To Be More Christ Like

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT:

We will be a Christ-centered spiritual community that connects with and serves people from all walks of life.
We strive to be a beacon of hope where love is generous, and diversity is valued.
We will meet people where they are, encourage their personal faith journey, and share God’s love throughout our wider community.

September 24, 2023
A Vision for St. Paul’s
To Be More Like Christ
Rev. David Petty
 
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden

Greeting
Rev. David Petty

*Call To Worship
Lu Petersen

Leader: God invites us here this day.
People: We come, whether early or late, rich or poor, noble or humble, drawn by God's boundless grace.
Leader: God's generosity knows no bounds, His love and mercy overflow.
People: With gratitude, we gather, celebrating the One who welcomes all.
Leader: This is the Day that the Lord has Made
People: We will rejoice and be glad in it!

*Gathering Song
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
UMH #139
WORDS: Joachim Neander, 1680; sts. 1, 3, 5 trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863;
st. 2 by S. Paul Schilling, 1986; st. 4 by Rupert E. Davies, 1983 (Ps. 103:1-6; 150)
Trans. sts. 2 and 4 © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House

1. Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty,
the King of creation!
 
O my soul, praise Him,
for He is thy health
and salvation!
 
All ye who hear,
now to His
temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
 
2. Praise to the Lord,
who o’er all things
so wondrously reigning
bears thee on eagle’s
wings, e’er in His
keeping maintaining.
 
God’s care enfolds
all, whose true
good He upholds.
Hast thou not known
His sustaining?
 
3. Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper
thy work
and defend thee;
surely His goodness
and mercy here daily
attend thee.
 
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with His love
doth befriend thee.
 
4. Praise to the Lord,
who doth nourish thy
life and restore thee,
fitting thee well
for the tasks that are
ever before thee.
 
Then to thy need
God as a mother
doth speed,
spreading the wings
of grace o’er thee.
 
5. Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is
in me adore Him!
All that hath life
and breath,
come now with praises
before Him!
 
Let the amen
sound from His
people again;
gladly forever adore Him.
 
Greet Neighbors
 
Mystery Box

Prayer Song
Hymn of Promise
Vs. 1 UMH #707
WORDS: Natalie Sleeth, 1986
© 1986 Hope Publishing Co.
 
1. In the bulb
there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons,
a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
 
In the cold
and snow of winter
there’s a spring
that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

Prayer, Silent Prayer  and, The Lord’s Prayer
Lu Petersen

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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.
Amen

Prayer Response
Hymn of Promise
Vs. 3 UMH #707
WORDS: Natalie Sleeth, 1986
© 1986 Hope Publishing Co.

3. In the end
is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt
there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
 
In our death,
a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

Invitation to Offering
Lu Petersen

Offertory
Sometime We Wait
By Tom Fettke
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanks and Dedication
Rev. David Petty

*Doxology
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
 
Praise God, from whom 
all blessings flow; 
Praise God, all creatures 
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 
Praise God, the source 
of all our gifts! 
Praise Jesus Christ, 
whose power uplifts! 
 
Praise the Spirit, 
Holy Spirit! 
Alleluia! Alleluia! 
Alleluia!

Scripture Reading
Matthew 20:1-6
Lu Petersen

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.  When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’

Anthem
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
By Jay Althouse
Sanctuary Choir
 
Prayer for Illumination

Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
A Vision for St. Paul’s
To Be More Like Christ
Rev. David Petty

*Affirmation of Faith
Lu Petersen

Leader: As United Methodists, we don't require belief in a specific creed to belong to this church, but we say these affirmations to give words to our faith where words may even fall short. This week, we state our beliefs in who we are as a church.

All: We believe:
We are called to be peacemakers,
To love the unlovable
to see the unseen.
To feed the hungry
to give drink to those who thirst.

To invite in the stranger,
to clothe the naked, look after the sick
and to visit those in prison.
We are called to be healers of a broken world
and menders of broken hearts.
We are the people of God,
We are St. Paul’s United Methodist Church,
Celebrating the love of God,
Following the teachings of Jesus,
And living in the power of the Holy Spirit,
AS THIS CHURCH, it is our vision that
We will be a Christ-centered spiritual community
that connects with and serves people
from all walks of life.

We strive to be a beacon of hope
where love is generous,
and diversity is valued.

We will meet people where they are,
encourage their personal faith journey,
and share God’s love
throughout our wider community.
This is our share belief,
our communal hope,
and our congregational vision.
Amen.

