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New Year’s Day Communion Sunday
January 1, 2017 10:00 AM Worship
No matter who you are, 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 “ Who could have thought it up that God throws himself so deep down into our midst, and accepts the works of all those who give themselves to the poor as if they were done for him. Thus the world is full, full of God. In every alley, before your door, you find Christ.” ~Martin Luther PRELUDE Divinum Mysterium W. Held
Kevin Dzierzawski, organ CHIMES
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Avena Ward
* WELCOMING EACH OTHER
* CALL TO WORSHIP One: The decorations will come down soon, and that might be sad, but it is good. All: For when the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas truly begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart. Let us praise God together. Amen.
(based on a prayer by Howard Thurman)
*Please stand if you are able to do so.
* HYMN Good King Wenceslas Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shown the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel. “Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou know it telling: Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence by Saint Agnes fountain.” “Bring me bread, and bring me wine. Bring me pine logs hither. Thou and I will see him dine when we bear him thither.” Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together Through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather. In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dinted. Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, everyone, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Jeff Carlson
When we make no room for Christ, and fail to welcome him into our lives, please forgive us. When we make the manger quaint and erase your poverty please forgive us. When we sing sweetly your birth, and fail to rejoice over your everyday presence, here with us, on the margin and in the least of these please forgive us. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER WORDS OF ASSURANCE
RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 165, v. 1
Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love divine. Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
THE BIBICAL WORD FOR THIS DAY Matthew 25:31-46
“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. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 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; 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, 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.’ 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? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 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.’ 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; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
* 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. 165, v. 2 Worship we the God-head, love incarnate, Love divine; worship we our Jesus, but where is God’s sacred sign?
SERMON “How did you treat me while I was gone?” Matt Fitzgerald * HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter Black Hymnal No. 128
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, transcends all heaven, earth and its domain; heaven and earth shall flee away when Christ comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Sovereign God almighty, Jesus Christ. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the midnight air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss. What can I offer, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise one, I would do my part; but what I can offer: all my heart.
OFFERTORY Gesu bambino Pietro Yon Nancy Pifer, Soprano
* 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.
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 O God, we thank you for Jesus and the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem. We thank you for the infant Christ, whom the rulers of the earth ignored, whose life was among common people. Thank you for giving us the best of yourself at this table. Thank you for being in the everyday; in wheat, grapes and this ordinary gathering. Alleluia! Amen.
* HYMN Black Hymnal No. 432
’Tis winter now; the fallen snow Has left the heav’ns all coldly clear; Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow, And all the earth lies dead and drear. And yet God’s love is not withdrawn; new life within the keen air breathes; God’s beauty paints the crimson dawn, And clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths.
And though abroad the sharp winds blow, And skies are chill, and frosts are keen, Home closer draws its circle now, And warmer glows the light within. O God! Who gives the winter’s cold, As well as summer’s joyous rays, Us warmly in Thy love enfold, And keep us through life’s wintry days.
* BENEDICTION * CHORAL BENEDICTION Amen, amen, amen.
POSTLUDE Swiss Noel L.C. Daquin
Kevin Dzierzawski, organ
Following Worship, all are invited for coffee and snacks downstairs in the Social Hall.
TODAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS: Head Usher: Beatrice Jaji
Ushers: Bruce Hafner, Jen Luerssen, Fred Pearson, Bruce Voice Communion Coordinators: Jana O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien
Communion Servers: Jana O'Brien, Wayne Parman Communion bread baked by Marcia Knudson
Acolyte Coordinators: Micki Fayhee, Cindy Zinn Ball Head Greeter: Greg Mooney Special Accommodations: Dodd Brown
BORN THIS WEEK IN JANUARY
Donations to the Birthday Fund support A Just Harvest
We celebrate and give thanks for your life at St. Pauls.
January 1: Nathan Chamberlain
January 3: Theresa Busker, Aaron Lawson
January 5: Christine Frisch, Charles Hall, Laini Zinn
January 6: Elizabeth Harper
January 7: Carol Graham, Peter Kaiser, Mark Lueck, Evelyn Rosebrock,
Courtney Sensenbrenner, Jeffrey Wagner
UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCMENTS
JANUARY 2 - The church building will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day.
JANUARY 5 - Youth rock climbing night from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Pastor Sarah at [email protected].
JANUARY 8 - Faith Formation at 9:00 AM. We will discuss anxiety, grace, Islam, music, social
media, and vitriolic polemic; introduction to some of the themes for the Luther and the Reformation
class.
JANUARY 8 - Bible Story Theatre rehearsals will begin and take place each Sunday morning from
9:45 to 11:00 AM, leading up to the performance on February 5.
JANUARY 14 - New book study, Luther: Between God and the Devil every second Saturday until
May 13, 10:00 AM in the Parlor. Steve Peterson at [email protected].
