this Christmastide.


Peace,

Pastor Pat and Pastor Kate

Worship at St. Paul's

St. Paul's offers in-person worship every Sunday. 


We will do our best to make improvements each week as restrictions evolve between Montgomery County and the State of Maryland and as best practices change. We ask for everyone's patience as we navigate the church's reopening and for prayers for the church staff as we try to anticipate each question and adjust. We may fall short and take the occasional stumble along the way, but through your prayers and God's grace, we will all be filled with the Holy Spirit! 


Worship in the Sanctuary

September 5, 12, 19

9:00 AM and 10:30 AM


Worship Outdoors in Reinhardt Park

September 26

10:30 AM



Covid-related protocols (effective September 5, 2021):

  • All those in attendance will wear masks covering the mouth and nose the entire time they are in the building. 
  • For indoor services: Sign in using the attendance register pads in the pews. There will be no sign-in at the door. No pre-registration is required for worship.
  • Bibles, Hymnals, and attendance pads will be available in the pews.
  • Prayer Request forms and blank offering envelopes are available at the Welcome Desk. You may pick one up, fill it in, and leave it in the offering plate. Prayer requests may also be submitted at stpaulsk.org/community/prayer-requests.
  • All pews are available for seating. Please continue to maintain physical distancing as much as possible.
  • Those who wish to use Nursery Care or Sunday School should pre-register online to ensure an appropriate child/caregiver ratio. Please CLICK HERE to see more information on children's programming.
  • Printed bulletins WILL be offered. Those taking a bulletin are asked to keep it and carry it out of worship at the end of the service and place it in the recycling bin or take it home.
  • Offering plates continue to be available at stations for those who wish to drop off an offering; plates will not be passed among the pews.
  • On Communion Sundays: pastors will distribute pre-packaged communion elements for worshipers to receive, then safely consume at home.
  • Any person who does not follow these protocols will be asked to leave the service.
  • Ushers will be available to answer questions and provide assistance.
  • We will not have social gatherings in the building before or after worship. If you wish to socialize, please make use of outdoor spaces, including Reinhardt Park across the street. We encourage mask wearing and distancing, even in outdoor settings. Caring for the most vulnerable among us is part of our calling.
  • Sanctuary doors may remain open for extra ventilation. Please dress accordingly. The HVAC has been upgraded with a modular ionization air purification device (a GPS-IMOD) and will provide extra airflow.
  • When outdoor services are offered, please bring your own chairs and arrange your seating to keep distance between family groups or established pods.

The 10:30 worship service will also be live-streamed for those who prefer to participate from home. Visit the Worship at Home page to find the livestream link and the worship bulletin in a downloadable *pdf format.


St. Paul’s hopes all who are able to be vaccinated against covid-19 will demonstrate Christ-like love for themselves and their neighbors by receiving the vaccine.



Child Care and Sunday School:

  • Nursery care for children age 2 and younger will be provided during both 9:00 and 10:30 worship services year-round.
  • Sunday School programming for children in Grade 5 and younger will be available during the 10:30 service on most Sundays. Pre-registration requested with walk-ins accepted as our numbers allow. (During August, children will be in worship in the Sanctuary with their loved ones, to experience the rhythm of worship and grow as members of our family of faith.)
  • Adults should pre-register their child(ren) to ensure a safe caregiver-to-child ratio. Go to the Children's page to register or read more. Sunday morning walk-ins will be accepted if our numbers allow.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

The 10:30 worship service will be livestreamed on Sunday here.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, November 14, 2021

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Download the worship bulletin by clicking the button:

Worship Bulletin



Sunday, November 7, 2021

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.

This week is All Saints Sunday, a special time to remember those who have run their courses in faith and who now rest from their labors. Below you will find buttons for both the regular bulletin with the order of worship and the special Memorials booklet featuring photos of St. Paul's members who have died in the past year, as well as the names of family and constituents of St. Paul's.



Click the button for the worship bulletin.

Worship Bulletin



Click for the All Saints Sunday Memorials booklet

Memorials

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 am on Sunday.



Click the button to download the worship bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, October 24, 2021

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button for the bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin


Christmas Eve

A Service of Lessons and Carols

December 24, 2020

This Christmas Eve, the clergy, staff, and members of our music ministry bring you a special Service of Lessons and Carols. This worship time anticipates and welcomes the birth of Christ with music, scripture, prayer, and candlelight. The video will be available on December 24. Please click the image below.




Lessons and Carols


Organ Prelude - In dulci jubilo (Bach, Mills, Dupré)


Processional Hymn - Once in Royal David’s City


Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer


Carol – In the Bleak Midwinter


I. Genesis 3: 8-15, 17-19 (God speaks to Adam & Eve)


Carol – A Stable Lamp Is Lighted/Chalice 141


II. Genesis 22: 15-18 (God’s promise to Abraham)


Hymn – Angels We Have Heard on High

UM Hymnal #238


III. Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 (The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior)


Hymn – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

UM Hymnal #218


IV. Isaiah 11: 1-4a, 6-9 (The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown)


Spiritual – Sweet Little Jesus Boy – Marlissa Hudson


V. Luke 1:26-35, 38 (Gabriel salutes Mary)


Carol – To a Maid


VI. Luke 2: 1-7 (Luke tells of the birth of Jesus)


HYMN – Silent Night


Carol – El Nacimiento


VII. Luke 2: 8-16 (The shepherds go to the manger)


HYMN – Away in a Manger


VIII. Matthew 2: 1-12 (The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus)


HYMN – The First Noel


IX. John 1: 1-14 (John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation)


Hymn – O Come, All Ye Faithful


Blessing


Hymn – Hark the Herald Angels Sing


Postlude – Toccata on Good King Wenceslas by Marvin Mills



Christmas Eve

A Service of Lessons and Carols

December 24, 2020

This Christmas Eve, the clergy, staff, and members of our music ministry bring you a special Service of Lessons and Carols. This worship time anticipates and welcomes the birth of Christ with music, scripture, prayer, and candlelight. The video will be available at 5:00 p.m. on December 24 by clicking below.



"Do Not Be Afraid!"

Christmas Pageant 2020

Given the pandemic, this year's Christmas Pageant will be quite a different experience, but even Covid-19 cannot possibly stifle the joyful celebration of the birth of Christ. This year's pageant comes to you by video! "Do Not Be Afraid" features two dozen pageanteers (children and adults alike) from St. Paul's and lasts about 25 minutes. Click below to play and enjoy!




Worship

Sunday, October 10, 2021

The worship service will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM here.




For the bulletin in *pdf format, click the button below.

Worship Bulletin


Worship

Sunday, October 3, 2021

The worship service will be live-streamed here at 10:30 AM. 





Click the button to download the bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin

Worship in the park

Sunday, September 26, 2021

The higher quality version of the video is now available! Click play below!



Click the button to download the worship bulletin.

WORSHIP BULLETIN


Worship: Sunday, September 19

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



Click the button to download the bulletin:

Worship Bulletin

Worship - Sunday, September 12, 2021

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday.



To open the worship bulletin in *pdf format, please click the button.

Worship Bulletin

Worship - Sunday September 5, 2021


To download the worship bulletin in *pdf format, click the button below

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, August 29, 2021

Worship will be livestreaming from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click the video below to play. The worship bulletin is also available below.



Click the button to download the bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin


SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Worship will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM  on Sunday. Look below for the video link right here on Sunday morning!



The worship bulletin is available - click the button to download it.

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Worship will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM  on Sunday. Look below for the video link right here on Sunday morning!




The worship bulletin is available - click the button to download it.

Worship Bulletin


sUNDAY, aUGUST 8, 2021

The 10:30 a.m. worship service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary. Click below to view the video feed on Sunday.




Download the worship bulletin here:

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, August 1

The 10:30 worship service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary. Click below to watch the video feed on Sunday.




Click the button to download the worship bulletin in *pdf format.

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click the video box to view. You can click the button to download the worship bulletin in *pdf format.



Worship Bulletin

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 on Sunday. Click below to view!



Click the button for the *pdf version of the worship bulletin.

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, July 11, 2021

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view!




Download the worship bulletin as a *pdf by clicking the button here.

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, July 4, 2021

sixth Sunday After Pentecost / Independence Day

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view the service.



Click the button for the worship bulletin:

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, June 27, 2021

fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to watch.



For the Worship Bulletin, click the button here:

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, Father's Day

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to watch!



Click the button for the worship bulletin:

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, June 13, 2021

Third Sunday After Pentecost

The worship service will be livestreamed here at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view!




Click the button for the *pdf of the worship bulletin.

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, June 6, 2021

second sunday after pentecost

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view!


To download the worship bulletin, click the button below:

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Trinity Sunday, AAPI Heritage Sunday, UMC Special Sunday: PEace with Justice

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 on Sunday. Click below to play!





The worship bulletin is available for download here:

Worship Bulletin

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Pentecost Sunday

Confirmation Sunday

Worship this week is outdoors in Reinhardt Park! It's always interesting to pull all our equipment across the street, but barring any technical difficulties, the service will be available for viewing here at 10:30 AM on Sunday. Click below to view!



To download or view the worship bulletin as a *pdf, click the button:

Worship Bulletin


Sunday, May 16, 2021

Seventh Sunday of Eastertide

Youth Recognition Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed here on Sunday at 10:30 AM.  Click below to view!



To view or download the *pdf worship bulletin, click the button:

Worship Bulletin

May 9, 2021

SIXTH SUNDAY IN EASTERTIDE

MOTHER'S DAY

Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM. Click below to view!


To download this week's bulletin, click the button here.

Worship Bulletin


May 2, 2021

fifth Sunday in Eastertide

The worship service will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM from our Sanctuary. Click below to view the service. Worship is also offered in-person at 9:00 & 10:30 AM. Go to the Worship page to learn more.



To download this week's worship bulletin as a *pdf, click the button!

Worship Bulletin


April 25, 2021

Fourth Sunday in Eastertide

Heritage Sunday

The worship service will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM on Sunday; click below to view the service. Worship is also offered in-person in the Sanctuary at 9:00 & 10:30 AM.




To download this week's worship bulletin (*pdf format), click the button below!

Download Worship Bulletin

April 18, 2021

Third Sunday in Eastertide

UM Special Sunday: NAtive American Ministries Sunday

Worship will be livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Worship is also being held in the Sanctuary at 9:00 and 10:30 for those who are able to attend in-person.



For the order of worship, click the button to download the bulletin in *pdf format.


Bulletin for April 18, 2021

Second Sunday in Eastertide

April 11, 2021

Worship will be livestreamed here at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Worship is in-person in the Sanctuary this week. 




The worship bulletin is available as a *pdf by clicking the button below.

Worship Bulletin

Easter Sunday

April 4, 2021

Worship Livestreamed at 10:30

Easter Worship will be held in-person in Reinhardt Park across the street from St. Paul's front doors. The 10:30 worship service will be livestreamed right here.






Download the *pdf of the worship bulletin by clicking the button below!


Worship Bulletin


April 2, 2021

Good Friday


This service will start at 7:30 p.m.

Gathering Words - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

      One: All you who pass this way

      Many: Look and see, the shadow of sin

      One: All you who pass this way

      Many: Look and see the weight of the world

      One: All you who pass this way

      Many: Look and see, the suffering of our Savior.

      One: All you who pass this way

      Many: Look and see, the sorrow of Jesus Christ

      One: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

            (based on Lamentations 1:12)


Song - Tom Pedersen, Director of Music

Go to Dark Gethsemane


Shadow of Condemnation - Ryan Lipford, Lay Reader

Reading: Luke 23:32-34


Prayer: Forgiving Christ, when the world condemns us, when wrong is done to us, when we carry the weight of things that are too much to forgive, come along side us in the darkness, and give us the grace to be forgiven and forgiving.


Moment of Silence


Shadow of Separation - Anne Rush, Lay Reader

Reading: Luke 23:35-43


Prayer: Reconciling Christ, we are weighed down by sin and separation, a world that is not at peace, people who are not whole. You reached out to the thief, you welcomed him to God’s side. Come alongside us in the darkness, and bring grace and peace to everything that is broken.


Moment of Silence


Song - Tom Pedersen

Jesus, Remember Me by Jacques Berthier, from Les Presses de Taizé


Shadow of Sorrow - Betsey Katiti, Lay Reader

Reading: John 19:25-27


Prayer: Loving Jesus, we carry the weight of the people we love, concern for their sorrows and suffering. Our care for them is deep, and sometimes there is not much we can do. Come alongside us in the darkness, and cradle the ones we love in your strong hands.


Moment of Silence


Shadow of Despair - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

ReadingMark 15:33-34


Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you know what it is to feel that God is far away. You know what it is to call out for God’s presence. Come alongside us in the darkness, and help us call out for God.


Moment of Silence


Shadow of Suffering - Athena Gaalswyk, Lay Reader

Reading: John 19:28-30


Prayer: Suffering Savior, in all our thirst, in all our sickness, in all our longing, in all our pain, you are there. Come alongside us in the darkness, and walk with us through all our suffering.


Moment of Silence


Song - Tom Pedersen

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me


Shadow of Death - Mike McCurry

Reading: Luke 23:44-49


Prayer: Dearest Jesus, even in death, you are there. When we mourn, when we are afraid, when we come to our own end, you have been there, too. Come alongside us in the darkness, and carry us through death to life.


Moment of Silence


Song - What Wondrous Love Is This - Marvin Mills and Mollie Weikert, soprano


Moment of Silence


Song - Tom Pedersen

The Power of the Cross


Benediction - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

April 1, 2021

Maundy Thursday


Call To Worship - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

One: Do you remember your last supper before the pandemic? The last meal you had out at a restaurant with friends? The last meal before fear and anxiety ran the conversation? If you had known it was your last, would you have lingered? Would you have ordered dessert? Would you have held your friends’ hands and told them how much you loved them? If you had known, would you have washed their feet? Tonight we gather together, because this night was the beginning of the end. This night was Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Take a moment to imagine how Jesus must have felt. Pause for silence. Tonight we will hear, again and again, of a love that knows no bounds. May we be fully present here. May we worship holy God.

  

Special Music - I Go on My Way ... For the Mountains Shall Depart from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn (featuring Marvin Mills and Daniel Rich, baritone)

  • I go on my way in the strength of the Lord For Thou art my Lord; and I will suffer for Thy sake. My heart is therefore glad, my glory rejoiceth; and my flesh shall also rest in hope.  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but Thy kindness shall not depart from me; neither shall the covenant of Thy peace be removed.


Scripture Reading – Dr. Meg Baker, Minister of Spiritual Care and Formation

John 13:3-15

      Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.


Prayer of Petition - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


As we pray together, in the silence, feel free to lift up any names or situations that come into your mind. As we end each particular petition, I will say Lord, in your mercy, and we ask that you respond “Lord, hear our prayer.” 


One: Loving, listening God, ever-attentive to the voices of those in need, we call on your name so that we might live. Now hear our prayer: For the church that bears Christ’s name, that the world may know we are his disciples by the love that we have for one another. Lord, in your mercy,

      All: hear our prayer.

 One: For leaders of nations and all persons in positions of authority, that their lives may be marked by Christ-like service and love. Lord, in your mercy,

      All: hear our prayer.

 One: For all who are oppressed and living in captivity, that they may escape from evil and death to find the land of freedom you have promised. Lord, in your mercy,

      All: hear our prayer.

 One: For those who are hungry and thirsty this day and for those who have too much, that we may learn to share your generous gifts, O God. Lord, in your mercy,

      All: hear our prayer.

 One: For those who are dealing with loss or facing death, that the presence of Christ may bless and keep them. Lord, in your mercy,

      All: hear our prayer.

 One: Answer us in the day of trouble, O God, so that we may lift up the cup of salvation in the presence of your people,

giving thanks for all your goodness to us; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.


Scripture Reading – Dr. Meg Baker

Matthew 26:26-30

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.


UM Hymnal #614 – For the Bread

  • Verse 1: For the bread which you have broken, for the wine which you have poured, for the words which you have spoken, now we give you thanks, O Lord.
  • Verse 2: By the pledge that you do love us, by your gift of peace restores, by your call to heaven above us, hallow all our lives, O Lord.
  • Verse 3: With our sainted ones in glory seated at the heavenly board, may the church that's waiting for you keep love's tie unbroken, Lord.
  • Verse 4: In your service, Lord, defend us, in our hearts keep watch and ward; in the world where you have sent us, let your kingdom come, O Lord.


"Introduction to the Garden" - Mr. Micah Smartt, Minister for Youth and Design


Scripture Reading – Dr. Meg Baker  

Matthew 26:36-46

      Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”


Sermon - Mr. Micah Smartt


Special Music - God is a God arr. Wendell Whalum (featuring Marvin Mills and Daniel Rich, baritone)

  • God is a God; he don't never change. God is-a God, and he always will be God. I'm a-telling you. God is a God; he don't never change. God is-a God and he always will be God. 
  • He made the sun to shine by day, the moon to rule the night. He gave me love and calmed my fears and drove away my fright He fixed my feet to running and set my heart aflame. He sealed my hopes in the holy land and gave me my good name. God is a God; he don't never change. God is a God and he always will be God. 
  • O glory hallelujah, and glory to his name. He came and touched my soul one day and I'll never be the same. And that's cause God is-a God. He don't never change. God is a God and he always, always, always, always will be God. He always will be God.


