Communion Sunday March 12, 2017

11:00 AM

No matter who you are, Communion Sunday No matter where you are On life’s journey, You are welcome here.

Worship begins with chimes. The prelude is a time of reflection and preparation for the worship of God.

Please silence cell phones. Bibles for use during worship are available at each entrance to the Sanctuary.

THOUGHT FOR PREPARATION "He who hates the Jews, were he in every other regard an angel of light, shows himself, as such, to hate Jesus Christ." ~ Karl Barth

PRELUDE Four Sketches-I R. Schumann

Kevin Dzierzawski, Piano

CHIMES

CHORAL INTROIT O God, How We Have Wandered Hans Leo Hassler Chancel Choir

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Sarah Garcia

* WELCOMING EACH OTHER

* CALL TO WORSHIP One: We did not choose God, God chose us. All: We don't worship because we're good, but because God is. One: The church doesn't host the feast, Jesus does. All: We don't earn God's love, Christ gives it to us. Let us thank God together! Amen.

*Please stand if you are able to do so.

* HYMN My Song Is Love Unknown Black Hymnal No. 222 My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me, Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake my God should take frail flesh and die? My God should take frail flesh and die? God left the richest throne salvation to bestow; But Christ as flesh and bone the world refused to know. But O, my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need did life expend; who at my need did life expend. Sometimes they threw down palms and sweetest praises sang. Hosannas and glad psalms through street and markets rang. Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, for blood and death they thirst and cry; for blood and death they thirst and cry. What has my Sovereign done? What makes this rage and spite? Christ gave new strength to run, restored the gift of sight. Sweet injuries! Yet they at these themselves displease, and ‘gainst Christ rise; themselves displease, and ‘gainst Christ rise.

I sing my plain belief, one song my heart outpours: Never was pain nor grief, never was love like yours. This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend; I all my days could gladly spend. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Avena Ward

O God, whose Son is the light of the world, Christ’s brilliance throws our own shadow into sharp relief. In his constant grace we see our delight in judging other; in his generous giving, our anxious grasping; in his inclusive love, our discomfort with difference, in his reliance on you, our insistence on going it alone, and in his pure sacrifice, our compromised lives. Yet in his cross lies our forgiveness, and in his resurrection, our new lives. These we claim in penitence and faith, through Jesus Christ our friend and Savior. Amen

KYRIE Bill Parks MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER WORDS OF ASSURANCE RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 332, v. 1

As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word, help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred. Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own; teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love’s victory known.

THE BIBLICAL WORD FOR THIS DAY Peg Wander Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (NRSV)

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession. It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

* A STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe in God who has created and is creating, who has come to us in Jesus Christ to reconcile and make us new, who works in us and others by the Holy Spirit. We trust God. God calls us to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to care for creation, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life and death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God!

(adapted from the United Church of Canada)

* RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 332, v. 2 Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life; send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife. Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave; may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.

SERMON “The Cost of Being God’s Favorite Child” Matt Fitzgerald

RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 332, v. 3

Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast where triumphant love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy bind us nor will pride our peace destroy, as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.

OFFERTORY O Röschen Rot Gustav Mahler (Sung in German) arr. Philip Kraus Chancel Choir

O tiny red rose! Humanity wanders in profound need!

Humanity waits in intense pain! I would much rather be in Heaven!

I came onto a broad path;

And an angel came and wished me to turn back. But no, I would not be turned away.

I am from God and wish to return to God! The beloved God will give me a little light,

That will illuminate my path to eternal, blessed life.

* FESTIVAL DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen!

CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION INVITATION TO THE TABLE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

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 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.

SERVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

Please come forward for communion.

Take the bread and eat it. Then take the cup and drink. Deposit the cups in the baskets on the way back to your seat. The outer ring of cups

contains grape juice. The inner rings contain wine. A gluten-free bread option is wrapped and available on a separate tray.

Return to your seat by the side aisles. All are welcome.

* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious God, thank you for this feast of your goodness and grace. The taste of your love is sweet. May we take it in, digest it, and be recreated through it. Amen.

* HYMN Why Is This Night Different? Tune: Kresmer Tune in Black Hymnal 420

"Why is this night different from all of the others?" This night we remember how God set us free. This night we remember our fathers and mothers Whom God reached out to save from harsh slavery. We eat bitter herbs to recall how they suffered; The salt water tells of their tears and their cries. The lamb is the sacrifice each household offered; The matzo is the bread with no time to rise.

Haroseth reminds how the people long labored In making the mortar; what weary, worn slaves! And yet in its sweetness is hope ever-savored, And in each cup of wine, the promise: God saves! Through symbols we share here, your story is spoken; God, help us to know that it's our story, too! For as we are saved we are sent to the broken, Till all know peace and joy, till all are made new. Lord Jesus, you joined in the great celebration, Then gave us a new meal to joyfully share. You blessed bread and wine and you offered salvation; Now send us out to serve, Lord, this is our prayer!

* BENEDICTION * CHORAL BENEDICTION Prayer of St. Patrick John Rutter Chancel Choir

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ above me, Christ beneath me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

POSTLUDE Four Sketches-III R. Schumann Kevin Dzierzawski, organ

Following Worship, all are invited for coffee and snacks downstairs in the Social Hall

TODAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS: Communion Coordinators: Jana O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien

Communion Servers: Don Curtis, Steve Winters Communion bread baked by Marcia Knudson. Head Usher: Beatrice Jaji Acolyte Coordinators: Micki Fayhee, Cindy Zinn Ball Head Greeter: Greg Mooney Gatekeeper: Dodd Brown

BORN THIS WEEK IN MARCH Donations to the Birthday Fund support A Just Harvest

We celebrate and give thanks for your life at St. Pauls. March 12: Dana Hofer, Penny Trowbridge March 13: Ron Banks, Jenny Brandhorst March 14: Juanita Barlow March 15: Breanna Coe, Eve Davis, Mila Mussatt, Gail Renfrow, Polly Sippy March 16: Muzette Morgan March 17: Louise Brach-Spivey, Ellery Ekdahl, Julia Spainhour March 18: Ross Penniman, Sylvie Young Pastor Jeff Carlson will be on Sabbatical the following dates: February 20 - March 22, May 2017, and July 2017.

Are you receiving our Friday emails? If you would like to, contact Maribell at mruiz@spucc.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS THURSDAYS - Ancient Prayer in Anxious Times, Thursdays 6:30-7:00 PM in the Conference Room. Worried? Feeling dread? Come learn an ancient way to pray. Pastor Matt - mfitzgerald@spucc.org.

MARCH 19 THROUGH APRIL 9 - LENTEN STUDY - Short Stories by Jesus, Jesus' parables by self-described "Yankee Jewish feminist" Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Gregg Taylor at jgreggtaylor@gmail.com.

MARCH 25 - ST PAULS SOCIAL - Karaoke night at Lincoln Karaoke, 8:00 PM. $20 per person, plus food and drinks. RSVP to breannacoe@gmail.com. If you would like to host an event please contact Jen Luerssen at jenluerssen@yahoo.com.

MARCH 26 - YOUNG ADULTS - Join us for brunch after the 11:00 AM service. Have a suggestion of where we should go? Email Hannah at youngadults@spucc.org with your idea and RSVP.

16" SOFTBALL - YOUNG ADULTS - Sign up today! Oz Park (games Sundays between 1:00 and 3:00 PM). Cost is $60 per person. Email toddsingstenor@gmail.com for more information or to sign up.

APRIL 2 - BAPTISM CLASS at 9:30 AM in the Conference Room for families of children who have been or will be baptized at St. Pauls. Contact Pastor Avena to register award@spucc.org.

APRIL 3 - CHRISTIANITY 101 at 7:00 PM in the Parlor with Pastor Sarah Garcia. RSVP with Hannah Basil at youngadults@spucc.org.

