May 28, 2017

11:00 AM

No matter who you are, No matter where you are On life’s journey, You are welcome here.

Worship begins with chimes. The prelude is a time of reflection and preparation for the worship of God.

Please silence cell phones. Bibles for use during worship are available at each entrance to the sanctuary.

THOUGHT FOR PREPARATION If prayer is the process of a person admitting to self and others that he or she needs changing, then prayer is also the process by which the Spirit, who is none other than the breather of life, the greatest mystery, is allowed to enter the world. It is the opening of the door to the Spirit. ~ Matthew Fox in Prayer: a Radical Response to Life

PRELUDE L'Ascension–Prayer of Christ O. Messiaen

Kevin Dzierzawski, organ CHIMES CHORAL INTRIOT Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant? Richard Gillard Chancel Choir

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Matt Fitzgerald

* WELCOMING EACH OTHER

* CALL TO WORSHIP One: We have come to worship God, the living God All: Who calls prophets and teachers to bear witness. One: We have come to praise God, the almighty God, All: Who contains the forces of hatred and hurt with the power of love. One: We have come to worship God, the one who chooses us in love, All: Who chooses even you and me, to receive and carry the word of life and hope. All glory to God!

*Please stand if you are able to do so.

* HYMN Praise our God, All Glories Show Tune: Llanfair Praise our God, all glories show, Alleluia! Saints within these courts below, Alleluia! Angels round the throne above, Alleluia! All who feel and share God’s love, Alleluia! Earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, Alleluia! Tell of wonders, sing of worth, Alleluia! Age to age and shore to shore, Alleluia! Singing praises evermore, Alleluia! Praise our God, all mercies trace, Alleluia! Sing of providence and grace, Alleluia! All that God for us has done, Alleluia! All God sends us through through the son, Alleluia! Strings and voices, hands and hearts, Alleluia! In the concert bear your parts; Alleluia! All that breathe, your God adore, Alleluia! Singing praises evermore! Alleluia!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We come, O Lord, singing praises but our songs are not enough to hide our anxiety. While we recognize your power and grace, we have too often acted as though we are powerless in the face of the events happening around us. Help us to live lives that reflect your glory, understanding that you are source and ground of our being. Help us cultivate the life you’ve given us which is rooted in you, so that it blossoms in us and in all those whose lives we touch. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER WORDS OF ASSURANCE

RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 473, v. 1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in Christ’s blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.

THE BIBLICAL WORD FOR THIS DAY Breanna Coe Acts 1:1-14 (MSG)

Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.”

When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?”

He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.”

So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas, son of James. They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.

* A STATEMENT OF FAITH We believe in God who has created and is creating, who has come to us in Jesus Christ to reconcile and make us new, who works in us and others by the Holy Spirit. We trust God. God calls us to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to care for creation, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life and death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God!

(adapted from the United Church of Canada)

* RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 473, v. 2 Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.

SERMON “You don’t get to know the time.” Avena Ward

* RESPONSE Black Hymnal No. 473, v. 3 Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blessed; Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with God’s goodness, lost in Christ’s love. This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.

OFFERTORY Ain’t Got Time to Die Hall Johnson Kurt R. Hansen, tenor

Chancel Choir

Lord, I keep so busy praisin’ my Jesus, Keep so busy praisin’ my Jesus,

Ain’t got time to die.

‘Cause when I’m healin’ de sick, when I’m healin’ de sick

‘Cause it takes all o’ ma time, If I don’ praise Him

De rocks gonter cry out. Glory an’ honor,

Ain’ got time to die.

Lord, I keep so busy workin for de Kingdom, Keep so busy workin’ for de Kingdom,

Ain’ got time to die.

‘Cause when I’m feedin’ de poor Ain’ got time to die.

‘Cause it takes all o’ ma time.....

Lord, I keep so busy servin’ my Master Ain’ got time to die.

‘Cause it takes all o’ ma time.....

‘Cause when I’m givin’ my all, ain’ got time to die

‘Cause it takes all o’ ma time.......

Now, won’t you git out o’ ma way, Lem-me praise my Jesus.

Git out o’ ma way! If I don’ praise Him de rocks gonter cry out,

Glory an’ honor! Ain’ got time to die.

