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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
107 W. Lincoln Ave, Telford, PA 18969
215-723-8981
February 20, 2022
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides
us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided.
Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-
giving Spirit. It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in Christ.
GATHERING— “The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.”
PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please stand as you are able.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who creates us, redeems us, and calls
us by name. C: Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another, and especially
the ways we have failed to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Most merciful God, C: we confess that we have sinned against you and your
beloved children. We have turned our faces away from your glory when it did
not appear as we expected. We have rejected your word when it made us
confront ourselves. We have failed to show hospitality to those you called us
to welcome. Accept our repentance for the things we have done and the
things we have left undone. For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us and lead us, that we may bathe in the glory of your Son born
among us, and reflect your love for all creation. Amen.
P: God’s love is patient and kind, and will not fail you. The Lord is with you,
always. Through the mercy of Jesus Christ the Lord has heard you and is
reaching out to save you. Sisters and Brothers, your sins are forgiven; be at peace.
C: Amen.
If kneeling, please stand.
2
GATHERING SONG Forgive Our Sins, As We Forgive
GREETING 2 Cor 13:13
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you
3
KYRIE Luke 17:13; Luke 18:38-39; Psalm 123:2-3
4
CANTICLE OF PRAISE Luke 2:14; Rev. 5:9-13; Rev.19:4-9
5PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray with one another. C: O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your
peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury,
pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may
seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The assembly is seated.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
WORD— “God speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching, and song.”
FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Many years after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph reveals himself to
them. Now the second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph reassures his brothers that God has used
their evil intentions for good to preserve life during a devastating famine, and Joseph forgives
them.
A reading from Genesis.
3
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers
could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4Then Joseph said to
his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your
brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5And now do not be distressed, or angry
with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve
life. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more
years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me before you to
preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8So it
was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and
lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my
father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all
Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and
you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as
your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11I will provide for you there—since
there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all
that you have, will not come to poverty.’ ” 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept
upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
6PSALM: Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 (read responsively)
1
Do not be provoked by evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
2
For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away.
3
Put your trust in the Lord| and do good; dwell in the land and find safe pasture.
4
Take delight in the Lord, who shall give you your heart’s desire.
5
Commit your way to the Lord; put your trust in the Lord, and see what God will
do.
6
The Lord will make your vindication as clear as the light and the justice of
your case like the noonday sun.
7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently. Do not be provoked by the one who
prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes.
8
Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not be provoked; it leads only to evil.
9
For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord shall possess the
land.
10
In a little while the wicked shall be no more; even if you search out their place,
they will not be there.
11
But the lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace.
39
But the deliverance of the righteous comes from you, O Lord; you are their
stronghold in time of trouble.
40
You, O Lord, will help them and rescue them; you will rescue them from the
wicked and deliver them, because in you they seek refuge.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of the “resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”
Using the metaphor of a planted seed and the story of Adam, Paul preaches passionately about
the mystery of following Christ’s perfect life into eternity.
A reading from 1 Corinthians.
35
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they
come?” 36Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37And as for what
you sow, you do not sow the body that is 7to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat orof some other grain. 38But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of
seed its own body.
42
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is
raised is imperishable. 43It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in
weakness, it is raised in power. 44It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual
body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45Thus it is written,
“The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving
spirit. 46But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the
spiritual. 47The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from
heaven. 48As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man
of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49Just as we have borne the image of the
man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
50
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
The assembly stands.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Love your enemies, and you will be children of | the Most High;
forgive, and you 8will | be forgiven.GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38
Jesus continues to address a crowd of his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical
love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even on enemies and outsiders. Living in
harmony with God’s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing.
P: The holy gospel according to Luke, the sixth chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said: 27“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone
strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your
coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if
anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you
would have them do to you.
32
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners
love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit
is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34If you lend to those from whom you
hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as
much again. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.
Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind
to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be
condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. A
good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your
lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
P: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.
The assembly is seated.
SERMON
Following the sermon, take a moment of silence to reflect on God’s word, by thinking this week
about who is your enemy, and how you can bring love and forgiveness into that broken
relationship.
The assembly stands.
