September 7, 2020September 7, 2020 by Cindy Lee

First Steps – September 7, 2020

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace” (Col 1:3-6a).

Paul highlights three particular traits in the Colossian believers: Faith, Love, and Hope. Wherever we see these traits, like Paul, we should give thanks to God. It is noteworthy that Paul informs the reader that faith and love arise, spring out of hope (see italics). The gospel promises a certain hope and that hope transforms.

I mention this today, because of the increased conflict, anger, and despair due to a pandemic, so that we will be reminded on the hope of heaven. Setting our hope on heaven puts everything in a proper perspective. Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher, called heaven “a world of love.” Our heavenly hope inspires us to see as God sees, to love as Jesus loves, and to know that this too shall pass. This week, fix your gaze on God’s gift of heaven and allow His presence to saturate you with peace.

This Week’s Readings:

Monday – Acts 2
Tuesday – Acts 3
Wednesday – Acts 4
Thursday – Acts 5
Friday – Acts 6

Please Pray for:

Our ministers and their families.
Friends and family members battling illness.
Those seeking to find their way.
Teachers and students as they transition.
The United Methodist Church family.
The Covid-19 Pandemic.
Our nation and our leaders.

“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

"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
"When Life Doesn't Make Sense: God's Goodness and Pain" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 11, 2024 at 6:01 am
11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship November 10, 2024 The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ...................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude......................................................Partitas on Dennis, by F. Ashdown Hymn of Celebration.................................The Church’s One Foundation (#545) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Baptism..................................................................(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 Anthem.................................................Happy Land, arr. B. Harlan The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........Genesis 50:15-21 (p. 42); Matthew 7:24-27 (p. 788) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon When Life Doesn’t Make Sense: God’s Goodness & Pain.....Rev. Dr. Green The Hymn of Consecration..............................Blest Be the Tie that Binds (#557) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...........................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude......................................................Trumpet Tune in D, by M. Sobaje The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Living and Dying with Hope" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 4, 2024 at 6:14 am
Order of Worship November 3, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .........................Bretheren, We Have Met to Worship The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..................Largo & Minuetto from Sonata in E minor, by G.F. Handel The Processional Hymn..................................................For All the Saints (#711) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) All Saints’ Recognition............................................................. Recognition of The Communion of Saints Donald Leon Baggett Willard Alan Barnes James Edwin Cummings, Jr. Alicia Hendrick Hall Jane Dykes Herndon Mary Alice Humes Terry Bovard Hurley Sally Gordy Kenimer Phillip Elliott Kirven Clarence Robert Koon Lindsay Waddell Layfield Marsengill Lillie Mae Vinson Nelson George Fredrick Schladensky H. Dan Stallings James Clarence Walton Recognition of the Communion of Saints...........................Four Lighting Tables The Collect for All Saints...............................................Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory/Anthem.................................................Celtic Laud, by C. Courtney The Doxology The Scripture Lesson.............1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 and Psalm 90:1-6, 10-12 The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon...........................Living and Dying with Hope, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Service of Holy Communion....................................................................#12 Recessional Hymn.........................................................Hymn of Promise (# 707) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude.............................................................Ein' feste Burg, by C. Kuntze The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Power of Words" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on October 28, 2024 at 4:56 am
Order of Worship October 27, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .........................................................I Come with Joy The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................La Fille aux cheveaudelin, by C. Debussy The Hymn of Celebration................................Grace Greater than Our Sin (#365) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism.................................Elizabeth Mayher Hamric The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.......................Open Our Eyes/Be Thou My Vision, arr. M. Hayes The Doxology The Scripture Lesson................................................Ephesians 4:17-32 (p. 951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem.................................................O Lord Most Holy, by Franck/Hopson The Sermon......................................The Power of Words, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration................................Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#140) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen.................................................Together Met The Postlude......Variations on the Duet from LaMolinara, by Paisiello/Beethoven The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Body Parts Everywhere" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on October 21, 2024 at 5:00 am
Order of Worship October 20, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ....................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..............................................................Praeludium in F, by J.S. Bach The Hymn of Celebration....................................................Jesus Calls Us (#398) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer.........................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. Special Music.......................................................Build My Life, Mr. Jake Hess, III The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.................................................................Adagio, by G.F. Handel The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..................................................Ephesians 4:1-16 (p. 951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem......................................................O Come, Angel Band, Arr. S Curry The Sermon.................................Body Parts Everywhere, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration.................................................I Surrender All (#354) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...........................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude.....................................................................Fuga in F, by J.S. Bach 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
