Bulletin for 01072024

January 7, 2024 The First Sunday After the Epiphany

Adult Sunday School @ 9:30 AM Sunday In-Person and Livestream Worship Service @ 10:45 AM “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

Matthew 5:14 NRSV

The Church on the Hill, Near the Cross, In the Word and on the move for Christ

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Monday

Youth Church Sunday @ 10:45 AM

Pastor’s Prayer Call @ 7:00 AM

Adult Sunday School now in person @ 9:30 AM

Monday - Friday

Sunday Service on Livestream @ 10:45 AM

KAIROS Call @ 1:00 PM :HGQHVGD\ Bible Study on Zoom @ 7:00 PM

&KXUFK 2IILFH +RXUV Monday through Friday 9AM - 4 PM One Hagerty Blvd.

West Chester, PA 19382 610.692.2446 www.stpaulsbaptist.org

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of a difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all people to exemplify and commend our Holy faith.

We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of other; to participate in each other’s joys and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of our Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God who hath called us out of the darkness into God’s marvelous light.

When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church, where we can carry on the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Order of Worship The First Sunday after the Epiphany Sunday, January 7, 2024 Rev. Orville Brissett Minister of Music and Worship Arts

Rev Farrah Gaskins Worship Leader

Praise and Worship The Call to Worship The Choral Introit……… Holy, Holy, Holy….…........Congregation Prayer of Invocation..….…………………….Rev Farrah Gaskins Prayer Chant…………….The Lord’s Prayer………..Congregation

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Musical Interlude……………………..………………………

The Hymn of Consecration.…. “Power in the Blood”….Inspirational Choir

* ***

Greeting our Visitors…..…………….................Sister Sara Reeder Pastoral Emphasis & Scripture Lesson.................Rev Dr. Wayne E. Croft Sr., The Ministry of Giving Offertory Prayer…….…................................Trustee Wille Anderson **

Announcements …..…….....................................................................

Prayer of Intercession……….............……Deacon Mark Woodford Choral Response.…...……………..…………………..………...

**

The Ministry of Music

Sermonic Selection...“I’ve got A Reason To Praise The Lord”..Inspirational Choir “We don’t need another political uprising. We don’t need another conqueror on the scene. What we need is a special word, that will bond within our hearts and give us direction from above. We need a Word from the Lord. A Word from the Lord. Just one Word from the Lord, will remove all the doubts and cause the sun to shine and give peace of mind. Speak Lord, Speak Lord.”

The Ministry of Preaching The Reverend Dr. Wayne E. Croft “Anna’s Song: A Song of Thanksgiving” Luke 2:21-24;36-38NRSV *Call to Discipleship Holy Communion The Words of Institution The Purpose of our Gathering The Prayer of Confession and Thanksgiving Closing Prayer And They Had Sung A Hymn

Departing to Serve

*PleaseStand **UshersMaySeatWorshippers ***Congregation Seated Worship with us online at https://stpaulsbaptist.org/

16

St. Paul's Baptist Church

137th Church A.nniver1ary danuary 28, 2024

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLEASE USE LINK or QR CODE TO REGISTER http://tinyurl.com/42rjd36s

MLK Day of Service Monday, January 15, 2024 ~~~~ 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM You are invited: Join us for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and continue the spirit of giving.

Volunteers for MLK Day of Service will serve in projects at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, One Hagerty Boulevard or the Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center, 501 E Miner Street, both in West Chester, PA. Service projects to date are listed below.

Service Projects & Events @ St. Paul’s: • • • • • •

Early Childhood StoryTime & SongFest Clothing Giveaway Knitting Circle Arts & Crafts Creations (for Nursing Home Residents & Veterans) Social Justice Advocacy Reflections Service @ 12:15 PM

Service Projects & Events @ Charles A. Melton Center: • • • •

Annual MLK Day Food Drop-off Maintain/Clean & Sanitize Facilities EMT Opportunities & Scholarships Voting Empowerment Booth

If You Are Unable to Attend: Consider participating in the SuperMarket Food Drive at two local supermarkets from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon: • ShopRite – West Chester (RT 3)

• Acme – West Chester (Paoli Pike)

You may also drop off food for the Annual MLK Day Food Drive at St. Paul's Baptist Church prior to Monday, January 15th.

Refreshments provided at Reflections Service.

SPONSORED BY ST. PAUL’S BAPTIST CHURCH & COMMUNITY PARTNERS 610.692.2446 X140

MONDAY January 15, 2024 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

PREFERRED FOOD DONATIONS* ü Peanut Butter ü Jelly/Jam ü Soups ü Canned Fruit ü Dried Beans ü Cereal ü Oatmeal ü Rice ü Pasta

ü Canned Vegetables ü Canned Beans ü Canned Fish ü Canned Meats ü Instant Mashed Potatoes ü 100% Fruit Juice ü Microwaveable One‐ serving meal

But you may choose other non-perishable items if you wish

*Low Sugar Foods

Low Sodium Foods

Drop off on Miner Street @ Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center 501 E Miner ST West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 692-9290 SPONSORED BY ST. PAUL’S BAPTIST CHURCH & COMMUNITY PARTNERS 610.692.2446 X140

MINISTRY MOMENTS CLOTHING MINISTRYACCEPTING WINTER CLOTHES OPEN TUESDAYS 1PM-3PM QUILTING MINISTRY*WILL RESUME JANUARY 9TH CHOIRINSPIRATIONAL CHOIR PRACTICE TUESDAYS @ 7PM

The Church Family Ministries (Formerly Clusters) Luke D, E, F, G

Joshua K, M

1st Timothy U, W, X, Y, Z

The combined Ministries of Luke, Joshua, and 1st Timothy invite all members with the last name beginning with the letters D, E, F, G; K, M; and U, W, X, Y, Z to join us for a . . .

