ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Sunday, August 29, 2021

1235 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, PA 17922

Church Office: 570-754-7225

Rev. Ken McDowell, Pastor: 610-207-4783

Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday; 9am–2pm

email: summerhillucc@gmail.com

website: www.summerhillucc.com

www.facebook.com/summerhillucc

1782 239 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE 2021

Sunday, August 29, 2021 9:30am

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Recognition of the Confirmation Class of 1970 and Class of 1971

5th Sunday Offering (Gift Card Ministry)

Rev. Ken McDowell, Pastor Organist- Jacob Challenger

CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

The Concerns of the Ministry/ Announcements of the Church

This morning we remember in prayer the UCC Local Church Ministries from our Schuylkill Association

Prayer Calendar.

Please read the announcements that are in this downloadable bulletin, as well as those we post on our Facebook

site, our emails, and our phone calls, and then help spread the word to those who do not have access to any of

those messages.

While indoors, masks are optional for those vaccinated and encouraged for those non-vaccinated.

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 1970: Brian Clauser, Jere Clauser, Deb Koch, Kathy

Kline, Elaine Miller, Deborah Wilson, William Harig and Roy Koch

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 1971: Guy Arndt, Lucinda Nagle, Harold Berkheiser Jr.,

Larry Corondi, Dale Krause, Jackie Eckert, Dennis Peiffer, Kathy Reber, Larry Reber, Nancy Sterner

and Linda Fix

INVOCATION

GATHERING FOR THE WORD

PRELUDE

The congregation may stand.

SOLEMN DECLARATION...............................................................................................................Sung “Amen”

CALL TO WORSHIP

Pastor: Look to the mountains; look to the hills!

People: Love comes to us with joy!

Pastor: The world is filled with beauty.

People: Flowers appear on the earth, birdsong brightens the day.

Pastor: Crops yield their produce in abundance, the air is filled with sweetness.

People: The summer of God’s love is with us.

Pastor: Let the oil of gladness anoint your souls as we join our voices and sing for joy! Amen.

OPENING HYMN NO. 40……………………………..…………………………...“For the Beauty of the Earth”

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth and friends above; for all gentle thoughts and mild,

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

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For the church that evermore lifteth holy hands above,

offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love,

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thyself, best gift divine, to our race so freely given;

For that great, great love of thine, peace on earth and joy in heaven,

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

CALL TO CONFESSION

CONFESSION OF SIN (Unison)

God of justice and righteousness, your call beckons to us: to live faithful lives, to turn from

wickedness, to walk in your ways; yet it is so easy to turn aside: to speak a thoughtless word, to ignore

those in need, to strike out in anger, to forget your ways. Forgive us. Implant your word in our

hearts, and cleanse us from all evil. By the power of your love, save our souls, that we might faithfully

serve you. Amen.

MOMENT OF PERSONAL CONFESSION

KYRIE

Pastor: Lord, have mercy upon us.

People: Lord, have mercy upon us.

Pastor: Christ, have mercy upon us.

People: Christ, have mercy upon us.

Pastor: Lord, have mercy upon us.

People: Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Pastor: The one who anoints our lives with gladness leads us into life and the fullness of grace.

People: God’s word has the power to save our souls and has anointed us with gladness.

Pastor: Then rejoice! You are forgiven to live in joy.

THE GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, it is now and ever

shall be, world without end. Amen.

The congregation may be seated.

ENGAGING THE WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

READING OF THE WORD…………………………………………………………………Lector, Mike Reber

Old Testament: Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Psalm: Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9

Lector: My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen

of a ready scribe.

People: You are the most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has

blessed you forever.

Lector: Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;

People: you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

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Lector: your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed

instruments make you glad;

People: daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in

gold of Ophir.

Epistle: James 1:17-27

Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Lector: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

SCRIPTURE RESPONSE..............................................................................“Let Thy word abide in us, O Lord.”

SERMON...............................................................................................................................“To Be or Not To Be”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

The congregation may remain seated.

HYMN OF REFLECTION NO. 123…………………………….…………………………“Fairest Lord Jesus”

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the Son,

thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown!

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling, starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine!

The congregation may stand.

CELEBRATION OF 50TH CONFIRMATION ANNIVERSARIES

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH …………………………………….Heidelberg Catechism: Questions 1, 31, and 34

Pastor: What is your only comfort in life and death?

All: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful

Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me

free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of

my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for

my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me

heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Pastor: Why is he called Christ, that is, the Anointed One?