"When Life Doesn't Make Sense: God's Goodness and Pain" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 11, 2024 at 6:01 am
11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship November 10, 2024 The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ...................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude......................................................Partitas on Dennis, by F. Ashdown Hymn of Celebration.................................The Church’s One Foundation (#545) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Baptism..................................................................(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 Anthem.................................................Happy Land, arr. B. Harlan The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........Genesis 50:15-21 (p. 42); Matthew 7:24-27 (p. 788) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon When Life Doesn’t Make Sense: God’s Goodness & Pain.....Rev. Dr. Green The Hymn of Consecration..............................Blest Be the Tie that Binds (#557) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...........................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude......................................................Trumpet Tune in D, by M. Sobaje The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Living and Dying with Hope" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on November 4, 2024 at 6:14 am
Order of Worship November 3, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .........................Bretheren, We Have Met to Worship The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..................Largo & Minuetto from Sonata in E minor, by G.F. Handel The Processional Hymn..................................................For All the Saints (#711) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) All Saints’ Recognition............................................................. Recognition of The Communion of Saints Donald Leon Baggett Willard Alan Barnes James Edwin Cummings, Jr. Alicia Hendrick Hall Jane Dykes Herndon Mary Alice Humes Terry Bovard Hurley Sally Gordy Kenimer Phillip Elliott Kirven Clarence Robert Koon Lindsay Waddell Layfield Marsengill Lillie Mae Vinson Nelson George Fredrick Schladensky H. Dan Stallings James Clarence Walton Recognition of the Communion of Saints...........................Four Lighting Tables The Collect for All Saints...............................................Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory/Anthem.................................................Celtic Laud, by C. Courtney The Doxology The Scripture Lesson.............1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 and Psalm 90:1-6, 10-12 The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon...........................Living and Dying with Hope, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Service of Holy Communion....................................................................#12 Recessional Hymn.........................................................Hymn of Promise (# 707) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude.............................................................Ein' feste Burg, by C. Kuntze The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Power of Words" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on October 28, 2024 at 4:56 am
Order of Worship October 27, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .........................................................I Come with Joy The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................La Fille aux cheveaudelin, by C. Debussy The Hymn of Celebration................................Grace Greater than Our Sin (#365) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism.................................Elizabeth Mayher Hamric The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.......................Open Our Eyes/Be Thou My Vision, arr. M. Hayes The Doxology The Scripture Lesson................................................Ephesians 4:17-32 (p. 951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem.................................................O Lord Most Holy, by Franck/Hopson The Sermon......................................The Power of Words, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration................................Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#140) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen.................................................Together Met The Postlude......Variations on the Duet from LaMolinara, by Paisiello/Beethoven The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Body Parts Everywhere" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on October 21, 2024 at 5:00 am
Order of Worship October 20, 2024 11 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ....................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..............................................................Praeludium in F, by J.S. Bach The Hymn of Celebration....................................................Jesus Calls Us (#398) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer.........................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. Special Music.......................................................Build My Life, Mr. Jake Hess, III The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.................................................................Adagio, by G.F. Handel The Doxology The Scripture Lesson..................................................Ephesians 4:1-16 (p. 951) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem......................................................O Come, Angel Band, Arr. S Curry The Sermon.................................Body Parts Everywhere, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration.................................................I Surrender All (#354) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction and Amen...........................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude.....................................................................Fuga in F, by J.S. Bach The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him