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: “Gifts of the Spirit”
September 14, 2025 - Working Of Powerful Deeds
* (Asterisk) The Congregation Is Invited to Stand
Ringing the Bell & Lighting The Candles
PRELUDE: “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” arr Adam Mason
Martha Hefner
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*WELCOME HYMN (Sing Twice)
*CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist: Kevin Frische
Leader: We gather in worship to give thanks to God,
People: To call on the Holy name,
Leader: To sing praises to God,
People: To remember God’s wonderful works.
Leader: We gather in worship because our hearts seek the Holy One.
People: We watch for signs of God’s presence.
Leader: As our ancestors were led with the cloud by day and fire by night,
People: God guides us with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Leader: As they received abundant food in the wilderness and flowing water in the desert,
People: Let us be open to the miracles of God’s provision in our lives.
Leader: We remember the holy promises,
All: And so we gather to worship with thanksgiving.
(words by: Joanne Harader)
*HYMN: #574 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (VERSES 1&2)
I’m gonna live so God can use me anytime and anywhere. I’m gonna live so God can use me anytime and anywhere.
I’m gonna work so God can use me anytime and anywhere. I’m gonna work so God can use me anytime and anywhere.
*OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
Gracious and Loving Spirit, we gather today to ask that you would open our hearts and our eyes to your miracles all around us. We remember the miracles that transformed the lives in Jesus‘ time and we long for that healing in our lives today. May we, in this time of worship feel your healing prescence among us that our lives might be changed and we would take that change into your world. We ask that we may be open and receptive to your miraclous and transforming love. In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen
*HYMN: #574 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (VERSES 3&4)
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anytime and anywhere. I’m gonna pray so God can use me anytime and anywhere.
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anytime and anywhere. I’m gonna sing so God can use me anytime and anywhere.
DEDICATE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Benevolence giving for September—Family and Friends in Need
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)
Generous God,
We come before you with thankful hearts, recognizing the abundance you have blessed us with. We present our offerings today, acknowledging that each gift, no matter the size, is a unique expression of your grace and love. As we dedicate these gifts, we celebrate the many ways we contribute to your work. We are grateful for the diverse talents, resources, and passions represented in our community. May these offerings be a reflection of our collective commitment to serve one another and spread hope. We ask that you bless each contribution and inspire us to use our individual gifts to enrich the lives of others. Together, may our efforts weave a tapestry of love, justice, and compassion in the world. In your name, we pray, 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. ?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Jennifer Frische
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NRSV
4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
GOSPEL READING: John 3:1-2 NRSV
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’
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: #574 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (VERSE 1)
I’m gonna live so God can use me anytime and anywhere. I’m gonna live so God can use me anytime and anywhere.
SERMON: Miracles and Signs Jennifer Frische
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:
*POSTLUDE: “ Go Forth in Peace” Humphrey Turner
Martha Hefner
THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL CHURCH
SUNDAY – September 14, 2025
9:15-10 A.M. – Sunday School (3 year through 1st grade)
10:15 A.M. – Worship Service
MONDAY- September 15, 2025
9:00 AM –Noon : Church Cleaning
6:30 p.m. – Faith Formation & Mission Meeting
WEDNESDAY – September 17, 2025
9:00 AM –Noon : Church Cleaning
THURDSAY –September 18, 2025
7:30 AM Nancy Freymuth bus to Frankenmuth leaves
THURSDAY, September. 18 2025
. Senior Citizen’s Luncheon (9:00 Breakfast, Bingo, etc.)
FRIDAY, September 19, 2025
Senior Citizen at Victory Center
SATURDAY, September 20, 2025
10 am till gone –NWO food drive at Fairgrounds
SUNDAY, Sept 20, 2025
9:15 – 10 a.m. –Sunday School for ages 3 thru 1st Grade
10:15 A.M. – Worship Service
Given the Week of September 7, 2025
General Fund $ 4,023.25 Benevolence $ 40.00 Building Fund $ 170.00
Average General Fund Monthly Expenses $24,269.70
Monthly Income from Piel Endowment $4,789.23
Given to General Fund so far this month $ 4,023.25
Given to Building Fund so far this month: $ 170.00
Attendance for Sunday, September 7, 2025 – 10:15 –53
Online Attendance for Sunday September, 2025 - (9) 22
CHURCH NEWS –September 7, 2025.