Benediction - Mr. Micah Smartt



I Go on My Way ... For the Mountains Shall Depart. Felix Mendelssohn. Public domain.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Call to Worship: Adapted from Again and Again Liturgy – Sanctified Art (Page 18)


Prayer of Petition and Introduction Adapted from Ministry Matters  https://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/4876/worship-elements-holy-thursday-2020 & Adapted from PCUSA posted on the Worship Resources for Maundy Thursday page of the Presbyterian Church USA. https://www.pcusa.org/ (Retrieved from https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/prayers-of-people-maundy-thursday.html


For the Bread Which You Have Broken. Words: Louis F. Benson (1924). Music: V. Earle Copes (1960). Words: Public Domain

Music:  Copyright 1960. Renewed 1988 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


God Is a God. Traditional Spiritual arranged by Wendell Whalum. From God is God!: Six Negro Spirituals for Voice and Piano, arr. Roland M Carter; Betty Jackson King; and Wendell Whalum. Mar-Vel Publishers, Hampton VA, copyright 1983. All rights reserved.

March 28, 2021

Palm Sunday

This service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.

Next week is Easter Sunday! Click here for Holy Week and Easter worship service information. Plan to join us in-person if you're able. The 10:30 worship service on April 4 will also be live-streamed for home viewing.




Announcements -  Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

 

Voluntary - Ride on, King Jesus! Arr, Hall Johnson - featuring Marlissa Hudson, soprano, and Marvin Mills

                                               

Call to worship - Ryan Lipford, Lay Reader

     Leader: The story of Palm Sunday tells of how people removed their cloaks and spread them out in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

     ALL: The cloak we wear every day to face the world is both the persona we wish to present, and our defense against the elements.

     Leader: As we come to worship

     ALL: may we be willing to lay down our defenses and disguises, 

     Leader: at the feet of the One who sees us we really are.

     ALL: And then, set free for worship, may we offer our praises with open hearts and lives. 


Hymn -  UM Hymnal #526, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (verses 1-3)

  • Verse 1: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
  • Verse 2: Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
  • Verse 3: Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.


Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Friends in Christ: For the five weeks of Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of our Lord's suffering and death. Today, together with the whole church, we begin this holy week by welcoming our Messiah. So, like the people of long ago, let us welcome Jesus and follow him to the cross.

 

Music  -  Hosanna by Meg Baker - St. Paul's Children’s Choir

Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Crowds had come to greet him there to hear his song of peace. They laid palms along his way, they knew he would save the day. So they sang hosannas and praised his name, and we can do the same. Hosanna, hosanna! Hosanna, hosanna! Hosanna, hosanna! Praise his holy name! God invites us again and again to greet him each morning and walk with him. God gives us strength for the steps we take to make this world better for his name's sake. Hosanna, hosanna! Hosanna, hosanna! Hosanna, hosanna! Praise his holy name!

                                                                            

Scripture Reading - Ryan Lipford, Lay Reader

John 12:1-19

     1Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

     9When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

     12The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

    “Hosanna!

    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—

    the King of Israel!”

14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

    15“Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.

    Look, your king is coming,

    sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”


Hymn - UM Hymnal #505, “When Our Confidence Is Shaken” (verses 1, 3, 4)

  • Verse 1: When our confidence is shaken in beliefs we thought secure, when the spirit in its sickness seeks but cannot find a cure, God is active in the tensions of a faith not yet mature.
  • Verse 3: In the discipline of praying, when it's hardest to believe; in the drudgery of caring when it's not enough to grieve; faith, maturing, learns acceptance of the insights we receive.
  • Verse 4: God is love, and this redeems us in the Christ we crucify; this is God's eternal answer to the world's eternal why. May we in this faith mature be content to live and die!


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

 

Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

 

Hymn - UM Hymnal #524, “Beams of Heaven as I Go" (verses 1, 4) - with Marlissa Hudson, soprano

  • Verse 1: Beams of heaven as I go, through this wilderness below, guide my feet in peaceful ways, turn my midnights into days. When in the darkness I would grope, faith always sees a star of hope, and soon from all life's grief and danger I shall be free someday. 
  • Refrain: I do not know how long 'twill be, nor what the future holds for me, buit this I know: if Jesus leads me, I shall get home someday.
  • Verse 4: Burdens now may crush me down, disappointments all around; troubles speak in mournful sigh, sorrow through a tear-stained eye. There is a world where pleasure reigns, no mourning soul shall roam its plains, and to that land of peace and glory I want to go someday. (Refrain)

 

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

 

Postlude - Carillon de Westminster,  Op. 54, No. 6 from Pièces de Fantaisie by Louis Vierne - Marvin Mills, organist

                                

Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here for the Giving page


Ride on, King Jesus! Traditional Spiritual, arranged by Hall Johnson. Copyright  Carl Fischer Inc., 1951. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Opening Prayer: from Sunday by Sunday, the Lutheran Church of Australia (https://www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/liturgical-resources/sunday-by-sunday-worship-resources/)


Call to Worship: by Ann Siddall, in Lent to Easter liturgies: Year C from the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre (http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/)


What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855. Music: Charles C. Converse (1868). Public domain.


Hosanna - Words & Music: Meg Baker, copyright 2021. Used by permission of the composer. All rights reserved,


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


When Our Confidence Is Shaken. Words: Fred Pratt Green (1971). Music: From Chants Ordinaires de l'office divin (1881), harmony from The English Hymnal (1906). Copyright 1971 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Beams of Heaven as I Go. Words & Music: Charles Albert Tindley (1906). Arranged by J. Edward Hoy, 1984, of The Hymnal Revision Committee of the United Methodist Church, for The United Methodist Hymnal. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Carillon de Westminster,  Op. 54, No. 6 from Pièces de Fantaisie (Troisième Suite). Music: Louis Vierne. Copyright 1927, Theodore Presser Co. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.

March 21, 2021

fifth Sunday in Lent

This service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.

Please click HERE to jump to the next section for the special Lenten Organ musical offering from Marvin Mills.

Click HERE to go to our Giving page to contribute to the UMCOR Special Sunday offering or regular giving.



Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Voluntary - VI. Andantino from Epigrams by Zoltán Kodály - Marvin Mills, Organist

            

Call to Worship - Emma Cooper, Lay Reader

     Leader: Before thrones of power and through seasons of despair,

     All: the presence of God nurtures life among us.

     Leader: Through collective imagination and practices of repair...

     All: By building new patterns of mutuality and justice...

     Leader: Each time we trade individual gain for collective solidarity...

     All: We encounter the eternal life of God - our beginning and our end.

     Leader: There is no need to wait for the blessings of heaven. They already dwell among us.

     All: Thanks be to God, who lifts the veil and makes known the glory of love.


Music - "A Mighty Fortress" by Christy Nockels - James Woods and Friends

  • Verse 1: When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
  • Verse 2: Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
  • Verse 4: Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.


Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

     Holy Presence, even in this season of examination, may our contemplation be a means of liberation. Refusing practices of guilt and self-deprecation, guide our attention to what keeps us from building together the world you desire for us. That we may face our fears and seek the truth that frees us, may the Spirit be our guide. Amen. 


Scripture Reading - Emma Cooper


Jeremiah 31:31-34

    31The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.


John 12:20-33

   20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

     27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.


Affirmation of Faith

As a gathered community of disciples, created by the hands of the Holy, born with Divine purpose, and bound together by the Spirit that breathes life into all things, we affirm our commitment to the way of Jesus Christ, who is The Liberator of the Oppressed, The Bread of Heaven, God enfleshed. With faith, we aim to live as Christ taught us, laboring towards liberation, and seeking a world free of domination and control. We believe in God’s promise to uplift the lowly and bring the powerful down from their thrones. We believe the resurrecting power of Christ cannot be overcome by evil,

but persists in all collective efforts to make life flourish in the midst of destruction, to birth beauty in places of death,

and to tend gently to the aches of this world. We profess the transforming power of love. We profess that justice is a form of love. We profess that we are still growing into the mystery of love. In the company of the saints who go before us,

we journey together by grace, seeking always to unlearn all that obstructs authentic relationship, listening for the guidance of Sacred Wisdom, And praying earnestly for the day the Kindom of God is born anew. Until it is so, we live in hope, for God is with us.



Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here for the Giving page to make a general offering or a Special Sunday: UMCOR offering


When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Words: Isaac Watts (1707). Music: Anon., arr. by Edward Miller (1790). Public domain.


Affirmation of Faith by Rev. M Barclay, enfleshed.com


Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin, John Newton, Louie Giglio. Copyright 2006 by sixsteps Music, Vamos Publishing , and worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). With lyrics from Amazing Grace by John Newton (1779). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Benediction: adapted from enfleshed, “Liturgy That Matters”, March 14, 2021.


In Christ Alone - Words & Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. Copyright 2002 ThankYou Music (PRS) (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing.) Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Epigrams by Zoltán Kodály, copyright 1969 by Boosey & Hawkes. All rights reserved.

March 14, 2021

Fourth Sunday in Lent

UMCOR Special Sunday

This service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.


Please click HERE to jump to the next section for the special Lenten Organ musical offering from Marvin Mills.


Click HERE to go to our Giving page to contribute to the UMCOR Special Sunday offering or regular giving.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Voluntary - II. Moderato, from Epigrams by Zoltán Kodály - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship - Eric Eaton, Lay Reader

One: Before we were born,

All: Before we took our first breath,

One: Before the week started,

All: Before the year started,

One: Before we said, “I love you,”

All: Before we said, “I’m sorry,”

One: Before we figured out who we really are,

All: Before we figured out who we want to be, 

One: Before it all—God loved us. Unconditionally and freely,

All: Fully and honestly—

One: God loved us.

All: Again and again, this is where our story begins. 

One: Let us worship God!


UM Hymnal #375 - There Is a Balm in Gilead

  • Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
  • Verse 1: Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work's in vain. But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. (refrain)
  • Verse 2: Don't ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, and if you look for knowledge he'll ne'er refuse to lend. (refrain)
  • Verse 3: If you can't preach like Peter, if you can't pray like Paul, just tell the love of Jesus and say he died for all. (refrain)


Prayer of Confession - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

God of love, We forget the beginning of the story— That we were made from love, to be love, to give love. Instead of rooting our narrative in the goodness refrain of creation, We skip ahead and find our worth at the fall, With Cain and Abel, lost in the wilderness. We forget that first there was you, and you are love. We forget that out of that love you created us.

We forget that from the very first day, you loved first. We forget, because a love like that doesn’t make sense to us. Forgive our low self-esteem. Forgive our resistance to love ourselves. Forgive our hesitation to trust that even we could be made good. And forgive our tendency to pass that doubt on—from generation to generation. Write a new beginning for us that roots our confidence in your unrelenting love. With hope we pray, again and again. Amen.


Words of Forgiveness

One: Family of faith, no matter what we do, where we go, or what we tell ourselves— God is love, and God is loving us.

All: Again and again, we are claimed, held, forgiven, and cared for.

In the name of the Lover, the Beloved, and Love itself—thanks be to God. Amen!


Scripture Readings - Eric Eaton, Lay Reader


John 3:14-21

     14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

     16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

     17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”


Ephesians 2:1-10

      1You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.


UM Hymnal #381 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

  • Verse 1: Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou has bought us, thine we are.
  • Verse 2: We are thine, thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
  • Verse 3: Thou has promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; thou has mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee.
  • Verse 4: Early let us seek thy favor, early let us do thy will; blessed Lord and only Savior, with thy love our bosoms fill. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou has loved us, love us still.


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Response to the Word


Pastoral Prayer & Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


UM Hymnal #206 - I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

  • Verse 1: I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus. 
  • Refrain: In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
  • Verse 2: I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus. Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path, and show the way to the Father. (Refrain)
  • Verse 3: I'm looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus. When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus. (Refrain)


Benediction

Not for condemnation, but for freedom! This is the reason for God’s presence among us. Deliverance from complicity with evil, Liberation from structures of oppression, Salvation from a life of destruction and despair. Again and again, God loves us first. In the assurance of grace that goes with you. Go in faithful solidarity to love God and neighbor.


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here for the Giving page to make a general offering or a Special Sunday: UMCOR offering



Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Words of Pardon liturgy by Rev. Sarah Are.


There Is a Balm in Gilead. Words & Music, African American Spirituyal. Adapt. & arr. by William Farley Smith, 1986. Copyright 1989, The United Methodist Publishing House (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. Words: Attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp (1836). Music: William B. Bradbury (1859). Public domain.


I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Words & Music: Kathleen Thomerson (1966). Copyright 1975 by Celebration. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Benediction: adapted from enfleshed, “Liturgy That Matters”, March 14, 2021.


Epigrams by Zoltán Kodály, copyright 1969 by Boosey & Hawkes. All rights reserved.

March 7, 2021

Third Sunday in Lent

This service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.

Click HERE to jump to the next section of this page for special organ music for Lent, provided by Mr. Marvin Mills.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Voluntary - I. Lento from Epigrams by Zoltan Kodàly - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship

     One: Again and again,

     All: We come to this space.

     One: Again and again,

     All: We gather as a community.

     One: Again and again,

     All: We move closer to God.

     One: And again and again,

     All: God is here.

     One: We are met.

     All: We are heard.

     One: We are shown the way.

     All: So again and again, let us worship holy God.


UM Hymnal #559 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (v. 1,2,4)

  • Verse 1: Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone; chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the church in one; holy Zion's help forever, and her confidence alone.
  • Verse 2: To this temple, where we call thee, come, O Lord of Hosts, today! With thy faithful loving-kindness hear thy people as they pray, and thy fullest benediction shed within its walls alway.
  • Verse 4: Laud and honor to the Father, laud and honor to the Son, laud and honor to the Spirit, ever three and ever one; one in might and one in glory, while unending ages run.


Opening Prayer

Creator God, we don’t just want to listen, we want to hear you. We want to read scripture aloud and know that you are as close as you have always been. We want to read scripture aloud and feel your word resonating inside our bones. So turn our hearts toward you, just as you turned strangers into disciples. Turn our ears toward you, just as you turned tables in the temple. We are listening. Amen.


Children’s Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Minister of Care and Formation


Scripture Readings - Natalie Mullens, Lay Reader

John 2:13-22

    13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.


1 Corinthians 1:18-25

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written,

    “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Pastoral Prayer & Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Thanksgiving and Holy Communion


UM Worship & Song Hymnal #3168 - Come to the Table of Grace (v. 1-3)

  • Verse 1: Come to the table of grace, come to the table of grace. This is God's table; it's not yours or mine. Come to the table of grace.
  • Verse 2: Come to the table of peace, come to the table of peace. This is God's table; it's not yours or mine. Come to the table of peace.
  • Verse 3: Come to the table of love, come to the table of love. This is God's table; it's not yours or mine. Come to the table of love.


The Invitation

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking the Bread

Giving the Bread and Cup

Prayer of Thanksgiving


Benediction

Beloveds, we all have unlearning to do. We have each inherited claims of wisdom that betray us. We have all lost something to lies about who we are, or what makes us valuable, or how to live a meaningful life. But we are not abandoned to these claims on us. We can shed the destructive and the deadly. We can heal. We can be free. Again and again, God’s grace has shown us the way.



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering.


Call to Worship & Opening Prayer adapted from Again & Again, A Lenten Refrain liturgy by Rev. Sarah Are.


Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation. Words: 7th century Latin, trans. by John Mason Neal (1851). Music: Henry Purcell (1680); adapt. by Ernest Hawkins (1842). Public domain.


Come to the Table of Grace. Words & Music: Barbara Hamm, copyright Hope Publishing Co., 2008. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Benediction adapted from enfleshed.com, “Liturgy That Matters,” for March 7, 2021.

February 28, 2020

Second Sunday in Lent

This service is available starting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.

Click HERE to jump to the next section for Special Music in Lent provided by organist Marvin Mills.



Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Voluntary - Allegro moderato (Elegy) by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - Marvin Mills, organist


Anthem - Jesus, Savior (Ave, verum) by W. A. Mozart - featuring Mollie Weikert (soprano) & Scott Weikert (baritone)


Opening Prayer

Incarnate One, in so many ways we have learned to minimize our potential. As individuals, a community - as people of faith. Letting others define our worth and capabilities, we deny our power. May your presence among us awaken and enliven all that you envision for us. That we may be faithful to you and the generations to come. Amen.


UM Hymnal #348 - Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling (v.1,2,4)

Verse 1: Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. 

Refrain: Come home, come home; you who are weary, come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!

Verse 2: Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me. (refrain)

Verse 4: O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. (refrain)


Scripture Readings - David Weaver, Lay Reader


Psalm 22:23-31

23You who fear the Lord, praise him!

    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;

    stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24For he did not despise or abhor

    the affliction of the afflicted;

he did not hide his face from me,

    but heard when I cried to him.

25From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

    my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

    those who seek him shall praise the Lord.

    May your hearts live forever!

27All the ends of the earth shall remember

    and turn to the Lord;

and all the families of the nations

    shall worship before him.

28For dominion belongs to the Lord,

    and he rules over the nations.

29To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;

    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

    and I shall live for him.

30Posterity will serve him;

    future generations will be told about the Lord,

31and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,

    saying that he has done it.


Mark 8:31-9:8

    31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

       34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 1And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

       2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.