“Meet and Greet Fellowship” Immediately following the morning service on January 21, 2024, in the Fellowship Hall.

Please come as light refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you!

The Music Ministry is inviting all former choir members to participate in the Mass Choir for St. Paul’s 137th Church Anniversary, January 28, 2024.

All rehearsals will take place Tuesdays in January at 7 PM.

2ND SUNDAYS WITH DEBAPTISTE FUNERAL HOMES t

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Looking for an opportunity to give of your time and talents? We are praying for volunteers to serve on the planning committee and/or to be available to join us at the dinner as we give back and serve the community.

To learn more about this outreach dinner and how you can help, please join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, January 7, 2024 immediately following morning service in Kitchen Side Fellowship Hall.

All ARE WELCOMED Chairperson – Brother David Durnell, Evangelism Ministry Co-Chair - Trustee Dwayne Loper Co-Chair - Sister Pam White, Missionary Ministry

Home Daily Bible Readings MONDAY “God’s Word Lights My Path” (Psalm 117:97-112) TUESDAY “Rest for the Weary” (Matthew 11:25-30) WEDNESDAY “I Put My Trust in God” (Psalm 56) THURSDAY “Trust in the Unchanging Lord” (Hebrews 13:5-16) FRIDAY “I Will Not Leave You Orphaned ” (John 14:18-27) SATURDAY “God’s Surpassing Wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) SUNDAY “Trust in the Lord” (Proverbs 3:1-12 )

Alabama Pilgrimage Gathering Saturday, January 13 at 6:00 pm In October of 2023, 35 pilgrims from St. Paul’s Baptist Church, the NAACP and Boyd & Barb Myers from BCWC traveled to Montgomery & Selma, Alabama to visit icons of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s & 1960’s. The experience was one of learning, lament, & yet, joy. Please consider gathering in Lowry Hall at BCWC on January 13 to learn more about this pilgrimage & how we might strengthen relationships between St. Paul’s & BCWC. Light refreshments will be served & childcare will be available.

Please contact Barb Myers at tiredrn95@comcast.net for more information & to RSVP if you can.

Prayers and Condolences

To the family of Shonique James , Niece of Trustees Alisa Anderson and Dwayne Loper.

To the family of Sister Jeanne Smith who's husband Brother John Smith passed away on Januaury 1st .

To the family of Darrell & Adia Brown, in the loss of their son Tim Brown.

Members In Nursing Homes and Hospitals Select Specialty Hospital Sister Angela Asparagus Room #927

Rockland Place (Nursing Home) Sister Geneva Porter-Room 230 1519 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Pembrooke (Nursing Home) Sister Deedra Matthews-Room 226 1120 West Chester Pike West Chester, PA 19382

Members Convalescing at Home Deacon Jesse Craig Sister Lurerlene Crook Brother Lynell Laws Brother Albert "Skeater" Hill Sister Sonya Combs-Adams

Church Family the following items will help us serve with greater efficiency:  Any items that you need to be placed in the Sunday Bulle�n must be submitted to the Church Office by noon on Wednesday. You may email your announcement informa�on to assistantsecretary@stpaulsbap�st.org. If informa�on is received a�er the deadline, it will be placed in the next upcoming Sunday Bulle�n.  Announcements will only be placed in the bulletin 3 weeks prior to the event.  Any in-service Ministry announcements can be sent to spbcannouncementministry@gmail.com. They will announce Pastoral Emphasis and St. Paul’s ministry news only. The deadline is Monday to be announced 3 weeks out.  Any item of informa�on for Pastoral Emphasis, or if you are reques�ng to make an announcement on Sunday, must be submitted by noon on Friday. You may either call 610.692.2446 Ext. 140 or email your announcement informa�on to churchoffice@stpaulsbap�st.org. We realize that things do happen between Friday and Sunday and that the need may arise wherein someone has to get a note to Pastor. However, in an effort to give Pastor minimal distrac�ons on Sunday mornings as he prepares for worship, aside from an emergency, please refrain from sending a note to Pastor reques�ng that he make an announcement.

Opportunities for sharing time and talents

 Part time Church Sexton M-F 6pm-9pm Contact the church office at churchoffice@stpaulsbaptist.org  Weekend Church Sexton

Saturday and Sundays

 REACTIVATION of the SAFETY & SECURITY MINISTRY

Do you take safety and security seriously?

Do you have a special skill set that could benefit the safety and security ministry?

Did you serve on the safety and security ministry previously? If you answered yes to any of these questions then please use the tiny URL to express interest in serving on the ministry. https://tinyurl.com/SPBC-SSERP23

For more information, please contact Dr. Carmen Lesesne or email security@stpaulsbaptist.org

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ST. PAUL'S BAPTIST CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER KING PLAZA

ONE HAGERTY BOULEVARD WEST CHESTER, PA 19382 PHONE: 610-692-2446 FAX: 610-692-7582 EMAIL: CHURCHOFFICE@STPAULSBAPTIST.ORG WWW.STPAULSBAPTIST.ORG