St Paul Church of Columbus – Page 17 – Growing the Faith of the People

October 9, 2023October 5, 2023

First Steps – October 9, 2023

People work because they want to achieve something. They labor to make money. A farmer tills the soil and plants some seeds so that a harvest will be reaped. People will sacrifice to turn a profit.

It is the same way in the Kingdom of God. One turns away from the world to engage in disciplines because there is a desire for the things of God. Thankfully, in God’s Kingdom, the Spirit aids one’s efforts. Disciplines create the environment for God to interact with the person. The net effect is a changed nature, a Jesus’ nature.

Once one has experienced the goodness of God, light replaces darkness, and transformation begins. It is filled with joy. Fulfillment stemming from God’s grace is a peace beyond measure. This peace is independent of outside circumstances for it flows from the very nature of God. Embrace the peace God wants to give. Open yourself to God’s grace and allow God’s Spirit to pour over you like water. This week, pray for God’s joy to fill your soul.

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 3
*Tuesday – Matthew 4
*Wednesday – Matthew 5
*Thursday – Matthew 6
*Friday – Matthew 7

Prayer Requests:
-Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith.
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
-Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
-Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

August 6, 2023 – “Think Different: The Transformational Power of the Christian Life” – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)

August 6, 2023 - "Think Different: The Transformational Power of the Christian Life" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.

00:00 / 00:38:28

Contemporary Worship Service/Romans 12:1-2

October 3, 2023October 3, 2023

The Confirmation Class Visits Shearith Israel

On Friday, September 29, 2023, our Confirmation Class visited Shearith Israel for the Sukkot service. Sukkot is a week-long Jewish holiday that celebrates the autumn harvest. It is one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism, meant to bring families, friends, and communities together. The holiday also commemorates the 40 years that Jews spent in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. Thank you to Rabbi Brian Glusman!

October 2, 2023September 28, 2023

First Steps – October 2, 2023

There once was a woman who wanted to go to Jerusalem. She had no idea how to get there. She asked an expert who was an authority on Jerusalem. The expert said, “You can’t get there without a lot of hard work. It is a dangerous trip. There are many roads you can take, but people are getting robbed and killed on those roads. Most seldom make it because there is only one safe way to travel to Jerusalem.”

The female traveler was excited. She thought, “I don’t care what troubles come my way or what I suffer.” She begged the expert to tell her the right road stressing that she would faithfully follow the instructions.

The expert responded, “Here is the right road. Be sure to follow my instructions. Don’t let anything hinder or distract you. Allow no distractions, pleasurable or not. Keep moving with your face towards your destination. This will be the only way you make it to Jerusalem. Expect the setbacks. Expect to be scorned, despised, and put down. Bear the pain, the scorn, and the struggle. Always keep your mind on Jerusalem and accept nothing less. If you do this, you will reach your goal.”

Jerusalem stands for Jesus. If you are on the road to Jesus, carry nothing but humility and love. Keep his face before you and trust in the Spirit’s care of you as you follow. Don’t give up and embrace the journey.

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 2 Corinthians 11
*Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12
*Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 13
*Thursday – Matthew 1
*Friday – Matthew 2

Prayer Requests:
-Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith.
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
-Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
-Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

September 25, 2023September 21, 2023

First Steps – September 25, 2023

Many a teacher and preacher warn that if one desires to live a devout life, criticism and derision follow. The thought is that friends will warn or pressure the follower of Christ about the unhappy consequences of their choice to pursue God. This might be the case in some parts of the globe where Christian morals and ethics are not practiced by the majority. In our culture, I’m not sure that is the case. Regardless if one is a follower of Christ or not, the morality of the Gospel is still valued by the masses where love, kindness, and goodness are valued over their opposites. To some degree, those Gospel attributes still lace our society. Will they be here in future decades, I don’t know—I hope so—but that is a different debate. For today, be it a believer or a non-believer, those attributes are still valued.

If this is true, then the temptation for the believer is not persecution where one is faced with steep opposition to a devout life. The greater temptation is stagnation. It is the slow erosion of faith by complacency. Faith is always fluid. It should grow by a constant openness to God’s Spirit yielding the nature of Christ. What we face are not tumultuous waves of persecution but calmer waters that create an environment for drift. In the middle of the storm, the captain and crew are fully engaged. They stay vigilant and ready; however, in the still waters, it is easier to skip a few steps or fall asleep at the wheel. Over time, the drift is so great one becomes lost.

Therefore, feed your faith. Give yourself to a lifestyle of discipline. Forming the nature of Christ in oneself is a lifetime process. Pray for God’s Spirit to lead you, both in times of difficulty and in times of ease.

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 2 Corinthians 6
*Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 7
*Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 8
*Thursday – 2 Corinthians 9
*Friday – 2 Corinthians 10

Prayer Requests:
-Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith.
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
-Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
-Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

