Weekly Bulletin
Liturgy – Announcements – Prayer List
Click Here for the On-Line Attendance
1st Sunday of Lent
February 26th, 2023
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: The Peace of Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLES
PRELUDE: O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee Arr. By Smith/Hustad
Karen Joseph & Martha Hefner
*CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 32) Matt Schlenker— Liturgist
One: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
All: Happy are those whose spirit is honest and clear, without deceit of self or others.
One: When we keep silence in prayer, our spirits are laid open for transformation.
All: You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble, you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
One: I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
All: Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for you, all you upright in heart.
*HYMN: On Eagles Wings #438
*OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship and whet our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Old Rugged Cross Vicki Wright
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)
Righteous God, we find ourselves wanting to believe that we are not tempted to take short cuts to a life of basking in your love, while forgetting that your Love is for each and every one of your creatures, and all of creation. We eat bread in abundance while others go hungry. We forget that you are the Bread of Life. We find ourselves lifted to high places while forgetting those we exclude in the process. Forgive us for wanting to dwell in your presence without being transformed with new energy for the work of your ministry, the coming of the ways of heaven here on earth. Amen.
WORDS OF GRACE
*WE GIVE GLORY TO GOD Gloria Patri #734
♪Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. ♫
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Dan Bennett
SHARE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Benevolence giving for February: Camp Fund
*WE GIVE PRAISE TO GOD Doxology #34
♪Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.♫
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Generous God, may these gifts bring you glory and honor and meet the needs of your people. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
FIRST TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 2:15
2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves..
EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 5:12-19
5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
GOSPEL TEXT: Matthew 4:1-11
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'” 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
SERMON “Give Up Certainty for Lent?” Rev Mark Bishop
PASTORAL PRAYER AND 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*HYMN: “I Love Your Kingdom Lord” #549
♫ I love your kingdom, Lord, the house of your abode, the church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood. 2 I love your Church, O God – her walls before you stand, dear as the apple of your eye, and graven on your hand. 3 For her my tears shall fall, for her my prayers ascend, to her my cares and toils be given till toils and cares shall end. 4 Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, her sweet communion, solemn vows, her hymns of love and praise. 5 Sure as your truth shall last, to Zion shall be given the brightest glories earth can yield, and brighter bliss of heaven. ♫
*OUR COMMON CALLING
Let us go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” #486
♫ Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after they will, while I am waiting yielded and still. 4 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!♫
POSTLUDE: In the Presence of Your People Brent Chambers
* (Asterisk) The Congregation Is Invited to Stand
THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL CHURCH
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2023
10:15AM Worship Service
MONDAY, FEB 27, 2023
6:30PM Policy and Procedures Meeting
TUESDAY, FEB 28, 2023
1:00PM Publicity Meeting
3:30PM Music and Worship Committee
5-6:00PM Take Out Tuesday
6:30PM Pastoral Search Committee
WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023
12:00PM Lenten Service & Lunch at St. Joseph
(St. Paul hosting lunch and Worship leadership)
3-5:30PM FEAST
6:30PM Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:30PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023
6-8:00PM Video Study – The Chosen
SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2023
10:15AM Worship Service
12:00-4:00 PM First Testament Movies Confirmation Class
(Lunch provided)
Given the Week of February 19, 2023
General Fund $8,637.06 Benevolence $193.00 Building Fund $127.25
Average General Fund Monthly Expenses $26,595.61
Given to General Fund so far this month $14,946.87
Given to Building Fund so far this month: $496.50
Attendance for Sunday Feb 19, 2023 – 10:15 – 61
Online Attendance for Sunday Feb 19, 2023 – 17 (43)
Week of Feb 12, 2023 service, Additional online views -49
Benevolence for the month of February – Camp Fund
We Support Our Church By Our Prayers
Members of St. Paul’s Prayer Chain are honored to pray for you, your family and loved ones. This is an email group that sends the prayer requests as they are received. The requests are confidential to the group and not passed to the published prayer list unless requested to. If you have a prayer request, please contact the following people:
Pastor Mark at the church
Anthony Brookhart at the church.
Hannah Kohler, call 419-738-4251 or email hkkohler36@gmail.com.
Jennifer Frische, call or text 419-231-3790, any hour. Leave a message if you call.
Your request will be forwarded to the group as soon possible. Prayerfully yours, the Prayer Chain.
The following people are in need of our prayers:
| Bob Bidwell | Doris Hibner | Billy Sergent |
| Betty Brookhart | Deb Kaeck | Janet Smith |
| Connie Claybaugh | Tim Kinstle | Adrian Sunday |
| Alicia Cummins | Kenda Kohler | Doris Sunderland |
| Helen Erb | Ron Kohler | JJ Truesdale |
| Lewis Erb Sr. | Rex Lippincott | Eileen Werling |
| Emil George | Jade Miller | Janet Winkler |
| Pam Halfhill | Bill Miller | Pat Wittenbrink |
| Jim Hearn Jr. | Carol Presar | Tami Zwez |
Members and friends serving in the U.S. military:
| Alex Bowersock | Jordon Jurosic | Morgen Sindlar |
| Matthew Cox | Haley Jean Kill | Dave Sodders |
| Brady Erb | Valerie Orellana | Douglas Sodders |
| Aaron & Skyla Hibner | Scott Presar | Daniel Turnbow |
| Amanda Preston Johnston | Nathan Quellhorst | Jian Feng Zhao |
CARDS
Cards may be sent to Greg Hengstler addressed in exactly the following way:
CTF: Greg Hengstler
P.O. Box 984
Toledo, OH 43697
Rev. Adrian Sunday
6750 Paul Road
Westerville, Ohio 43082
CHURCH NEWS – FEBRUARY 26, 2023
ALTAR FLOWERS – Given in honor of Richard and Carol Presar’ 69th Anniversary by their children.
