April 21, 2024

God is doing amazing things at Crossfire Ministries, located at 3975 N. Academy Blvd. We are adding nearly 30 new families each day of service and are serving almost 500 families daily, Tuesday through Thursday and 250 families on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings. The fourth Tuesday night is our School Outreach which is open to school employees who need a little extra help and care. To open up more parking spaces for our guests, we are now having as many volunteers as will, park their cars at a neighboring church and we running a shuttle bus every 15 minutes daily. And we do not see the community need decrease, as many people struggle with the high cost of housing and living.

We pass out Bibles and offer prayer. About 70 to 80 percent stop by the prayer station. We gave away about 3000 Bibles in 2023. Daily we give out things from our thrift store in the form of store credits for our families in need. We average from $1000 to $2000 dollars given out for free each day. We are able to obtain a get a great deal of produce and fresh products from Care and Share and many local businesses but our budget for canned goods and hygiene products averages about $20,000.00 a month. We appreciate the support and help from area churches and individuals who help contribute to this need.

So far, we are continuing to be able to supply our guests with food, clothing, household goods and toiletries. God has been faithful and we give Him all the honor and glory.

I would personally love to give you a tour to see our facility and operations. If it is around our lunch time, I also would love for you to join us for lunch.

With gratitude and blessings,
Leslie Miller
Founder & Assistant Operations Manager
719-650-4336 (cell)

Each communion Sunday thereafter 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. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

May 10, The Pikes Peak Home School music students who rehearse here on Mondays and Wednesdays will be presenting their spring concert. As a way to say how glad we are that they are at St. Paul’s, we are going to be serving cookies, lemonade, and iced tea during the concert’s intermission. THIS IS A COOKIE CALL!!!!!! We are planning on 300 attendees…That’s a lot of cookies! If you are baking or at the grocery store please make or pick up some cookies and bring them into the church. They can be put in the freezer in the back of the kitchen that is marked VBS or marked “Concert “and placed on the counter. I would also appreciate a few volunteers to help with set-up, serving, and clean-up.

June 9, We have a Youth Choir visiting us and they will be providing some of their music during the service. We want to say, “Thank You” and welcome them with a potluck right after the service. St. Paul’s will be providing the dessert so plan on bringing a main dish, side, or salad to serve 12(since we are hosting the youth and their adult advisors)

Mother’s Day Brunch-May 12th: Back by popular demand, the annual Mother’s Day Brunch will soon be taking reservations. Watch for signup sheets on Sunday mornings beginning in mid-April, or contact the church office and reserve your table. Again, this year, the Picnic Basket will be catering the meal following the church service, so bring the whole family for a hassle-free celebration. The menu will include quiche, French toast with fruit compote, fresh-baked ham, breakfast burritos with all the toppings, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and fruit juices, as well as a variety of continental breakfast items. Suggested donation (remember, no tax or tip!) for adults is $30, with children under 12 eating free. If your budget won’t cover that cost, just give what you can—but come and enjoy the fellowship.

Getting your Ducks in a Row-June 8th: Whether financial and estate planning, keeping medical records, planning for emergency evacuations, or simply making our lives less stressful, we all know we should be better organized. Since we don’t know where to start, we procrastinate. Senior advisor Judy Rough has spent her career helping older clients organize their lives. Though she lives in Denver, she has offered to sponsor a free community seminar at St. Paul’s. The only cost will be for binder materials, available upon registration. The workshop is only a starting point; be prepared to devote some time to following her advice. We’ll enjoy a potluck brunch followed by a half-day workshop. So, sharpen your pencils, bring that egg casserole, and prepare to get your “ducks in a row.” Remember to invite all your friends, since this is a community outreach from St. Paul’s.
Contact Jeanne Marsh (719-229-1708) or the church office to register.

Prelude
Simplicity
Jubilee Bells

Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Song
Who Is My Mother, Who Is My Brother
TFWS #2225 vs. 2,3
WORDS: Shirley Erena Murray (Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)
MUSIC: Jack Schrader © 1992 Hope Publishing Co.
 
2. Differently abled,
differently labeled
widen the circle
round Jesus Christ:
 
Crutches and stigmas,
cultures’ enigmas
all come together
round Jesus Christ.
 
3. Love will relate us
color or status
can’t segregate us,
round Jesus Christ:
 
Family failings,
human derailings
all are accepted,
round Jesus Christ.

Calling on God Prayer
Rev. David Petty

Leader: Let us pray together:
Creator God, Your works are manifold and in wisdom, You have made them all. Like trees planted by streams of water, help us to grow in diversity and inclusion. Let each of us bear fruit in our own season, and prosper in all we do. Teach us to cherish the rich tapestry of life in Your creation, recognizing Your image in every face. May our community flourish like a garden, vibrant with the colors of the rainbow in all of your people.
Amen.

Opening Hymn
We Are God’s People
WORDS: Bryan Jeffery Leech
(John 3:5-8; 1 Cor. 3:16; Col. 1:18; 1 Pet. 2:9)
MUSIC: Johannes Brahms, adapt.
© 1976 Fred Bock Music Co.
 
1. We are God’s people,
the chosen of the Lord,
born of the Spirit,
established by the Word.
 
Our cornerstone
is Christ alone,
and strong in
Christ we stand;
 
O let us live
transparently and walk
heart to heart
and hand in hand.
 
3. We are the body
of which the
Lord is Head,
called to obey Christ,
now risen
from the dead.
 
God wills us be
a family
diverse, yet
truly one;
 
O let us give
our gifts to God
and so shall God’s
work on earth be done.
 
The Peace
 
Mystery Box

Scripture Reading
Mark 4:26-34
CLM Twinkle Gordon

 Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”
He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”
With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.

Prayer for Illumination
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

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
Planting with Care – Growing a Garden with God
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Prayer, Silent Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer
CLM Twinkle Gordon

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

Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon

Offertory
Down the River
Natalie Sleeth
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH # 94
       
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!

Closing Blessing
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Blessed are you who embrace the beauty of diversity—You who see the divine image reflected in every face and cherish every unique flower in God's garden.
Blessed are you who sow seeds of inclusion, who water them with love, and who find God in the wildflower bouquet that is humanity.

Sending Hymn
Let There Be Peace on Earth
UMH #431
WORDS: Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
© 1955.  Assigned to Jan-Lee Music, © renewed 1983

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me;
let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was
meant to be.
 
With God our creator,
children all are we.
Let us walk
with each other
in perfect harmony.
 
Let peace begin with me;
let this be
the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be
my solemn vow:
 
to take each moment
and live each moment
in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
 
Benediction
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Postlude
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Cynthia Hibbetts