First Steps – April 2, 2018

Many of you know my fondness for ancient prayers. A fan of church history, I delight in studying those who have gone before us in hope of drawing strength from their lives. Many of the saints overcame dire situations. They modeled faith-in-action. Francois de Fenelon, a French priest, prayed this prayer:

“Lord, you began to perfect your apostles by taking away from them the very thing they didn’t think they could do without the actual presence of Jesus. You destroy in order to build. You take away everything in order to restore it many times over. This is the way you work. You do it differently than we would do it.

Once Christ was gone, you sent the Holy Spirit. Sometimes lacking is more powerful than having. Blessed are those who are deprived of everything. Blessed are those from whom Jesus is removed. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, will come to them. He will comfort their sorrows and wipe away their tears.

But Lord, why isn’t my life filled with this Spirit? It ought to be the soul of my soul, but isn’t. I feel nothing. I see nothing. I am both physically and spiritually lazy. My feeble will is torn between you and a thousand meaningless pleasures. Where is your Spirit? Will it ever arrive and create in me a pure heart?

Now I understand! Your Holy Spirit desires to live in an impoverished soul. Therefore, come Holy Spirit! There is no place emptier than my heart. Come and bring peace.”

The honesty in this prayer is refreshing. Often when we acknowledge the great need of our soul, the constant struggle in seeking fulfillment with any-and-all-things only to be disappointed, we are reduced. We are humbled. It is then that we find ourselves ready to receive God’s Spirit. “Come Holy Spirit! Come and bring peace!”

This week’s reading:

Monday – Acts 2
Tuesday – Acts 3
Wednesday – Acts 4
Thursday – Acts 5
Friday – Acts 6

Please Pray for:

Our Nation and Our Leaders
The St. Paul Ministers and Staff family
High School & College Seniors preparing for graduation
The Unwillingly absent members
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)

The Hope within You - Rev. Dr. Glenn Martin
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 6, 2025 at 6:53 am
St. Paul Columbus 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .........................................................I Come with Joy The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude....................................................................Polish Carol, by A. Jordan Hymn of Celebration............................Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (#64) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem..............................................In Remembrance, by B. Red The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........1 Peter 3:15 (p.985), Revelation 21:1-6 (pp.1007-8) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon......................................The Hope within You, Rev. Dr. Glenn Martin The Sacrament of Holy Communion............................................................(#12) The Hymn of Consecration.............................................My Hope Is Built (#368) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction....................................................................Together Met The Postlude...................................................................Psalm 19, by B. Marcello The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Light that Shines Forever" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 30, 2024 at 5:40 am
St. Paul Church of Columbus December 29, 2024 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Welcome and Announcements...........................................Mr. Laura Marvets The Prelude..............................O Come All Ye Faithful, by J. Wade, arr. B. Adams First Congregational Hymn.............................Hark the Herald Angels Sing (#240) The Affirmation of Faith...............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer............................Mrs. Laura Marvets Second Congregational Hymn..........................O Little Town of Bethlehem (#230) Third Congregational Hymn............................................Away in a Manger (#217) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory................Sing We Now of Christmas/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The Doxology The Scripture Lessons.........................Isaiah 60:1-3 (p. 602); John 1:9-13 (p. 862) Special Music.................It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, arr. McCracken/McGihon The Sermon..........................The Light that Shines Forever, Rev. Dr. Shane Green Fourth Congregational Hymn...................It Came upon the Midnight Clear (#218) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Benediction The Postlude The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 4)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 23, 2024 at 5:29 am
Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service December 22, 2024 The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..........................................................Noel sur les flutes, by L. Daqiun Hymn of Celebration..............................................O Come, All Ye Faithful (#234) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.............The Maggie and Julio Portillo Family The Sacrament of Infant Baptism......................Turner Knight Stone (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.................Carol of the Bells, arr. M. Hayes | Pianist, Jill Honeycutt The Doxology The Scripture Lesson.......2 Samuel 24:18-25 (p. 263); Matthew 1:18-25 (p. 783) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem..................................Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy, by T. Fettke The Sermon.............................If It Is, It Involves Sacrifice, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration..............................Go, Tell It on the Mountain (#251) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................7-fold Amen The Postlude.............................Let Us All with Gladsome Voice, by R. Bessemer The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Sunday Morning Worship Service Cantata: O Holy Night
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 16, 2024 at 6:05 am
December 15, 2024 11:00 Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J.S. Bach The Choir Presentation..........................................O Come, O Come, Emmanuel The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles' Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri................................................................................(#71) The Lighting of the Advent Wreath....The Erin and Hunter Murphy Family Special Altar Guild Recognition.................................Mrs. Mary Pat King The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory...............................This Day Is so Rich in Joy, by J.S. Bach The Doxology...................................................................................(#94) The Welcome and Registration of Attendance Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregational Response: And also with you. (Children ages K4-2nd graders are dismissed to Children’s Church - Room M235; children 3 and younger are taken to the nursery by parents.) The Congregational Response: O Come, thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by their justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Noel, Born Is the King of Israel The Postlude...........................................................Joy to the World, arr A. Fedak The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him O Holy Night Cantata.................................................Songs Listed Inside
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 2)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 9, 2024 at 5:25 am
December 8, 2024 Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude................................................Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, arr. J. Goode Hymn of Celebration...............................Angels from the Realms of Glory (#220) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.................................Julia and Connor Green The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh Hymn of Preparation...........................................There’s a Song in the Air (#249) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Doxology The Scripture Lesson 1Chronicles 16:37-43 (pp. 327-328); Matthew 2:1-12 (pp. 783-784) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon.......................If It Is, It Involves Commitment, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration...........................................What Child Is This (#219) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.....................................From Heaven to Earth I Come, by J.S. Bach The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him