APRIL 5 - FIRST WEDNESDAY LUNCHEON- Nancy Pifer with Pastor Jeff, will present a selection of hymn tunes in the style of folk songs. $10 at the door. RSVP to Leigh by March 29.

OPPORTUNITIES ACOLYTES - We're looking for youth who would like to be Acolytes. We need two volunteers for each service. Please sign up on Sign-up Genius or email Micki Fayhee at deonmicki@sbcglobal.net.

ALTAR FLOWER SIGN UP - If you would like to purchase flowers for the altar please go to our link at http://tinyurl.com/h55pl82 and sign up.

COLLEEN HENRY WRITING CENTER at Lincoln Park High School, initiated by St. Pauls, needs a few tutors. Nancy Brandt, nhbrandt@sbcglobal.net.

CONNECTORS reach out providing networking and support for members and friends of St. Pauls. Membership is open to all who have the time and the inclination to help. Contact Pastor Avena Ward award@spucc.org.

FAITH IN ACTION - Whether you’re interested in supporting women or GLBTQ persons or immigrants and refugees, you can find St. Pauls people involved and join them NOW. Contact Avena Ward at award@spucc.org.

FEED THE HUNGRY - Each week St. Pauls welcomes homeless and hungry people to Sunday dinner. Contact Brent Carstensen at bcarstensen@ameritech.net to volunteer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Visit our Food for Thought blog http://www.spucc.org/blogs/food-for-thought.

GET YOUR NEW NAMETAG! - Email Maribell at mruiz@spucc.org.

KIDS CHURCH CAMP IS BACK! JULY 5 - JULY 28 - Registration is now open for children ages 2 to 12. Half-day or full-day camp. Visit spucc.org/camp for more details and to register.

KIDS CHURCH CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED- JULY 5 - JULY 28 - Youth 11 to 15 as junior counselors(unpaid) and youth 16 and older as paid counsellors. Contact Pastor Sarah to apply sgarcia@spucc.org

LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY SHELTER NEEDS OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEERS - To sign up: volunteer@lpcsonline.org 773-549-6111.

LITTLE LIGHTS is a St. Pauls preschool program in a progressive Christian environment. Classes for 2 and 3-year-olds meet at St. Pauls Nursery. Visit http://www.spucc.org/littlelights or email Leigh Borge at lborge@spucc.org.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CHICAGO - Join the St. Pauls team that will repair two homes as part of the National Day of Rebuilding Together on April 29 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Open to ages 12 and up. Contact sgarcia@spucc.org.

SARAH’S SISTERS gather every Wednesday morning to make 40 bag lunches to be distributed to homeless people. Come to the church kitchen at 9:30 AM.

STEPHEN MINISTRY AT ST. PAULS - If you’re in need of support through a tough time or feeling called to explore Stephen Ministry speak to Pastor Avena award@spucc.org or Marti Pechnyo mpechnyo@gmail.com or Diana Laskaris dianaminlead@gmail.com.

ST. PAULS PLAY GROUP for children from birth to 3 years old in the church Nursery and Toddler Room. Drop in anytime from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Wednesdays. Corie Gallemore at corie.gallemore@gmail.com.

ST. PAULS SOCIAL - Get better acquainted with other adults at St. Pauls. If interested in hosting please contact Jen Luerssen, jenluerssen@yahoo.com and stay tuned for future events!

UCC DAILY DEVOTIONAL - To register: http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional.

WANT MORE VARIETY AT COFFEE HOUR? - Sign up to bring it at http://bit.ly/1RtSUuH.

YOUNG ADULTS - A group for fun and fellowship for folks in their twenties and thirties. All are welcome! Email youngadults@spucc.org to be added to the mailing list.