*Hymn
Love Divine All Loves Excelling
UMH#384
WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1747

1. Love divine,
all loves excelling,
joy of heaven,
to earth come down;
 
fix in us Thy
humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful
mercies crown!
 
Jesus, thou art
all compassion,
pure, unbounded
love Thou art;
 
visit us with
Thy salvation;
enter every
trembling heart.
 
2. Breathe, O breathe
Thy loving Spirit
into every
troubled breast!
 
Let us all
in Thee inherit;
let us find that
second rest.
 
Take away
our bent to sinning;
Alpha and
Omega be;
 
end of faith,
as its beginning,
set our hearts
at liberty.
 
3. Come, Almighty
to deliver,
let us all
Thy life receive;
 
suddenly return
and never,
nevermore Thy
temples leave.
 
Thee we would be
always blessing,
serve Thee as
Thy hosts above,
 
pray and praise Thee
without ceasing,
glory in Thy
perfect love.
 
4. Finish, then,
Thy new creation;
pure and spotless
let us be.
 
Let us see Thy
great salvation
perfectly restored
in Thee;
 
changed from glory
into glory,
till in heaven
we take our place,
 
till we cast our
crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder,
love, and praise.
 
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden

September Mission Focus - Family Promise
Family Promise - written by Rev. David Petty

As we enter the month of September, we're excited to focus our hearts and efforts on a cause that reflects the core values of love, compassion, and community. Our Monthly Mission for September is dedicated to supporting Family Promise of Colorado Springs, with whom we have recently partnered in using Wesley House to provide transitional housing for people who have been experiencing homelessness.
Family Promise is an organization committed to transforming the lives of families experiencing homelessness. They provide more than just shelter and meals – they offer a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency. Through their comprehensive programs and unwavering support, Family Promise helps families regain their footing and create a brighter future.
Throughout September, we have the incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. By raising funds for Family Promise, we're contributing to the essential resources that empower families to overcome adversity and build a better life. As we unite in this endeavor, we embody the spirit of Christ's love and compassion in a tangible way, creating a ripple effect of hope and positive change.
Let's come together as a community to support Family Promise of Colorado Springs and be a source of light and encouragement for families on their journey towards a brighter tomorrow.

Trunk or Treat

It's time once again for us to open our trunks, get out the candy, and welcome the neighborhood to our parking lot. On October 29th at 5 pm.

We need people willing to open their decorated trunks so that kids can trick or treat the trunks.
We are also looking for donations of individually wrapped candy for our “Trunkers” to pass out. Please look for the donation boxes in the Narthex.

For questions, contact Val Cox or Pastor David.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday where we as United Methodists in conjunction with other denominations around the world participate in communion to recognize our unity in Jesus Chris. Celebrating the diversity of believers, we invite you to bring in a favorite bread for use in serving communion. This bread can be homemade or store-bought. It can be anything from a rice cake or dinner roll to a whole wheat tortilla or a loaf of sourdough. Bring something meaningful to you to help celebrate this day of worldwide unity.
St. Paul’s will be hosting the Joint World Communion Service at 5:00 pm on October 1, 2023.

Pastor's Discretionary Fund

We will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund which helps meet community needs as they arise such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. More explanation will be given next week, but feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

Keenagers - October 12

It’s time for another Keenagers lunch and program. This month we will be gathering on Thursday, October 12 at 11:45 am. In addition to a delicious lunch, we will hear a harp performance by Brielle Underwood. Though her training is in classical music, Brielle will be performing a wide range of genres. The cost is $9 and you can pay at the event. Please contact Pastor Donnie as soon as you can if you plan to attend. We don’t want to cancel the event due to low attendance. Be sure to invite a friend.

Deadline for reservations is October 6th.

!!!Fall Clean-up Day!!!
Saturday, October 21st
9:00 – 12:00 A.M.
Just In time for Halloween!

Gather up your Gloves, Rakes, Shovels, Leaf Blowers, Brooms
Don’t have any?  We do!

GOOD INTENTIONS
 Lead to Greater Results

Join the Trustees of Saint Paul’s
For a fun-packed time
Sprucing up YOUR church.

Trustees will provide the Refreshments.
Hope to see all of you there
on the 21st Of October.

Trick or Treat for UNICEF:

Join us on October 29th for a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF event! Kids, wear your favorite costumes and come to church ready to make a difference. As we gather, we'll be collecting change donations to support UNICEF's vital mission for children worldwide. So dig through those couch cushions and car cupholders and let's turn our Halloween spirit into an act of love and generosity!