January 28, 2023

Dear Beloved St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation Family,

Grace and peace to you, my dear friends. As we come to the final week in January, and continue in the season after Epiphany, we are remembering Jesus’ question to his would-be followers in John 1: “What are you looking for?” Well, church, what are we looking for? This week we will turn to 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 to see that sometimes the way of following Jesus -- the way of the cross -- seems like utter foolishness! Join us this weekend as we look at this message about the cross, that’s God’s foolishness is so much greater than our so-called wisdom!

Here is our schedule for tomorrow, January 29th:

9:00 AM

In-person Service of Word and Table in the sanctuary

9:00 AM

In-person Sunday School for children, youth, and adults

Our children’s classes are in the Ed. Center across from the Church building

10:30 AM

Hybrid worship service, in-person and livestreamed here

Please remember that since this service is filmed and live-streamed,

you or your family members may be on our worship recording,

which is streamed and archived on our YouTube channel.  

11:30 AM

Discussion Group, in-person and on Zoom

Join by clicking here, or use Meeting ID 875 9147 8033 and Passcode stpauls.

Important Note: Masks are optional in our building, however please remember that if you are feeling uncomfortable, or are experiencing any symptoms, you can worship with us via our livestream at 10:30 (see link above).

Grace | Peace,

Pastor Greg

Prelude: “With the Lord Begin Your Task” (Jeffrey Blersch)

Mary Bahnfleth

Greeting

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Choral Call to Worship: “Come with a Grateful Heart” (Bailey/Mayo)

Children’s Choir

Lyrics: Come to God with a grateful heart,

ready to serve and ready to praise.

God so loved the world, He gave His only Son.

Jesus came to share God’s love for everyone.

Call to Worship

One: Let us follow God, who brings order out of chaos;

All:  we lift up the name of God, who brings wisdom out of confusion!

One: Let us look to the Holy One, who brings light out of darkness;

All: we worship the Christ, who brings life out of death!

Opening Hymn: “Lift High the Cross” (UMH 159)

Opening Prayer: Pastor Jessica Davis

Passing the Peace 

Children’s Message

Virginia Loewen

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NRSV)

Julie Simon

Message: “The Message About the Cross”

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Offering

Closing Hymn: “Ask Ye What Great Think I Know” (UMH 163)

Announcements

Benediction

Postlude: “Festive Trumpet Tune” (David German)

Mary Bahnfleth

Discussion Questions:

• When you remember that Jesus said “Seek and you will find,” how do you hear that? The message today urged us to think about how we often “taste what we expect to taste,” or, in other words, we find what we are looking for. How has this been (or not been) your experience?

• How is the message of the cross different from conventional wisdom? How have we sometimes missed or obscured the message of the cross, because we are looking for something else (see question 1)?

• Our text today said that some are looking for signs, and others for wisdom, but the message that matters is Christ crucified. What do you think that means? Further, our message today suggested that message of Christ crucified isn’t about a vengeful or violent God, but the message of a love so reckless and free that it seems utterly foolish to the world. How does this ring true for you?