March 5 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from Gary & Bren Smith

The choir shares the anthem

Sandy and Belinda chat during fellowship time

Fellowship conversation

Watch the service at this link

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Jesus answered, ‘I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it is not possible to enter God’s kingdom.’” —John 3:5

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Lorie Courier / “Amazing Grace”

*Call to Worship (Psalm 121, CEB)... Claudia Mills

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.

No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests! 

The LORD is your protector; the LORD is your shade right beside you.

The sun won’t strike you during the day; neither will the moon at night.

The LORD will protect you from all evil; God will protect your very life.

The LORD will protect you on your journeys— whether going or coming—from now until forever from now.

*Hymn... “Lift High the Cross” (UMH #159)

Prayer of Confession (Book of Worship #480)... Claudia Mills

We confess to You, all-knowing God, what we are. We are not the people we like others to think we are. We are afraid to admit, even to ourselves, what lies in the depths of our souls. But we cannot hide our true selves   from You. You know us as we are, and yet You love us. Help us not to shrink from self-knowledge. Teach us to respect ourselves for Your sake. Give us the courage to put our trust in Your guiding power. Raise us out of the paralysis of guilt into the freedom and energy of forgiven people. And for those who through long habit find forgiveness hard to accept, we ask You to break their bondage and set them free, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer... Pastor Charles

Gospel Lesson: John 3:1-17... Claudia Mills

Choral Anthem... “Song of Simeon” from How Great Our Joy by Lloyd Larson and Douglas E. Wagner

Second Lesson: Genesis 12:1-4a... Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “Marching orders”

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer (See insert)

*Hymn... “To God Be the Glory” (UMH #98)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

Postlude... Lorie Courier / “I’m Gonna Sing/Ain’t-a That Good News?”