All: Because he is ordained by God the Father and anointed by the Holy Spirit to be our ultimate

prophet and teacher, who fully reveals to us God’s secret council and will concerning our

redemption, and also to be our sole high priest, who has redeemed us by the one sacrifice of his

body and ever intercedes for us with the Father, and also to be our eternal king, who governs us

by his word and spirit, and defends and sustains us in the redemption he has gained for us.

Pastor: Why do you call Him our Lord?

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All: Because, not with gold or silver but with his precious blood, he has redeemed and purchased us

body and soul from sin and the power of the devil to be his own.

The congregation may be seated.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray.

SILENT PRAYER

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.

PRAYER RESPONSE

Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord, And grant us Thy peace.

Amen.

CALL TO OFFERING

The congregation may stand.

OFFERING RESPONSE & DEDICATION......................................................................................DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye

heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

GOING WITH THE WORD

COMMISSION

Pastor: Go as God’s anointed.

People: We go to sing songs of mirth.

Pastor: Go as Christ’s beloved.

People: We go as the family of God.

Pastor: Go as gifts of the Spirit.

People: We go in spirit and in truth.

BENEDICTION

THE THREEFOLD AMEN...................................................................................................Amen. Amen. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN NO. 457..................................................................................“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. In my heart, in my heart,

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.

Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart;

Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart. In my heart, in my heart,

Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.

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Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart;

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart. In my heart, in my heart,

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart;

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart. In my heart, in my heart,

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.

SILENT MEDITATION

POSTLUDE

* * * * *

Portions of today’s worship resources were reproduced or adapted from the UCC’s Book of Worship,

Worship Connection by Nancy C. Townley on MinistryMatters.com, Worship Elements by Mary

Petrina Boyd and the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annuals edited by Mary J. Scifres and B. J. Beu.

CCLI Copyright License Number 3253621 and CCLI Streaming License Number 20179084.

-The altar flowers are in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Reichert by the family.

-The bulletins are in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Reber by the family.

-Offering on Sunday, August 22, 2021: $1,850.00

-Weekly envelope & plate budget for 2021: $2,533.94

-Covid Protocol Update:

The wearing of masks is optional for vaccinated individuals. Those who have not completed the vaccination

process (including the appropriate waiting period) are encouraged to continue to wear a mask indoors for your

own safety and the safety of others.

We will continue to monitor all official guidelines and will adjust our policies appropriately as we move forward

together.

The Consistory of St. Paul’s

-When the weather permits, we will worship outdoors. We will announce via Facebook by 10:00am on Sunday

mornings if we intend to worship outdoors, using the general guidelines of near 60 degrees, dry, and low winds.

Please dress appropriately and bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket.

-Financially Supporting the Ministries of St. Paul's -We want to say a huge thank you to all who have been

able to send donations. Every last one helps to make an impact on keeping our ministries strong in a time that

they are so greatly needed. You can mail your tithes and offerings to the church, use your online banking tools or

visit our website to donate with Tithe.ly. Please contact the church if you have any questions.

-The August Communion Offering supports the Over 60 dinner. The September Communion Offering

will support the Alzheimer’s Association.

-The August designated Sch. Haven Food Pantry items are beef stew, spaghetti sauce and thin spaghetti.

The September designated Sch. Haven Food Pantry items are crackers, soup mix, egg noodles, chicken

broth and chicken soup. We will be helping at the Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry on Mon., September 13

at 8:30am, and again on Friday, September 17 at 1pm. Please speak to Verna Ebling or contact the church office

if you would like to help or donate items. You may also place items in the cart located in the back of the church

sanctuary.

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-We will begin our normal schedule of 9:15am Sunday School and 10:30am worship next Sunday,

September 5.

-Confirmation Classes will begin next Sunday, September 5 at 9:15 AM, with a Confirmand, parent and

mentor meeting.

-There will be a Sunday School Sandwich Sale, with pick up on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 AM until 11 AM

or on Sunday, Sept. 19 after Sunday School or church. Orders are due by Sunday Sept. 12 and may be placed

at 570-385-5638 or wareber@ comcast.net. Sandwiches are $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the family of

Grace Schneider as she receives treatment for leukemia. Sandwiches are on a soft ATV roll and include 1/4 lb.

chipped ham or 1/4 lb. turkey with 2 slices of American cheese.

-On Sunday, September 19, we will collect the special offering to support the ministries of Bethany

Children’s Home. Founded in 1863, Bethany serves more than 250 disadvantaged youth, through a variety of

programs each year at their Womelsdorf campus. Without the faithful support of individuals and churches,

Bethany would be unable to fulfill its’ mission and ministry to at-risk youth and families from Schuylkill and

Berks Counties, the Lehigh Valley, South Central PA and Philadelphia. You do not need a special envelope,

although they are available from the church office. You can make a note or write it on your regular offering

envelopes.

