Connect: January 9 – January 16, 2021

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, January 10 | “Expect Great Things”
w/ Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
LIVE In-Person Worship @11AM in the Sanctuary (M260).

Online Pre-Recorded Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, & 1PM
Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING OUR YOUTH

Sunday, January 10 | SPY Sunday School
w/ Laura Marvets and Logan Ogletree
@10AM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

CONNECTING OUR CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, January 10 | Children’s Sunday School (All Ages)
@10AM / Youth Building & Main Church Building
Contact Sally Key Bowden for more information about class locations, teachers, etc.

Sunday, January 10 | Children’s Sermon
w/ Sally Key Bowden @9AM, 11AM, & 1PM / Online Worship Service.

Sunday, January 10 | Confirmation Class
w/ Sally Key Bowden, Tammy and Matthew Reynolds @5:30PM / Fellowship Hall (M220).

CONNECTING THROUGH SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, January 10 | Seekers Class (M234)
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, January 10 | Bridges Class (M235)
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, January 10 | Wildwood Class (M220)
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, January 10 | Welcome In Class (M232)
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.

Sunday, January 10 | New Covenant Class (Y101)
w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesday, January 12 | Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Hybrid)
The Book of Ephesians | 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM
In-person (Fellowship Hall/M220) & On-Line on the St. Paul Website.

Tuesday, January 12 | Grace’s Bible Study
Adam Hamilton’s “The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul”
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in room M232
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Tuesday, January 12 | Spring Harbor Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor at Green Island.
ContactĀ JohnĀ for more information.

Wednesday, January 13 | Zoom Bible Study (8 weeks)
The Book of Philippians
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @Noon – 1PM via Zoom
Register attendance by email toĀ Mary Lou JarrellĀ (to get the Zoom link)

Friday, January 15 | Menā€™s Morning Bible Study
The Gospel of John
w/ Rev. Dr.Ā Buddy CooperĀ @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
ContactĀ BuddyĀ for more information.

Friday, January 15| ā€œThe Work of the Holy Spiritā€ On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on theĀ St. Paul Website.

Friday, January 15 | ā€œCelebration of Disciplineā€ On-Demand Study
w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on theĀ St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Every bit helps, so thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.

First Steps – January 4, 2021

Jesus said, 3 ā€œBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ā€œBlessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before youā€ (Matthew 5:2b-12).

Philip Yancey said, ā€œIf I fail to understand this teaching, I fail to understand him (Jesus). The above passage is commonly called The Beatitudes. What strikes me is that Jesus began his teaching with a focus on people, not a place, a program, or a practice. With God, it is always about a person. The Children of Israel were called to be a unique people. The promised land, a place to call home, was secondary. Furthermore, in Matthewā€™s Gospel, the Kingdom of Heaven describes a type of person, not a place. Followers of Christ are Kingdom People first and foremost because they see the world the way God sees it.

I hope this brings you comfort. Holiness is about being the person God desires you to be. It is both who you are and what you do. The order is importantā€”inside first, then outside. Many will reverse the order thinking it is what they do first that leads to holiness. This leads to failure. The heart has to change first, then actions. This week , focus on The Beatitudes. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring change from the inside.


This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Matthew 8
  • Tuesday – Matthew 9
  • Wednesday – Matthew 10
  • Thursday – Matthew 11
  • Friday – Matthew 12
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Donā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Ask Great Things [Worship]

This Week’s Service:

Prelude: ā€œNun Bitten Wirā€ (Wayne Martz, Organ | D. Buxtehude)
Welcome / Announcements / Prayer with Lordā€™s Prayer (Mary Lou Jarrell)
Hymn: ā€œHoly, Holy, Holy!ā€ (Hymn 64)
Apostlesā€™ Creed (Avery Ellis)
Reading of Scripture: (Laura Marvets)
Children Sermon (Sally Key Bowden)
Anthem: ā€œFor the Bread which You have Brokenā€ (Wayne and Jeanne Martz)
Sermon: ā€œAsk Great Thingsā€ (Rev. John Fugh, Jr.)
Hymn: ā€œSpirit of the Living Godā€ (Hymn 393)
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Benediction (Rev. John Fugh, Jr.)
Postlude: ā€œLord Dismiss Us With Your Blessingā€ (Wayne Martz, Organ | A. Fedak)

In Person Worship – January 3, 2021

Ask Great Things
Ephesians 1:3-10

We hold a current license from
Church Streaming and Podcast License
License Number: CSPL055770
http://streaming.ccli.com/

Additional License from One License #A-714141 and CCLI #2035791

The Messiah in Six Parts: Part 5

Relive St. Paul’s 2019 presentation of Handel’s Messiah with special commentary from those who participated.

We hold a current license from
Church Streaming and Podcast License
License Number: CSPL055770
http://streaming.ccli.com/

Additional License from One License #A-714141 and CCLI #2035791