UM Songs Of Zion #100 - Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Callin' Mah Name (v.1, 2)

  • Refrain: Hush, hush. Somebody's callin' my name. Hush, hush. Somebody's callin' my name. Hush, hush. Somebody's callin' my name. Oh my Lord, Oh my Lordy, what shall I do?
  • Verse 1: I'm so glad. Trouble don't last always. I'm so glad. Trouble don't last always, yea, yea, yea. I'm so glad. Trouble don't last always. Oh my Lord, oh my Lordy what shall I do? (refrain)
  • Verse 2: Sounds like Jesus. Somebody's callin' my name. Sounds like Jesus. Somebody's callin' my name yea, yea, yea. Sounds like Jesus. Somebody's callin' my name. Oh my Lord, oh my Lordy, what shall I do? (refrain)


Sermon - Again and Again: We Are Called to Listen - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, senior pastor


Pastoral Prayer & Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, associate pastor


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering.



Allegro moderato (Elegy) by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Public domain.


Jesus, Savior (Ave, verum) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Public domain.


Opening Prayer: enfleshed.com (https://enfleshed.com/collections/liturgy-that-matters/products/liturgy-that-matters-february-28-2021-romans-4-13-25?variant=38158444822680) 


Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling. Words & Music: Will L. Thompson (1880). Public domain.


Hush, Hush, Somebody's Callin' Mah Name, Traditional Spiritual. Harm. & arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland and Verolga Nix, copyright 1979 by Abingdon Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

February 21, 2021

first sunday in lent

This service begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.  

Click HERE to jump to the next section for Special Music in Lent provided by organist Marvin Mills.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Voluntary - Reverie by William Grant Still -  Marvin Mills, organist


Opening Prayer - Debbie Zechar, Lay Reader

Almighty and ever living God, you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent. May this time be one of outward focus; seeking you in those we often ignore. Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter. Give us hearts hungry to serve you and those who need what we have to give.


Children's Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Minister of Spiritual Care & Formation


UM Hymnal #357 - Just as I Am, Without One Plea (v. 1, 2, & 5)

  • Verse 1: Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
  • Verse 2: Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
  • Verse 5: Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.


Scripture Reading - Debbie Zechar, Lay Reader

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 9:8-17

          8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”


Gospel Reading

Mark 1:9-15

    9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

      12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

      14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”


UM Hymnal #314 - In the Garden

  • Verse 1: I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. 
  • Refrain: And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
  • Verse 2: He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing. (Refrain)
  • Verse 3: I'd stay in the garden with him though the night around me be falling, but he bids me go; thru the voice of woe his voice to me is calling. (Refrain)


"Eating Twinkies with God," original video short by Meir Kay. All rights reserved.  https://youtu.be/y9N8OXkN0Rk


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Pastoral Prayer & Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


The Great Thanksgiving - Revs. Pat Allen and Kate Mackereth Fulton


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Closing Anthem - Dust I Am - Sanctuary Choir


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering.


Reverie. William Grant Still (1962). Published by Western International Music, Inc. for the Long Beach, Los Angeles and Pasadena and Valley Districts Chapters of the American Guild of Organists in celebration of the A.G.O. National Convention July 2-6, 1962.


Just as I Am, Without One Plea. Words: Charlotte Elliott (1835). Music: William B. Bradbury (1849). Public domain.


In the Garden (I Come to the Garden Alone). Words & Music: C. Austin Miles (1913). Music adapt. by Charles H. Webb (1987). Copyright 1989, The United Methodist Publishing House. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Dust I Am. Words: Lindy Thompson. Music: Mark Miller. Copyright 2020, Hinshaw Music, Inc. (Admin. by Fred Bock Music Company). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

All Saints Sunday

10:30 am

Click HERE to view the service.

To download this worship bulletin, click HERE.

To download the All Saints special memorial booklet, click HERE.


Gathering for Worship & Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Prelude - Pavane pour une infante défunte by Maurice Ravel/Fleury - Sonya Hayes, violin


Call to Worship - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

-- Leader: We remember, O God… The countless saints of history who have blazed a trail of courage through time, the tender touch of loved ones, the example of heroes, the healing words of comforters, the remarkable acts of fearless ones. The gentle strength of grandmothers, the loyalty of friends, the kindness of strangers, the joy of children, the sacrifice of parents. The supreme love of Jesus, the blessing of Christ’s Spirit, the reminder of Christ’s words, the sharing of the Savior’s suffering, the glory of resurrection, shown forth in the lives of disciples, young and old, dead and living, articulate and silent, strange and familiar, brilliant and ordinary. We remember in every time and place the saints of God who have shown us the Lord. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… Let us worship God with joy! 


UM Hymnal #711 - For All the Saints

Verse 1: For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Verse 4: O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, Alleluia!


Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Scripture Reading - Natalie Mullens, Lay Reader


Revelation 7:9-17

9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”  13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,  and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 


Hebrews 12:1

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us[.]


Matthew 5:1-12

1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”


Reader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.


Children’s Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education


UM Hymnal #700 - Abide with Me 

Verse 1: Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. 

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Verse 5: Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Ministry Moment: Faithful Giving


Anthem - Meditation on Jesus, Lover of My Soul (MARTYN) - Sonya Hayes, violin


Roll Call of the Saints (November 1, 2019 – October 31, 2020)

Hazel L. Wright

Anna Christine King

Lois Baker

Susan Rudolph

Esther McCraw

Ruth Sylvester

The All Saints Sunday special bulletin may be downloaded by clicking here. This features photographs of the members recognized here today, and names of departed family and constituents. We give thanks for these saints in Christ who have finished their courses in faith and who now rest from their labors. 


Consecration of Chalices


Thanksgiving and Holy Communion - The Invitation


The Great Thanksgiving

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

L: Lift up your hearts.

P: We lift them up to the Lord.

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

P: It is right to give our thanks and praise.


Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth: God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Miriam and Moses, God of Joshua and Deborah, God of Ruth and David, God of the priests and the prophets, God of Mary and Joseph, God of the apostles and the martyrs, God of our mothers and our fathers, God of our children to all generations. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 


People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. 


Leader: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. 


People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.


Leader: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of

bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. Renew our communion with all your saints, especially those whom we name before you in our hearts. (Silence may be kept for the remembrance of names, then the Leader continues): Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, strengthen us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. 


People: Amen.


Table of Light - In this worship moment we remember those we love who have died either recently or long ago yet whose names are written forever on our hearts. You are invited to light a candle in memory of your friend or family member, speaking aloud or in the depths of your heart the name that is precious to you.


Music during Communion - Give Me Jesus arr, Moses Hogan - Jouelle Robinson, soprano


Benediction


Postlude - 16. O Christ, Forgive Thy Servants - by Marcel Dupré from Sixteen Chorales/Le Tombeau de Titelouze, Op. 38


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To make your Pledge for 2021, click here.

To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here.





Hymn: "For All the Saints," words William W. How, 1864; music Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906. Public domain.


Call to Worship: adapted from https://www.desperatepreacher.com/services/allsaints.htm (accessed 10/30/2020), used by permission.


Hymn: "Abide with Me," words Henry F. Lyte, 1847; music W. H. Monk, 1861. Public domain.


Give Me Jesus, arr. Moses Hogan, copyright 1999 by Hal Leonard Corporation (Admin. by Hal Leonard LLC), streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Consecration of Chalices: “An Order for the Dedication of Church Furnishings and Memorials,” UM Book of Worship, p. 607.


Communion Liturgy: “The Great Thanksgiving for All Saints and Memorial Occasions,” (Nashville TN: The Methodist Publishing House / Abingdon Press), copyright 1992. Used by permission.

February 17, 2021

ASh Wednesday

This service begins at 7:30 pm. The order of worship is included below.




Call to Worship

One: We are invited—

All: Into the story, Into this place, Into this hour of worship.

One: We are invited—

All: Into reflection, Into community, Into our own spiritual journeys.

One: We are invited—

All: The broken and bruised, The hopeful, the new, The faithful, the doubting, The wondering, the waiting.

One: We are invited—

All: Because God so loved;

One: So listen, trust the invitation, and bring your whole self.

All: All are invited here.


UM Hymnal #579 - Lord God, Your Love Has Called Us Here

  • Verse 1: Lord God, your love has called us here, as we, by love, for love were made; your living likeness still we bear, though married, dishonored, disobeyed; we come, with all our heart and mind, your call to hear, your love to find.
  • Verse 2: We come with self-inflicted pains of broken trust and chosen wrong, half free, half bound by inner chains, by social forces swept along, by powers and systems close confined, yet seeking hope for humankind.
  • Verse 3: Lord God, in Christ, you call our name, and then receive us as your own; not through some merit, right, or claim, but by your gracious love alone; we strain to glimpse your mercy seat, and find you kneeling at our feet.
  • Verse 4: Then take the towel, and break the bread, and humble us, and call us friends; suffer and serve till all are fed, and show how grandly love intends to work till all creations sings, to fill all worlds, to crown all things.
  • Verse 5: Lord God, in Christ, you set us free your life to live, your joy to share; give us your Spirit's liberty to turn from guilt and dull despair, and offer all that faith can do, while love is making all things new.


Prayer for Illumination

Creator God, There is a rumbling in us that won’t let go. It stirs in us like the wind stirs leaves—inviting us to move, drawing us forth. When we’re quiet, we know that rumble is the Holy Spirit, dancing love awake in us. So we’re here. And we’re still. And we’re quiet. And on this first day of Lent, we’re asking you to draw near. As we hear your scripture read aloud, open the door for us to move. Invite us in. Rumble us awake. Gratefully we pray, Amen.


Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Scripture Reading - Melanie Modlin, Lay Reader

Matthew 6:1-21

      1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

      2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

      5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name.
10     Your kingdom come.
    Your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
11     Give us this day our daily bread.
12     And forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13     And do not bring us to the time of trial,
        but rescue us from the evil one.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

      16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

      19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Isaiah 58:1-12

1Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.

3 “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. 4 Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high.

5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.


Hymn #351 Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

  • Verse 1: Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
  • Refrain: Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry. While on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
  • Verse 2: Let me at thy throne of mercy find a sweet relief, kneeling there in deep contrition; help my unbelief. (Refrain)
  • Verse 3: Trusting only in thy merit, would i seek thy face; heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by thy grace. (Refrain)
  • Verse 4: Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me, whom have I on earth beside thee? Whom in heaven but thee? (Refrain)


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Dust I Am - Sanctuary Choir


Prayer of Thanksgiving


Invitation to Lenten Discipline


Imposition of Ashes


Benediction

As you leave this space, May your mouth speak of God’s goodness. May your arms hold those in need. May your feet walk toward justice. May your heart trust its worth. May your soul dance in God’s grace. And may this be your rhythm— Again and again and again, Until God’s promised day. In the name of the Lover, the Beloved, and Love itself, Go with courage, go with heart, go in peace. Amen




Call to Worship, Prayer for Illumination, Benediction, and other liturgy by Sarah Are, copyright A Sanctified Art LLC (sanctifiedart.org). Used by permission.


Lord God, Your Love Has Called Us Here. Words: Brian Wren (1973). Music: Henry Carey (1723); harm. from The English Hymnal (1906), public domain. Words copyright 1977, Hope Publishing Co. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior. Words: Fanny J. Crosby (1868). Music: William H. Doane (1870). Public domain.


Dust I Am. Words: Lindy Thompson. Music: Mark Miller. Copyright 2020, Hinshaw Music, Inc. (Admin. by Fred Bock Music Company). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Spirit Song. Words & Music: John Wimber (1979). Copyright 1979 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, David C Cook).  Reprinted and streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

February 14, 2021

Scout Sunday

This service will be available at 10:30 a.m. The order of worship is below.


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Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance


Call to Worship - Lorraine and Willa Stalcup

One: The Lord is king!

All: The Lord is mighty!

One: Everyone praise his great and majestic name.

All: The Lord is the Holy One!

One: Mighty king, you love what is right.

All: You have brought righteousness and fairness.

One: Praise the Lord, our God.

All: The Lord is Holy! Amen!


Prelude I. Freely, hauntingly from Three Organ Pieces by Mark Fax - Marvin Mills, organist


Opening Prayer - Lorraine and Willa Stalcup

Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world. Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.


Ministry Moment – Scout Remarks


UM Hymnal #173 – Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Verse 1: Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o'er the shades of night; Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.

Verse 2: Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee; joyless is the day's return, till thy mercy's beams I see; till they inward light impart, cheer my eyes and warm my heart.

Verse 3: Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief; fill me, Radiancy divine, scatter all my unbelief; more and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day.


Scripture readings - John Stephens, Lay Reader


2 Kings 2:1-12

       1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

       4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

       6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

       9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.


Mark 9:2-9

       2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

       9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.


Sermon - Mr. Micah Smartt, Minister for Youth and Design


UM Hymnal #451 – Be Thou My Vision

Verse 1: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naight be all else to me, save that thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, they presence my light.

Verse 2: Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou and thou only, first in my heart, great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Verse 3: Great God of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.


Pastoral Prayer & Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Benediction - Mr. Micah Smartt


Retiring the Colors


Postlude III. Toccata from Three Organ Pieces by Mark Fax - Marvin Mills, organist


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering.


Call to Worship: Worshiping with Children by Carolyn Brown, based on selected phrases from the Bible (TEV). http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2016/01/year-c-transfiguration-of-lord-february.html


Opening Prayer: From The Revised Common Lectionary service of Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright 2002 Consultation on Common Texts, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayers.php?id=69


Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies. Words: Charles Wesley (1740). Music: J. G. Werner's Choralbuch (1815), harm. by William H. Havergal (1861). Public domain.


Be Thou My Vision. Words: Ancient Irish; trans. by Mary E. Byrne (1905); versed by Eleanor H. Hull (1912). Music: Traditional Irish Melody; harm. by Carlton R. Young (1963). Copyright 1964 Abingdon Press / The United Methodist Publishing House. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Three Organ Pieces by Mark Fax, copyright 1996 by E. C. Schirmer Music Company. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

February 7, 2021

Fifth Sunday after the epiphany

This service is available at 10:30 a.m. The order of worship is below.




Welcome – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Prelude - Meditation - Allegretto by Ulysses Kay – Marvin Mills, Organist


Hymn - UM Hymnal #77 - How Great Thou Art (verses 1, 3 & 4) 

Verse 1: O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. 

Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!

Verse 3: And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burdens gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin. (Refrain)

Verse 4: When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art. (Refrain)


Scripture Reading – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

1 Praise the LORD!

How good it is to sing praises to our God;

    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted,

    and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

    he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our LORD, and abundant in power;

    his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden;

    he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

    make melody to our God on the lyre.

8 He covers the heavens with clouds,

    prepares rain for the earth,

    makes grass grow on the hills.

9 He gives to the animals their food,

    and to the young ravens when they cry.

10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;

11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,

    in those who hope in his steadfast love.

20c Praise the LORD!


Hymn - UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2142 - Blessed Quietness  (verses 1, 2, & 5)

Verse 1: Joys are flowing like a river, Since the Comforter has come; He abides with us forever, Makes the trusting heart His home.

Refrain: Blessed quietness, Holy quietness, What assurance in my soul, On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me, And the billows cease to roll.

Verse 2: Bringing life and health and gladness all around this heav'nly Guest, banished unbelief and sadness, chang'd our weariness to rest. (Refrain)

Verse 5: What a wonderful salvation, when we always see His face, what a perfect habitation, what a quiet resting place. (Refrain)


Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Hymn - UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2151 - I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

Verse 1: I'm so glad Jesus lifted me; I'm so glad Jesus lifted me; I'm so glad Jesus lifted me singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.

Verse 2: Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me; Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me; Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.

Verse 3: When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me; when I was in trouble Jesus lifted me; when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.


Benediction – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Postlude - IV. Uriel (Allegro, with fire) by Craig Phillips from Archangel Suite – Marvin Mills



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering.



Meditation - Allegretto by Ulysses Kay, copyright H.W. Gray Publishers, 1951. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


How Great Thou Art: Words & Music: Stuart K. Hine. Copyright 1949 and 1953 Stuart K. Hine Trust (Administration: USA All rights by Capitol CMG Publishing, except print rights administered by Hope Publishing). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Blessed Quietness: Words: Manie P. Ferguson (public domain). Music:  W.S. Marshall, arr. J. Jefferson Cleveland and Verolga Nix, copyright 1981 Abingdon Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me. Words & Music: African-American spiritual, public domain. 


Archangel Suite: IV. Uriel. Copyright Craig Phillips, 2012 (Selah Publishing Co.). Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Sunday, January 31, 2021

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

This service is available at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.



Announcements - Marge Higgins , Lay Leader


Prelude - Adoration by Florence Price - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship (UM Hymnal #106)

Leader: Is someone here moving toward the twilight of life and fearful of that which we call death?

People: Why be afraid? God is able.

L: Is someone here on the brink of despair because of the death of a loved one, the breaking of a marriage, or the waywardness of a child?

P: Why despair? God is able to give us the power to endure that which cannot be changed.

L: Is someone here anxious because of bad health?

P: Why be anxious? Come what may, God is able.

All: Surely, God is able.


UM Hymn #173 - Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies


Opening Prayer (adapted from UM Hymnal #255)

O God, you have made all humanity as one, and by the star in the East,  revealed your son Emmanuel to all.  Enable us who know your presence with us to proclaim his goodness and glory, that all may come to his light  and bow before the brightness of his rising.  Amen. 


UM Hymn #84 - Thank You, Lord


Proclamation of the Word - Scripture Reading: Psalm 111 - Bill Stephens, Lay Reader

1 Praise the LORD!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,

    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the LORD,

    studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,

    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;

    the LORD is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;

    he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,

    in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

    all his precepts are trustworthy.