9HYMN OF THE DAY In All Our Grief
10APOSTLES CREED
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
11PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 1st Timothy 2:1
A: The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon us in abundance; so we are bold to
pray for the church, the world, and all that God has made.
A brief silence.
A: Holy God, you teach us to love our neighbors and enemies alike. Encourage us
to follow the leading of your love, especially when it is risky or difficult. Help us
to show mercy, just as we have first received mercy. God of grace, C: hear our
prayer.
A: Holy God, let us see that the seed of faith that we sow in life, brings abundance
and life. Stir in us a desire to give our financial gifts and our time to this ministry.
Move us to see the ways we come to trust you in the ways that we give. Bring
forth from buried seed an abundant harvest. God of grace, C: hear our prayer.
A: Holy God, guide St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in supporting and
walking with the families of our children and youth. Lead us in providing them
support to live out their baptismal promises; to bring them to the word of God and
the holy supper, to place in their hands the holy scriptures so they may learn to
trust in you, and to nurture them in faith and prayer. God of grace, C: hear our
prayer.
A: Holy God, we pray for the country of Ukraine and the arising potential for
conflict and war. We pray that those who lead may turn away from war and
destruction and turn toward peace. Sustain those citizens of Ukraine with hope
and the desire for peace. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Holy God, we pray today for Harper Koenig who celebrates her baptismal
anniversary on February 24th. Walk with her and her family, as she lives into the
grace and love you have so graciously given her. God of grace, C: hear our
prayer.
12A: Holy God, blessed are those who are seeking a faith community and a closer
relationship with you may be led into this congregation by our invitation, and
when they come, let us walk with them as they seek God’s direction. God of
grace, C: hear our prayer.
A: Holy God, your people cry out for mercy. Console hearts that long for
forgiveness. Mend broken relationships. Heal bodies that suffer chronic pain or
illness. Strengthen and deliver all whose spirits are troubled (especially). God of
grace, C: hear our prayer.
A: Holy God, you bind us together into one family. Teach us to forgive one
another and to resolve conflicts with humility and patience. Bless families to
show love to those who are lonely or grieving. God of grace, C: hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
A: Holy God, we praise you for the saints who have inherited the fullness of your
kingdom, especially, Florence, Cindy and Len. As you have raised them to
imperishable and eternal life, sustain us in faith by the promise of resurrection.
God of grace, C: hear our prayer.
P: Since we have such great hope in your promises, O God, we lift these and all of
our prayers to you in confidence and faith; through Jesus Christ our Savior. C:
Amen.
PEACE
P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you.
You are asked to remain in place and exchange a sign of peace with those around you.
You may give a wave or peace sign to others beyond a safe reach.
The assembly is seated.
13CHANCEL CHOIR ANTHEM
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace—Sebastian Temple
The assembly stands.
MEAL—“God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ”
OFFERTORY Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful 1 Cor. 10:16; John 6:35
OFFERING PRAYER
P: Let us pray with one another. C: Blessed are you, O God, Sovereign of the
universe. You offer us new beginnings and guide us on our journey. Lead us
to your table, nourish us with this heavenly food, and prepare us to carry
your love to a hungry world, in the name of Christ our light. Amen.
14DIALOGUE
PREFACE
P: It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for you are a safe
haven and a tower of strength and your love will never end. From the womb of
creation you brought forth the earth and before any of us were born, you chose us
and loved us into life. You put words in the mouths of your prophets that we
might glimpse your truth, if only in part. Fulfilling the words of the prophets, your
child Jesus came, and in him we have seen you face to face. Now and forever, his
love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and
in his love the wholeness of all things is coming.
And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of
heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
15HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-23
P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In
great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and
suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his
arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave
thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body,
given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
16Remembering, therefore, his baptism, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share
this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you
and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. C: Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4
C: 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 and ever. Amen.
COMMUNION SONG Lamb of God John 1:29
17INVITATION TO COMMUNION
P: Come to God’s table. There is a place for you and enough for all.
COMMUNION
P: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.
C: Amen.
At the direction of the Pastor you will turn your communion packet so that the wafer is on top.
