ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

MAY 11, 2025                                                                            

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SILENT MEDITATION: 

“This is a place of life: it does not function on past events but on what God is bringing to life now. This is a place of life, and here God has chosen to say ‘Yes!’ to living, ‘Yes!’ to being, ‘Yes!’ to resurrection, not once, not a few times, but forever. This is a place for life. This is home.” --Liz Crumblish

GATHERING MUSIC  

GREETING  

PRELUDE “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”                                 

Arr. Mark Hayes

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 750 “Peace like a River”                                           

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul;
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.

I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul;
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul

 I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul;
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.

CALL TO WORSHIP (From Rev. 7: 12)

One:   We praise Creation’s God:

All:      Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power!

One:   Let each single voice praise God:

All:      Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power!

One:   Let all voices together praise God: 

All:      Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power!

One:   Let the great multitude of nations praise God:

All:      Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power!

One:   With all Creation we praise God:

All:      Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power!

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

O God, our Shepherd, forgive us for not following you when we hear your voice. Give us the assurance that even though we are called to walk through dark and difficult places, your Spirit is with us. Restore our souls so that we may follow you in paths of righteousness. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
 

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE

PASTORAL PRAYER and 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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Jesus Everything”                                                   

James Koerts

SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:36-43

SERMON: “Follow Me!”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 430 “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing”       

SHOWERS OF BLESSING               

There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love. 

There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need.
Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing—Precious reviving again.
Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain]

There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord.
Grant to us now a refreshing; Come and now honor Your Word. [Refrain]

There shall be showers of blessing: O that today they might fall, 

Now as to God we're confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain]

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “How Beautiful”                                                        

Twila Paris
                                                                             

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)       

O God, take these gifts and multiply them for the hope, healing and wholeness of all of your beloved children. Know that we offer them as praise to you. Blessing and Honor; Glory and Power! Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 661 “Little Is Much When God Is in It” (vs 2-3)                   

STEWARDSHIP

Does the place you’re called to labor Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it, And He’ll not forget His own.

Refrain: Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ name.

When the conflict here is ended And our race on earth is run, 

He will say, if we are faithful, "Welcome home, My child, well done!" [Refrain]

BENEDICTION  

POSTLUDE “Spring”                                                       

Antonio Vivaldi

The Liturgist today is Ginger Ruoff. 

Thank you to  Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Sunday, June 8th, will be Pentecost Sunday. We will celebrate the descending of the Holy Spirit upon the early believers and the birth of the Christian church. On Pentecost Sunday, St. Luke’s will have a reception of new members. Anyone who may not be a member but who participates in worship, either in person or virtually, or who is connected through Windows into St. Luke’s, is invited to become a member of the congregation. New members will be received both in person and virtually. If you are interested in becoming a member, or if you have questions, please contact Pastor Paul.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Men’s Fellowship will meet on Monday, May 12, at Noon

Soup and dessert will be served. It is a time for men and their friends to gather for a time of fellowship.
If you have any questions, please contact Larry Franciskato.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
Please join us May 18th as we celebrate the last day of Sunday School and Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day! We will meet at McCoy Park at 9:30 am to share some donuts and laughter. Then the children's class will be able to spend some time enjoying the park. We ask that parents return to retrieve their children by 10:15 am. Donuts will be provided for those attending Sunday School at the church as well. During worship, we will have a special moment of celebration to acknowledge the wonderful Sunday School teachers that share God's light with us every week! We look forward to seeing you there and coming together to celebrate our church community!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Anyone that would like to help trim bushes plan on gathering at St. Luke’s on
Monday, May 19th, at 10:00 AM.
Be sure and bring work gloves. See Jeff Ray for more information.

UPCOMING GRADUATES
Please turn in the names of graduates, their schools, degrees, any honors that they received, & any future plans to the church office. We will included them an upcoming bulletin and the Glimpse Into St. Luke’s.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship forms are now available online (in the menu click on About Us. In the drop down menu click on Policy/Forms. Then, click on Scholarship Fund for Local Congregation Application Form). See the form for qualifications. If you have problems accessing this form, please contact the church office.

SHARING TABLE
Take time on Sundays, or anytime during normal office hours, to SHOP at the sharing table. You are invited to contribute something if you would like but most importantly, shop for and receive what is offered.