JANUARY 15 - Polar Peace March® starts at 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary and the Gym. For more
information, go to www.polarpeacemarch.com.
JANUARY 20 - Potluck and play reading of Fences by August Wilson at 6:00 PM in the Parlor
Toby Rogers at [email protected].
JANUARY 21 - Bible Study 10:00 AM in the Chapel.
JANUARY 21 - Craft beer night at 7:30 PM. Hannah Basil at [email protected].
JANUARY 22 - Monthly brunch at 12:00 PM. Hannah Basil at [email protected].
JANUARY 24 - The really long novel reading group reading Moby Dick and Anna Karenina in 2017.
First discussion of Moby Dick at 7:00 PM in the Parlor. Jeff Carlson at [email protected]
JANUARY 29 - One session new member class at 12:30 PM in the Parlor. Learn more about St.
Pauls’ 173-year ministry of Making a Joyful Sound in the City, meet others exploring membership,
Pastor Matt at [email protected] to register.
FEBRUARY 7 - Discuss Fences by August Wilson with Lincoln Park High School teachers at
LPHS at 6:30 PM. RSVP to Toby Rogers [email protected].
FEBRUARY 24-25 - Youth Waterpark winter retreat – 8-12 graders. Pastor Sarah, [email protected].
JUNE 24 - JULY 2 - Youth mission trip to the Lakota reservation in South Dakota. Pastor Sarah to
apply [email protected].
OPPORTUNITIES
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.
BOOK NOOK - Take a book or donate one, contact Tilly Wilhoite at [email protected].
COLLEEN HENRY WRITING CENTER - Needs a few tutors. Nancy Brandt,
FEED THE HUNGRY - Each week St. Pauls welcomes homeless and hungry people to Sunday
dinner. Contact Brent Carstensen at [email protected] 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 [email protected].
LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY SHELTER NEEDS OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEERS - To sign
up: [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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 [email protected] or Marti Pechnyo
[email protected] or Diana Laskaris [email protected].
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
ST. PAULS SOCIAL - Get better acquainted with other adults at St. Pauls. Contact Jen Luerssen,
[email protected] and stay tuned for our first event!
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 [email protected] to be added to the mailing list.
YOUTH GROUP - Youth group grades 2-7 meet most Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. Contact
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please send any announcements you would like in the following week’s bulletin to
[email protected] no later than 10:00 AM on Tuesday. Please limit announcements to
70 words. Thank you.
SAINT PAULS PRAYS
• Charlotte "Becky" Stretch asks for prayers for her mother who is entering hospice care.
• Prayers for the family of Michelle Drew and Bill Rodriguez on the death of Michelle's grandfather. He
died after a house fire, in which the family farmhouse was lost.
• Animals suffering in the cold.
• Bonnie, Rafa, and Brandon Brill at the death of husband and father, Mike Brill.
• Ed Zasadil recovering from another fall.
• Charles May at the death of his father.
• Jennifer Heiney and her family at the passing of her grandmother.
• Jan Womack as her mother enters hospice.
• Prayer for Edward Wosylus’ brother, Bill, on the loss of his wife.
• Rob and Shannon Castle at the death of Rob’s father on Thanksgiving.
• 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.
• Betty Beckers recovering from an infection.
• Abby, granddaughter of Penny Trowbridge’s friend Dorne, who has leukemia and is in hospice.
• Sylvia Pine’s grandfather, Terry Barton, recovering from strokes.
• Edith, Anita, Kim and all others who struggle with chronic pain and progressive illnesses.
• Carlos and Cynthia Cata’s friend, a mother of three with stage 4 lung cancer.
• Candi Huber's niece, Kathryn, continuing treatments for cancer.
• Juanita Barlow’s aunt, Sol; her grandchildren’s other grandmother, Rose, with 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.
• Philip Smedley’s father, for health issues.
• 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.
• Del Arsenault, in hospice care at home.
• Carole Crowley recovering from a stroke.
• 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 others 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.
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, [email protected]
Avena Ward, Associate Pastor, [email protected]
Jeff Carlson, Associate Pastor, [email protected]
Sarah Garcia, Associate Pastor for Children and Youth, [email protected]
Tom Henry, Pastor Emeritus, [email protected]
Kurt R. Hansen, Music Director, [email protected]
Kevin Dzierzawski, Organist, [email protected]
Brendan Henry, Pianist & Joyful Sounds Choir Director, [email protected]
Nancy Voigts, Children’s Choir Director, [email protected]
Kecia Waldschmidt, Youth Choir Director, [email protected]
Kristopher Hansen, Joyful Sounds Choir Director, [email protected]
Mark Mosley, Intergenerational Orchestra Director, [email protected]
Kevin O’Brien, Lay Liturgical Administrator, [email protected]
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!