YOUTH GROUP - Youth group meet most Tuesdays, grades 2-4 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM and grades 5-7 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. Contact sgarcia@spucc.org.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP - JUNE 24 - JULY 2 - Youth mission trip to the Lakota reservation with Tree of Life Ministries in South Dakota. Pastor Sarah to apply sgarcia@spucc.org.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS Please send any announcements you would like in the following week’s Friday email to announcements@spucc.org no later than 10:00 AM on Tuesday. Please limit announcements to 70 words. Thank you.

LENT AND EASTER AT SAINT PAULS

APRIL 9 - Palm Sunday - One Service at 10:00 AM. Palm branches, songs, children’s processional.

APRIL 13 - Maundy Thursday Mindfulness Meal at 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM in the Chapel. Share the Mindfulness Meal in silence as we listen to Jesus’ parables.

APRIL 14 - Good Friday at 7:30 PM. Communion, Tenebrae with choir.

APRIL 15 - Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

APRIL 16 - Easter Sunday Worship at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Communion, choir, brass.

LENTEN SMALL GROUPS begin March 8 Devotional books can be found in the Narthex.

WEDNESDAYS 10:30 AM GROUP Facilitator: Avena Ward Location: Parlor Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5 WEDNESDAYS LOOP LUNCH GROUP Facilitator: Carrie Bruggers Email: crbruggs@comcast.net Location: Chase Plaza cafeteria Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5 WEDNESDAYS 6:15 PM GROUP Facilitator: Kurt Hansen Location: Confirmation Room 1 Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5

WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM GROUP Facilitator: Matt Fitzgerald Location: Parlor Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5 THURSDAYS 10:30 AM GROUP Facilitator: Sarah Garcia Location: Social Hall Dates: 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6 SUNDAYS 12:30 PM GROUP Facilitator: Matt Fitzgerald Location: Parlor Dates: 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9

! PRAY AND FAST FROM FOOD OR MEDIA ON MONDAYS: A safe weekly 24-hour fast with guided prayer, no meetings. For info and registration email Pastor Matt at mfitzgerald@spucc.org.

ELIJAH JARS FOR LENT - Spend time thinking about the needs of others as a Lenten practice. Every day put your coins in the jar. Jars will be distributed at Church School and will also be available in the Narthex. Jars will be collected on Palm Sunday. Funds raised help feed the homeless through Sarah Sisters.

SAINT PAULS PRAYS

•   Julie Higginbotham at the death of her mother. •   The Womack family - Jan, Jim, Julie and Gemma, upon the passing of Jan's mom Jodie Lee George who celebrated 100 years of life. •   Jennifer Kew's mother, Marilyn, recovering from a ruptured brain aneurysm. •   Baby Theo Patton recovering in hospital and his parents, Andy and Chloe. •   Cale Roschen, hospitalized with an infection. •   Creighton’s grandmother, Sybil, in hospice care at home in South Carolina. •   Robin Scott as she grieves the death of her mother, Rosa. •   Amy Newman's sister, Linda, starting chemotherapy treatments. •   All those struggling to conceive. •   Sarah Mosley’s friend, Tommy B. whose lungs are failing due to COPD. •   Katelyn as she learns to live life well while battling mental illness. •   Cheryl Kennedy’s brother-in-law, Jim. •   Betty Voice, at St. Pauls House, after additional surgery on her knee. •   Dirk R. and family, uncle of Laura Nowack, who has multiple myeloma. •   Sylvia Pine’s grandfather, Terry Barton, recovering from strokes. •   Candi Huber's niece, Kathryn, continuing treatments for cancer. •   Michelle’s friends Michael, Chris and Jerry, all sick with chronic illnesses. •   Diane Massie’s friend, Ashley, battling brain cancer and in need of a miracle. •   Lorri Gunn Wirsum, for her husband, Karl Wirsum, and her brother, Jim. •   Mary Train and her nephew Carl and family. •   Jonah, Sean and Kevin and all homeless individuals with mental illness living in this city. •   For all those touched by violence in Chicago. •   The Renfrow family as they walk with Wayne, in hospice care. •   Steve Warsh, undergoing chemotherapy. •   Tom Palkon being treated for cancer. •   For young adults as they try to make their way in life moving away (physically) from family. •   For those involved in research trying to find a cure for cancer. •   Those killed and injured in terrorist attacks around the world and all refugees in need of prayer. •   All service members and their loved ones before, during and after deployment.

