ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
108 W. Mechanic Street Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895
“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are WELCOME here!”
Summer Sermon Series: “Fruits of the Spirit”
July 27, 2025 — “Faithfulness”
* (Asterisk) The Congregation Is Invited to Stand
RINGING THE BELL
PRELUDE: “Blessed Assurance” arr. Fred Bock
Martha Hefner
LIGHTING THE ALTAR AND CHRIST CANDLES
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*WELCOME HYMN (Sing Twice)
*CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist: Rollie Wellington
Leader: We gather today to celebrate the gift of faithfulness, a fruit of the Spirit that calls us to be true to one another and to our God.
People: In a world that often falters, we stand firm in our commitment to love and justice.
Leader: Faithfulness is a bold promise—to uplift one another, reach out to those in need, and advocate for the voiceless.
People: As we witness challenges around us, may our hearts respond with courage, embodying God’s unwavering love.
Leader: Let us also embrace awe—the sacred wonder that reveals the divine in our midst, igniting gratitude and reverence in our hearts.
People: As purveyors of awe, we bring this spirit into worship, celebrating the beauty of creation.
Leader: Together, let us cultivate faithfulness and awe, propelling us toward a future filled with hope.
All: With joyful hearts, we gather in worship, ready to share the light of faithfulness and the wonder of God's presence. Amen.
HYMN: #424 “How Can I Keep From Singing?” (VERSES 1&2)
1 My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation, I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? 2 Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing, It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? ?
*OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
God of many names, one who is holy, make us new; show us your way. Teach us to pray with our hearts in our hands. Give us the word today that we need to know you. Give us hope today to be a beacon in a world full of the lost and confused. Give us joy today to make your name known. Give us peace today to respond with courage, fortitude, and conviction. Give us love today to love as you have loved us. Give us faithfulness today, so we may remain steadfast in our commitment to share your good news and the unique gifts you have given us. Help us to trust in your guidance as we nurture and develop the talents and treasures we have received, using them for your glory and the good of others. May our faithfulness shine brightly through our actions, inspiring those around us to seek you and experience your love. Amen.
HYMN: #424 “How Can I Keep From Singing” (VERSES 3+4)
3What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth. What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? 4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? ?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Anthony Spearhart
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION & NEW LIFE
God Who Reigns in Glory and meets us in need, we seek your forgiveness and restoration. We drown in a system of debt rather than generosity and common good. May our obligations not burden us, and may we not burden others when compassion is abundantly available. We struggle not to encroach on our neighbor’s territory when boundaries are arbitrary and limiting rather than purposeful and expansive. Help us turn from sin and temptation as well as guilt and shame when we struggle to live fully in your kindom.
WORDS OF GRACE
DEDICATE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Benevolence giving for July – Camp Fund
We will not be passing an offering plate. Please leave your love offerings in the collection box in the center aisle.
OFFERING PRAYER OF DEDICATION: (Unison)
Spirit of the living God,
Receive our gifts as tangible expressions of our belonging to your church and our commitment to the ministry begun in Christ and continued through this faith community. May our faithfulness in giving reflect our trust in you and our dedication to your mission. Magnify these gifts in miraculous ways, and make our generosity a demonstration of the love you have given us. As we return your love to the world, let our faithful actions inspire others to witness your grace and to grow in their commitment to serve. Help us to be faithful stewards of all you have entrusted to us, planting seeds of hope and love throughout our community. Amen.
*WE GIVE GLORY TO GOD Gloria Patri #734
?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. ?
SCRIPTURE READING: Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 25:14-23
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once 16 the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
One: The word of God for the people of God! May God grant us the wisdom
to interpret these words, and the courage to live by what we learn.
ALL: God is still speaking! Thanks be to God!
MEDITATION HYMN: #492 “Spirit of the Living God”
1) First Verse—In Unison
2) First Verse—With Harmony Voices
3) First Verse—Humming— Acappella
? Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
SERMON “Unleashing Our Gifts in Faithful Service”
Pastor Anthony Spearhart
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORDS PRAYER (Debts and Debtors)
…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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*OUR COMMON CALLING
Let us go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: #614 “Let There Be Peace On Earth”
? Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, children all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow; to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. ?
*POSTLUDE: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” arr. by Diane Bish