The Hope within You - Rev. Dr. Glenn Martin
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 6, 2025 at 6:53 am
St. Paul Columbus 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .........................................................I Come with Joy The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude....................................................................Polish Carol, by A. Jordan Hymn of Celebration............................Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (#64) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory Anthem..............................................In Remembrance, by B. Red The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........1 Peter 3:15 (p.985), Revelation 21:1-6 (pp.1007-8) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Sermon......................................The Hope within You, Rev. Dr. Glenn Martin The Sacrament of Holy Communion............................................................(#12) The Hymn of Consecration.............................................My Hope Is Built (#368) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction....................................................................Together Met The Postlude...................................................................Psalm 19, by B. Marcello The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"The Light that Shines Forever" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 30, 2024 at 5:40 am
St. Paul Church of Columbus December 29, 2024 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Welcome and Announcements...........................................Mr. Laura Marvets The Prelude..............................O Come All Ye Faithful, by J. Wade, arr. B. Adams First Congregational Hymn.............................Hark the Herald Angels Sing (#240) The Affirmation of Faith...............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer............................Mrs. Laura Marvets Second Congregational Hymn..........................O Little Town of Bethlehem (#230) Third Congregational Hymn............................................Away in a Manger (#217) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory................Sing We Now of Christmas/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The Doxology The Scripture Lessons.........................Isaiah 60:1-3 (p. 602); John 1:9-13 (p. 862) Special Music.................It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, arr. McCracken/McGihon The Sermon..........................The Light that Shines Forever, Rev. Dr. Shane Green Fourth Congregational Hymn...................It Came upon the Midnight Clear (#218) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Benediction The Postlude The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 4)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 23, 2024 at 5:29 am
Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service December 22, 2024 The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude..........................................................Noel sur les flutes, by L. Daqiun Hymn of Celebration..............................................O Come, All Ye Faithful (#234) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.............The Maggie and Julio Portillo Family The Sacrament of Infant Baptism......................Turner Knight Stone (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer........................................Rev. Fugh The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.................Carol of the Bells, arr. M. Hayes | Pianist, Jill Honeycutt The Doxology The Scripture Lesson.......2 Samuel 24:18-25 (p. 263); Matthew 1:18-25 (p. 783) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem..................................Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy, by T. Fettke The Sermon.............................If It Is, It Involves Sacrifice, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration..............................Go, Tell It on the Mountain (#251) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................7-fold Amen The Postlude.............................Let Us All with Gladsome Voice, by R. Bessemer The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Sunday Morning Worship Service Cantata: O Holy Night
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 16, 2024 at 6:05 am
December 15, 2024 11:00 Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude...........................................Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J.S. Bach The Choir Presentation..........................................O Come, O Come, Emmanuel The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles' Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri................................................................................(#71) The Lighting of the Advent Wreath....The Erin and Hunter Murphy Family Special Altar Guild Recognition.................................Mrs. Mary Pat King The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory...............................This Day Is so Rich in Joy, by J.S. Bach The Doxology...................................................................................(#94) The Welcome and Registration of Attendance Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. Congregational Response: And also with you. (Children ages K4-2nd graders are dismissed to Children’s Church - Room M235; children 3 and younger are taken to the nursery by parents.) The Congregational Response: O Come, thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by their justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Noel, Born Is the King of Israel The Postlude...........................................................Joy to the World, arr A. Fedak The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him O Holy Night Cantata.................................................Songs Listed Inside
Advent Sermon Series: Is It Better to Give than to Receive? (Part 2)
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on December 9, 2024 at 5:25 am
December 8, 2024 Order of Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Prepare the Way of the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude................................................Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, arr. J. Goode Hymn of Celebration...............................Angels from the Realms of Glory (#220) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Lighting of the Advent Wreath.................................Julia and Connor Green The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.........................................Rev. Fugh Hymn of Preparation...........................................There’s a Song in the Air (#249) The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Doxology The Scripture Lesson 1Chronicles 16:37-43 (pp. 327-328); Matthew 2:1-12 (pp. 783-784) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon.......................If It Is, It Involves Commitment, Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Hymn of Consecration...........................................What Child Is This (#219) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.....................................From Heaven to Earth I Come, by J.S. Bach The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him