* FESTIVAL DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Matt Fitzgerald THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* HYMN Black Hymnal No. 299

For All the Saints For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who to the world their steadfast faith confessed, Your name O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia! Alleluia! You were their rock, their refuge and their might; You, Christ, the hope that put their fears to flight; ‘Mid gloom and doubt, you were their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia! Still may your people, faithful, true and bold, Live as the saints who nobly fought of old, And share with them a glorious crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia! And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, Then hearts are brave again, and faith grows strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

* BENEDICTION * BENEDICTION RESPONSE Amen, amen, amen.

POSTLUDE Recessional W. Mathias Kevin Dzierzawski, organ

Following Worship, all are invited for coffee and snacks downstairs in the Social Hall.

TODAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS: Head Usher: Beatrice Jaji Ushers: Ray Manasia, Fred Pearson, Dan Vaughn, Bruce Voice Acolyte Coordinators: Micki Fayhee, Cindy Zinn Ball Head Greeter: Greg Mooney Gatekeeper: Dodd Brown THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are in celebration of Mary and Dodd Brown’s 40th wedding anniversary.

BORN THIS WEEK IN MAY/JUNE Donations to the Birthday Fund support A Just Harvest

We celebrate and give thanks for your life at St. Pauls. A perfect way to celebrate and help St. Pauls: give one dollar for each year of your life to our Birthday Fund.

May 28: Kim Beck, Nancy Curotto, Tyler Holland, Alayna McMillen May 29: Alexandra Beck, Jennifer Byrne, Liana Cramb, Lawrence Kearns May 30: James Grayson Charlton, Margaret Palm, Leo Patton May 31: Emily Bieniek, Terry Breitwiser, Charlotte Bunch, Marnee Lumm, Michael Mosley June 1: Clay Canfield, Bryan Chamberlain, Declan Cory, Marcia Frank, Phil Hamp, Thomas Mix, Alison Schwab June 2: Shane Gentzen, Lois Stack June 3: Mark Mosley, Brooke Rowland, Kimberlee Schmahl, John Schmitz REGULAR CHURCH SCHOOL has ended for the year and will resume in September. Children are invited to attend worship during the summer. Childcare will still be provided throughout the summer in the Nursery for children 0-2 years old, and in the Toddler Room for children 3-6 years old.

Pastor Sarah is on vacation and Pastor Jeff returns next Sunday. UPCOMING EVENTS

VIDEO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - If you’ve ever operated the family camcorder, you could be a big help at St. Pauls. Interested? Volunteers from middle-school age to don’t-ask-me-my-age are welcome.  Call or email Chuck Kent: 312-420-7051 or chuck@brandingmagazine.com.

FIRST WEDNESDAY LUNCHEON will resume in October.

JUNE 3 - PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Bring your kids to Saint Pauls for a night out while you enjoy a night off! The Saint Pauls high school students are planning a night of fun and games for kids 4 years old and up. Cost is $30 for one child, $40 for two or more children. All proceeds benefit the Youth Mission Trip! For more information, please email Leigh Borge at lborge@spucc.org.

JUNE 4 - MONTHLY BRUNCH & SOFTBALL - Join us for brunch after the 11:00 AM service and come over to Oz Park to cheer on the Dirt Disciples for our 2:00 PM game afterwards. We will gather during Social Hour and walk to Four Farthings, 2060 N. Cleveland. RSVP with Hannah Basil at youngadults@spucc.org.

JUNE 5 - CHRISTIANITY 101 - in the Parlor at 7:00 PM. Join Pastor Jeff and fellow young adults for a lively discussion of the real-life questions we face in our daily lives. Please contact Hannah Basil at youngadults@spucc.org with questions and to RSVP.

JUNE 10 - SUMMER BBQ - at 3:00 PM at Ross and Diana's house. Let's get together for some food, drinks and fun! Diana and Ross will supply the grillin' food (burgers, brats, etc.) but ask that everyone bring a side and/or beverage to share. RSVP to the forthcoming Punchbowl invitation. Friends are welcome as well! Contact Diana with any questions.

OPPORTUNITIES ACOLYTES - We're looking for youth who would like to be Acolytes. We need two volunteers for each service. Please sign up on Sign-up Genius or email Micki Fayhee at deonmicki@sbcglobal.net.

ALTAR FLOWER SIGN UP - If you would like to purchase flowers for the altar please go to our link at http://tinyurl.com/h55pl82 and sign up. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS needed for 2017-2018. Please contact Pastor Sarah for more information at sgarcia@spucc.org.