(Prayer  cards  are  available  in  the  pew  racks.  Fill  one  out  and  drop  it  in  the  offering  plate.)    NEARLY 1 IN 5 ADULTS STRUGGLE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. Contact one of the pastors today for information about mental healthcare advocacy and resources that can help you and your loved ones. Contact information for the pastors is at the back of this bulletin.

MEMORIAL EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS ODER FORM You can remember a loved one by purchasing a lily or other flowering plant for the Easter Festival Altar. Enclose your gift of $30 or more per plant with this order form. Purchased plants can be taken home after the 11:00 AM service on Easter Sunday. Please print the following: In Memory or Celebration of (print name(s) as you wish to appear): __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ From (your name(s) as you wish to appear): __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Daytime phone: _____________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________ Tear out this form and drop it in the offering plate or it mail to:

St Pauls UCC 2335 N. Orchard Street Chicago, IL 60614 Attn: Cindi Stazzone

This form, along with your check, must arrive at the church by April 9. Any orders received after that date will not be printed in the bulletin.

Notes

 

 ABOUT ST. PAULS

Making a joyful sound in the city

Saint Pauls UCC has a vibrant history in the city of Chicago. Founded in 1843, we are one of the city's oldest churches. In 1989 we became one of America's first congregations to declare ourselves "Open to and Affirming of” LGBT women and men. From founding Chicago's largest provider of social services to at-risk children to starting a home for the elderly, from housing protestors at the 1968 Democratic Convention to hosting Lincoln Park's first MLK day march against violence on Chicago's streets we are proud to make a joyful sound in the city. Most importantly, over the past 172 years we are glad to have introduced thousands of children and adults to the amazing, inclusive, life changing, uplifting love of God. We do so in worship that is traditional, but far from conventional.

St. Pauls United Church of Christ 2335 North Orchard Street Chicago, Illinois 60614

(773) 348-3829 FAX (773) 348-3858 www.spucc.org

Matt Fitzgerald, Senior Pastor, mfitzgerald@spucc.org

Avena Ward, Associate Pastor, award@spucc.org Jeff Carlson, Associate Pastor, jcarlson@spucc.org

Sarah Garcia, Associate Pastor for Children and Youth, sgarcia@spucc.org Tom Henry, Pastor Emeritus, emeritushenry@gmail.com

Karen E. Johnson, President of the Congregation, kejpiano@aol.com Kurt R. Hansen, Music Director, kurtsingsbach@gmail.com

Kevin Dzierzawski, Organist, kdzierza@att.net Brendan Henry, Joyful Sounds Choir Director,brendanphenry@hotmail.com

Nancy Voigts, Children’s Choir Director, nvoigtsgod@att.net Kecia Waldschmidt, Youth Choir Director, keciagerman@hotmail.com

Kristofer Hansen, Joyful Sounds Choir Co-Director, TheBeatB0xer1995@gmail.com Mark Mosley, Intergenerational Orchestra Director, mwmosley@gmail.com

Tom Vaitsas, Pianist, tomvaitsas@gmail.com Kevin O’Brien, Lay Liturgical Administrator, kob48@att.net

Free Parking is available on Sundays at Children’s Memorial Hospital

2300 Block of North Lincoln Ave. – Vouchers Not Needed

   

WELCOME TO SAINT PAULS UCC!

Welcome to those whose hearts are on fire with faith, and to those who bring their doubt inside our doors.

Welcome to our first time guests and our longtime members.

Welcome to single people, tiny children, grandparents and families of all configurations.

Welcome to those who rejoice and to those who grieve. Welcome to each and to everyone.

We are an Open and Affirming church. We welcome all.

We are blessed by your presence and we are glad you are here!