Clean – up Days: Monday September 15 and Wednesday September 17 will be cleaning and sorting days. From 9 a.m. to noon on each day, we will be working here. Please consider helping if possible. Thank you.
Nancy Freymuth’s bus to Frankenmuth will leave the church parking lot on Thursday (9/18) at 7:30 a.m.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sunday School for children 3 years old through First grade started today!! . This year we are going to start at 9:15 am to 10:00 am . We (Cheryl Short and Jennifer Frische) are excited to start Sunday School back up after all our fun and sometimes very busy summer activities, just life all our families. See you next Sunday.
Flower Donations: Artifical flowers are needed to decorate Evergreen cemetery. Donations can be given to Dan Bennett or dropped off by the disaster bucket donations.
VOLUNTEER AUDIO VISUAL PERSON(S) NEEDED We are in urgent need of other volunteers to learn to run the slides during worship. If you are interested in exploring this possibility, talk to Pastor Anthony, soon. Thanks for considering this!
THANK YOU for donations and funds provided to mission committee. We were able to put together 26 disaster buckets and 12 hygiene kits.
NURSERY - The church nursery is usually open each Sunday and is supervised by members of the Faith Formation Committee. The nursery is only open upon request. Any family wishing to have their children attend the church nursery while they are participating in worship in the sanctuary, please notify an usher so they can make arrangements for nursery coverage. Please do not take your child to the nursery first without contacting an usher, as a nursery supervisor is only available in the nursery upon request.
coverage. Please do not take your child to the nursery first without contacting an usher, as a nursery supervisor is only available in the nursery upon request.
We Support Our Church By Our Prayers
Members of St. Paul’s Prayer Chain are honored to pray for you, your family and loved ones. This is an email group that sends prayer requests as they are received. The requests are confidential to the group and not placed on this published prayer list unless requested. If you have a prayer request, please contact the following:
Pastor Anthony Spearhart at the church
Jennifer Frische, call or text 419-231-3790, any hour. Leave a message.
The following people are in need of our prayers:
Mary Ann Shroyer-*Melanie Wright* Barbara Wheeler*Brittany (Warner) Grover*Brenda (Kohler) Ward* Marilyn Brandehoff * Alice Fischbach * Liz Thiedt * Jim Smithey * Kaelyn Zwiebel * Vicki Smith * Lewis Erb Jr. * Lewis Erb Sr * Rev. Adrian Sunday * Helen Erb *Rosemarie (Rosie) Goodwin *; * John Simpko * Joyce Andalero* Dick and Carol Presar * Jack Prater*Susan & Mike Bartlett * Jennifer Willison * Emil George* Roger Dircksen*Wayne Quellhorst* Clara Beth Muhlenkamp,* Mark and Susan Bishop * Marlene Winter Nelson*
Members and friends serving in the U.S. military:
Amanda (Preston) Johnston, Scott Presar, Aaron Hibner, Skyla Hibner
We are currently refreshing our prayer lists. If you would like a name listed, please call or e-mail the office at 419-738-2215 or office@stpaulucc.com
ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
108 W Mechanic Street
Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895
Website: www.stpaulucc.com
www.facebook.com/StPaulWapakoneta
CONTACT US:
Church Office (419) 738-2215
CHURCH STAFF & VOLUNTEERS:
Pastor Anthony Spearhart; anthony@stpaulucc.com Direct (419) 738-2215,
Cell: (419) 773-0379
Church Secretary, Janice Wright, office@stpaulucc.com Direct (419) 738-2270
Ministry Coordinator - Tami Zwez; tami@stpaulucc.com Direct (419) 738-2279
Financial Secretary-Mark Freer; mark@stpaulucc.com Direct (419) 739-7716
Council President– Tammy Nuesmeyer; (419)230-4049
Organist– Martha Hefner; mjhefner@woh.rr.com (567)712-1760
Choir Director –
Bell Choir Director – Wendy Schlenker; schotch@ohiolink.net
Church Custodium – Jon Dearbaugh
Church Council Treasurer – Jim Smith
Church Council Head Trustee – Dan Bennett
Church Council Head Elder – Mike Loy
Church Council Head Deacon –Kathy Haehn