SAVE THE DATES

SACRED MUSIC SUNDAY
We are going to have a Sacred Music Sunday as worship on June 22nd. If you are interested in contributing
instrumentally or vocally, please contact Matthew either after worship,
by email at matt22bennett@gmail.com or by text at 913-271-5924

INDEPENDENCE PRIDE
Join St. Luke’s UCC on June 28th for Independence Pride. There will be a parade, booths, food trucks and more. Additional information will be given as soon as we know the times and different events. You are welcome to participate in any or all of the activities

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING
Annual Congregational Budget Meeting, June 29th, following worship.
This will be a hybrid meeting, in person and on zoom.
The budget and zoom information will be sent out the morning of the meeting.

CHECK IN, SHARE AND COMMENT If you are worshiping in person, please “Check-in” on Facebook, then, share the service, comment on it and like it. You are encouraged to have your device out during the service. If the music inspires you, tell Matthew and Margie by commenting about how wonderful it was or say thank you. If the sermon speaks to you, comment with how it touched you. If there is a great story during Children’s Moment or a kid makes you laugh, comment and tell what it was. If someone makes a comment, reply to them. We encourage you to connect with those online as well as in person. If you are worshiping online, share and comment on the service. Comment on the things listed above, reply to and/or like other people’s comments. It is so important to stay connected & these are simple ways to do that.

INSTAGRAM Search for St. Luke’s UCC on Instagram!

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 

10:45 AM Online & In person Worship followed by in person fellowship

Monday—Friday, 9:45 AM Live with Pastor Paul in Windows Facebook Group

Monday & Wednesday, 6:30 PM NA Meeting

Wednesday, 9:30 AM ABC Quilting For more information about any of these, please email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org

GIVING OPTIONS If you wish to make a donation to St. Luke’s, there are several options available: 1. Check mailed to church office at 727 N. Main, Independence, MO 64050 2. Internet donation – you may now donate from a secure site by clicking on the Give Now button on the website.   3. Electronic funds transfer – your offering can be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. To sign up, click here.  After completing the form, contact the church office stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org for instructions. 4. Vanco Mobile App - download the free app on Google Play or the App Store. Enter St Lukes (without punctuation) as the church name Select St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Independence. From there you can create an account and use the app for donations. 5.  Text the word GIVE to 816-312-5053 and you will be directed to a secure site for giving. CONNECT If you are visiting today we would love to connect with you. Text

CONNECT to 816-312-5053 or use the QR code to the right.

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event may be used for promotion. Church events, including but not limited to, worship services may be broadcast live on Facebook. If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.

DECEMBER 22, 2024                                                                                  

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

SILENT MEDITATION: “When the song of the angels is still… The work of Christmas begins…
To make music in the heart.”--Howard Thurman

GATHERING MUSIC  

GREETING  

PRELUDE “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”                      

Arr.  Ruth E. Mackie

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 228 “He Is Born”                                                                          

IL EST NE

Refrain:
He is born, the holy Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.

Thru long ages of the past, prophets have foretold his coming;
thru long ages of the past, now the time has come at last! (Refrain)

O how lovely, O how pure is this perfect child of heaven;
O how lovely, O how pure gracious gift to humankind! (Refrain)

Jesus, Lord of all the world, coming as a child among us,
Jesus, Lord of all the world, grant to us thy heavenly peace. (Refrain)

CALL TO WORSHIP

One:  Let us worship our Triune God.

All:    Our God is Lover, Beloved, and Love itself.

One:  God’s love overflows…

All:     Filling heaven and earth with rejoicing. Giving songs to the Angels.

         Setting us in community with one another.

One:  Love reminds us we are never alone.

All:     Love reminds us that God is with us and that our spirits are one in Christ.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Great and Loving God, your love has waited for our response no matter how long we have been inattentive to your call. Your message of hope and peace is not one that we can ignore any longer. Forgive us and open our spirits to the transforming power of your love. Restore our souls, comfort our sorrows, let your love shape us into the loving community you call us to be. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
 

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE: PEACE

All:    Gracious God, we give thanks for the light that is dawning, even as the days grow so

         short. Open us to your nearness and to the good news of your great love. Breathe upon

         the spark of your love until the warmth and light of it can be felt by all those we meet. We

         pray in the shining name of Jesus. Amen

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE

PASTORAL PRAYER and 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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Mary’s Lullaby”               

Arr. Camp Kirkland and Tom Fettke

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-45

SERMON: “Who’s The Angel Now?”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 229 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”                                               

W Zlobie Lezy

Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new

saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:

Christ the babe was born for you.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon”         

Arr.  Michael Clawson

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)       

Loving God, may the offerings we bring express the joy that we know as we stand in your light. Bless these gifts and the work of this congregation. May the message of hope and the expression of your love dawn more fully within our congregation and in all the places our ministry is extended. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 240 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”                                 

MENDELSSOHN          

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new born King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th' incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new born King!"

