Paul — The Need to Be Perfect [WORSHIP]

Contemporary Worship Service
Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green

Rev. Green begins a new Sermon Series this week entitled, Understanding Yourself to Love God. During this series, personality types will be explored to shed light on how to get to know yourself. In turn, this helps us to know and understand God’s divine love.

Paul — The Need to Be Perfect [WORSHIP]

This Week’s Service:
Sunday, February 20, 2022
11:00 AM Traditional Worship

The Chiming of the Hour
The Welcome & Announcements by Mrs. Mary Lou Jarrell
The Choral Call to Worship: “Stand Up and Bless the Lord”
The Prelude: “Fugue in C” by A. van der Kerckhoven
The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar
The Hymn of Celebration: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”
The Affirmation of Faith
The Gloria Patri
The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer by Mrs. Mary Lou Jarrell
The Hymn of Preparation: “Here I Am, Lord” No. 593
The Leader: “Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings”
The Offertory Prayer
The Offertory: “Presto” by G. F. Handel
The Doxology
The Scripture Lesson: Matthew 5:13-16
The Passing of the Peace
The Registration of Attendance
The Welcome to St. Paul and Recognition of our Guests
The Children’s Moment by Rev. Dr. Shane Green
The Anthem: “Deep Waters” arr. by P. Choplin / Soloist, Mrs. Jennifer Akin
The Sermon: “Be the Difference Series: The Freedom to Be the Difference” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green
The Hymn of Consecration: “Lead On, O King Eternal”
The Flame Goes Before Us into the World
The Benediction and Choral Response: “Three-fold Amen”
The Postlude: “Grand Choeur” Cesar Franck

First Steps – February 28, 2022

 
It seems that human beings cannot see what they are not readied to see, and they cannot hear what we have not been prepared to hear—A Christian Mystic. 
 
When it comes to certain parts of my identity and life—the good parts—I want to hear them.  I’m ready to hear them.  Actually, can’t wait to hear them or see them.  But the parts that I keep hidden, the parts of my identity that I want to keep under lock-and-key, I definitely want no part of them.  In essence, I practice denial.  If I acknowledge that it is there, then I have to confront it and address it.  Frankly, it is easier to lock it away and the longer I do, the easier it is to forget it.
 
Yet, it is exactly in those broken and deprived areas that the Holy Spirit wants to work. Strange as it may sound, the more I try to stuff it in a box, the more the Holy Spirit wants to get it out, in the open, to redeem it.  As I think about it, a willingness to accept God’s grace, plant my feet firmly on the hope of resurrection, requires courage–vulnerability.  It is not the courage to pretend I’ve got it all together which is really a sacred weakness.  It is the courage to stand before God knowing I’m in desperate need of God, and if there is transformation, it is an act from his hand.
 
So, before I do anything, I need to come to grips with what I cannot see nor hear.  Therefore, my prayer is:
“Dear Lord, I’m open to seeing and hearing what you want to say.  Scary as it may be, revealing as it may be, I’m ready.  Trembling but ready and trusting in your Spirit to make all things well.  O God, please begin.  Amen.”


 



This Week’s Readings:
* Monday – Acts 27
* Tuesday – Acts 28
* Wednesday- Mark 1
* Thursday – Mark 2
* Friday- Mark 3

Prayer Requests:
*An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine.
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Give our leaders extra wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and economic uncertainty.
*Help 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


Announcements this Week!

Mary Lou has this week’s announcement’s for you! Have a great week!

1. Remember that YOU can Be the Difference with small acts of volunteerism. Email marylou@stpaulunitedmethodist.com. Return your Pledge cards, please.

2. Ash Wednesday is THIS WEEK, March 2nd. Service in Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m., after Family Night Supper.

3. Would you like to help with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt? Please donate candy-filled eggs or volunteer to help. Email grace@stpaulunitedmethodist.com

4. Registration for VBS and Kids Camp starts tomorrow online — that’s February 28th.

5. The Open Door 5k Classic is Saturday, March 12th.

6. See our website spumccolumbus.com and our Serve Spotlight to find ways you can volunteer!

We hold a current license from
Church Streaming and Podcast License
License Number: CSPL055770
http://streaming.ccli.com/

Additional License from One License #A-714141 and CCLI #2035791

Trotter Talks Bible Study – Friends of God – Episode 2

Join Emily Trotter each week as she teaches about special people who found God’s favor and purpose. This week focuses on Jacob. Here are a few outlined notes of the study:

Jacob: Son of Isaac and Rebecca. A twin.

Jacob and Esau are very different. Isaac favored Esau while Rebecca loved Jacob. Jacob was more interested in being a friend of God.

Esau easily traded his birthright for a bowl of stew.

Genesis Ch. 27 — Story of Rebecca tricking Isaac into giving Jacob the birthright.

Ch. 28 — Jacob’s Dream

Jacob marries sisters Leah and Rachel. Leah has 4 sons with Jacob. He then has more sons with their maidservants. Rachel then has Joseph. He has 11 sons and 1 daughter in all.

Jacob returns home but is worried about Esau’s wrath.

Genesis Ch. 32 — Jacob prays for family’s protection and praises God (from God’s promises in the dream).

Jacob met God and wrestled with him until He gave Jacob a blessing –A lesson on determination.

Next week: Joseph

We hold a current license from
Church Streaming and Podcast License
License Number: CSPL055770
http://streaming.ccli.com/

Additional License from One License #A-714141 and CCLI #2035791