May 10, 2025

Dear St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation Family,

Grace and peace, beloved church! As we continue our Eastertide journey through the Book of Acts, we’ve been asking an important question together: Who are the Resurrection People? So far, we’ve seen that Resurrection People are those who bear witness to God’s grace—and those who are willing to see in new ways.

This Sunday, we will turn to a story about a woman named Dorcas, and explore how resurrection people are also those who offer life. Dorcas was a disciple known for her simple acts of love—sewing clothes, caring for widows, and building up her community with quiet faithfulness. When Peter arrives after her death there is a moment of stunning resurrection. But could this story be our story, too?

This week is also both Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday, and we’ll reflect on the many ways we’re called to give and receive life—through compassion, creativity, presence, and love. You are invited to come and be reminded that your gifts matter, your presence makes a difference, and you are part of God’s resurrection work in the world! We would love to have you join us in-person or online!

Here is our schedule for tomorrow, May 11th:

9:00 AM: In-person Worship Service of Word and Table, in the sanctuary 

9:00 AM: Sunday School for all ages, in-person

Seekers and Servants Class meets in-person in Wesley Lounge or on Zoom here (Meeting ID 83292105478 and Passcode 522152).

10:30 AM: Hybrid Worship Service with Children's Choir and Chancel Choir, in-person in the sanctuary and livestreamed here

Please remember that since this service is filmed and live-streamed, you or your family members may be on our worship recording, which is streamed and archived on our YouTube channel.

11:45 AM: Hybrid Discussion Group, in-person and on Zoom

Join by clicking here, or use Meeting ID 87591478033 and Passcode stpauls.

Grace | Peace,

Pastor Greg

Discussion Questions

(1) What did you notice in our worship today? Thinking not only about the words of the sermon, where did you notice the Spirit, an unexpected connection, a flicker of life, hope, or love?

(2) Today we considered how being resurrection people is about offering life. We wove the story of Dorcas together with Good Shepherd Sunday and our culture’s celebration of Mother’s Day. Where do you see connections here?

(3) We acknowledged that this story seems so far-fetched in so many ways; but we were encouraged today to use our imagination to consider how the gifts we have to offer might just be gifts of life or resurrection or hope for others. Have you seen this be true? How important is the imagination to our journey of faith?

Prelude: “Sonata No. 1 in F Major: I. Dolce” (G. P. Telemann)

Mary Bahnfleth

Greeting

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Call to Worship

One: God, like a spring of water, pours forth abundant life!

All: Sing them over again to me—wonderful words of life!

One: Christ, like a good shepherd, provides safety and love!

All: Beautiful words, wonderful words—wonderful words of life!

One: The Spirit, like a mother, offers warmth and blessing!

All: Wonderful words of life!

Opening Hymn: “Wonderful Words of Life” (UMH 600)

An Affirmation from 1 Cor. 15:1-6 and Col. 1:15-20 (UMH 888)

Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt

Leader: This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved:

All: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared first to the women, then to Peter and the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. 

We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, in whom all things hold together, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell by the power of the Spirit. 

Christ is the head of the body, the church, and by the blood of the cross reconciles all things to God. Amen.

Psalter: Psalm 23 (UMH 74 with Response 2)

Response: The Good Shepherd comes that we may have life and have it abundantly.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Lord Makes me lie down in green pastures,

leads me beside still water, restores my life,

leads me in right paths

For the sake of the Lord’s name. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

Response: The Good Shepherd comes that we may have life and have it abundantly.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Response: The Good Shepherd comes that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Passing the Peace 

Anthem: “Feed My Lambs” (Natalie Sleeth)

Children’s Choir

Children’s Message

Ted Voigt

Scripture Lesson: Acts 9:36-43 (NRSVUE)

Paula Farabaugh

Message: “Those Who Are Offering Life”

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Hymn/Anthem: “Bring Forth the Kingdom” (FWS 2190)

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Offering

Closing Hymn: “Together We Serve” (FWS 2175)

Mission Moment: Shoe Bank

Jan Becker

Announcements

Benediction

Postlude: “Wonderful Words of Life” (Joel Raney)

Mary Bahnfleth