8 They are established forever and ever,

    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people;

    he has commanded his covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

    all those who practice it have a good understanding.

    His praise endures forever.


Sermon - Zakiya Austin, Peer Minister at Howard University

UM Hymnal #96 - Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above

Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Benediction


Postlude - Allemande and Triple by Tylman Susato - Marvin Mills, Organist


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering. In addition to regular giving options, you may also choose to donate to The United Methodist Church Special Sunday Offering for Human Relations Day.



Adoration by Florence Price, copyright 1951, Lorenz Publishing Co. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Call to Worship: "God is Able" by Martin Luther King, Jr., copyright 1963. In The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989).


"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies." Words: Charles Wesley (1740). Music: J.G. Wener's Choralbuch (1815); harmony by William H. Havergal (1861). Public domain.


Opening Prayer: adapted from "Epiphany" by Laurence Hull Stookey, copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publish House.


"Thank You, Lord." Words: Traditional. Music: adapt. & arranged by William Farley Smith (1986). Copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


"Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above." Words: Charles Wesley (1743). Music: Foundery Collection (1742). Public domain.


Allemande and Triple by Tylman Susato (circa 1550). Public domain.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Sunday, January 31

worship-at-home, 10:30 a.m.

Guest Preacher Zakiya  Austin

On Sunday, January 31, our guest preacher delivering the sermon message will be Ms. Zakiya Austin.


Ms. Austin, originally from Columbia, South Carolina, is the former student chaplain for the Howard University Chapel Assistants and a current peer minister for the Wesley Foundation at Howard University. She is also a graduating senior with a major in psychology.


We are delighted to welcome Ms. Austin and hear her message. St. Paul's is launching a partnership in 2021 between our pastors and the United Methodist chaplain at Howard University, Rev. Alexis Brown. Inviting Ms. Austin to share her gifts and hearing her message is one element of our new effort to engage with the Wesley Foundation at Howard and the students it serves!

Sunday, January 24, 2020

third Sunday After the Epiphany

This service is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday an will remain available for later viewing. 

The order of worship is below.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

 

Call to Worship


Leader:   In the midst of a world aching in pain,

People:   We gather together to remember the Good News.

L:             The Spirit of the Living God still moves among us today!

P:             Thanks be to God, who brings us life.


Voluntary - Prelude on AZMON by Paul Manz - Marvin Mills, Organist

 

UM Hymnal #57 - O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

 

Opening Prayer

Holy One, Liberator of the captive and Lover of the outcast, may your Spirit move among us. Keep us fixated on Sacred Possibilities of a world rich in justice and overflowing with love. Do not let us get distracted from the causes of our neighbor or swept away by the spirit of despair. For in you, we trust we are more powerful than we can even begin to imagine. Thanks be to you who makes it so, O God. Amen

 

Proclamation of the Word


Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

1[A]ll the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. 2Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

8So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”


Luke 4:14-21

14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    because he has anointed me

        to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

    and recovery of sight to the blind,

        to let the oppressed go free,

19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

                                                                

Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

 

UM Hymnal #454 - Open My Eyes, That I May See

 

Pastoral Prayer & Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


UM Hymnal #662 - Stand Up and Bless the Lord


Benediction


Postlude - Andante tranquillo, Sonata No. III by Felix Mendelssohn - Marvin Mills, Organist


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering. In addition to regular giving options, you may also choose to donate to The United Methodist Church Special Sunday Offering for Human Relations Day benefiting UMC programs for community development and at-risk youth. Please read more on our Giving page.



Call to Worship and Opening Prayer: Adapted from Enfleshed: Spiritual Nourishment for Collective Liberation, "Liturgy that Matters" 27 January 2019 edition (enfleshed.com).


Azmon (Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing) by Paul Manz, from Ten Chorale Improvisations, Set 9. Copyright 1980, 1992, and 2011, Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


All hymns used in this service are in the public domain.

"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" - Words: Charles Wesley (1739). Music: Carl G. Glaser, arr. by Lowell Mason (1839). 

"Open My Eyes, That I May See" - Words & Music: Clara H. Scott (1895).

"Stand Up and Bless the Lord" - Words: James Montgomery (1824). Music: tune from Genevan Psalter (1551); adapt. by William Crotch (1836).


Andante tranquillo, Sonata No. III by Felix Mendelssohn, public domain.

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Second Sunday after Epiphany / Human Relations day

This service is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and will remain available for viewing later. 

The order of worship is below.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Reader


Call to Worship

Wherever God shows up today, may I not be too hurried to notice, nor too aloof to care. When the Sacred surprises me like an unexpected guest, may I not hesitate to greet Them with open arms.  Let not my bias be a barrier, to embracing The Holy’s mysterious ways.  May I be hospitable to God enfleshed in even the dullest circumstances, and the hardest situations, and the strangest of places.  I am open to encountering Love, to meeting with Justice, to being held by Awe. May it be so. 


Voluntary - Prelude on Kum ba Yah by Emma Lou Diemer - Marvin Mills, Organist


UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing  #2244 - People Need the Lord

Verse 1: People need the Lord, people need the Lord; at the end of broken dreams, he's the open door.

Verse 2: People need the Lord, people need the Lord; when will we realize people need the Lord.


Opening Prayer

God, we thank you for the inspiration of Jesus. Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, even our enemy neighbors. And we ask you, God, in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, to be with us in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawn. Amen. 


Scripture Reading - John 2:1-11

          1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.


UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2158 - Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Verse 1: I am weak but thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee. 

Refrain: Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea, daily walking close to thee: Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Verse 2: Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee. (refrain)

Verse 3: When my feeble life is o'er, time for me will be no more; guide me gently, safely o'er to thy shore, dear Lord, to thy shore. (refrain)


Litany - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Leader: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. As we gather in this place, allow your Spirit to fill our very being.

ALL: As we worship today, we remember our brothers and sisters who are worshiping elsewhere throughout the world. Inspire each of us to work more faithfully for justice and dignity of life everywhere.

Leader: Raise our vision above the barriers of color, culture, and creed that separate us. Give us wisdom as we deal with one another. Help us to recognize and to respect different ways rather than to judge.

ALL: In the Spirit of Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve, we now must walk in the world. We must reach out our hands with help and open our hearts in love. Awake in us the desire to seek your way of serving you in the world. Amen.


UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2166 - Christ Beside Me

Verse 1: Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, King of my heart; Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me never to part.

Verse 2: Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me shield in the strife; Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my life.

(Repeat Verse 1)


Sermon - "Living with Joy: Called to Delight" - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Affirmation of Faith - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

      As a gathered community of disciples, created by the hands of the Holy, born with Divine purpose, and bound together by the Spirit that breathes life into all things, we affirm our commitment to the way of Jesus Christ, who is The Liberator of the Oppressed, The Bread of Heaven, God enfleshed.

       With faith, we aim to live as Christ taught us, laboring towards liberation, and seeking a world free of domination and control. We believe in God’s promise to uplift the lowly and bring the powerful down from their thrones.

       We believe the resurrecting power of Christ cannot be overcome by evil, but persists in all collective efforts to make life flourish in the midst of destruction, to birth beauty in places of death, and to tend gently to the aches of this world.

       We profess the transforming power of love. We profess that justice is a form of love. We profess that we are still growing into the mystery of love.

       In the company of the saints who go before us, we journey together by grace, seeking always to unlearn all that obstructs authentic relationship, listening for the guidance of Sacred Wisdom, And praying earnestly for the day the Kin-dom of God is born anew.

       Until it is so, we live in hope, for God is with us.


Pastoral Prayer & Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Postlude - Prelude on Oh, Freedom by Adolphus Hailstork - Marvin Mills, Organist



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering. In addition to regular giving options, this Sunday has been designated Human Relations Day by the global United Methodist Church for a Special Sunday offering benefiting UMC programs for community development and at-risk youth. Please read more on our Giving page.



Call to Worship: https://twitter.com/enfleshed/status/1185572292904009729 (original post dated Oct 19, 2019).


Kum ba Yah arr. Emma Lou Diemer. Copyright 1993 by Augsburg Fortress. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


"People Need the Lord." Words & Music by Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh. Copyright 1983 River Oaks Music Co., Inc / Shepherd's Fold Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Opening Prayer: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from Thou, Dear God: Prayers that Open Hearts and Spirits (edited by Lewis V. Baldwin, Beacon Press, 2012). Excerpts online in "The Prayers of Martin Luther King Jr." (Jan 15, 2013) from The Catholic Reporter, online at https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/prayers-martin-luther-king-jr


"Just a Closer Walk with Thee." Words & Music: Anonymous. Public domain.


"Christ Beside Me." Words: St. Patrick's Breastplate, adapt. by James Quinn. Music: Traditional Gaelic melody. Copyright 1969 Selah Publishing Company., Inc. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Affirmation of Faith: "Affirmation #1" by Rev. M Barclay, at enfleshed.com (https://enfleshed.com/pages/affirmations-of-faith), accessed 1/16/2021.


Oh, Freedom by Adolphus Hailstork, in the collection Listen to the Lamb, copyright 2003 by Concordia Publishing. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Sunday, January 10, 2021

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

The worship service will be available at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Call to Worship - Bill Butz, Lay Reader

From the dust of the earth, the Holy One breathed us into life. Through the breath of God we are all connected. Shaped in her image, God formed us with a purpose: To create. To serve. To tend. To protect. To love. That life may flourish in all its forms, May the Spirit of the Living God be manifest in us! 


Voluntary, Prelude on Wade in the Water by Adolphus Hailstork - Marvin Mills, Organist


Opening Prayer - Bill Butz, Lay Reader

God of holy chaos, you don’t protect us from getting swept up into relationships and systems and experiences that are messy, but you do promise us that you will be found in the midst of them. Help us to remember that when the world was aching, you drew nearer, putting on flesh. It was through that enfleshed reality of love, that you transformed our world. Relationship with you is not an escape - it is the hope and courage we need to dive right into the mess of things. You, O God, are enfleshed in our beautiful but aching earth, in our work for a just society, and in our efforts to love and be loved. May our prayer life be invitations into that life with you. Thanks be. 


Scripture - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 - Travis Stalcup, Lay Reader

15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2248 - Baptized in Water

Verse 1: Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ, our King; heirs of salvation, trusting his promise, faithfully now God's praises we sing.

Verse 2: Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb with Christ, our King; one with his rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully now God's praises we sing.

Verse 3: Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ, our King; born of one Father, we are his children, joyfully now God's praises we sing. 


Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


UM Hymnal The Faith We Sing #2107 - Wade in the Water

Refrain: Wade in the water, wade in the water, children, wade in the water, God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Verse 1: See that host all dressed in white. God's gonna trouble the water. The leader looks like the Israelite. God's a-gonna trouble the water. (refrain)

Verse 2: See that band all dressed in red. God's a-gonna trouble the water. Looks like the band that Moses led. God's a-gonna trouble the water. (refrain)

Verse 3: Look over yonder, what do I see? God's a-gonna trouble the water. THe Holy Ghost a-coming on me. God's a-gonna trouble the water. (refrain)

Verse 4: If you don't believe I've been redeemed. God's a-gonna trouble the water. Just follow me down to Jordan's stream. God's a-gonna trouble the water. (refrain)


Sermon - "Living with Joy: Baptized in Love" - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Pastoral Prayer and Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Consecration of New Leaders


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Music - I Believe by Mark Miller - James Wood, St. Paul's Worship Band Leader

 

Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering or pledge.



Wade in the Water by Adolphus Hailstork, copyright 2003, Concordia Publishing House. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Opening Prayer by Rev. M Barclay, https://enfleshed.com/pages/miscellaneous-prayers; used by permission.


Hymn: Baptized in Water. Words: Michael Saward. Music: Trad. Gaelic melody. Copyright 1982 Jubilate Hymns, admin. by Hope Publishing Co. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Hymn: Wade in the Water. Words and tune: African-American spiritual. Public domain.


I Believe by Mark A. Miller, copyright 2012 by Choristers Guild. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Worship Services

During the pandemic we have been able to enjoy in person fellowship in Reinhardt Park and most recently the Sanctuary. Few if any of us will deny the sense of normalcy that allowed us to reclaim, if only briefly. It reminded us of just how much we missed being together.  


It was our sincerest hope that we would be able to celebrate worship in person on Christmas Eve. However, the rising number of COVID cases statewide, state and local government re-imposition of more restrictive measures, the onset of the flu season, and concern for each of you, has led to a difficult yet responsible decision. We will not be gathering for in person worship on Christmas Eve. We will continue to live stream and/or record services until further notice.


To be clear we have heard each of your voices: those who agree, those who disagree, those who say not yet. And it is out of our caring concern for each of you that we have arrived at this difficult decision.


However, there are plans for music and other reminders of God present with us in this season, that will be shared during Advent and on Christmas Eve. As you wait for that information, you are encouraged to remember that Christ was not born in a Sanctuary, nor was the birthing room adorned with poinsettias and wreaths. More than 2000 years ago Christ was born in the most humbling space. Today Christ yearns to be born again in the most humbling place we know... in our hearts.


Pastor Pat and Pastor Kate

November 12, 2020

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Epiphany Sunday

Worship at 10:30 a.m.

The worship service will be available at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship is below.




Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Welcome - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Prelude - Caravan of the Three Kings by Richard Purvis - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship

In our search for deliverance from all that destroys life, God draws us into the heart of Love. Guiding us through lands unknown, God companions us on the journey. With the Holy as our guide, we will encounter Christ enfleshed. 


UM Hymnal #251 - Go, Tell It on the Mountain


Opening Prayer

Mysterious One, throughout the ages you have been revealing yourself in new ways, drawing us more deeply into relationship with you. In Christ, you took on flesh that we might recognize your presence with us - weeping with us, eating with us, struggling and dreaming with us. Keep us open, O God, to the ways you continue to reveal your love in our midst today. Amen.


Scripture Reading - Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education

Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.


UM Hymnal #254 - We Three Kings


Sermon - Pastor Pat


Pastoral Prayer and Dedication


Love Feast


Distribution of Star Words

http://www.wordoftheyear.me


Benediction

With the Holy as our guide, let us go in search of that which will set us free. Christ has taken on flesh. Hope lives and moves among us. Love is calling us together. May it be so among us. Go in peace. Amen. 


Postlude - Prelude on Go Tell It on the Mountain by D. Byron Arneson


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering or pledge.


Caravan of the Three Kings (We Three Kings) by Richard Purvis, copyright 2006 H.T. FitzSimons Company. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Hymn: Go, Tell It on the Mountain, Words: John W. Work, Jr. (1907); Music: African-American Spiritual, adapt. & arr. by William Farley Smith (1986). Copyright 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Hymn: We Three Kings, Words & Music: John H. Hopkins, Jr. (1857). Public domain.


Prelude on Go, Tell It on the Mountain, by D. Byron Arneson, copyright 1986 Augsburg Publishers. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunday, December 27

FIrst Sunday after Christmas

Please enjoy this service put together by the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church and our Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, as our staff take a much needed rest. Click on the video below to view the service!



Sunday, DEcember 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Click here for worship at 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning. The order of worship for this service is below.

Please join us again on December 24 for the Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols, available starting at 5:00 p.m.




Announcements


Prelude - Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648 (My Soul Magnifies the Lord) by J. S. Bach

 

Call to Worship:

Leader: In holy wonder, with divine expectation, we echo the mother of God reciting her poetry of freedom:

People: “God’s mercy extends from generation to generation.

L: God scatters the proud and lifts high the humble.

P: God’s promises to the hungry, the captive, and the weary will be fulfilled.”

L: A testimony to persistent hope, we join the whole world in waiting.

P: Our spirits rejoice! The time is nearly here.

 

UM Hymnal #250 – Once In Royal David’s City

Verse 1: Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed; Mary, loving mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child.

Verse 2: He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

Verse 3: Jesus is our childhood's pattern; day by day like us he grew; he was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.

Verse 4: And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.


Opening Prayer: Come, Faithful One, and make us prophets of your nearness. While the world groans wearily with loss and grief, we eagerly anticipate your birth among us. We prepare through repentance for wrong actions. We prepare with acts of care and mutual aid. We prepare with offerings of imagination, readying ourselves for changes to come. Make us like midwives of your long-awaited presence. Amen.

 

Lighting of the Advent Candle - The Mollenauer Family

 

Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

 

UM Hymnal #198 – My Soul Gives Glory To My God

Verse 1: My soul gives glory to my God. My heart pours out its praise. God lifted up my lowliness in many marvelous ways.

Verse 2: My God has done great things for me: yes, holy is this name. All people will declare me blessed, and blessing they shall claim.

Verse 3: From age to age, to all who fear, such mercy love imparts, dispensing justice far and near, dismissing selfish hearts.

Verse 4: Love casts the mighty from their thrones, promotes the insecure, leaves hungry spirits satisfied, the rich seem suddenly poor.

Verse 5: Praise God, whose loving covenant supports those in distress, remembering past promises with present faithfulness.


Advent Scripture Acclamation

 

Scripture Readings: Luke 1:39-55

39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

46And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

53he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”


Advent Scripture Response


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

 

The Faith We Sing UM Hymnal #2151 – I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

Verse 1: I'm so glad Jesus lifted me, I'm so glad Jesus lifted me; I'm so glad Jesus lifted me, Jesus lifted me, singing Glory, Hallelujah, Jesus lifted me!

