THIS WEEK'S NEWS - St. Paul's United Church of Christ

THIS WEEK’S NEWS
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ                        Somerset, PA                     Friday, March 18, 2022

        No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here!
                                     Dear St. Paul’s Friends & Family,
 Our Ministry Team
 …………………………………………………………
                                       “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be
 Rev. J. Matthew Deal: Pastor                    their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33b).
 Mrs. Jenn Boland: Director of
 Programming for Children,           The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a new way of knowing God. Simply put,
 Youth, & Families                   God will dwell within each of us, not in some building or on the pages of
 Mr. Dave Neimiller: Organist &      scripture, but within us. This “holy writing,” placing God’s law, or better
 Director of Music                   understood, as God’s love on our hearts is what makes the Jewish and
 Mrs. Cindy Lambert:                 Christian faith traditions so unique and special. The reality that God
 Administrative and Financial        loves us so much that God wants to dwell within us is the revolutionary
 Secretary                           concept of both of these religions.
 Ms. Marcy Shellenberger:
 Children’s and Youth Choir          For Christians, dwelling with God takes on flesh and blood in the person
 Director                            of Jesus Christ. Not only does God live within us, but Jesus shows us the
                                     depth of that profound truth by God becoming a human. This intimacy
 Church Council Officers:
                                     between humanity and God is the very source of salvation; that each of
 President – Mike Boyer
                                     us are worthy of love and are claimed and loved by God. Therefore, we
 Vice President – Pam Webreck
                                     are healed and made whole. We are called to live out our lives in ways
 Secretary – Emily Korns
                                     that exemplify that saving love each and every day.
 Treasurer – Henry Cook

 Church Office: 814-445-4534             I find that pausing to think about this kind of love is especially
                                         appropriate for this Sunday, Hope Sunday. Our tradition on Hope Sunday
is to fill our sanctuary with daffodils in memory or in honor of loved ones who have battled cancer. In
remembering their witness to love and courage, we also celebrate these relationships by raising money for
local cancer patients. Our church’s contribution to this year’s Daffodil Days is $1,700! Last year, communities
throughout Somerset County raised over $21,500 to support local cancer patients during Blooms of Hope.

The power of God living within each of us is that we are destined to dwell with one another as siblings in this
sacred union. I’m always amazed at what happens when we recognize our interconnectedness and work
together to further God’s healing work. Hope Sunday and Blooms of Hope bear witness to the power of our
togetherness. May we commit to nurturing our relationships so that the world and society might be healed. I
pray that each of you find blessings on this journey of faith.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Here are our worship opportunities for the week ahead:
Sunday: Gathered worship in the Sanctuary at 9:30am. Online Worship at 9:30am on Facebook and YouTube.
Telephone Worship Sundays at 11:00am.
For telephone worshippers: the toll-free conference call number is 1-844-855-4444. The automated service will
then ask for your access code or PIN. Please enter: 512013#.

Worship Resources for this Week
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Lent 3
Hope Sunday

Prelude
Call to Worship & Welcoming Children Rev. Mia M. McClain
One: Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. Come to the wells.
All: Our souls thirst for you, O God. We lift up our hands and call on your name.
One: Come, without money. Come without cost. Incline your ears and listen for good news.
All: Our flesh faints for you, O God. Our lips sing praises, beholding your glory.
One: Come, eat well. Come, feast upon true riches. Be filled with that which sustains you.
All: Our souls are satisfied in you, O God. In the shadow of your wings, we sing with joy
*Opening Hymn                “Lord of All Hopefulness”        see pg 6
*The Greeting
The Call to Confession Rev. Mia M. McClain
Leader: God, you call us to step more deeply into ourselves as we amend and awaken to who you desire us to
be. Let us acknowledge our transgressions in stillness and in silence so that we may prepare our hearts for
change.
The Prayer of Confession Rev. Mia M. McClain
All: We confess that we have not always brought forth good fruit. In the midst of chaos and frenzy, we have
often lost our way. Our feet have strayed from the place where we met you. Our egos have kept us from
seeing our missteps; yet, with you, we know there’s another chance for change. There is another
opportunity to bear good fruit. In a world full of spoiled and rotten produce, and systems designed to kill,
we are called to be the change that sustains generations. Let us lean with you into this chance for
transformation.