COLLEEN HENRY WRITING CENTER at Lincoln Park High School, initiated by St. Pauls, needs a few tutors. Nancy Brandt, nhbrandt@sbcglobal.net.

CONNECTORS reach out providing networking and support for members and friends of St. Pauls. Membership is open to all who have the time and the inclination to help. Contact Pastor Avena Ward award@spucc.org or visit the Connectors table at coffee hour.

CONSIDER THE LILIES - The Lay Pastoral Care Committee of St. Pauls is initiating a program to deliver our Sunday Altar Flowers to members and friends who need to know St. Pauls is thinking of them. If you would like to be a part of this initiative, please contact Maureen Grunst at mvgrunst@aol.com.

FAITH IN ACTION - Whether you’re interested in supporting women or GLBTQ persons or immigrants and refugees, you can find St. Pauls people involved and join them NOW.

FEED THE HUNGRY - Each week St. Pauls welcomes homeless and hungry people to Sunday dinner. Contact Brent Carstensen at bcarstensen@ameritech.net to volunteer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Visit our Food for Thought blog http://www.spucc.org/blogs/food-for-thought.

GET YOUR NEW NAMETAG! - Email Maribell at mruiz@spucc.org.

KIDS CHURCH CAMP IS BACK! JULY 5 - JULY 28 - Registration is now open for children ages 2 to 12. Half-day or full-day camp. Visit spucc.org/camp for more details and to register.

KIDS CHURCH CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED - JULY 5 - JULY 28 - Youth 11 to 15 as junior counselors (unpaid) and youth 16 and older as paid counsellors. Contact Pastor Sarah to apply sgarcia@spucc.org. Deadline is May 15.

LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY SHELTER NEEDS OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEERS - To sign up: volunteer@lpcsonline.org 773-549-6111.

LITTLE LIGHTS is a St. Pauls preschool program in a progressive Christian environment. Classes for 2 and 3-year-olds meet at St. Pauls Nursery. Visit http://www.spucc.org/littlelights or email Leigh Borge at lborge@spucc.org.

SARAH’S SISTERS gather every Wednesday morning to make 40 bag lunches to be distributed to homeless people. Come to the church kitchen at 9:30 AM.

STEPHEN MINISTRY AT ST. PAULS - If you’re in need of support through a tough time or feeling called to explore Stephen Ministry speak to Pastor Avena award@spucc.org or Marti Pechnyo mpechnyo@gmail.com or Diana Laskaris dianaminlead@gmail.com.

ST. PAULS PLAY GROUP for children from birth to 3 years old in the church Nursery and Toddler Room. Drop in anytime from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Wednesdays. Corie Gallemore at corie.gallemore@gmail.com.

ST. PAULS SOCIAL - Get better acquainted with other adults at St. Pauls. If interested in hosting please contact Jen Luerssen, jenluerssen@yahoo.com and stay tuned for future events!

UCC DAILY DEVOTIONAL - To register: http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional.

WANT MORE VARIETY AT COFFEE HOUR? - Sign up to bring it at http://bit.ly/1RtSUuH.

YOUNG ADULTS - A group for fun and fellowship for folks in their twenties and thirties. All are welcome! Volunteers needed! Any ideas for future events? Email youngadults@spucc.org.

YOUTH GROUP - Youth group meet most Tuesdays, grades 2-4 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM and grades 5-7 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. Contact sgarcia@spucc.org.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP - JUNE 24 - JULY 2 - Youth mission trip to the Lakota reservation with Native American Advocacy Program in South Dakota. Pastor Sarah to apply sgarcia@spucc.org.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS Please send any announcements you would like in the following week’s Friday email to announcements@spucc.org no later than 10:00 AM on Tuesday. Please limit announcements to 70 words. Thank you.