BENEDICTION  

POSTLUDE “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”                          

Arr.  Frank Mantooth

The Liturgist today is Paula McKinney.

Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE PAGEANT IS GOING ON THE ROAD

The children are taking the Pageant on the road! They will be performing for the residents at Maywood Terrace on Monday, December 23rd, at 10:15. The children would love to invite anyone in the congregation to join them. In addition to performing, the children will also go bearing gifts of warm blankets. They are collecting money for enough blankets for approximately forty residents. Blankets can be purchased for about $10 each.This is a beautiful opportunity to teach the kids how our congregation works together to share joy and kindness with others. You can donate in person or on the website using the “Give Now” button or on the Vanco App. Please use the Misc tab if donating online.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be Tuesday, December 24th, at 7:00 PM in person or virtual.
Invite a friend to this very special Christmas Eve Worship Service.

HOLIDAY OFFICE, LIVESTREAM AND SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Monday, December 23rd, 9:45 AM—Livestream in Windows and Regular Office Hours
Tuesday, December 24th, 7:00 PM - Candlelight Communion Christmas Eve Service and
NO livestream and Office is Closed
Wednesday, December 25th thru Saturday, December 28th—NO livestreams and Office Closed
(Please contact Pastor Paul on his cell in an emergency)
Sunday, December 29th, 9:30 AM—New Year’s Breakfast (NO Sunday School)
10:45 AM—Worship
Monday, December 30th—9:45 AM—Livestream and Regular Office Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 31st & January 1st—NO livestreams and Office Closed
Thursday, January 2nd—Resume regular schedule

NEW YEAR’S WORSHIP AND BREAKFAST
Let’s celebrate the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 with breakfast, fellowship and worship with your
church family on December 29th. Breakfast at 9:30 followed by worship at 10:45 AM.
 

WINTER WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

If in person worship is canceled due to winter weather conditions, the announcement will be put on the
website, in the Facebook group Windows Into St. Luke’s, and on Channel 9. When looking on Channel 9,
look for St. Luke’s UCC, Independence. There are other churches with the same name.
The service will be livestreamed on Facebook no matter what the weather is.

CHECK IN, SHARE AND COMMENT If you are worshiping in person, please “Check-in” on Facebook, then, share the service, comment on it and like it. You are encouraged to have your device out during the service. If the music inspires you, tell Matthew and Margie by commenting about how wonderful it was or say thank you. If the sermon speaks to you, comment with how it touched you. If there is a great story during Children’s Moment or a kid makes you laugh, comment and tell what it was. If someone makes a comment, reply to them. We encourage you to connect with those online as well as in person. If you are worshiping online, share and comment on the service. Comment on the things listed above, reply to and/or like other people’s comments. It is so important to stay connected & these are simple ways to do that.

INSTAGRAM Use this QR code to follow St. Luke’s UCC on Instagram!

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 

10:45 AM Online & In person Worship followed by in person fellowship

Monday—Friday, 9:45 AM Live with Pastor Paul in Windows Facebook Group

Monday & Wednesday, 6:30 PM NA Meeting

Wednesday, 9:30 AM ABC Quilting For more information about any of these, please email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org

GIVING OPTIONS If you wish to make a donation to St. Luke’s, there are several options available: 1. Check mailed to church office at 727 N. Main, Independence, MO 64050 2. Internet donation – you may now donate from a secure site by clicking on the Give Now button on the website.   3. Electronic funds transfer – your offering can be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. To sign up, click here.  After completing the form, contact the church office stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org for instructions. 4. Vanco Mobile App - download the free app on Google Play or the App Store. Enter St Lukes (without punctuation) as the church name Select St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Independence. From there you can create an account and use the app for donations. 5.  Text the word GIVE to 816-312-5053 and you will be directed to a secure site for giving. CONNECT If you are visiting today we would love to connect with you. Text

CONNECT to 816-312-5053 or use the QR code to the right.

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event may be used for promotion. Church events, including but not limited to, worship services may be broadcast live on Facebook. If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.