The things we said out loud this Sunday

 

Some prayers come with celebration. Others carry grief. Some hold both. These are the ones spoken aloud during worship this week.

Celebration

• Rebecca gave thanks for Mawce who turned 18 years old on Sunday.

Hopes & Concerns

• Rev. Elizabeth requested prayers for her sister, who is pregnant and due to deliver at any moment.

Grief & Travel

• Claudia shared that her friend Rachel has passed away. She asks for prayers as she travels to Rachel’s memorial service—and for herself as she prepares to say goodbye.

Whether spoken aloud or kept quietly within, may these prayers remind us we’re not meant to carry it all alone.

This Week's Easter Prayers

The room was full—of bodies, of language, of music, of presence. On Easter morning, we worshiped alongside Beautiful Boulder Korean Church, with over 80 people gathered at St. Paul’s. And in the middle of it all, we spoke prayers aloud.

Here’s what was named in the room this week...

What we’re celebrating

Sandra gave thanks that her son, who was recently fired from NOAA, found a new job—and not just any job, but one that feels “perfect.”

Rebecca shared gratitude that Ben returned safely to college after his visit to Boulder.

What we’re hoping for

Rebecca also asked for prayers for her friend Arlyn, who’s looking for work after taking early retirement from NOAA.

There were more people in the room than usual—but the same things filled the space: honesty, concern, relief, gratitude, and the quiet courage it takes to say something out loud.

If you’ve been carrying something too, even if you didn’t speak it—this space is still for you.

What we carry together this week

 

Each Sunday, prayers are spoken aloud—words of thanks, concern, uncertainty, and hope. These are the things our community brought with them this week.

As you read, you’re invited to pause and hold these prayers with care.

Gratitude & Celebration

• Claudia expressed gratitude for the Lenten Bible study.

• Steve M. gave thanks that a new treatment is helping his condition, even though the cause remains undiagnosed.

• Kyle celebrated his engagement to Crystal and asked for prayers as they begin planning their wedding.

• Bren shared praise for the unexpected relief she felt after learning her house inspection revealed many needed repairs.

Grief & Concern

• Bob M. asked for prayers for the family of his colleague, Camerson, who passed away suddenly.

May these prayers—spoken and unspoken—be held with gentleness, and may those named here feel surrounded by care.

Prayers spoken. Prayers held.

Each week, voices rise—some steady, some trembling—with names, hopes, concerns, and small flashes of joy. These are the prayers spoken aloud in our community this Sunday.

As you read, you’re invited to pause. To breathe. To hold these with gentleness.

Gratitude & Celebration

Dave B. celebrates his recovery from a collapsed lung.

Sandy B. shares joy in the opportunity to volunteer with a program at Golden West.

Mark gives thanks for his oldest daughter's new job and asks for continued support for her family, especially her husband, in this season of transition.

Bren celebrates the sale of her house.

Healing & Support
Amy asks for prayers for healing following a medical procedure.

Suzanne asks for continued prayers for her sister-in-law, Jan, who is suffering from congenital heart failure.

May the One who holds all things together be near to each person named—and to those whose prayers remain unspoken, but no less real.

Holding one another in prayer...

This past Sunday, our community offered prayers—of hope, of healing, and of deep gratitude. As you read them, you're invited to pause, breathe, and hold each name and situation with tenderness.

Gratitude

Kami celebrates good news from her doctor—MS has been ruled out.

Michele gives thanks for the blessing of rain.

Bren expresses gratitude for the congregation’s love and support on the one-year anniversary of Gary’s death.

Dominique, a former attendee, shared her appreciation for the gift of worshipping with St. Paul’s.

Healing

Steve B. lifts up his friend Tom, who is in the hospital with pneumonia while also facing bladder cancer.

Courage for the Days Ahead

Claudia asks for traveling mercies for Gregory and Natalie as they journey to Peru to visit family.

Rebecca and Mawce give thanks for a meaningful college visit and ask for prayers that a space opens at Ithaca College.

May the God who hears our whispered and shouted prayers be near to all who are named here—and to those whose names remain in our hearts.

February 23 @ St Paul's: Prayer Requests

Martha asks for prayers for her friend Katie who suffered a heart attack last month and will begin cardio rehab this week.

Martha asks for prayers for her friend Laurie who will have surgery for breast cancer this week.

Martha asks for prayers for a former student, Robin, who recently lost her second baby to stillbirth.

Bob M. celebrates the blessing of attending the annual UMC district meeting.

Rebecca asks for prayers for Ben, who is traveling Friday for term break. They are concerned that TSA may reject Ben's nonbinary ID.

Scott asks for prayers for Kami's son, who is autistic and facing financial problems.