Verse 2: Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me; Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me; Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me, singing Glory, Hallelujah, Jesus lifted me!

Verse 3: When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me; when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me; when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me, singing Glory, Hallelujah, Jesus lifted me!


Benediction: May we be so bold as Mary: mothering God into being in dangerous ways and places, in practices of radical solidarity, in hopes of liberation made flesh. Let us go, rejoicing together with songs of freedom about the day when salvation comes.

 

Postlude - Magnificat Fugue, Tone V, No. 4 by Johann Pachelbel



Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering, holiday giving donation, or pledge.



Call to Worship and Opening Prayer adapted from "Liturgy that Matters: December 20, 2020" at enfleshed.com


Once in Royal David's City. Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1848); Music: Henry J. Gauntlett (1849). Public domain.


My Soul Gives Glory to My God. Words: Miriam Therese Winter (1987); Music: Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second (1813); harmony by Charles H. Webb (1988). Copyright 1978, 1987 Medical Mission Sisters; harmonization copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me, African-American Traditional. Public domain.


Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Order of Worship - Sunday, August 23

Reinhardt Park, IN FRONT OF ST. PAUL'S UMC, Kensington MD

9:30 am

Click HERE to download a *pdf of today's worship bulletin. Or, follow along using the text below!


Please wear masks at all times and maintain physical distancing in the park. Additional information about what to expect can be found in sections below. To participate drive-in style, tune the radio to 101.7 FM. The service will be shared live online using Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington  


Gathering for Worship


Worship music today is presented by Beth Pierce and David Weaver.

Prelude - "Glory Hallelujah (When I Lay My Burden Down)" - traditional spiritual

Lyrics: Glory, glory, hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down. (repeat) All of my troubles will be over, when I lay my burdens down. Glory, glory, hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down. I’ll go home to meet my Savior when I lay my burdens down. Glory, glory, hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down. I will see, see my mother, when I lay my burdens down. Glory, glory, hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down.


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Anthem - "I’ll Fly Away"

Lyrics: Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away; To that home on God's celestial shore, I’ll fly away. (Refrain) I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away in the morning; When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away. When the shadows of this life have gone, I’ll fly away, Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly, I’ll fly away. Oh, how glad and happy when we meet, I’ll fly away. No more cold iron shackles on my feet. Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away. To a land where joys will never end, I’ll fly away. 

Words & Music: Albert E. Brumley, copyright 1932 Hartford Music Company. Renewed 1960 Albert E. Brumley & Sons (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC). Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 


Opening Prayer - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Proclamation of the Word - Peggy Graham, Lay Reader

Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:18-23

18“Hear then the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

  Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. 

  People: Thanks be to God. 


Anthem"We Shall Not Be Moved" 

Lyrics: We shall not be, we shall not be moved. (repeat) Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, We shall not be moved. Glory hallelujah, we shall not be moved. (repeat) Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, We shall not be moved. On this rock of ages, we shall not be moved. (repeat) Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, We shall not be moved. On our way to glory land, we shall not be moved. (repeat) Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, We shall not be moved. We shall not be, we shall not be moved. (repeat) Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, We shall not be moved.

Words & Music: Albert Ackley, 1906.


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Response to the Word (There are many ways we can express our gratitude for God’s presence. Sharing our time, talents, and gifts are a part of our giving with joy. Although we will not pass offering plates, you will find offering buckets available near the ushers if you wish to make a donation by cash or check today. You may also visit stpaulsk.org/giving to donate securely online.)


Sacrament of Baptism

John Frederick Stephens

Congregational Response:  Through baptism you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God’s new creation and made to share in Christ’s royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as a member of the family of Christ. 


Rite of Confirmation

Introduction to the Service and Presentation of Candidates  

Sophia Bartley, Audrey Brown, Connor Buss, Ella Carmen, Charlotte Markey, Matthias Meszaros, Natalie Mullens, Colin O’Neill, Anna Ruhlen, John Stephens, Aki Takata, Charlotte Weikert


Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

As each confirmand is received into full professing membership of the church, he or she will be praying for the Holy Spirit to move in this milestone moment in a powerful way. Your silent prayers as each young person comes before God will magnify this effort. You may use this prayer or any similar invocation: Holy Spirit, fill [name] with your power now. Forgive [his/her] sins, strangely warm [his/her] heart. Enable [name] to speak with boldness, that all may know of Jesus Christ. Amen.


Reception into The United Methodist Church

Reception into St. Paul’s UMC

Commendation and Welcome


Congregational Response : We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 


Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant

Introduction to the Service and Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

Leader: And so I ask you, will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?

People: We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, and repent of our sin.

L: Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?

P: We accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression, in whatever forms they present themselves.

L: Will you proclaim the good news and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, his body?

P: We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as our Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races.

L: Will you be living witnesses to the gospel, individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?

P: We will remain faithful disciples of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.

L: Let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Do you believe in God the Father?

P: I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

L: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

P: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

L: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

P: 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.


Thanksgiving Over the Water and Reaffirmation of Baptism

Using any water you’ve brought today, the pastors will invite you to touch the water, and to remember your baptism and be thankful. With regrets, due to health concerns during the time of covid-19, we will not be able to provide a shared source of water.


Thanksgiving and Holy Communion, 

The Invitation and The Great Thanksgiving

Leader: The Lord be with you. 

People: And also with you. 

L: Lift up your hearts. 

P: We lift them up to the Lord. 

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

P: It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

(The pastor gives thanks, remembering God’s acts of salvation.) L: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 

P: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. 

(The pastor continues the thanksgiving and concludes:) L: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. 

P: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. 

(The pastor continues and concludes:) L: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. 

P: Amen. 

The 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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 


Breaking the Bread & Consecrating the Elements

(Please, do NOT consume these communion elements at this time! Save them, and prayerfully consume them at home after washing or sanitizing your hands. This way, you will not remove your mask or touch your face in a way that could risk exposing yourself - or your neighbors here - to illness.) 


Prayer of Thanksgiving: Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


Anthem"Lift Up Your Voice, Shout and Sing" 

Lyrics: Lift up your voice, shout and sing, let the hallelujahs ring, As we fight for peace here on Earth. Oh please don’t hesitate, Cause we’ve got no time to waste. Lift up your voice, shout and sing. Let’s get to work. Love thy neighbor as thyself, lend a hand and offer help To those in this world who are in need. Feed the hungry, clothe the poor, when you’re tired do a little more. On your journey may I wish you Godspeed. Welcome the stranger in your home, those you see who are alone, Build more bridges, not walls in this life. To the least of these, you have done unto me: That’s how the Lord did say to make it right.

Words & Music: David Weaver, 2019. Used by permission.


Sending Forth

Blessing of the Backpacks

You are invited to present backpacks, laptop bags, tablets, or other items symbolic of the new academic year. We will also bless the annual “Backpack Build” school supplies, generously placed in the bins at the Town Hall parking lot area by our members and friends today. Our partners at Interfaith Works will distribute items to Montgomery County children whose families are less able to provide essential school supplies. If you wish to donate directly, visit stpaulsk.org/service/justice-and-compassion for the link to the Interfaith Works “Amazon Wish List.” Financial gifts can be sent to the church office by check, made out to St. Paul’s UMC with “Backpack Build” on the memo line, and will be used to purchase additional supplies. 


Benediction


Postlude - "Shine, Jesus, Shine"

Lyrics: Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us, set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me... Chorus: Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory, Blaze, spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light! Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance, By the blood I may enter your brightness. Search me, try me, consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me... As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness, Ever changing from glory to glory; mirrored here may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me... 

Words & Music: Graham Kendrick, copyright 1987 by Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.  


Scripture Next Week: Matthew 13:31-35; Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, preaching. Worship-at-Home at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday: stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home


Click HERE to read current announcements, also posted in the latest Weekly News.

Claire Kordella Memorial


Sunday, December 13, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent

Click here for worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. The order of worship for this service is below.




Announcements


Prelude - Chorale Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 (Savior of the Nations, Come) by J. S. Bach - Organist Marvin Mills


*Call to Worship - Marge Higgins

Let us prepare our hearts as we await the coming of our Lord,

Let us watch for the one who heard our cries and shouldered the suffering of our world,

Let us anticipate the coming of Christ’s eternal world with wholeness, reconciliation and plenty for all.

Let us wait in expectation for the day when God’s glory is revealed in all its fullness.


UM Hymnal #242 – Love Came Down at Christmas

Verse 1: Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.

Verse 2: Worship we the God-head, Love incarnate, Love divine; worship we our Jesus, bit wherewith for sacred sign?

Verse 3: Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and all men, love for pleas and gift and sign.


Opening Prayer - Pastor Kate, Associate Pastor

Creator God this morning as we enter the gift of this day, may we unwrap it carefully, enjoying each moment; drawn closer to its blessed fullness, reminded evermore of your love for us. Amen.


Lighting of the Advent Candle - Therese C. Walden


Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 61:1-4, 6-11

1The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;

2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

6but you shall be called priests of the LORD, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory.

7Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

8For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.

10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.


New Testament Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

23May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.


Gospel Reading - John 1:6-8, 19-28

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,

‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.


Advent Scripture Response (adapted by Marvin Mills using tune WACHET AUF)

Zion's star is ris'n; her light is come. The Bridegroom comes, awake; your lamps with gladness take.

Advent_Response_2020.png


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


UM Hymnal #211 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1,2, & 4)

Verse 1: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 2: O come thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go.  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 4: O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on they mercy call. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Postlude - Toccata on VENI EMMANUEL by Adolphus Hailstork - Marvin Mills, Organist


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering, holiday giving donation, or pledge.



Chorale Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 by J. S. Bach, public domain.


Call to Worship: by Christine Sine (2012), accessed on "GodSpace." http://godspace.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/prayers-for-the-journey-advent-prayers-for-the-week/


Love Came Down at Christmas - Words: Christina G. Rossetti (1885). Music: trad. Irish melody, harm. David Evans (1927) used by permission of Oxford University Press. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Words: 9th cent. Latin, trans. verse 1 The Hymnal (1940); verse 2 Henry Sloane Coffin (1916); verse 4 Laurence Hull Stookey (1986). Music: 15th cent. French, arr. Thomas Helmore (1854). Copyrights 1940, 1943, 1981, 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Toccata on VENI EMMANUEL by Adolphus Hailstork. Copyright 1996 E.C. Schirmer Music Company (ASCAP), a division of ECS Publishing Group, Inc., St. Louis, MO. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


All Bible readings: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunday, December 6

SEcond Sunday of Advent

Click HERE to view today's worship livestreaming at 11:00 a.m. Below is the order of worship for this service.




Announcements


Prelude


Call to Worship: Proclaim the good news; joy is coming! Shout to the Lord; salvation is here!


UM Hymnal #202 – People, Look East

  • Verse 1: People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
  • Verse 2: Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there. Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People look east and sing today: Love, the Rose, is on the way.
  • Verse 3: Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more star the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way.
  • Verse 4: Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.


Opening Prayer: God of signs and wonders, we come to your word again and again, seeking understanding and the new life it offers. By the power of your Holy Spirit, illumine our hearts and minds so that we may believe this testimony and embrace with joy the eternal life you offer. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Savior, we pray. Amen.


Children’s Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education


Lighting of the Advent Candle - Pam Keller & Carol Carter


Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Proclamation of the Word


Scripture Readings

Isaiah 40:1-11

1Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.

2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.

7The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.

8The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.

9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

11He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.


Mark 1:1-8

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


UM Hymnal #373 – Nothing Between

  • Verse 1: Nothing between my soul and my Savior, naught of this world's delusive dream; I have renounced all sinful pleasure; Jesus is mine, there's nothing between. 
  • Refrain: Nothing between my soul and my Savior, so that his blessed face may be seen; nothing preventing the least of his favor; keep the way clear! let nothing between.
  • Verse 2: Nothing between, like worldly pleasure; habits of life, though harmless they seem, must not my heart from him ever sever; he is my all, there's nothing between. (Refrain)
  • Verse 3: Nothing between, like pride of station; self or friends shall not intervene; though it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved, there's nothing between. (Refrain)
  • Verse 4: Nothing between, e'en many hard trials, though the whole world against me convene; watching with prayer and much self-denial, I'll triumph at last, there's nothing between. (Refrain)


Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Thanksgiving and Holy Communion: The Invitation

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking the Bread

Giving the Bread and Cup

Prayer of Thanksgiving


UM Hymnal #140 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness

  • Verse 1: Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
  • Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
  • Verse 2: Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in the their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Refrain)
  • Verse 3: Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (Refrain)


Benediction


Postlude


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering, holiday giving donation, or pledge.


Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, and Communion Liturgy from Feasting on the Word: Advent Companion, ed. David L. Bartlett, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Kimberly Bracken Long. Westminster John Knox Press (Louisville KY, 2014), pp. 157, 51, 182-184. Used by permission.


People, Look East: Words: Eleanor Farjeon (1928); Music: trad. French carol, harm. by Martin Shaw (1928) used by permission of Oxford University Press. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Nothing Between: Words & Music: Charles Albert Tindley (1906).


Great Is Thy Faithfulness: Words: Thomas O. Chisholm (1923); Music: William M. Runyan (1923), copyright renewed 1951 by Hope Publishing Co. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.

November 29, 2020

First Sunday in Advent

First, check out our first week of Advent Candle Lighting.


Then scroll to the next video below to be taken to the First Week of Advent worship service created by the Baltimore-Washington Conference's Bishop Easterling and the Cabinet, which we will share with United Methodist congregations across the conference. 


The Bishop's service is the only worship service offered for Nov. 29; 

St. Paul's will return to broadcasting from our Sanctuary on Dec. 6.





November 22, 2020

Christ the King Sunday

Click HERE for today's YouTube Livestream of the service, starting at 11:00 a.m.




The parts of the service are below. Worship music today is made possible through the Anne and Gene Garrett Memorial Music Fund, named in loving memory of generous donors and life-long music supporters whose legacy provides St. Paul’s UMC with the ongoing gift of music.


Announcements  - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Call to Worship - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Gather us in, Mysterious Maker God. That being close to you we will understand your intention for creation. Weave us into one, Sweet Savior of All. That living your ways we will create communities of faith and peace. Gather us in, Powerful Spirit of Renewal. That treasuring the past we will boldly shape the future. Weave us into one, Holy One in Three. That women and men together may be the signs of your presence, the weavers of your communities and the witnesses to your coming. Gather us in this day so that we might gather strength from You. Amen.


Hymn - Now Thank We All Our God - St. Paul’s Vocal Band & Orchestra

-- Verse 1: Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices. Who wond'rous things has done, in whom His world rejoices; Who from our mother's arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

-- Verse 2: O may this bounteous God, through all our life be near us with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us. and keep us in His grace and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.

-- Verse 3: All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son and Him who reigns, and Them in highest heaven. The one eternal God whom earth and heaven adore, for thus it was, is now, and shall be ever more. (repeat)


Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Anthem - Anthems of Love - St. Paul's Vocal Band & Orchestra

Allelu, Alleluia, Allelu, Alleluia. Around us the sound of celestial music, anthems of love from the heavenly throne; the Father himself singing over His children, His love-song His gift that He sings to His own. Sing to the Lord, with a song give him glory. Heaven will hear and join in our praise. The Father Himself singing over His children, taking delight in the anthems we raise. Sing with the sun as it rises each morning; melody, harmony lighting the day. Sing through the night with the moon and stars shining, hymns of deliverance, pardon, and grace. Echoes of love coming down from the Father, echoes of love that we lift to His throne, Sing to the Lord, with a song give Him glory; heaven will hear and join in our praise.  The Father Himself singing over His children, taking delight in the anthems we raise. (repeat)  


Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

        11 For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

        20 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

        23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.


Ephesians 1:15-23

      15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.


Matthew 25:31-46

        31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”


Anthem - Celtic Thanksgiving - words by J. Paul Williams, music by Joseph M. Martin  - St. Paul’s Vocal Band & Orchestra

I will give thanks to the Lord, I will give praise to the God of creation. I will give praise, sing unto the Rock of salvation. Thank you Lord, yours is the power and glory. Thank you Lord, yours is the honor and praise. This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise. The morning light, the lily white declare their maker's praise.  This is my Father's world, He shines in all that's fair. In the rustling grass I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. I will give thanks to the Lord. I will give praise to the hope of the nations. I will give thanks to the Lord. I will give thanks with a song of glad adoration. Thank you Lord, yours is the power and glory. Thank you Lord, yours is the honor and praise. (repeat) This is my Father's world, I will give thanks. (repeat)


Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Dr. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Appreciation of Outgoing Church Leadership - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen and Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, pastors


Hymn - All Things Bright and Beautiful - St. Paul’s Vocal Band & Orchestra 

-- Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

-- Verse 1: Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings. (Refrain)

-- Verse 2: The purple headed mountains, the river running by. the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky. (Refrain)

-- Verse 3: The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one. (Refrain)

-- Verse 4: God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we may tell how great is God almighty, who has made all things well. (Refrain)


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Click here for this week's announcements.


Click here to submit a prayer request.


Click here to make an offering, holiday giving donation, or pledge.


Call to Worship: Contemporary Calls to Worship from Third Millennium Ministries, Inc., accessed 11/20/2020 https://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/worship/calls.contemp.html


Now Thank We All Our God. Words by Martin Rinkart, trans. Catherine Winkworth; music by Johann Cruger, arr. Don Chapman. Music copyright 2007, Hearts to God Music, Inc. Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Anthems of Love, Words by Susan Bentall Boersma Music by Dan Forrest. Copyright 2016, Beckenhorst Press. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


"Recognition of Outgoing Leadership," UM Book of Worship, p.599-600 (alt.).


