April 23, 2017 11:00 AM

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

"The difference between the Christian hope of resurrection and the mythological hope is that the former sends a man back to his life on earth in a wholly new way”.

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer PRELUDE Cantilene L. Schreiber

Kevin Dzierzawski

CHIMES CHORAL INTROIT Easter Carillon W. Leonard Beck

Chancel Choir WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Avena Ward

* WELCOMING EACH OTHER * CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Sing to the Lord a new song! All: Let the whole earth sing for joy! One: Take a deep breath, and sing a fresh melody of springtime. All: Let all creation make a joyful noise,

animals, birds, flowers and trees! One: For Christ is alive and love lives again! All: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

* Please stand if you are able to do so.

* HYMN Yours is the Glory, Resurrected One! Black Hymnal No. 253 Yours is the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victory you o’er death have won. Angels clothed in radiance rolled the stone away; conquered is the grave in which your body lay. Refrain Yours is the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victory you o’er death have won.

See, it is Jesus, Jesus has appeared; do not doubt at all for nothing you will fear. Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing; tell it without ceasing; Death has lost its sting. Refrain Am I still frightened? One who I adore, Jesus lives again, gives peace forever more. Jesus is my victory, life and strength and Head; Jesus is my glory, nothing shall I dread. Refrain

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Sarah Garcia

Redeeming God, with you there is always more life, more hope, and more joy than we can ever imagine.

Forgive us for failing to see your work in the still things, the busy things, and the everyday, under-noticed plod of life.

Forgive us when we balk at action, and refuse to turn on fully the tap of compassion, settling for a mere trickle.

Open us now to your love that lets us relax into life, and fill us with hope and trust in the Risen Christ,

in whose name we pray. Amen. RESPONSE Red Hymnal, No. 288, v. 1

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Nought be all else to me save that thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

THE BIBLICAL WORD FOR THIS DAY Allen Heinemann John 20:19-31 (NSRV)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.

Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

* 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 Red Hymnal, No. 288, v. 3 Riches I heed not, nor life’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and thou on-ly, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

SERMON Trust Jeff Carlson HYMN We Live by Faith and Not by Sight Black Hymnal No. 256

We live by faith and not by sight; no gracious words we hear from Christ who spoke as none e’er spoke, who still we know is near. We may not touch Christ’s hand and side, nor follow where Christ trod; But in confessing we rejoice: our Savior and our God! Help then, O Christ, our unbelief; and may our faith abound to call on you when you are near and seek you where you are found. That, when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light, we may behold you as you are, with full and endless sight.

MISSION MOMENT Paddy Homan St. Pauls House OFFERTORY Since By Man Came Death G.F. Handel from Messiah Chancel Choir

Since by man came death, By man came also the resurrection of the dead,

For as in Adam all die, Even so in Christ, shall all be made alive.

I Corinthians 15: 21-22

* 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 Crown Him with Many Crowns Red Hymnal No. 309

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne; Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own;

Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, And hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity. Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, And rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save; His glories now we sing who died and rose on high,

Who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die. Crown him the Lord of love; Behold his hands and side, Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified; No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright. Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.

* BENEDICTION * BENEDICTION RESPONSE Amen, amen, amen.

POSTLUDE Gelobt sei Gott G. Martin

Kevin Dzierzawski Following Worship, all are invited for coffee and snacks

downstairs in the Social Hall.

TODAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS: Head Usher: Fred Pearson Ushers: Layne Lebahn, Jen Luerssen, Lauren Vega Head Greeter: Greg Mooney Acolyte Coordinators: Micki Fayhee, Cindy Zinn Ball Gate Keeper: Dodd Brown

BORN THIS WEEK IN APRIL 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.

