First Steps – May 29, 2023

The other day I had a young person ask me this question, “Do I think Jesus prays for him?” A little caught off guard because of the depth of the question, it took me a minute to reset. My answer was “Sure he does.” Figuring I needed to firm up my answer, I referred him to Hebrews 7:24-25, “…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

In this passage, Jesus continually intercedes for us. Even as you read this devotional, Jesus intercedes for us. When we wake up, go about our day, go to sleep, and do it all over the next day…Jesus intercedes. He is constantly and continually interceding. If Jesus is interceding for you right now, wouldn’t prayer be part of intercession? When we intercede for another, we pray. Same with Jesus—continually interceding, continually praying.

For me, this brings me great comfort. Often, we live with a one-and-done theology. Jesus’ sacrificial act on the cross and God’s raising him from the dead—one-and-done. Justification by God for the person who believes—one-and-done. Though these are true, there can be an assumption that Jesus’ act of intercession is a one-and-done act. After those acts are completed, we think Jesus goes on to something else. Nope! He continually intercedes.

As you go about your week, do so with the understanding that Jesus is interceding for you. He interceded yesterday, he is interceding today and will intercede tomorrow. Allow this hope to guide and direct you.

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Luke 11
*Tuesday – Luke 12
*Wednesday – Luke 13
*Thursday – Luke 14
*Friday – Luke 15

Prayer Requests:
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
-Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
-Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
-Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Sunday Morning Worship Service Cantata: O Holy Night
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 16, 2024 at 6:05 am
December 15, 2024 11:00 Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J.S. Bach The Choir Presentation..........................................O Come, O Come, Emmanuel The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles' Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri................................................................................(#71) The Lighting of the Advent Wreath....The Erin and Hunter Murphy Family Special Altar Guild Recognition.................................Mrs. Mary Pat King The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory...............................This Day Is so Rich in Joy, by J.S. Bach The Doxology...................................................................................(#94) The Welcome and Registration of Attendance Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregational Response: And also with you. (Children ages K4-2nd graders are dismissed to Children’s Church - Room M235; children 3 and younger are taken to the nursery by parents.) The Congregational Response: O Come, thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by their justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Noel, Born Is the King of Israel The Postlude...........................................................Joy to the World, arr A. Fedak The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him O Holy Night Cantata.................................................Songs Listed Inside
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 2)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 9, 2024 at 5:25 am
December 8, 2024 Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude................................................Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, arr. J. Goode Hymn of Celebration...............................Angels from the Realms of Glory (#220) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.................................Julia and Connor Green The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh Hymn of Preparation...........................................There’s a Song in the Air (#249) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Doxology The Scripture Lesson 1Chronicles 16:37-43 (pp. 327-328); Matthew 2:1-12 (pp. 783-784) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon.......................If It Is, It Involves Commitment, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration...........................................What Child Is This (#219) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.....................................From Heaven to Earth I Come, by J.S. Bach The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Is It Better to Give than Receive? (Part 1) - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 2, 2024 at 5:25 am
The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude....................................................................Polish Carol, by A. Jordan Hymn of Celebration........................Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (#213) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath...........................Whitney and Shaun O’Hara The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem...........................................Come, Emmanuel, by D. Besig The Doxology The Scripture Lesson....................Genesis 26:1-6 (p. 19); Luke 1:26-38 (p. 831) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon...........................If It Is, then It Involves Trust, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Sacrament of Holy Communion............................................................(#12) The Hymn of Consecration..................Come,Thou Long-Expected Jesus (#196) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude...........................Wie schon leuchtet der Morganstern, by V. Klauss The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Cost of Complaining and the Gift of Thanksgiving" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 25, 2024 at 5:56 am
Order of Worship November 24, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ..................................................We Gather Together The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude............................................St. George's Windsor, arr. M. C. de Jong Hymn of Celebration.............................Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (#694) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Baptism of Henry Reeves Harper................................................(see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory....................I Give You Thanks, by J.W. Lindh; the Covenant Choir The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..........Numbers 14 :17-25 (p. 116); Luke 17:11-19 (p. 852) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem........................Thanks Be to Thee, by G.F. Handel / arr. C. Lefebvre The Sermon......................The Cost of Complaining and the Gift of Thanksgiving, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration............................zx (#102) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction........................................................We Gather Together The Postlude........................................Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, by A. Hesse The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Finding Hope in Uncertain Prayers" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 18, 2024 at 5:59 am
Order of Worship November 17, 2024 11:00 A.M. The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .....................................Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Choral Call to Worship ...........................................................This Is the Day The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude.........................................................Prelude in a minor, by J.S. Bach Hymn of Celebration.............................Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown (#386) Special Recognition of Riley Middleton.......................................Rev. Dr. Green The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.................................Rev. Dr. Green The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem............Deep River, arr. H. Heavy; Soloist Tommy Bridges The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..........................................Ephesians 3:20-21 (p. 950-951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment.................................................................Rev. Dr. Green The Sermon....................Finding Hope in Uncertain Prayers, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration................................Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#140) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude...........................................................................Gloria, by A. Raison The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him