Peel back the tab and receive the wafer with the rest of the congregation as the Pastor says,
“The Body of Christ given for you.” Then turn the packet upside down so the wine/juice side is
on top. Peel back the tab and receive the wine/juice with the rest of the congregation as the
Pastor says, “The Blood of Christ shed for you.” Please discard the empty packet and tabs in
the small bowls provided.
TABLE BLESSING
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you
and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
P: Let us pray. We give you thanks, gracious God, for we have feasted on the
abundance of your house. Send us to bring good news and to proclaim your favor
to all, strengthened with the richness of your grace in your Son, Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
18SENDING—“God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world”
BLESSING Numbers 6:24-26
P: God, who leads you in pathways of righteousness, who rejoices over you, and
who calls you by name, + bless your going out and your coming in, today and
forever. C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN Praise and Thanks and Adoration
19DISMISSAL Luke 7:50
A: Go with Christ into a weary world. Share and live the good news.
C: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #24900, One License Annual License A-712402 and CCLI Annual
Copyright License #3062245
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.
Today’s Worship Assistants
Assisting Minister: Denny Detweiler
Greeter: Ruth Sommers
Lector: Jim McMichael
Ushers: Randy Groff and Jim McMichael
Calendar of Events - Week of February 20, 2022
Monday 2/21, President’s Day: Church Office Closed
Tuesday 2/22: Pub Theology 7:00 pm, Prayerful Winter Coloring 7:30—8:30 pm on Zoom
Wednesday 2/23: Prayerful Winter Coloring 11 am—12 pm on Zoom or in the Youth
Room, Children’s Choir 6:30 pm
Thursday 2/24: Chancel Choir 7:00 pm
Friday 2/25:
Saturday 2/26:
Sunday 2/27: Sunday Worship and Children’s Ministry 9:30 am
Readings for Next Sunday: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99,
2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2, Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]
Bulletin and Flower Sponsors
Altar Flowers are sponsored today by Jim and Sara Ryan
in honor of their daughter Jen Ryan’s birthday.
Altar Flower Sponsors are still needed for March 27. Bulletin Sponsors are still needed for
March 6, 13 and 27. Thank you!
20Youth Bowling with Pastor Coleman!
Tonight from 5-7pm at Earl Bowl Lanes, Earlington
$10 includes bowling, shoes, pizza & drink
For all youth 6th grade and older. Yes! Bring a friend!
Souper Bowl Day of Caring
Despite the LA Rams winning the Super Bowl, the Cincinnati Bengals were
the clear favorite for members of St. Paul’s last Sunday! Thank you to
everyone who contributed cans of soup or made a monetary donation. This morning our kids
will be going to Landis Supermarket to purchase more soup for our Blessing Box with the
donated money.
Results of our Souper Bowl
Bengals—45 cans of soup and $133 Rams—5 cans of soup and $42
Prayerful Winter Coloring
Looking for a fresh way to pray? Do you often find your mind wandering when
you try to pray? Do you like to color with crayons or colored pencils? If so,
please join us for our final week of Prayerful Winter Coloring!
We will meet on Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm on Zoom, or on Wednesday at 11:00 am on
Zoom or in the parlor. Please feel free to join this week even if you haven’t been able to join
before! Sessions do not build off one another. Coloring pages will be emailed to participants
who are participating online. Supplies you should have on hand are crayons or colored pencils
and a candle.
All ages are invited for this de-stressing and relaxing time of prayer! RSVP to Marian by
calling her at the church office (215-723-8981) or emailing her at dce@stpaulstelford.org.
Ash Wednesday and Mid Week Lenten Worship
Ash Wednesday Worship Services
March 2, 2022 at 12 pm and 7 pm
The 7:00 pm service will also be streamed live on Facebook.
Wednesdays Evenings During Lent
March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6
6:15 to 6:45 pm – Devotions and Study in the Fellowship Hall
7 pm – Evening Prayer Worship Service (in person and on Facebook Live)
There will be no food served this year during the Lenten Wednesdays.
21Coats and Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
As we did last winter, we are collecting coats and other warm clothing items
(hats, gloves, scarves, sleeping bags, etc.) for the homeless in Philadelphia and
other local communities. Please drop off any donation of warm clothing in the
Fellowship Hall under the sign “Coat Donations”. Please bag the items to make it easier to
transport. All donations are greatly appreciated. Donations will be collected through February.