LABYRINTH IN TIMMERMEISTER Lent is a time of reflection and prayer. Feel free to walk the Labyrinth as we seek to spiral deeper into the spiritual life.
Anthony will provide a guided experience: (or by request)
6pm—8pm Wednesday, March 1st
1pm—3pm Monday, March 6th
6:30—8:30pm Tuesday, March 7th
Background: Many people today, both in the religious community and the medical community, are noting that walking a labyrinth has calming benefits to both the mind and the body. For centuries Christians have utilized different practices by which to engage in prayer, meditation, discernment, and service. One of the most ancient practices has been that of walking prayer. The ancient Christians used the practice of pilgrimage to and from Jerusalem as a symbol of their spiritual path with Jesus Christ. As Christianity spread all around the Mediterranean basin and eventually around the world, pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not always possible and so Christians began using the natural pattern of labyrinths as a spiritual practice by which to engage in walking prayer. From that first walk from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus Christians have believed that our spiritual struggles are solved “by walking” as St. Augustine once said. It is by walking with Christ both literally and spiritually that we find our identity as Christians.
PERSONAL CARD ITEMS – Our personal care closet is needing some refilling, as there have been numerous people we have been able to help recently. Please consider helping us refill our stock by donating the following items: Toothbrush & toothpaste, comb, brush, tissues, handwipes, lip balm, shampoo, and cloth handkerchiefs, can openers. Donations of these items are very much appreciated.
DISASTER BUCKETS & HYGIENE KITS – In preparation for the NW Ohio Association meeting being held here at St. Paul UCC, we are starting our Disaster Relief Drive. We will be assembling Disaster Clean-Up Buckets & Personal Hygiene Kits. Help this effort by sponsoring a Disaster bucket ($95) or Hygiene Kits ($20ea.) with a monetary donation to the church designated to: “DISASTER RELIEF”. We will be taking donations until Palm Sunday.
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE – March 5th 12-4pm*EXPANDED* Movie Party, Lunch provided, March 19th 2-4pm, April 2nd 2-4pm, Maundy Thursday April 6th 7PM, Easter April 9th 10:15AM, April 16th 2-4pm, April 29th- 9am, 1pm NW Ohio Association MTG, April 30th 2-4PM
CONGRATULATIONS A son, Abraham Sebastian, 8 lbs 15 oz, 21” born October 27, 2022, to Samantha and Thomas Braun! Abraham will be baptized April 30th.
NOW HIRING – CHURCH SECRETARY – PART TIME St. Paul UCC is recruiting for a Part -Time Church Secretary to fill a key role in the office staff. The hours for this position will be Monday through Friday from 9AM – 12PM and primary duties include maintaining church membership records, creating and distributing communication materials such as bulletins and newsletters, and general office administration tasks. Applicants with computer and office experience with great organization skills and a positive attitude are encouraged to apply! Please send your resume to office@stpaulucc.com. For more detailed information about the position, please call the church office at (419) 738-2215. Applications accepted thru February 28.
GUMBO SALE – We had some supplies left over after our shrimp boil, so we decided to make some Southern Gumbo!!! Cooked fresh then frozen. (Shrimp, Sausage, potato, rice) We are selling 1-Pint for $5.00 and 1-Quart for $10.00. Come enjoy this Louisiana Favorite!! Call the church office at 419-738-2215 for pick-up during church hours, while supplies last.
NURSERY – The church nursery is usually open each Sunday and is supervised by members of the Faith Formation Committee. The nursery is only open upon request. Any family wishing to have their children attend the church nursery while they are participating in worship in the sanctuary, please notify an usher so they can make arrangements for nursery coverage. Please do not take your child to the nursery first without contacting an usher, as a nursery supervisor is only available in the nursery upon request.
THE CHOSEN – Watch Party and Discussion:
Week 16 – Thursday, March 2 Season 2 – Episode 5 6-8:00PM
Week 17 – Thursday, March 9 Season 2 – Episode 6 6-8:00PM
***If you would like to attend Please E-Mail Anthony,
(anthony@stpaulucc.com), to get on the notification list.
***Participation via ZOOM will be made available***
Lenten Luncheon Schedule (All at St Joseph Catholic, NOON)
March 1- April 5, 2023 “The theme for the 2023 services is “Lord, Teach Us to Pray. Following the thirty-minute services, attendees are invited to enjoy lunch in the Parish Life Center.
March 8th – First English and Trinity Lutheran Churches co-hosts.