A Celtic Thanksgivingwords by J. Paul Williams, music by Joseph M. Martin. Copyright 2008, GlorySound & Malcolm Music divisions of Shawnee Press, Nashville TN. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


All Things Bright and Beautiful
, words and music by Cecil Frances Alexander, arranged by Gian-Philip Torro. Streamed by special permission of the arranger.


St. Paul's Vocal Band & Orchestra
Under the direction of Tom Pedersen, Director of Music
Sopranos - Anna Philips Brown, Bea Ann Philips
Altos - Cecelia Bracey, Heather Gifford
Tenors - Noah Beye, Shiloh Orr
Bass - Scott Weikert
Violins - Devon Oviedo, Michael Polonchak
Viola - Andrew Weaver
Cello - Amy Stennett Smith
Bass - Cyndy Elliott
Guitar - Lawrence France Jr.
Percussion - Danny Villanueva






Sunday, NOvember 15, 2020

Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Please click HERE to view the worship service available at 11:00 a.m. Here are the parts of this service:


Announcements - Marge Higgins , Lay Leader


Prelude – A Pleasant Thought by Florence B. Price – Marvin Mills , Organist


Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Scripture Reading  – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Emma Cooper , Lay Reader

     1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.


UM Hymnal #128 He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought


Gospel Reading - Matthew 25:14-30 – Emma Cooper , Lay Reader

     14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”


Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor


Anthem – Prelude on Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us by Emma Lou Diemer – Marvin Mills , Organist


Benediction – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor


Postlude - Fugue in C (Voluntary IX) by G. F. Handel – Marvin Mills , Organist


A Pleasant Thought by Florence B. Price, copyright 2009 by GIA Publications, Inc. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought, words by Joseph H. Gilmore (1862), music by William B. Bradbury (1864). Public domain.


Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, by Emma Lou Diemer from the tune by William B. Bradbury, copyright 1990 The Sacred Music Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.



Embedded Video will become available at 11:00 on Sunday, November 15. 





Sunday, November 8, 2020

twenty-second Sunday after pentecost

Click HERE to view worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:


Announcements - Marge Higgins , Lay Leader


Prelude - Opening Voluntary by James Cox Beckel


Call to Worship (United Methodist Book of Worship #455)

You have come from afar and waited long and are weary. Let us sit side by side, sharing the same bread drawn from the same source, to quiet the same hunger that makes us weak. Then standing together let us share the same spirit, the same thoughts that once again draw us together in friendship and unity and peace. 


UM Hymnal #117 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past


Opening Prayer (United Methodist Book of Worship #510)

Almighty God, in a world of change you placed eternity in our hearts and gave us power to discern good from evil. Grant us sincerely, that we may persistently seek the things that endure, refusing those which perish, and that, amid things vanishing and deceptive, we may see the truth steadily, follow the light faithfully, and grow ever richer in that love which is the life of all people; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 


Anthem - Andante Sonata in Dm, Op. 65, No. 6 by Felix Mendelssohn


Proclamation of the Word - Scripture Reading Joshua 24:14-25

   14“Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

    16Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

    19But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” 21And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the LORD!” 22Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24The people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.


Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton , Associate Pastor


Pastoral Prayer & Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor


UM Hymn #328 - Surely the Presence of the Lord


Benediction


Postlude - Prelude on ST. ANNE by Benjamin M. Culli


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To make your Pledge for 2021, click here.

To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here.





Opening Voluntary by James Cox Beckel. Public domain.


Opening Prayer and Call to Worship from The United Methodist Book of Worship, copyright 1992 by the United Methodist Publishing House, used by permission.


O God, Our Help in Ages Past, words by Isaac Watts, 1719; music attr. to William Croft, 1708; harmonized by W. H. Monk, 1861. Public domain.


Andante Sonata in Dm, Op. 65, No. 6 by Felix Mendelssohn. Public domain.


Surely the Presence of the Lord, words & music by Lanny Wolfe, copyright 1977 Lanny Wolfe Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Streamed by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


St. Anne by Benjamin M. Culli, in the Augsburg Organ Library (Healing and Funerals volume), copyright 2013. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.

October 25, 2020

11:00 am

Due to rain, the outdoor in-person service has been canceled. Worship will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 11:00 AM. Click HERE to view the service. The order of worship is below.


If you planned to bring your offering or pledge form to the in-person service this Stewardship Sunday, please consider using our secure online Giving page to make your offering or to record your pledge for 2021 (http://stpaulsk.org/giving). Contributions and forms are also gratefully received through the mail at the church office (10401 Armory Avenue, Kensington MD 20895).


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Call to Worship - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

     We gather together in the name of the One who bids us come.

     We gather together to hear the words of the One who is Love.

     We gather together to sing praises of the One who teaches peace.

     Come, let us worship!


Music - Blessed Assurance


Scripture Reading - Nehemiah 6:15-16 - Melanie Modlin, Lay Reader

      15So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem; for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.



Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Baptism

     Ethan Petch


Confirmation

     Audrey Brown

     Matthias Meszaros


Music - Oh Happy Day


Benediction


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To make your Pledge for 2021, click here.

To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here.




St. Paul's Vocal Band

Anna Phillips Brown, soprano

Cecelia Bracy, alto

Shiloh Orr, tenor

Noah Beye, baritone

James Woods, keyboard

Cyndy Elliot, bass

Danny Villanueva, drums

under the direction of Tom Pedersen, Director of Music


Call to Worship: "Peace in Community" by Miriam Spies, The United Church of Canada / L’Église Unie du Canada.  http://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/worship-ideas_international-peace_community.docx


Blessed Assurance, words by Fanny J. Crosby and music by Pheobe Knapp, arranged by Mark Hayes. Copyright 2001, Beckenhorst Press, Inc. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Oh Happy Day, words & music by Edwin R. Hawkins, arranged by Roger Emerson. Copyright 2006, Kama Rippa Music, Inc. & Edwin R. Hawkins Music.

October 18, 2020

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Click HERE at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday for the worship service, live-streaming from the Sanctuary.

Please join us next week in-person in Reinhardt Park (weather permitting) at 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 25.

To sign up to attend worship in-person in the Sanctuary on November 1 at 9:00 or 10:30 a.m., click here.


Order of Worship


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Prelude on Lord, I don't Feel Noways Tired by Adolphus Hailstork - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

  • Leader: We gather in worship of Creator, who has given us the power to be called His children, and the blessing of our place in Creation!
  • People: When I know my place, I respect the place of others -- all my relations.
  • Leader: When we understand that humans are just part of the created universe, we have a better understanding of our place.
  • People: I am part of all Creator has made, and I come to this holy place to praise and worship Him!


Hymn - UM Hymnal #525  - We’ll Understand It Better By and By - verses 1 & 3


Scripture Reading - Nehemiah 2:16, 3:1-2, 4:7, 5:1-10 - David Weaver, Lay Reader

       16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work.

        1Then the high priest Eliashib set to work with his fellow priests and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2And the men of Jericho built next to him. And next to them Zaccur son of Imri built.

       7But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry[.] 

         1Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin. 2For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many; we must get grain, so that we may eat and stay alive.” 3There were also those who said, “We are having to pledge our fields, our vineyards, and our houses in order to get grain during the famine.” 4And there were those who said, “We are having to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay the king’s tax. 5Now our flesh is the same as that of our kindred; our children are the same as their children; and yet we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been ravished; we are powerless, and our fields and vineyards now belong to others.”

        6I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7After thinking it over, I brought charges against the nobles and the officials; I said to them, “You are all taking interest from your own people.” And I called a great assembly to deal with them, 8and said to them, “As far as we were able, we have bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to other nations; but now you are selling your own kin, who must then be bought back by us!” They were silent, and could not find a word to say. 9So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10Moreover I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us stop this taking of interest.”


Hymn - UM Hymnal #512 - Stand By Me - verses 1 & 3


Sermon - The Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


Ministry Moment: Faithful Giving


Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Hymn - UM Hymnal #533 - We Shall Overcome - verses 2 & 5


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Postlude - Chaconne by Louis Couperin - Marvin Mills, Organist


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here.




"Lord, I Don't Feel Noways Tired," from the collection Listen to the Lamb by Adolphus Hailstork, copyright 2003 by Concordia Publishing House. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


Call to Worship: Calls to Worship for Native American Ministries Sunday by Jeff Ramsland, © 2009. All Rights Reserved. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/21st-century-worship-resources-for-native-american-ministries-sunday


"We'll Understand It Better By and By," words & music by Charles Albert Tindley (1906), arr. by F. A. Clark (1906). In The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), #525. Used by permission.  


"Stand By Me," words & Music by Charles Albert Tindley (1906), arr. by William Farley Smith. Copyright 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


"We Shall Overcome," Traditional African-American Spiritual, adapt. by William Farley Smith. Copyright 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Chaconne, Louis Couperin, transcribed by Joseph Bonnet, c. 1913. Public domain.

SUNDAY, oCTOBER 11, 2020

nINETEENTH sUNDAY aFTER pENTECOST

Click HERE at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday to view the Worship Service including live-streaming and recorded submissions.


Order of Worship


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Prelude - Prelude on Lord, Build Me a Cabin in Glory Land by Uzee Brown, Jr. - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

-- Leader: We come this morning, hoping for healing and rest.

-- People: Healing can be hard when the world seems harsh and cruel.

-- Leader: We come seeking peace after the blast, even among the shrapnel of images embedded in our collective minds.

-- People: Peace can be hard when the world roars in chaos and pain.

-- Leader: We come to a God who knows what it is to have nails in flesh and bone. We come to a God who knows our pain.

-- People: We come to you, O God, because you know how to change death into life and chaos into beauty. Anoint this hour with your peace as we worship in your name.


Hymn - UM Hymnal #131 – We Gather Together (Verses 1 & 2)


Opening Prayer - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Scripture - Nehemiah 1:8 - 2:5 - Debbie Zechar, Lay Reader

     8"Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’ 10They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”

     At the time, I was cupbearer to the king. 

     1In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was served him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. Now, I had never been sad in his presence before. 2So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This can only be sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors’ graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.”


Hymn - UM Hymnal #130 – God Will Take Care of You (Verses. 1 & 4)


Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Ministry Moment: Thoughts on Giving - guest speaker


Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Hymn - UM Hymnal #536 – Precious Name (Verses 1 & 4)


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


Postlude - Prelude on Take the Name of Jesus with You by Emma Lou Diemer - Marvin Mills, Organist


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here. 





Call to Worship: The Rev. Mantu Joshi, "Call To Worship (Boston Marathon Bombings)" at https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/call-to-worship-boston-marathon-bombings


Lord, Build Me a Cabin in Glory Land, arr. Uzee Brown, Jr. Copyright 2008 GIA Publications. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved. 


"We Gather Together," words Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, 1626, trans. Theodore Baker 1894; music 16th c. Dutch melody, arr. Edward Kremser, 1877. In The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), #131. Used by permission.  


"God Will Take Care of You," words Civilla D. Martin, 1904; music W. Stillman Martin, 1905. In The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), #131. Used by permission.  


"Precious Name," words Lydia Baxter, 1870; music William H. Doane, 1871. In The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), #536. Used by permission.


Take the Name of Jesus with You by Emma Lou Diemer, copyright 1990, The Sacred Music Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.).  Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.

Special Sunday Offerings: 

World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday is one of the Special Offerings designated by the global United Methodist Church. During pre-covid times, a special offering envelope would be provided along with worship bulletins. This connectional giving supports work throughout the UMC. On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to support the division of chaplains and ministries, and the scholarship funds for international minority groups pursuing graduate-level education as part of their ministry call to serve God's world.


Click HERE to make a secure online donation to World Communion Sunday.

Easter Greetings!

With the help of our Sanctuary Choir, the clergy and staff have put together a short video wishing you all a blessed Easter and looking forward to happy times when we can gather again in person.

LOADING PLAYER…

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost / WOrld Communion Sunday

Click HERE at 11:00 to view the Worship service, including live-streaming and recorded segments.


This Sunday is World Communion Sunday and one of the designated "Special Giving Sundays" in the global United Methodist Church. To make a special offering to World Communion Sunday, click HERE. To make your regular church offering online, click HERE. To read more about secure online Giving at St. Paul's on our Giving page click HERE.


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Prelude - Prelude on Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ by John A. Behnke - Marvin Mills, Organist


Call to Worship - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

-- Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God!

-- People: The skies proclaim God's handiwork.

-- L: The day pronounces God's glory without a sound, the night expounds God's knowledge without a word.

-- P: And yet their voice goes out through all the earth.


Hymn - UM Hymnal #114 – Many Gifts, One Spirit


Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

-- God who speaks,

     Your law is perfect, reviving the soul; your commandment is clear, enlightening the eyes.

     May your Spirit illumine this Word that our eyes may be opened and our souls revived.

     In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


Pastoral Prayer


Children's Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education


Anthem - Prelude on Many and Great, O God (LACQUIPARLE) by David Schelat - Marvin Mills, Organist


Scripture - Psalm 24

1The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,

    the world, and those who live in it;

2 for he has founded it on the seas,

    and established it on the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

    And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

    who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

    and do not swear deceitfully.

5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,

    and vindication from the God of their salvation.

6 Such is the company of those who seek him,

    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

    that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is the King of glory?

    The LORD, strong and mighty,

    the LORD, mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

    that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

    The LORD of hosts,

    he is the King of glory.


Hymn - UM Hymnal #148 – Many and Great, O God


Sermon – Rev. Lemuel Dominguez, Guest Preacher


Prayer of Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Communion - The Great Thanksgiving

-- Leader: The Lord be with you.

-- People: And also with you.

-- L: Lift up your hearts.

-- People: We lift them up to the Lord.

-- L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

-- People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

-- L: It is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Creating God, even in the midst of such strange times around the world. You formed us, breathing life into us. When we got ourselves into that first strange time in the garden, you clothed us and watched over us as we went out to make our own way. Your love kept calling us back to you, and sometimes we heard it. When we stepped into freedom after bondage in Egypt, we were following your love. Even in the midst of the strange times of famines and illness, injustice and unrest, you continued to create by speaking love into our hearts through prophets and teachers, priests and widows. And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.

-- People: Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might.

     Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

     Hosanna in the highest.

     Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

-- Leader: We praise you for speaking love into and through Jesus Christ. He knew what it was like to grow up in strange times. He grew up under the violence of Roman occupation. He grew up impoverished, experiencing the pain of poverty. His heart was open to see the way we use religion not to nourish and strengthen, but to cut down and cover up. And even though the suffering of the world seemed insurmountable then, just as it does today, Jesus proclaimed the coming of a world defined entirely by love. He poured your love over us through healing the sick and eating with sinners, and he challenged us to love one another and ourselves as you love us all. Around the world our tables look different and even strange today, but your Table is always one defined by love. We love one another even by not partaking of one literal loaf. We love one another by wearing masks and distancing our bodies, even though we long to hold hands, hug, and sing. The first communion meal was a fraught table just as ours is now. Jesus knew some of his friends would betray him, deny him, and abandon him. And he nourished them anyway, just as you nourish us in these strange times. You gave yourself to us in Jesus, pouring love over us, filling us with grace. You took bread and said:

-- People: “This is my body, which is given for you.

     Do this in remembrance of me.”

-- Leader: You took drink from the vine and said:

-- People: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

     poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

-- Leader: The disciples did not understand. We do not understand. But we remember. May our remembering connect us to you and one another even in such strange times. So let us proclaim this great mystery of our faith:

-- People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

-- Leader: Pour out your Spirit on us gathered here and on these gifts of bread and cup, pointing us toward that day when we who are many will partake of one loaf and one cup. Breathe life and love into us and knit us together, even as we eat distanced from one another. Make these gifts for us be the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for this broken world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. Though our communion this morning may feel disjointed and strange, nourish us to minister with all the world until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Child Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever. 

-- People: Amen.

-- Leader: And now with the confidence of children of God, let us pray as Jesus taught us: 


The 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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.


The Breaking of the Bread and Offering of the Cup and Sharing in the Feast


The Prayer after Receiving

Leader: Behold: we have experienced a mystery! Ordinary bread and ordinary fruit become for us nourishing life that can transform even the grief and fear of these strange times into hope and love. May it be so not just in this meal but each meal. And may we who have been fed go forth to feed others. Amen.


Hymn – Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ


Benediction - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


Postlude - Batalla del 5. Tono / Batalla on the 5th Tone, 17th cent. Spanish anonymous - Marvin Mills, Organist


CLICK HERE to read this week's announcements as listed in the weekly news.

Please note: The congregational meeting with vote on the Welcoming Statement and Reconciling Ministries Network will be on October 18; registration required. Find more information by clicking HERE.



Prelude on Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (Linstead) by John A. Behnke, copyright 1975, 1999, 2016 by Hope Publishing. Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


Call to Worship and Opening Prayer from Feasting on the Word Year A, Vol. 2, ed. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), p. 187.


Many Gifts, One Spirit. Words & Music by Al Carmines, copyright 1974 by Al Carmines, in The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville TN: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), #114. Used by permission. 


"Lacquiparle (Many and Great)" from Many and Great: Seven Settings for Organ by David Schelat, copyright 2018, Birnamwood/Morningstar Music Publishers. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Many and Great, O God. Words: Joseph R. Renville (1846); para. Philip Frazier (1929), Music: Native American Melody, harmonized by Richard Proulx (1986). Copyright 1986, GIA Publications, Inc. Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ," Words & Music by Fred Kaan, copyright 1975, Hope Publishing Company. Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.