SAINT PAULS PRAYS

•   The families of those killed in the Manchester bombing. •   Nancy Heffernan’s sister in law, Theresa Lehr with advanced melanoma. •   Esther Curtis, undergoing a difficult medical procedure. •   Sandra Benedict recovering from a fall. •   Rosemarie Hau being treated for a heart condition. •   Juanita Barlow’s grandson in the hospital. •   Avena's neighbors, the Bell family. •   UCAN staff and the youth they serve. •   Carole Knuti undergoing treatment for cancer. •   For the people in Cairo, Illinois. •   Teachers and staff of CPS as they manage their jobs and salary insecurity. •   CPS students as they attempt to learn in this uncertain and emotional time. •   Amy Newman's sister, Linda, undergoing chemotherapy treatments. •   Carole Crowley recovering from a stroke. •   All those struggling to conceive. •   Dirk R. and family, uncle of Laura Nowack, who has multiple myeloma. •   Sylvia Pine’s grandfather, Terry Barton, recovering from strokes. •   Candi Huber's niece, Kathryn, continuing treatments for cancer. •   Michelle’s friends Michael, Chris and Jerry, all sick with chronic illnesses. •   Lorri Gunn Wirsum, for her husband, Karl Wirsum, and her brother, Jim. •   Mary Train and her nephew Carl and family. •   Jonah, Sean and Kevin and all homeless individuals with mental illness living in this city. •   For those struggling with mental health issues. •   For all those touched by violence in Chicago. •   The Renfrow family as they walk with Wayne, in hospice care. •   Steve Warsh, undergoing chemotherapy. •   Tom Palkon being treated for cancer. •   For young adults as they make their way in life moving away (physically) from family. •   For those involved in research trying to find a cure for cancer. •   Those killed and injured in terrorist attacks around the world and all refugees in need of prayer. •   All service members and their loved ones before, during and after deployment.

(Prayer cards are available in the pew racks. Fill one out and drop it in the offering plate.)

NEARLY 1 IN 5 ADULTS STRUGGLE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. Contact one of the pastors today for information about mental healthcare advocacy and resources that can help you and your loved ones. Contact information for the pastors is at the back of this bulletin.

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ABOUT ST. PAULS

Making a joyful sound in the city

Saint Pauls UCC has a vibrant history in the city of Chicago. Founded in 1843, we are one of the city's oldest churches. In 1989 we became one of America's first congregations to declare ourselves "Open to and Affirming of” LGBT women and men. From founding Chicago's largest provider of social services to at-risk children to starting a home for the elderly, from housing protestors at the 1968 Democratic Convention to hosting Lincoln Park's first MLK day march against violence on Chicago's streets we are proud to make a joyful sound in the city. Most importantly, over the past 173 years we are glad to have introduced thousands of children and adults to the amazing, inclusive, life changing, uplifting love of God. We do so in worship that is traditional, but far from conventional.

St. Pauls United Church of Christ 2335 North Orchard Street Chicago, Illinois 60614

(773) 348-3829 FAX (773) 348-3858 www.spucc.org

Matt Fitzgerald, Senior Pastor, mfitzgerald@spucc.org

Avena Ward, Associate Pastor, award@spucc.org Jeff Carlson, Associate Pastor, jcarlson@spucc.org

Sarah Garcia, Associate Pastor for Children and Youth, sgarcia@spucc.org Karen E. Johnson, President of the Congregation, kejpiano@aol.com

Tom Henry, Pastor Emeritus, emeritushenry@gmail.com Kurt R. Hansen, Music Director, kurtsingsbach@gmail.com

Kevin Dzierzawski, Organist, kdzierza@att.net Brendan Henry, Joyful Sounds Choir Director,brendanphenry@hotmail.com

Nancy Voigts, Children’s Choir Director, nvoigtsgod@att.net Kecia Waldschmidt, Youth Choir Director, keciagerman@hotmail.com

Kristofer Hansen, Joyful Sounds Choir Co-Director, TheBeatB0xer1995@gmail.com Mark Mosley, Intergenerational Orchestra Director, mwmosley@gmail.com

Tom Vaitsas, Pianist, tomvaitsas@gmail.com Kevin O’Brien, Lay Liturgical Administrator, kob48@att.net

Free Parking is available on Sundays at Children’s Memorial Hospital

2300 Block of North Lincoln Ave. – Vouchers Not Needed

WELCOME TO SAINT PAULS UCC!

Welcome to those whose hearts are on fire with faith, and to those who bring their doubt inside our doors.

Welcome to our first time guests and our longtime members.

Welcome to single people, tiny children, grandparents and families of all configurations.

Welcome to those who rejoice and to those who grieve. Welcome to each and to everyone.

We are an Open and Affirming church. We welcome all.

We are blessed by your presence and we are glad you are here.