September 20, 2023September 20, 2023

Promotion Sunday 2023: Third Graders Receive Bibles

"Walking In His Steps - The Path to Discipleship - Baptism and Identity" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on February 3, 2025 at 5:21 am
St. Paul Church February 2, 2025 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.....................................Sonata on the Fifth Tone, by Fr. I. Echeverris Hymn of Celebration..........................O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread (#613) 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....................................Keep Me Faithfully, by G.F. Handel Organist, June Howard The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...............................................Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (p. 83) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon Walking In His Steps, The Path to Discipleship: Baptism and Identity (Part One) Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Sacrament of Holy Communion..............................................................#12 The Hymn of Consecration..........................Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (#664) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Together Met,Together Bound The Postlude........................................................................Andante, by J. Blewitt The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Unshakable Love" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 27, 2025 at 5:23 am
St. Paul Church January 26, 2025 Order of Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Stand Up and Bless the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude......................................................Praludium und Fuge, by J. Kuhnau Hymn of Celebration..........................................Standing on the Promises (#374) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism................Claire Alexander Colson (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.......................................................Allemande and gigue, by Boehm The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........................................Romans 8:31-39 (pp. 919-920) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem.....................................Sometimes a Light Surprises, by C. Courtney The Sermon...............................................Unshakable Love, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration...................O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (#430) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude......................................................................Plein Jeu, by J. Guilain The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Hope that Perseveres" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 20, 2025 at 5:29 am
St. Paul Church 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship Service Order of Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship ....................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude.....................................................................Voluntary, by M. Hawdon Hymn of Celebration.................................................Sweet Hour of Prayer (#496) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism....................Grey Alexander Cope (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory........................................Offertory Solo for Cornet, by F. Couperine The Doxology The Scripture Lesson......................................................Romans 8:18-25 (p.919) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem..........................................................He Hideth My Soul, by J. Carter The Sermon........................................Hope that Perseveres, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration...........Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart (#500) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.............................................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude.............................................Dessus de Cromhorne, by N. Lebegue The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Beloved - Lynn Meadows-White
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 13, 2025 at 5:38 am
January 12, 2025 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ...........................................................This Is the Day The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude............................................................Air and Variations, by W. Inglot Hymn of Celebration.............................Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (#127) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism..............Joseph Bradford Bowden (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............................................................Moderato, by G.P. Telemann The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........................................................Luke 3:21-22 (p.834) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem...............................................All Things Work Together, by J. Carter The Sermon...................................................Beloved, Rev. Lynn Meadows-White The Hymn of Consecration................................................Only Trust Him (#337) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.........................................Jesus Christus, unser Konig, by A. Fedak 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

"Walking In His Steps - The Path to Discipleship - Baptism and Identity" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on February 3, 2025 at 5:21 am
St. Paul Church February 2, 2025 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.....................................Sonata on the Fifth Tone, by Fr. I. Echeverris Hymn of Celebration..........................O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread (#613) 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....................................Keep Me Faithfully, by G.F. Handel Organist, June Howard The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...............................................Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (p. 83) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Sermon Walking In His Steps, The Path to Discipleship: Baptism and Identity (Part One) Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Sacrament of Holy Communion..............................................................#12 The Hymn of Consecration..........................Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (#664) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.........................................Together Met,Together Bound The Postlude........................................................................Andante, by J. Blewitt The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Unshakable Love" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 27, 2025 at 5:23 am
St. Paul Church January 26, 2025 Order of Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship .....................................Stand Up and Bless the Lord The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude......................................................Praludium und Fuge, by J. Kuhnau Hymn of Celebration..........................................Standing on the Promises (#374) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism................Claire Alexander Colson (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory.......................................................Allemande and gigue, by Boehm The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........................................Romans 8:31-39 (pp. 919-920) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem.....................................Sometimes a Light Surprises, by C. Courtney The Sermon...............................................Unshakable Love, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration...................O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (#430) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction......................................................................3 fold Amen The Postlude......................................................................Plein Jeu, by J. Guilain The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
"Hope that Perseveres" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 20, 2025 at 5:29 am
St. Paul Church 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship Service Order of Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements ............................................Mrs. Grace Bailey The Choral Call to Worship ....................................................................Be Joyful The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude.....................................................................Voluntary, by M. Hawdon Hymn of Celebration.................................................Sweet Hour of Prayer (#496) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism....................Grey Alexander Cope (see insert) The Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.......................................Mrs. Bailey The Leader: Let Us Worship God with His Tithes and Our Offerings. The Offertory Prayer The Offertory........................................Offertory Solo for Cornet, by F. Couperine The Doxology The Scripture Lesson......................................................Romans 8:18-25 (p.919) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem..........................................................He Hideth My Soul, by J. Carter The Sermon........................................Hope that Perseveres, Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Hymn of Consecration...........Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart (#500) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.............................................................Go Now in Peace The Postlude.............................................Dessus de Cromhorne, by N. Lebegue The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him
Beloved - Lynn Meadows-White
by STPAULCOLUMBUS on January 13, 2025 at 5:38 am
January 12, 2025 11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome & Announcements .........................................Rev. John Fugh, Jr. The Choral Call to Worship ...........................................................This Is the Day The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar The Prelude............................................................Air and Variations, by W. Inglot Hymn of Celebration.............................Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (#127) The Affirmation of Faith ............................................The Apostles’ Creed (#881) The Gloria Patri The Sacrament of Infant Baptism..............Joseph Bradford Bowden (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............................................................Moderato, by G.P. Telemann The Doxology The Scripture Lesson...........................................................Luke 3:21-22 (p.834) The Passing of the Peace The Welcome and Registration of Attendance The Children’s Moment......................................................Mrs. Donna Hightower The Anthem...............................................All Things Work Together, by J. Carter The Sermon...................................................Beloved, Rev. Lynn Meadows-White The Hymn of Consecration................................................Only Trust Him (#337) The Cross and Flame Go Before Us into the World The Choral Benediction.................................................................Dresden Amen The Postlude.........................................Jesus Christus, unser Konig, by A. Fedak 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