Worship Service for Sunday, May 15th

May 14, 2022

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

Grace and peace to you all! As we continue through the season of Easter, we are still asking, “Now what?” How do we practice resurrection in a world of war, injustice, polarity, and pandemic? We want to invite you to worship with us this week, online or in-person, as we remember the new commandment that Jesus gave his followers, to love one another with a big and sacrificial love. What if we already knew the answer to the “Now what?” question? What if the answer is, and always has been, love?

Here is the schedule for tomorrow, May 15th:

9:00 AM

In-person Sunday School for children and adults

9:00 AM

In-person Service of Word and Table in the sanctuary

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- 859 0584 5591 and Passcode- stpauls)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remember that masks are now optional at our in-person worship services. While making this adjustment, we continue to affirm that masks are one of the best ways to stop the spread of disease, so some folks may want to continue to wear a mask as a way of protecting themselves and others. In all of this, let us show kindness to others as they make their own decisions. Finally, as one way to continue to show love to one another, and since we are continuing to livestream our 10:30 service, please do not come to in-person worship if you are feeling symptomatic of something that could be contagious.

Grace|Peace,

Pastor Greg

Order of Worship

Prelude: Two Variants on “For the Beauty of the Earth” (John Carter)

Mary Bahnfleth

Greeting

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Call to Worship

One: For the gift of a new day, the joy of each new morning:

All: O God of new beginnings, we give you thanks!

One: For the hope of resurrection, the practice of our faith:

All: Lord of life, we join our hearts in adoration!

One:For the beauty of the earth, and the love which you lavish on us:

All: Lord of all, we lift to you our hymn of praise!

Opening Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth” (UMH 92)

Creed: Affirmation from Romans 8:35, 37-39 (UMH 887)

One: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation or distress,

or persecution or famine,

or nakedness or peril or sword?

All: No!

In all things we are more than conquerors

through the One who loved us.

We are sure that neither death nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation

will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Passing the Peace

Children’s Message

Ted Voigt

Scripture: John 13:31-35 (NRSV)

Phil Mohr

Message: “Known for Our Love”

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Reception of New Member – Caitlin McAlister

Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life

and include Caitlin in your care?

With God's help we will proclaim the good news

and live according to the example of Christ.

We will surround you

with a community of love and forgiveness,

that you may grow in your trust of God,

and be found faithful in your service to others.

We will pray for you,

that you may be a true disciple

who walks in the way that leads to life.

Members of the household of God,

I commend Caitlin to your love and care.

Do all in your power to increase her faith,

confirm her hope, and perfect her in love.

We give thanks for all that God has already given you

and we welcome you in Christian love.

As members together with you

in the body of Christ

and in this congregation

of The United Methodist Church,

we renew our covenant

faithfully to participate

in the ministries of the Church

by our prayers, our presence,

our gifts, our service, and our witness,

that in everything God may be glorified

through Jesus Christ.

Prayer Song: “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” (verses 1-2) (UMH 557)

Chancel Choir

Pastoral Prayer

Prayer Song: “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” (verse 1) (UMH 557)

Chancel Choir

The Lord’s Prayer

Offering

Closing Hymn: “Together We Serve” (FWS 2175)

Benediction

Postlude: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by our Love” (Peter Scholtes, arr)

Mary Bahnfleth

D iscussion Questions

Today’s message sought to make a distinction between what we may often think of when we speak about love with a more sacrificial “put-your-back-into-it” kind of love. How do you understand that distinction?

In our text today, Jesus talks about his relationship with God (mutual glorification) before giving his followers a new commandment. How do you think his commandment to love is rooted in his relationship with God? What does this say about the church?

Today we welcomed a new member, Caitlin, at the 10:30 service. As part of that liturgy we made the following pledge: With God's help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround you with a community of love and forgiveness, that you may grow in your trust of God, and be found faithful in your service to others. We will pray for you, that you may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life. Is this a compelling picture of the church for you? How might we embody this pledge more fully, according to the love to which Jesus has called us?

St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation

250 East College Avenue | State College, PA 16801 | 814-237-2163 | stpaulsc.org