Scott asks for prayers for Kami's ongoing health concerns.

Sally celebrates a new baby in the family, her nephew's son Henry.

Suzanne asks for prayers for her neighbor Cathy, who recently lost a brother to cancer. Cathy will not be welcomed at the funeral service. Suzanne asks for prayers for family healing.

Lorie asks for prayers for her brother Steve, who is beginning a new cancer treatment.

February 23 @ St Paul's: Worship Bulletin

February 23, 2025
Walking Through Conflict

YouTube link to the service:  https://youtu.be/lA6l19oz9wk

In consideration of others, please silence your cell phones.
The prelude calls us to worship; let us listen quietly in reflection and prayer.
*Indicates please stand if you are able

GATHERING

Prelude...Kyle Dacon (he/him)

Welcome...Rev. Elizabeth (she/her)

*Opening Hymn...“O Church of God, United” (UMH #547)

*Call to Worship...Amy Abshire (she/her)
Leader: We gather in worship, knowing that conflict is a part of life. When we care deeply, we do not always see eye to eye.

People: Still, we are called to walk together.

Leader: As iron sharpens iron, we are strengthened by our differences of thought and opinion.

People: Still, we come to worship the One who unites us in love.

Leader: Disagreements can divide us, but they can also lead us to deeper understanding.

People: Still, we are called to listen with humility and love.

Leader: God calls us to find the path forward—not alone, but together.

All: Together, with God’s help, we move forward in faith.

Unison Prayer...Amy Abshire
God of many voices, many perspectives, many paths, You have created us to think, to question, to grow. Yet too often, we let disagreement keep us from moving at all. Too often, we mistake unity for uniformity. Too often, we stay silent, afraid that conflict means we cannot move forward. Still, you call us to walk forward in faith—not always in perfect agreement, but trusting that you are guiding the way. Guide us to trust that difference can be a strength. Guide us to know that conflict is not a reason to turn away or shut down. Guide us, O God, to the wisdom to wait, the courage to move, and the grace to walk together, even when we do not see eye to eye. May love be the ground beneath our feet and faith the movement that carries us on. Amen.

Bell Choir Reflection...“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” arranged by Linda R. Lamb

LISTENING

Community prayer concerns and celebrations
Please wait for Rev. Elizabeth or the usher to bring you a microphone so that all in the congregation will be able to hear your prayer clearly.

Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer...Rev. Elizabeth

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Creator,† who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in 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, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

†Please use the language for God that resonates with your soul and helps you connect with the Divine.

Scripture Reading: Romans 14.1-13 (CEB)...Amy Abshire
Welcome the person who is weak in faith—but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. One person believes in eating everything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Those who eat must not look down on the ones who don’t, and the ones who don’t eat must not judge the ones who do, because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servants? They stand or fall before their own Lord (and they will stand, because the Lord has the power to make them stand). One person considers some days to be more sacred than others, while another person considers all days to be the same. Each person must have their own convictions. Someone who thinks that a day is sacred, thinks that way for the Lord. Those who eat, eat for the Lord, because they thank God. And those who don’t eat, don’t eat for the Lord, and they thank the Lord too. We don’t live for ourselves and we don’t die for ourselves. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord.

Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God. This is why Christ died and lived: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on your brother or sister? We all will stand in front of the judgment seat of God. 

Because it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. So stop judging each other. Instead, this is what you should decide: never put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of your sibling.

For the Word spoken, the Word received, and the Word lived, we say...Thanks be to God.

Message...Rev. Elizabeth / “Walking Through Conflict”

RESPONDING

Hymn of Response...“Take My Life, and Let It Be” (UMH #399)

Offering...Rev. Elizabeth
Donations to St. Paul’s by cash or check can be left in the offering plate on the usher’s table at the back of the sanctuary.

Doxology...“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (UMH #94)

SENDING

Connecting...Rev. Elizabeth

*Closing Hymn...“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” (TFWS #2223)

*Words for the Journey...Rev. Elizabeth
Please stand to receive the benediction and then be seated if you wish to enjoy the postlude.

Postlude...Kyle Dacon

Upcoming Events, News, and Information 

Michele is in the process of updating the directory. If there have been any changes to the information in the d i r e c t o r y , please send her an email at office@saintpaulsboulder.org or hand her a piece of paper with the information on it.

Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet on Thursday, March 6, at 11:45 a.m., at Murphy’s Tap House (585 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville). Please RSVP by March 4 to Marcia Hult.

Thank you to our volunteers! We appreciate everyone who serves as liturgist or usher, hosts fellowship, brings flowers, or works in the nursery. If you want to sign up for a date in the future that is not listed on the sign-up page, just add a note at the office.