April 23: Julie Artis, Susan Avery Hayes, Rodney Higginbotham April 24: Mary Heffernan, Debbie Kent April 25: Rick Bail, Caroline Heffernan, Michael Nagy, Stephen Stack April 26: Oscar Hull, Elysia Sheehan, Kecia Waldschmidt April 27: Carole Knuti, Joanne Sprincz April 28: James Finkle, Charles Johnson April 29: Braden Van Zeyl

UPCOMING EVENTS TODAY - SUNDAY CEP SUPPER – 3:00-5:30 PM, at St. Pauls Kitchen. Supper will be prepared and served at St. Pauls. Please email Jen Kew (JenniferLKew@gmail.com) if you are interested in participating in this rewarding, hands-on service opportunity. Limited spots for this event.

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.

CONSIDER THE LILIES - The Lay Pastoral Care Committee of St. Pauls is initiating a program to deliver our Sunday Altar Flowers to members who need to know St. Pauls is thinking of them. Please sign up to provide flowers for any Sunday beginning April 30.

APRIL 29 - BIBLE STUDY with Pastor Jeff in the Parlor at 10:00 AM. The book of Galatians. This letter by St. Paul was influential in the Protestant Reformation. It was Martin Luther’s favorite book. Come and find out why. Contact Pastor Jeff Carlson at jcarlson@spucc.org.

APRIL 29 - MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CHICAGO - Join the St. Pauls team that will repair two homes as part of the National Day of Rebuilding Together from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Open to ages 12 and up. Contact sgarcia@spucc.org.

APRIL 30 - FAITH FORMATION at 9:30 AM in the Parlor. Join a discussion with Dan Hula, Lincoln Park Community Shelter, on “Should I give money to people on the street?” Contact Pastor Jeff at jcarlson@spucc.org.

APRIL 30 - SPECIAL LUNCHEON YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER at 12:15 PM in the Gym. Silent auction, great food, music and presentations by the youth. Tickets $20 per adult; $15 per senior; $10 per child; $50 per family. Please stop by the Social Hall to purchase your tickets.

APRIL 30 - YOUTH SUNDAY - Youth will be leading worship at both services.

APRIL 30 - YOUNG ADULTS MONTHLY BRUNCH - Join us as we support the Youth Mission trip fundraiser after the 11 AM service. We will attend the Youth Mission Trip luncheon and sit together as a group. This is a long standing tradition and lots of fun!

MAY 1 - CHRISTIANITY 101 at 7:00 PM in the Parlor. Join Pastor Sarah 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.

MAY 5 - WINDY CITY WINDS will give its spring concert on Friday evening, May 5 at 7:30 PM at St. Pauls. The theme of the program is “British Masters of Music”. The concert will be conducted by the band’s co-founders Mark Mosley and Sarah Good Mosley.

MAY 6 - ST. PAULS SOCIAL - "The Moth" Story telling event. Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 PM. Please bring a snack and or beverage to share. RSVP to Ann Kuhlman annlindakuhlman@gmail.com.

MAY 6 - St. Pauls House Annual Charitable Fundraiser will take place on May 6 between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Kentucky Derby Theme, Live Derby Race at 5:30 PM. Derby attire encouraged. Tickets $100, OPEN BAR, Live Music, Valet Parking. Contact Liz Raiman (773) 960-6566 or eraiman@aol.com. Go to www.stpaulshouse.org. RAFFLE / AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!

MAY 7 - Joey Cross, PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible and Egyptology, University of Chicago, speaking on "The Wisdom Literature, The Bible, and Near Eastern Texts" in the Parlor at 9:30 AM. For more information contact Gregg Taylor at jgreggtaylor@gmail.com.

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.

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.

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

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

•   Jessica asks for prayers for her daughter Julie undergoing surgery. •   Aaron and Annie Noll after their son, Jonah, died from cancer. •   Two UCAN youth and their families: Fontaine, shot and killed and Sherman recovering from a gunshot wound this week. •   UCAN staff as they are affected by this trauma. •   Carole Knuti recovering from surgery. •   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, starting chemotherapy treatments. •   All those struggling to conceive. •   Sarah Mosley’s friend, Tommy B. whose lungs are failing due to COPD. •   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 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.

 

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 172 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.