-The next Consistory Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21 at 7:00pm.

-The Schuylkill Haven Council of Churches will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday,

September 23 from 12:30-5:30pm at the Jerusalem Lutheran Church on Dock St. in Sch. Haven.

-St. John’s UCC in Sch. Haven is offering a free winter clothing give away to the community on Saturday,

October 23 (rain date is October 30) from 9am until noon. If anyone is interested and would like to contribute

clean, gently used clothing for this mission, the items can be brought to our church by October 7 and placed

in the box in the back of the sanctuary, and we will deliver them to St. John’s UCC.

-College Students- When you know your address (or your child’s) and email for the upcoming school year, please

email at summerhillucc@gmail.com or call the church office. Thank you, and have a great school year!!

-Upcoming Events: With the uptick in covid cases at this time and the uncertainty of gathering in a setting as in

the past, we will not be holding an in person Over 60 dinner. Instead, we plan on offering a meal to be

picked up at church or to be delivered to you. Check the October newsletter for more specific details.

As we approach fall, it is time to make a decision on making apple butter this year. It is a project that is

always appreciated by many, but with the conditions brought about by the rise in covid cases, it is uncertain if it

can be done. A great deal of work must be done to make it possible. The date would probably be a Saturday from

mid-October to early Nov. The question is would you feel comfortable helping with this project and if so,

what times of the day would you be available and commit to helping? If yes, contact Bill Reber at 570-385-

5638, in person or at wareber@comcast.net. A decision will be forthcoming and published in the October

newsletter.

-When you or a loved one is sick or in the hospital: When you or a loved one is sick or in the hospital for an

extended stay, please notify the church office. Please do not assume that the pastor will know you are there. We

are served by many different area hospitals and do not know which one you may utilize. So please do not hesitate

to let us know your condition so that Pastor Ken can provide you with spiritual care!

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-Prayer Shawl Ministry – Are you sitting around bored with nothing to do?? Now is a great time to join our

Prayer Shawl Ministry. If you are interested in crocheting, we can hook you up! Call the church office for details.

If you know of someone who could use a prayer shawl, please contact the church office.

-Do You Know a Church Member Who Is Not Online??? The church is reaching out in new and amazing

ways. Our Live Steaming services on Facebook have been reaching hundreds of people who normally would not

worship with us. One week alone over 1,000 people viewed our worship service! God’s message of hope and

love is reaching more people in more ways than ever. But there are those we are not reaching. Do you know any

members who have not been able to watch our worship services online? Call the church office at 570-754-7225

so we can help them either see or listen in on our services. We are always trying new things to reach everyone,

and we don’t want anyone to miss a thing!

-Call the Church Office if you need anything! Our church voicemail system is there to answer your calls 24

hours a day and 7 days a week. Please leave a message with your name, number, and what you are calling

about. The staff will be notified remotely of your call and will get back to you as soon as possible. The church

office number is 570-754-7225. You can also email us at summerhillucc@gmail.com.

-Prayer is Powerful! Please continue to call the church office or email us your prayer concerns to be included

on our prayer list. We believe in the power of prayer and want to pray for you. We have a prayer concerns email

group for anyone who would like to join. Contact the church office and we will be happy to add you to the

email distribution list. The Agape Committee continues to send cards to members on the prayer concerns list, so

please continue sharing your concerns with us. Thank you!!

PRAYER CONCERNS: All those earnestly seeking God’s help in difficult times, Military personnel & National

Leaders, the family and friends of Vanco Georgevic, Ruth Yoder, George Sullivan, Cory Deily, Patricia Ditzler,

Dale Krause, Louise Clauser, Elaine Reichert

CANCER PATIENTS: Betty Brown, Robert Reed, Jill Schutzman, Mary Scott

FOR THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

Sunday, August 29

10:30 AM -Sunday School Rally Day (Continental Breakfast, fish pond, slide presentation, etc.)

Monday, August 30

6:00 PM and 7:15 PM -Boy Scout Meetings

Sunday, September 5

9:15 AM -Sunday School/ Confirmation Meeting

10:30 AM -Worship with the Sacrament of Holy Communion/ Blessing of the Sunday School Teachers

and Leaders/ Communion Offering

*Lectionary Readings for next week:

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Psalm 125

Isaiah 35:4-7a

Psalm 146

James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17

Mark 7:24-37

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