Let's Get Ready to Worship

If you have decided to join us for worship in the sanctuary on Sunday November 1, 2020 there are a few things you will want to take into consideration as you prepare. 


It does indeed grieve our spirits to have to require these actions. However, for the safety and well-being of all, we truly pray for your loving understanding and obedience.


ENTERING

  • Everyone attending both services shall enter through the Mitchell St. Entrance.
  • At the Mitchell St. Entrance, prior to entering the building, your temperature will be taken via an infrared thermometer and your name checked against the pre-registration list. Anyone whose temperature is above 100.4 degrees or who declines to have their temperature taken will not be allowed to enter.
  • If your temperature is less than 100.4 degrees and you are masked and your name is on the list, you will be allowed to enter and the ushers will admit you to the Sanctuary.


WORSHIP

  • You may only sit in those seats designated as available - no exceptions. If a seat is designated unavailable, do not attempt to sit there.
  • Bulletins are placed on the seats for your use.
  • Communion will be distributed by the pastors but you will not open the elements in the Sanctuary. You must take the elements home to be consumed. Those wishing to light a candle for All Saints Sunday will be able to do so at the time they come to receive the communion elements.
  • The congregation will not be singing or humming to the music – it is a time of prayerful reflection.
  • The only bathroom available for use will be the family bathroom on the administrative hallway.


EXITING

  • Congregation will be invited to deposit their offering in the collection plates that will be located near the designated exit at the time they depart the Sanctuary.
  • At the conclusion of the worship service and after the benediction, the congregation shall wait to be dismissed by the ushers and are to immediately exit the Sanctuary via the door into the Memorial Garden.


All attendees are to remain masked at all times (covering mouth and nose). Failing to properly wear the mask or to remain masked will result in the service concluding immediately.

In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary

November 1, 2020


9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.- In-Person, Reservations Required!


10:30 a.m. service will also be livestreamed -

click here to view and find the bulletin at our Worship at Home page


All Saints Sunday and will mark our first time welcoming worshipers into the Sanctuary since March. Seats are limited and covid-related precautions will be in place. Worship services will be held at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. The 10:30 worship service will also be live-streamed for viewing from the safety and comfort of your home.


Click HERE to register if you wish to attend IN PERSON in the Sanctuary on November 1. 


Please scroll down to read the Instructions for all those in attendance or click here to download the instructions in *pdf format.

September 20, 2020

Sixteenth Sunday after pentecost

Click HERE at 11:00 a.m. or on the image below to see the YouTube Live worship service. This week's service will include Live Streaming portions! The video will also be available for viewing afterward. Thank you for your patience as we try some new things. Here is the Order of Worship, including congregational prayers and responses.


--Announcements  - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


--Prelude -  IX. Dialogue, Mass for the Parishes by François Couperin - Marvin Mills, Organist


--Call to Worship

      Leader: The works of the Lord are great. Remember what God has done.

      People: Give thanks to the Lord.


--Hymn UM Hymnal #117 – O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Verses 1 & 5)


--Prayer of Confession

    Gracious God,

    we have sought after things, but we have not sought after you.

    We have expected generosity, but we have not shown generosity.

    We have note bee gracious or grateful.

    We have failed to remember all that you have done.

    Forgive us and fill our hearts with gratitude.

    Help us to share our gifts, and strengthen our legs so that we can

       run after you, O God.

    In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


-- Declaration of Forgiveness & Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor


-- The Lord's Prayer (UM Hymnal #895)

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.


-- Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV) - Melanie Modlin, Lay Reader

1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”


-- Hymn UM Hymnal #479 – Jesus, Lover of My Soul


-- Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


-- Ministry Moment - Children's Thoughts on Giving


-- Prayer of Dedication


-- Hymn UM Hymnal #508 – Faith, While Trees Are Still in Blossom (Verse 1 & 5)


-- Benediction


-- Postlude Postlude on ABERYSTWYTH by Ashley Grote - Marvin Mills, Organist


NEXT WEEK: In-person outdoor service at Reinhardt Park (across from St. Paul's front doors), 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. This worship service will also include a pet blessing. READ MORE HERE!


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.


To make your offering securely online, click here. 


To read the full list of weekly announcements, click here. 


Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession from Feasting on the Word Year A, Vol. 2, p. 166. Used by permission.


-- Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom, words by Anders Frostenson, trans. by Fred Kaan; music by V. Earle Copes. Copyright 1988 by Hope Publishing Company. 

-- Postlude on Aberystwyth, by Ashley Grote, from Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists: Lent and Passiontide. Copyright 2015 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Permission to podcast/stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.




September 13, 2020

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Click HERE or on the video below to see the YouTube Live worship service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

This week's service will include Live Streaming portions! Thank you for your patience as we explore new production methods.


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude - Prelude on CWM RHONDDA by Paul Manz - Marvin Mills, organist

Call to Worship - Emma Cooper, Lay Reader

Who is like you, O Lord, majestic in holiness

and awesome in splendor?

We will sing to the Lord,

for God has triumphed gloriously.

God is our strength, our might,

and our salvation!

Music - Hymn, from Partita on DETROIT* by David Hurd - Marvin Mills, Organist

Opening Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Old Testament Reading - Exodus 14:19-31 - Emma Cooper, Lay Reader

Music - Variation I/Smoothly by David Hurd - Marvin Mills, Organist

Gospel Reading - Matthew 18:21-35 - Emma Cooper, Lay Reader

Music - Variation II/Playfully by David Hurd - Marvin Mills, Organist

Sermon - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

Pastoral Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

Blessing of Sunday School Teachers and Christian Education Leaders - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton and Meg Baker

Christian Education Teachers & Leaders: 

Pat Allen, Meg Baker, Martha Frances Burak, Jay Codner, Carol Davies, Ashley Derr, Kate Mackereth Fulton, 

Wendy Manning, Kathy Mullens, Holly Smartt, Micah Smartt, Lyn Walker

Third Graders Receiving Personalized Bibles: 

Sebastian Derr , Carter Gelatt, Eloise Gordillo, Helena Gordillo, Alex Lombardo, Ila Martone, George Molander, 

Henry Montgomery, Gabe Petrus, Jacob Richmond, Trey Scott, Jackson Weaver

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, Senior Pastor

Music - Variation IX/Sturdily with accent by David Hurd - Marvin Mills, Organist


* DETROIT is the tune name for the hymn Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive (United Methodist Hymnal #390)


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the Scripture and a full list of weekly announcements, click here.



Partita on DETROIT, by David Hurd (Copyright 2006 Birnamwood Publications, admin. by MorningStar Music Publishers) and Prelude on CWM RHONNDA by Paul Manz (Copyright 1989 MorningStar Music Publishers), used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 



Outdoor in-person worship at St. Paul's

Please note! 

OUTDOOR WORSHIP CANCELED due to the chance of rain

Sunday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. (NEW TIME) 



Here is what you should know:

  • If weather conditions threaten a cancellation, we will do our best to make a decision on Friday evening based on the forecast. Any cancellation will be announced on stpaulsk.org, Facebook, and sent by email to the weekly news group. (Click here to sign up for the Weekly News emails.) That being said, if you wake up on Sunday and despite our best guess, there is rain - just stay home and enjoy a live-stream of the service using Facebook live (https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington)
  • Four young people from the 2020 Confirmation Class will be welcomed into full membership.
  • This worship service will include Holy Communion. You are invited to bring your own bread and juice to be consecrated during the service. This month, we also offer the option of providing each person with an "all in one" sealed package with a wafer and juice.
  • All those present should save their communion elements instead of consuming them during the service. Prayerfully consume them at home or in your vehicle, after washing or sanitizing your hands. This way, you will not remove your mask or touch your face in a way that could risk exposing yourself - or your neighbors here - to illness.
  • Bring picnic blankets or folding chairs to the park. Arrange physically-distanced seating with your family or group, keeping at least 6 feet between groups. 
  • Please avoid making physical contact with others. (We know it's hard to resist giving elbow-bumps, high-fives, or even hugs! But we can do hard things to keep our friends as safe as possible.)
  • All those attending in the park must wear masks the entire time, covering the nose and mouth.
  • Parking on Armory Avenue should be reserved for those who wish to participate "drive-in" style from the safety of a vehicle. All others may park in the church lot, town hall lot, or at the baker's union.
  • Drive-in viewers should tune your radio to 101.7 FM while on site.
  • On Saturday night, you can find the bulletin text on this page, along with a downloadable file. Our bulletin has been reformatted so you can view it on a smartphone or tablet or print it on a standard home printer.
  • There will be no congregational singing in the park.
  • If you wish to drop off your offering, ushers will be available to direct you to the drop-off location.
  • Please do NOT bring snacks, meals, drinking water, or other drinks to the park, since people would have to remove a mask to consume these things.
  • Worship will be available online in real time through Facebook Live - no Facebook account required (https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington/) and a higher-quality video will be available later in the week on our Worship At Home page.

Worship on November 1 will be in-person, indoors in the Sanctuary; reservations are required! Please read more below. On Sundays when we cannot join together in person, please click here to visit the Worship-at-Home page for worship services, posted each Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

September 6, 2020

Fourteenth Sunday after pentecost

The service is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here is the order of worship:

Welcome - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude - I. Andantino from 24 Liturgical Preludes by Gaston Litaize – Marvin Mills, Organist

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 – John Stephens, Lay Reader

Children's Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education

New Testament Reading: Acts 2:42-47 - John Stephens, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Hymn #618 - Let Us Break Bread Together - Marvin Mills, Organist

Epistle Reading: Romans 12:1-12 - Thomas Stephens, Lay Reader

Sermon - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Giving Moments - Lorraine Stalcup, Sam Smith

Offertory Prayer - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Anthem - Meditation on For the Bread Which Thou Hast Broken (Cross of Jesus) by Emma Lou Diemer - Marvin Mills, Organist

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Postlude - Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin - Marvin Mills, Organist


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the Scripture and a full list of weekly announcements, click here.


Let Us Break Bread Together, African American spiritual, arr. William Farley Smith, © 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Permission to podcast/stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


For the Bread Which Thou Hast Broken (Cross of Jesus), Emma Lou Diemer, © 1990 The Sacred Music Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 




August 30, 2020

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The service is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here is the order of worship:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude - Flute Solo by Thomas Arne – Marvin Mills, Organist

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton , Associate Pastor

Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:31-35 – Elias Chen, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Anthem - Give Me Jesus – Marvin Mills, Organist

Arranged by Marques L. A. Garrett, copyright 2009 Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Inc. Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.    

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Postlude - Fugue in G (Gigue), BWV 577 by J. S. Bach – Marvin Mills, Organist



August 22, 2020

Worship in the Park

Click on the video below to see our outdoor worship experience! 

You can download the bulletin in *pdf format by clicking HERE.

The service includes the following:  "I'll Fly Away" - Words & Music: Albert E. Brumley, copyright 1932 Hartford Music Company. Renewed 1960 Albert E. Brumley & Sons (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC) and "Shine, Jesus, Shine" - Words & Music: Graham Kendrick, copyright 1987 by Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved. 



Prayer Service

Monday, September 28

7:00 pm

This service of Word and Prayer will be dedicated to our upcoming church conference vote on the building renovation project.

Please plan to attend this service using Zoom.

To join, please use the link in the Weekly News message. You can access the Weekly News by clicking HERE. You can also contact Erin Steele in the office (stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org) or Rev. Dr. Pat Allen (pallen@stpaulsk.org).

August 16, 2020

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Worship recordings are available below at 11:00 on Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:


Announcements – Marge Higgins , Lay Leader

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor

Scripture Reading - Romans 11:1-2a, 29-31 – Cathy Knepper, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Benediction – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton


To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the Scripture and a full list of weekly announcements, click here.


Plan to join us for one in-person outdoor service on August 23 in Reinhardt Park. Please click here for more details!



August 9, 2020

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude  Adoration by Florence B. Price – Marvin Mills, Organist

Scripture Reading – Matthew 13:10-17 – David Weaver, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Anthem  Prelude on Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us by Wilbur Held Marvin Mills, Organist

Offering Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Postlude  Toccatina by Rachel Laurin Marvin Mills, Organist

To submit a Prayer Request, please click here.

To make your offering securely online, click here.

To read the Scripture and full list of weekly announcements, click here.


Plan to join us for one in-person outdoor service on August 23 in Reinhardt Park. Please click here for more details!

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August 2, 2020

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship-at-Home recordings are available here on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. 

Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude - Hocket, from Delaware Suite by David Schelat – Marvin Mills, Organist

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Children’s Message – Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education

Anthem - Prelude on Somos del Señor (When We Are Living) by Emma Lou Diemer – Marvin Mills, Organist

Scripture Reading - Matthew 13:1-9 – Henry Smith, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Anthem - Prelude on Let Us Break Bread Together by Dale Wood – Marvin Mills, Organist

Love Feast - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Offering Prayer - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Postlude - Allegro maestoso by Eugene Thayer – Marvin Mills, Organist

Click here to submit Prayer Requests.

Click here to make an offering securely online.

Click here to read this week's announcements and Scripture selections in the Weekly News.


Love Feast adapted from "Comfort Food: A Feast of Love" by Dr. Marcia McFee, www.worshipdesignstudio.com

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July 26, 2020

Eighth sunday after pentecost

Find the worship-at-home recording here at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday. 

Here are the parts of this service: 

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude - Chorale Prelude on In dir ist Freude, BWV 615, (In Thee Is Gladness) by J. S. Bach – Marvin Mills, Organist

New Testament Scripture Reading  Romans 8:26-29 – Emma Cooper, Lay Reader

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Gospel Reading  Matthew 13:44-52 – Emma Cooper, Lay Reader  

Anthem - Fantasy on Walk Together, Children, Don't You Get Weary by André J. Thomas – Marvin Mills, Organist

Sermon – Rev. Tony Love, Guest Preacher

Baptism of Quinn Bernice Elizabeth Maloney

Benediction – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Click here to submit Prayer Requests.

Click here to make an offering securely online.

Click here to read this week's announcements and Scripture selections in the Weekly News.

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Outdoor Worship

View our Outdoor Worship from July 19!

Click HERE to download the Worship Bulletin to follow along.

Gathering for Worship

Welcome & Announcements: Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Call to Worship

Anthem  "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" (Noah Beye and Anna Phillips-Brown singing with James Woods, piano)

Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:10-19a

Sermon: Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Response to the Word (You may visit stpaulsk.org/giving to make a secure donation online.) 

Anthem "Sing Me to Heaven" (Noah Beye and Anna Phillips-Brown singing, with James Woods, piano) 

Pastoral Prayer & Prayer of Dedication: Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Thanksgiving and Holy Communion, 

The Invitation, The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking the Bread & Consecrating the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Passing the Peace

Hymn #418 - "We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder" 

Benediction


10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord), words & music by Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman, © 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


"We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder," African American spiritual, arr. William Farley Smith, © 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Permission to podcast/stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.

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St. Paul's UMC In-Person OutDoor Worship in Reinhardt Park, Kensington MD

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. / Seventeenth Sunday after pentecost

Welcome to our in-person outdoor worship. To keep everyone as safe as possible, please follow these rules:

  • Wear masks at all times outdoors.
  • Maintain 6 feet of space between your family’s seating area and others.
  • To worship “drive-in” style from your vehicle, tune the radio to 101.7FM.
  • This service includes the Blessing of Pets. All small pets must remain inside carriers or cages, and large 4-legged pets must be on leashes. For the health and safety of all people and pets, please keep your animal physically under your direct control at all times and 6 feet away from those not part of your family or group.
  • This service includes Holy Communion. If you did not bring your own communion elements, an “all-in-one” sealed package with wafer and juice can be provided today.
  • Please follow instructions from worship leaders and ushers.
  • To read more details, please click here to jump down to the next section.
  • The order of worship is below. To download a *pdf of today's worship bulletin, click here.

Gathering for Worship


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader


Anthem - Your Love Defends Me by Hannah Kerr & Matt Maher, presented by James & Friends

Lyrics:  You are my joy. You are my song. You are the well, the One I’m drawing from. You are my refuge, my whole life long. Where else would I go? Refrain: Surely my God is the strength of my soul. Your love defends me, your love defends me. And when I feel like I’m all alone, Your love defends me, your love defends me. Day after day, night after night, I will remember You’re with me in this fight. Although the battle, it rages on, The war is already won. I know the war is already won. Refrain.


Proclamation of the Word


Old Testament Reading - Exodus 17:1-7

1From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”


Gospel Reading - Matthew 21:23-32

23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”


Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.


Anthem - All My Hope, by David Crowder & Ed Cash, presented by James & Friends

Lyrics: I’ve been held by the Savior. I’ve felt fire from above. I’ve been down to the river. I ain’t the same, a prodigal returned. Refrain: All my hope is in Jesus. Thank God that yesterday’s gone. All my sins are forgiven. I’ve been washed by the blood. I’m no stranger to prison. I’ve worn shackles and chains. But I’ve been freed and forgiven And I’m not going back, I’ll never be the same. Refrain


Sermon - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor


Response to the Word

There are many ways we can express our gratitude for God’s presence in our lives. Sharing our time, talents, and gifts are a part of our giving with joy. Although we will not pass offering plates, the ushers can direct you to the offering buckets at the end of the service if you wish to make a donation by cash or check today. You may also visit stpaulsk.org/giving to make a secure donation online.


