May 8, 2021

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

Grace and peace to you, beloved friends. Did you know that Methodist laywoman Anna Jarvis was the woman who organized the effort to get Mother’s Day acknowledged as a national holiday, which happened in 1914. Her efforts were not about flowers and greeting cards, but about loving well, and honoring those women who were helping to heal a country after the polarization and grief of the Civil War. Jarvis knew that God’s love compels us to love, and that this love is fierce, loyal, nurturing, and uniting, like a mother’s love. As we celebrate the best of motherhood today, and as we continue to reflect on our call to love, let us join together in today’s worship by clicking here.

Children’s Sunday School
Today’s Sunday School lesson is about the Great Commission, where Jesus invites us to go and share the good news with the whole world. You can hear the story, see Pastor Becky’s dogs, and sing with us here.

Small Group Discussion
We continue to find joy in real relationships through our weekly discussion groups. We would love to have you join us on Sunday, May 9th at 11am on Zoom. You can join us by clicking here (if you are using the Zoom App, the meeting ID is: 859 0584 5591 and the Password is: stpauls). It’s never too late to join with others in relationship!

Regathering Plan
The church council has agreed to move forward with our phased regathering plan, which means that our worship will move to a live stream on May 23rd, then include a limited number of worshipers into the sanctuary on Sunday, June 6th. More information about both of these transitions will be coming soon. Please pay attention to written communication from the church so you don’t miss these important updates!

Grace|Peace,
Pastor Greg
Order of Worship
Greeting – Rev. Greg Milinovich

Call to Worship
One: The one who was crucified and buried in a tomb is alive!
All: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!
One: We, who have been redeemed, are built on this sure foundation.
All: Christ calls us to God and to one another: we are God’s people!

Opening Hymn – “We Are God’s People” – FWS 2220

Opening Prayer (written by Rebecca Gaudino)
God of songs and marvels, old and new,
your powerful love for this world
continues to astound us.
In these last days of Easter,
we gather to recall the love
that brought Jesus into this world
and into our lives:
as savior, friend and brother.
We thank you for welcoming us into your household
and for trusting us with your marvelous work
to draw all people into the spacious home
of your love. Amen.

Passing the Peace

Children’s Message – Sally Herdman

Scripture – 1 John 5:1-6 – Tracy Binkley

Hymn – Jesus, United by Thy Grace” – UMH 561

Message – “The Lodestone of Love” – Rev. Greg Milinovich

Pastoral Prayer

Offering

Mission Moment – St. Paul’s ShoeBank

Closing Hymn – “My Hope Is Built” – UMH 368

Blessing of Penn State Graduates – Rev. Sarah Voigt

Benediction
 
Postlude
Discussion Questions:

  • How do you react to the idea that the way we love God is by obeying God's commands? In what ways does this ring true for you, or, alternatively, make you uncomfortable? How can obedience demonstrate love?

  • Did you know what a lodestone was before it was explained in the sermon today? How can our love - vertical and horizontal - be a kind of lodestone?

  • In many families there is a maternal figure who functions as a kind of lodestone for the family. As we celebrate Mother's Day today, who have been those uniting, loving women for you? How can you honor them?
St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation
250 East College Avenue | State College, PA 16801 | 814-237-2163 | stpaulsc.org