St. Paul's Bible Study
March 3 and 17 at 12 pm
Come and join us in Christian Fellowship for this informal time to reflect, discuss
and learn. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
Sponsored by Senior Ministries.
Grief Group Emergency Need for
Pastor Coleman will lead a
Blood Donations
Grief Group for those Blood Donations are critically low
grieving the death of a loved at the current time. St. Paul’s hosts
one. If you are interested in blood drives through the American Red Cross
learning more about how the four times per year, but if you would like to sign
Grief Group works at St. Paul’s or would up to donate before our next drive to help the
like to participate in the Grief Group, blood shortage you can visit
please contact Pastor Coleman at the www.redcrossblood.org to find a drive that is
church office number 215-723-8981 or at convenient for you. The next blood drive here at
pastor@stpaulstelford.org by Sunday, St. Paul’s will be Tuesday, March 22 from 2-7
March 13. Please know that you do not pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Barb
need to grieve alone. Mandato or the church office to sign up.
First Communion Classes
Sunday, March 20, 27 & April 3 from 10:45am – noon
For youth in 3rd grade and older who have not yet received their 1st Communion
Bear Creek Camp Summer Registration is Open!
This summer’s theme: Wild Abundance
Camperships are available for St. Paul’s youth!
See the youth bulletin board for more information, or talk to Janet Lincoln or Marian Henry
22In order to keep the prayer list as up to date as
possible, names will be kept on the list for four weeks
unless notified otherwise.
Please Pray For...
Ken Cassel Scott Reifsnider
Rebecca Eckman Jim Stover
Bill and Arlene Keller Tom Swanson
Alan Miller Mary Thuel
Megan Plenderleith
Please Continue to Pray For...
Ken Clugston Gayle King
Walter Deebel Bill Lincoln
Lee Ford Alvera Moyer
Bev Gibson Joanne Romano
Gloria Harpel Andrew Strauss
Barry Hendricks Claudette Strauss
Barry Johnson Fred Wahl
Bryan Johnson
Comfort for the Bereaved
Family and Friends of Florence Andresen-Myers
Family and Friends of Cindy Kielbania (Friend of Jim and Cathy Hurley)
Family and Friends of Len Pennington (Uncle of Wayne Young)
23For Large print copies of the worship service, please see an Usher.
Hearing devices are on the rack at the Visitor’s Center.
Welcome Kids!!
Children are ALWAYS welcome in worship! Our kid-friendly Pray-Ground is located in
the front-left section of the Sanctuary. Activity bags are located on the rack in the
Gathering Space.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them…” Matthew 19:14
Contact Information:
Pastor – Rev. Bill Coleman Office: 215-723-8981, Cell: 814-823-9742
pastor@stpaulstelford.org
Office Administrator – Ashley Bromley 215-723-8981
secretary@stpaulstelford.org
Director of Christian Education – Marian Henry 215-723-8981
dce@stpaulstelford.org
Director of Music/Organist– Kristine Fosbenner 215-257-4707
Feast and Celebration Service – Mike King 215-723-8981
Congregation President – Jim McMichael 267-885-8026
council@stpaulstelford.org
Sexton - Al Lightner 215-368-0374
St. Paul’s on the Web www.stpaulstelford.org
Most Recent Financial Information (Last Updated 1/31/2022)
Checking Account - January 2022 Checking Account - YTD
Beginning Balance 1/1/2022 $47,967.08 Beginning Balance 1/1/2022 $47,967.08
Deposits (monthly) $30,900.32 Deposits to Date $30,900.32
Beginning Balance + Deposits $78,867.40 Beginning Balance + Deposits $78,867.40
Expenses (monthly) $28,485.08 Expenses to Date $28,485.08
Ending Balance 12/31/2021 $50,382.32 Ending Balance 12/31/2021 $50,382.32
Ending Fund Balances as of January 31, 2022
Memorial Fund $52,022.11 Benevolence $2,495.05
Capital Reserve $59,386.62 Special $8,944.24
Liabilities as of January 31, 2022
Mortgage Balance $130,979.29 24You can also read