Pastoral Prayer and Dedication - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Thanksgiving and Holy Communion

All people gathered today will have the option to present your own communion elements for consecration, or receive an “all in one” prepackaged juice and wafer. Please note, neither should be consumed in the park. Save them and prayerfully consume them at home or in your vehicle after washing or sanitizing your hands. This way, you will not remove your mask or touch your face in a way that could risk exposing yourself - or your neighbors here - to illness.

The Invitation

The Great Thanksgiving

L: The Lord be with you.

P: And also with you.

L: Lift up your hearts.

P: We lift them up to the Lord.

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

P: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

(The pastor gives thanks, remembering God’s acts of salvation, and concludes:) L: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

P: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

(The pastor continues the thanksgiving and concludes:) L: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

P: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

(The pastor continues and concludes:) L: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.

P: Amen.


The 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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.


Breaking the Bread & Consecrating the Elements

Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.


(Please, do NOT consume the communion elements at this time. Prayerfully consume them at home or in your vehicle after washing or sanitizing your hands. This way, you will not remove your mask or touch your face in a way that could risk exposing yourself - or your neighbors here - to illness.)


Prayer of Thanksgiving

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Anthem - All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil F. Alexander & William Henry Monk, presented by James & Friends

Lyrics: Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings. Refrain. The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, The sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky. Refrain. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden; He made them, every one. Refrain. He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well. Refrain.


Sending Forth

Blessing of Pets

Scripture Reading Genesis 1:20-25

20And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 


Blessing Liturgy

Leader: God created us and placed us on the earth to be stewards of all living things, therefore let us proclaim the glory of our Creator, saying:

People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you create the animals and give us the ability to train them to help us in our work.

P: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you give us food from animals to replenish our energies.

P: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; for the sake of our comfort you give us domestic animals as companions.

P: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you care for us even as you care for the birds of the air.

P: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you offered your Son to us as the passover lamb and in him willed that we should be called your children.

P: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.


Pastor Pat and Pastor Kate will move among those gathered, blessing the pets. You do not need to bring your pet forward to be presented today.


Anthem - Blue Boat Home by Peter Mayer & Roland Hugh Prichard, presented by James & Friends

Lyrics: Though below me, I feel no motion, Standing on these mountains and plains, far away from the rolling ocean, Still my dry land heart can say: I’ve been sailing all my life now, Never harbor or port have I known. The wide universe is the ocean I travel, And the earth is my blue boat home. Sun my sail and moon my rudder, As I ply the starry sea, Leaning over the edge in wonder, Casting questions into the deep. Drifting here with my ship’s companions, All we kindred pilgrim souls, Making our way by the lights of the heavens, In our beautiful blue boat home. I give thanks to the waves upholding me, Hail the great winds urging me on, Greet the infinite sea before me, Sing the sky my sailor’s song: I was born upon the fathoms, Never harbor or port have I known, The wide universe is the ocean I travel, And the earth is my blue boat home.


Anthem - All Things Bright and Beautiful arr. John Rutter, presented by James Woods, piano


Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


To submit a prayer request to the pastors or prayer team, click here.

To read this week's announcements, click here.

To make an offering securely online, click here.


Next Week - Scripture: Psalm 24; guest preacher Rev. Lemuel Dominguez

Worship at Home on October 4, 11:00 a.m. at stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home


Acknowledgement and Permissions:

We are thankful for the worship music today provided by James & Friends:

  • Anna Phillips Brown, soprano
  • Cecelia Bracy, alto
  • Shiloh Orr, tenor
  • Noah Beye, baritone
  • Danny Villanueva, drums
  • James Woods, keyboard and conductor


Your Love Defends Me. Words & Music: Hannah Kerr, Matt Maher. Arr. Dan Galbraith. Copyright 2016, Hannah Kerr Music (admin. by Black River Entertainment LLC). Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


All My Hope. Words & Music: David Crowder, Ed Cash. Arr. Dan Galbraith. Copyright 2016, Alletrop Music, worshiptogether.com songs (admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Used by permission under CCLI license #24106074. All rights reserved.


All Things Bright and Beautiful. Words by Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848. Music by William Henry Monk, 1887. Public domain.


“A Service for the Blessing of Animals,” copyright 1992, United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/book-of-worship/a-service-for-the-blessing-of-animals


Blue Boat Home. Words: Peter Mayer. Music: Roland Hugh Prichard. Arr. Jason Shelton. Copyright 2005, Jason Shelton Music, https://jasonsheltonmusic.com/music


All Things Bright and Beautiful, music by John Rutter, © 1983, Hinshaw Music, Inc. Permission to podcast/stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #735990-A. All rights reserved.


Image: Detail from The Animals Entering Noah’s Ark, by Jacopo Bassano. Oil on canvas, c. 1570. In the collection of the Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain). https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-animals-entering-noahs-ark/a234abf6-32db-48a2-9c13-c533b5ca3fd1

July 12, 2020

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

Worship recordings are available here Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Here are the parts of this service:


Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prayer and The Lord's Prayer - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Scripture Reading - Genesis 25:19-34 - Melanie Modlin, Lay Reader

Reflection - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor


Please join us next week, July 19, for an in-person outdoor worship service. 

8:45 a.m. - last names A-L

10:00 a.m. - last names M-Z

Reinhardt Park (across from St. Paul's front doors)

Click here for more details!

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July 5, 2020

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship-at-home is available at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – The Star-Spangled Banner (by Francis Scott Key, arr. Virgil Fox)– Marvin Mills, Organist

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Children’s Message – Dr. Meg Baker  Director of Christian Education

UM Hymnal #696 – America The Beautiful – Marvin Mills

Scripture Reading – Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 – Kaiea Naehu, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Offertory Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Special Music – Prelude on When Love Is Found (O Waly, Waly) (arr. Emma Lou Diemer) – Marvin Mills

Love Feast – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen and Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

(for more information about the Love Feast tradition in the UMC, visit https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/the-love-feast)

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Postlude – Festival March (Battle Hymn of the Republic, Lift Every Voice and Sing) (by Michael Burkhardt) – Marvin Mills

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June 28, 2020

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

The worship service is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:

Greeting & Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Scripture Reading Genesis 22: 1-14 – Debbie Zechar , Lay Reader

Music – Total Praise – James Woods & Friends

Scripture Reading – Matthew 10: 40-42 – Debbie Zechar

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor

Invitation to Offering – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Music – That’s How the Good Lord Works – James Woods & Friends

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen


That's How the Good Lord Works, words & music by David Frazier, Hezekiah Walker, and Phyliss Joubert, copyright 2019, Li'l Eva Music.

Total Praise, words & music by Richard Smallwood, copyright 1996 Bridge Building Music, Inc.

Used by permission under CCLI steaming license #24106074. All rights reserved.

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June 21, 2020

Third Sunday After Pentecost

Father's day

The worship service is available at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the parts of the service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 21:8-21 – Sebastian Derr , Lay Reader

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:24-39– Jonathan Derr, Lay Reader

Reflection – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen , Senior Pastor

"Bless the Lord" The Faith We Sing #2013 – Tom Pedersen, Director of Music

"Stay with Me" – The Faith We Sing #2198 – Tom Pedersen

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"UM Hymnal #349 – Tom Pedersen

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

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June 14, 2020

Second Sunday After Pentecost

Worship is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday

Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Opening Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Scripture Reading – Genesis 16:1-16  Bill Stephens, Lay Reader

Prayer of Petition & Intercession  Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Sermon  Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Benediction  Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

 

Bluegrass Sunday Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwW-xXWQCp-coICPWpFSp5tzbhYoyeZaK

Up Above My Head, Birmingham Sunday, Wayfaring Stranger, I Know I've Been Changed, Cry No More

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June 7, 2020

Trinity Sunday & Graduate Recognition Sunday

The worship recording is available below at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements - Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Opening Prayer - Elias Chen, Lay Reader, Class of 2020

UM Book of Worship #462: Our heavenly Father, we your humble children invoke your blessing on us. We adore you, whose name is love, whose nature is compassion, whose presence is joy, whose Word is truth, whose Spirit is goodness, whose holiness is beauty, whose will is peace, whose service is perfect freedom, and in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life. Unto you be all honor and all glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

UM Hymnal #145 - Morning Has Broken - James Woods, Youth Choir Director, and Friends

Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Anthem - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - James Woods & Friends

New Testament Reading - 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 - Elias Chen

Anthem - Good Good Father - James Woods & Friends

Gospel Reading - Matthew 28:16-20 - Elias Chen

Children’s Message - Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education

Anthem - It Is Well - James Woods & Friends

Sermon - Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Invitation to Respond - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Message to the Graduates - Chase Seabreeze, Council on Youth Ministries President, Class of 2020

Acknowledgement of Graduates -  Pomp and Circumstance - presented by Marvin Mills, Organist

Love Feast - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton & Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

(for more information about the Love Feast tradition in the UMC, visit https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/the-love-feast)

Hymn - They'll Know We Are Christians - James Woods & Friends

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

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May 31, 2020

Pentecost

The worship service recording is available at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.

Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – Choral Variations (I-III) on Veni creator* (Maurice Duruflé )

see UM Hymnal #651, "Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire"

Hymn #465 – Holy Spirit, Truth Divine   led by the Weikert Family

Opening Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Anthem – Every Time I Feel the Spirit (arr, Marvin Mills Mollie Weikert, soprano

Scripture – Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39  Ryan Lipford, Lay Reader  

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Invitation & Offering Prayer

Hymn #593 – Here I Am, Lord  led by the Weikert Family

Benediction

Postlude – Variation IV/Final* (Maurice Duruflé )


*from Prelude, Adagio and Choral Variations on the theme Veni creator, Op. 4

Theme/Andante religioso, Var. I/Poco meno lento, Var. II/Allegretto, Var. III/Andante espressivo

Var. IV/Final-Allegro

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May 24, 2020

Seventh Sunday in Eastertide

The worship service recording is available at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.

Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – Prelude on HYMN TO JOY (Benjamin M. Culli Marvin Mills, Organist

Opening Prayer and Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

The Lord's Prayer

Voluntary – Prelude on I Think When I Read That Sweet Story of Old (Emma Lou Diemer Marvin Mills, Organist (https://hymnary.org/text/i_think_when_i_read_that_sweet_story_luk for text and music)

Scripture – Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11;  John 17:1-11  David Weaver, Lay Reader  

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Offering Prayer

Benediction

Postlude – The Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa Marvin Mills, Organist

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May 17 - Sixth Sunday in Eastertide

The worship recording is available on demand starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. 

Here are the parts of this service:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – Jig by William Selby

Opening Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Scripture Reading - Melanie Modlin, Lay Reader

New Testament Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-12; Lectionary Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Voluntary – Prelude on BEACH SPRING (Tune for UM Hymnal #605, "Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters ") by Emma Lou Diemer  

Reflection – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Benediction – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Postlude – Chorale & Prelude on Wer nud den liben Gott lässt walten, BWV 642 (Tune for UM Hymnal #142, "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee") by J. S. Bach  

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Fifth Sunday of Eastertide

Check right here at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 10 for the worship service!

Happy Mother's Day! 

(Please scroll to the next section for a special Mother's Day Message from members of the Children's Choir.)

Here is the order of worship:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – Prelude on CRUCIFER, Ron Arnatt

Opening Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen, Senior Pastor

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor

Anthem – Call Jesus, Lena McLin (featuring Molly Allen, soprano)

Children's Message – Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education

Scripture Reading: I Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14  Ellis Harvey, Lay Reader

Hymn #2272 from The Faith We SingHoly Ground

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Offering Prayer – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Hymn #364 from the United Methodist HymnalBecause He Lives

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Postlude – Rhosymedre/Lovely, Ralph Vaughan Williams

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Special Mother's Day Message

In normal times, our Children's Choir and the joyful sounds they make brighten our worship service on Mother's Day. For today, the O'Neill, Derr, and Maloney families have recorded a special children's anthem. May it lift your spirits as they lift their voices!


PRAISE HIM by Meg Baker


Refrain: Praise Him for gardens in the rain,

For sun-kissed flowers of the spring.

Praise the Lord with all that is in you;

Lift up your voice and sing!


Every wave of the ocean, 

Every whisper of the wind,

Every color in the sunset

Should remind us of Him. (Refrain)

 

Trees to climb,

Hills to roll down,

Fireflies to catch and set free!  (Refrain)


Every rainbow in the heavens,

Every mother’s kiss goodnight,

Every breath we take is given

  By His everlasting light. (Refrain)

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4th Sunday of Eastertide

This service includes a time for a communal breaking of bread or meal known as the "love feast." To participate, you will want to have a candle, bread or food of your choice, and a beverage. (You can read more about the tradition of the Love Feast in the Methodist church at www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/the-love-feast.) 

Here is the order of worship:

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

Prelude – Prelude I, BWV 846, J. S. Bach (from the Well-Tempered Clavier)

Opening Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen 

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Voluntary – Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, arr. Don Phillips

Scripture – Acts 2:42-47; John 10:1-10

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Voluntary – Pastorale on BRADBURY, Dale Wood

Offering Prayer – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Voluntary – Wine of Peace, Charles Cameilleri

Love Feast – Revs. Pat Allen & Kate Mackereth Fulton

Benediction – Rev. Dr. Pat Allen

Postlude – One Bread, One Body, arr. Ron Schmoltze

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Worship: Second Sunday in Eastertide

Here are the parts of the service:

Announcements

Prelude  - Prelude on CHRIST AROSE (John Ferguson)

Opening Prayer

Children's Moment – Dr. Meg Baker

Scripture Readings – Acts 2: 14a, 22-32; John 20:19-31

Voluntary – Prelude on Liebster Jesu wir sind hier, BWV 634 (J.S. Bach)

Sermon – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Hymn – Go, My Children, with My Blessing (Welsh tune AR HYD Y NOS), led by the Weikert family

Love Feast and Benediction

Postlude  - Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54, No 6 (Louis Vierne)

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April 26 - Third Sunday in Eastertide

Parts of the service: 

Announcements – Marge Higgins, Lay Leader

PreludeMany and Great, O God, Are Thy Things, arr. Emma Lou Diemer (Tune LACUQUIPARLE/Native American melody, UM Hymnal #148)

Prayer for Native American Sunday – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Pastoral Prayer – Rev. Dr. Patricia Allen

Voluntary May the Mind of Christ My Savior, arr. Penny Rodriguez (Text: Kate B. Wilkinson, 1925; Music: A. Cyril Barham-Gould, 1925 tune ST. LEONARDS)

Scripture – Luke 24:13-35, Kenzie Raulin, Lay Reader

Sermon – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Guest Speaker Shaun Taylor-Corbett, actor with ancestry from the Aamsskaapipikani (Blackfeet) Nation

Offertory Prayer and Benediction – Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

PostludeWhat a Friend We Have in Jesus, arr. Emma Lou Diemer (Tune CONVERSE, UM Hymnal #526)

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Easter Sunday

Celebrate the message of hope made alive in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from your home or wherever you may be this year. This service offers Scripture, a sermon message from Rev. Dr. Pat Allen, a Children's Message from Meg Baker, music from Marvin Mills, and hymns for all to sing led by the voices of the Weikert family. Click here to download the worship bulletin, including hymns, and follow along at home.

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Maundy Thursday

The Maundy Thursday worship Service of Light & Breath is ready to play below. 

To participate, gather 6 candles, a pitcher of water and a bowl, a towel, soap, and oil or lotion.

Here are the parts of the service led by The Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton with music featuring Tom Pedersen, baritone, and Marvin Mills, organ & piano.

Introduction & Meditation

Hymn #503 – Let It Breathe on Me

First Reading - John 1:1-5 and Lighting the 1st Candle

Second Reading - Psalm 116:1-4 and Lighting the 2nd candle

Third Reading - Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 and Lighting the 3rd candle

Fourth Reading -  Hebrews 10:32-39 and Lighting the 4th Candle

Fifth Reading - John 13:1-17 and Lighting the 5th Candle

Hymn #420 – Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Sixth Scripture Reading - Psalm 116: 12-19 and Lighting the 6th Candle

Psalter Reading - Psalm 103:1-2

Anthem: The Lord’s Prayer (West Indian Melody)

Benediction

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Good Friday

This year, we offer you a Black Friday Meditation through art, music, and word. Pause to listen to "Crucifixion," the third movement from Symphonie Passion by Marcel Dupré, presented by Organist Marvin Mills, while you ponder artworks that echo the Stations of the Cross. Then consider Pastor Pat's closing meditation on the "necessary darkness" of this time.

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Palm Sunday Worship

Once you hit play, all videos will play automatically. See below for our order of worship.


Announcements - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Organ Prelude (Festive Prelude on St. Theodulph) - Marvin Mills

Hymn #280 - All Glory, Laud, and Honor - feat. The Weikert Family

Children's Message - Meg Baker

Anthem (The Palms) - Marvin Mills, piano, with Scott & Mollie Weikert

Scripture Readings - Philippians 2:5-11 and Matthew 21:1-11

Hymn #630 - Become to Us the Living Bread

Sermon - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Hymn #581 - Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service

Love Feast and Benediction - Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton

Organ Postlude (Three Spirituals for Palm Sunday: Ride On, King Jesus; Were You There; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot) - Marvin Mills

Archived Videos

Enjoy these videos from the last few weeks of Worship-At-Home!

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