                                a time for personal reflection and confession

Kyrie

Words of Assurance Rev. Mia M. McClain
Leader: God’s grace and mercy abounds. God is with us in the change. God’s everlasting arms embrace us.
Each of us is beloved, affirmed, and set free. Amen.
The Passing of the Peace
L: May the Peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
Today’s Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 55:1-9
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy
wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight
yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an
everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and
commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know
you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the
LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the
unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the
LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts.

The Sermon     “Come to God”
                                Hope Sunday Mission Moment & Presentation
                                     Diana Laue and Marcy Shellenberger
The Pastoral Prayer
The Prayer Response

Invitation to the Offering

The Prayer of Dedication      Rev. J. M. Deal
All: Thank you God for the many blessings you’ve given us. During this holy Season of Lent, accept our lives
as an offering. Guide us, inspire us, and use us so that the whole world may experience the blessings of your
love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Prayer of Our Savior
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.
The Closing Hymn:             “Rain Down”               see pg 7
*The Benediction
"Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all
people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit."

And may the blessing of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit remain with you forever. Amen.

*Organ Interlude and Extinguishing of the Candles
Postlude

   Watch Facebook and YouTube for special devotionals and offerings
   during the week.

       Check Facebook and watch your email for changes of services that may
       have changed from week to week, possibly even day to day.

       Please note, we continue to accept offering during our in-person
       services, USPS mailed in offerings and online with Tithe.ly. If you have
       any questions, please call the church at 445-4534.

       Please check our website periodically throughout the
       week for updates: www.stpaulsuccsomerset.org

We are thrilled to announce the showing of “Queen
                  Esther” at St. Paul’s!
                  We will be sharing a video of the Sight and Sound production of
                  “Queen Esther” at 10:45 am in Salem Chapel on March 20th, March
                  27th, April 3rd, and on April 10th there will the opportunity to meet for
                  discussion. All are welcome to join us to see and hear the captivating
                  tale of royalty, beauty and bravery. The journey begins this
                  Sunday!!!

One Great Hour of Sharing is St. Paul's Stewardship partner
for March. Please be part of the solution and give what you can.
One Great Hour of Sharing began in 1949 to help people
to rebuild after World War II.

      Since that time they have continued to address the needs of people who
suffer the effects of conflict, disaster, and severe economic hardship in more than
100 countries including the US and Canada. Eight Christian denominations
participate in this effort to provide funds that are administered by Church World
Service to spread Christ's love throughout the world.

      Although their projects have varied in the past 70 years, OGHS is currently
working in three major areas. They are helping communities to combat disease
by education, helping them develop clean water sources and adequate
sanitation facilities. They are combating hunger that is caused by natural
disaster, displacement, and drought by supplying food in the short term as well
as providing seeds and instruction to help people grow their own crops. OGHS is
helping to provide funds to empower and educate people in areas that range
from providing 'clean up' buckets to hurricane survivors in Houston to teaching
Cambodians how to raise chickens and establish a community rice bank.

Youth Group Meets next Sunday, March 27th
                   from Noon to 1pm in Fellowship Hall.
All youth from 6th-12th grade are invited to join us for lunch, Bible Study,
and games. Members of our youth advisory team are: Eric Harris, Luke
Housely, Eli Mumau, and Ben Witt. We extend a special invitation to
senior high youth who would like to join our team to plan future events.
Please speak to Pastor Matt or the above listed gentleman if you’d like to
help! We are planning youth group meetings every two weeks, on
Sunday, over the Noon hour. Upcoming gatherings: March 27th, April
10th, and April 24th.

Easter Lily Order Form:
All orders must be turned in to the office by Sunday March 27th
      Please make a separate check out to St. Paul’s UCC
              for the total amount of your lilies.
                  Thank you for your order!