Sunday Morning Worship Service Cantata: O Holy Night
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 16, 2024 at 6:05 am
December 15, 2024 11:00 Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J.S. Bach The Choir Presentation..........................................O Come, O Come, Emmanuel The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles' Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri................................................................................(#71) The Lighting of the Advent Wreath....The Erin and Hunter Murphy Family Special Altar Guild Recognition.................................Mrs. Mary Pat King The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory...............................This Day Is so Rich in Joy, by J.S. Bach The Doxology...................................................................................(#94) The Welcome and Registration of Attendance Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregational Response: And also with you. (Children ages K4-2nd graders are dismissed to Children’s Church - Room M235; children 3 and younger are taken to the nursery by parents.) The Congregational Response: O Come, thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by their justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Noel, Born Is the King of Israel The Postlude...........................................................Joy to the World, arr A. Fedak The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him O Holy Night Cantata.................................................Songs Listed Inside
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 2)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 9, 2024 at 5:25 am
December 8, 2024 Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude................................................Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, arr. J. Goode Hymn of Celebration...............................Angels from the Realms of Glory (#220) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.................................Julia and Connor Green The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh Hymn of Preparation...........................................There’s a Song in the Air (#249) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Doxology The Scripture Lesson 1Chronicles 16:37-43 (pp. 327-328); Matthew 2:1-12 (pp. 783-784) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon.......................If It Is, It Involves Commitment, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration...........................................What Child Is This (#219) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.....................................From Heaven to Earth I Come, by J.S. Bach The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Is It Better to Give than Receive? (Part 1) - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 2, 2024 at 5:25 am
The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude....................................................................Polish Carol, by A. Jordan Hymn of Celebration........................Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (#213) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath...........................Whitney and Shaun O’Hara The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem...........................................Come, Emmanuel, by D. Besig The Doxology The Scripture Lesson....................Genesis 26:1-6 (p. 19); Luke 1:26-38 (p. 831) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon...........................If It Is, then It Involves Trust, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Sacrament of Holy Communion............................................................(#12) The Hymn of Consecration..................Come,Thou Long-Expected Jesus (#196) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude...........................Wie schon leuchtet der Morganstern, by V. Klauss The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Cost of Complaining and the Gift of Thanksgiving" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 25, 2024 at 5:56 am
Order of Worship November 24, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ..................................................We Gather Together The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude............................................St. George's Windsor, arr. M. C. de Jong Hymn of Celebration.............................Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (#694) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Baptism of Henry Reeves Harper................................................(see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory....................I Give You Thanks, by J.W. Lindh; the Covenant Choir The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..........Numbers 14 :17-25 (p. 116); Luke 17:11-19 (p. 852) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem........................Thanks Be to Thee, by G.F. Handel / arr. C. Lefebvre The Sermon......................The Cost of Complaining and the Gift of Thanksgiving, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration............................zx (#102) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction........................................................We Gather Together The Postlude........................................Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, by A. Hesse The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Finding Hope in Uncertain Prayers" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 18, 2024 at 5:59 am
Order of Worship November 17, 2024 11:00 A.M. The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .....................................Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Choral Call to Worship ...........................................................This Is the Day The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude.........................................................Prelude in a minor, by J.S. Bach Hymn of Celebration.............................Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown (#386) Special Recognition of Riley Middleton.......................................Rev. Dr. Green The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.................................Rev. Dr. Green The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem............Deep River, arr. H. Heavy; Soloist Tommy Bridges The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..........................................Ephesians 3:20-21 (p. 950-951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment.................................................................Rev. Dr. Green The Sermon....................Finding Hope in Uncertain Prayers, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration................................Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#140) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude...........................................................................Gloria, by A. Raison The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him