8:30 am May 30, 2021
Love Story of the Holy Trinity AS WE GATHER
On this Holy Trinity Sunday, we do not so much explain God as confess Him. To the mind in search of reasonable answers, God will always be a question or riddle to be solved. So we are confronted with who God is through what God does. He is the mighty God, the One in Three, before whom we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy.” He is also the Christ, the Savior who comes in flesh to redeem His fallen creation and restore the lost to Himself. He is also the Spirit who blows when and where He wills but breathes life into those dead in
trespasses and sin and bestows faith where fear once lived. It all is expressed in the God who so loved the world—the most familiar and beloved Bible passage. Here, in this Gospel in a nutshell, is the triune God at work for us and our salvation.
INVOCATION
Pastor:: In the name of the Father— People: Holy!
Pastor:: and of the Son— People: Holy!
Pastor:: and of the Holy Spirit— People: Holy!
Pastor:: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Pastor:: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Jesus Christ.
People: Amen.
Pastor:: Let us with true hearts confess together that we, through sinful thoughts, careless words, and loveless deeds, have transgressed God’s righteous Law and deserve His punishment now and eternally.
People: Almighty God, merciful Father, we acknowledge our sinful nature and repent of our sins in thought and in word and in deed. For the sake of Jesus, grant us Your forgiveness so that, as Your redeemed people, we be fit places for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and serve You in time and in eternity.
Pastor:: “Behold . . . your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Jesus has atoned for your sin. Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. This great gift of grace is freely given and certain, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor:: Let us pray. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”)
Peter Preaches to the Crowd
Reader: 14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to
the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing
powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But
God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.
People: 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to
life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about
him:
‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.
Reader: 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot
in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the
joy of your presence.’
29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David
wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an
oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was
People: 32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now
he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never
ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
35 until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”’
Reader: 36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
HOLY GOSPEL John 3:1-17 (The Father gave His Son out of love for the world.)
Reader: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him,
People: Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.
Reader: Jesus answered him, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Reader: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
People: How can these things be?
Reader: Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak of what We know, and bear witness to what We have seen, but you do not receive Our testimony. If I have told you earthly
things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
CREED Athanasian Creed (Part 1)
Pastor: As an expression of our faith, we confess the words of the Athanasian Creed, the longest and most recent of the three Ecumenical Creeds of the Church.
People: Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.
Pastor: And the catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance. For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Holy Spirit is another. But the Godhead of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.
Elder: Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit: the
Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated; the Father infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite; the Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal.
People: And yet there are not three Eternals, but one Eternal, just as there are not three Uncreated or three Infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite.
Pastor: In the same way, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty; and yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.
People: Just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge each distinct person as God and Lord, so also are we prohibited by the catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords.
Pastor: The Father is not made nor created nor begotten by anyone. The Son is neither made nor created, but begotten of the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.
Thus, there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
Elder: And in this Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another; but the whole three persons are coeternal with each other and coequal, so that in all things, as has been stated above, the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is to be worshiped.
People: Therefore, whoever desires to be saved must think thus about the Trinity.
MESSAGE – Pastor Christopher Fairbairn
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked as he hungered to understand Jesus. Do you still desire to know God’s plan for you, Jesus’ love through you
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! CREED Athanasian Creed (Part 2)
Pastor: We continue and conclude the confession of our faith today with the second part of the Athaniasian Creed.
People: But it is also necessary for everlasting salvation that one faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is the right faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at the same time both God and man.
Pastor: He is God, begotten from the substance of the Father before all ages; and He is man, born from the substance of His mother in this age: perfect God and perfect man, composed of a rational soul and human flesh; equal to the Father with respect to His divinity, less than the Father with respect to His humanity.
People: Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ:
Elder: one, however, not by the conversion of the divinity into flesh, but by the assumption of the humanity into God; one altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
account concerning their own deeds. And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.
People: This is the catholic* faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.
* “catholic” here means universal PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: As we recognize the Holy Trinity, we come before our heavenly Father as we pray in the name of the Son, in a faith sustained by the Holy Spirit.
Father in heaven, we listen as Your voice quakes and Your glory thunders majesty. As the heavenly host bow down in praise to You, make our worship also pleasing in Your sight. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
People: the whole earth is full of His glory!
Pastor: Father in heaven, we listen as Your voice teaches and gives light to darkened eyes. Your Son teaches us that You loved the world so much that You sent Your only-begotten Son to be born, to live a perfect life, to die, and to rise. Grant us joy in believing this message of rescue. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; People: the whole earth is full of His glory!
Pastor: Father in heaven, we listen as Your voice strengthens us and sets our tongues ablaze with truth. As we await Your Son’s return, empower us to share the Good News of Christ with young and old. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
People: the whole earth is full of His glory!
Pastor: Father in heaven, we listen to Your voice proclaim us forgiven, and we
anticipate the day when we will see You sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, as we enter Your nearer presence. Keep us firm in the faith as we anticipate the awe of heaven. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
People: the whole earth is full of His glory!
Pastor: Father in heaven, to You alone be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
If you brought your offering today, you are welcome to leave it in the offering plates you will find at the front and back of the church. Thank you.
St. Paul appreciates the continued support of those worshipping with us online and in person as we each help in sharing the amazing love of Jesus!
We invite our guests and members to fill out our Friendship Card during worship, which is found on the back of the pew. Please leave your card at the end of the pew near the center aisle as you leave.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
SACRAMENT THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Please see our communion policy stated on the inside front cover.
Pax Domini
Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And also with you.
THE DISTRIBUTION
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
876 O Blessed, Holy Trinity
BENEDICTION
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. People: Amen.
Text and tune: Public domain
May We Help You? Anyone who desires special private prayer with the Pastor may do so by remaining in the sanctuary until all worshippers have departed. At that time, come forward and speak with the Pastor.
Preacher Pastor Christopher Fairbairn
Officiant Pastor Jim Frusti
Music Director Paul Ventimiglia
Family Life Director Jeanette Koch
Elder Tom Poole
Reader Karen Frusti
Ushers Fred Winternheimer John Nordbeck Barry Helmick Carole Crete Paul Kemp
Greeters Carole Crete
Counters Jan Paver Marlene Shoebridge
Coffee Hour Coffee Hour Committee
Attendance Last week : Sunday 5.23.2021
8:30am - 77
Bible Study and Small Group Opportunities –
SUNDAYS: Join us for bible study and fellowship @ 9:45am in the church Parish Hall.
WEDNESDAYS: Ladies Bible Study – 9:30am , church parish hall.
SATURDAYS: Men’s Bible Study – Every second and fourth Saturday @ 9:30am – Parish Hall Donations needed each week for Church and School – $9,808
Received week of 5.23.2021 - for Church (Envelopes plus loose plate*)$16,613.40 *total includes online giving School - $627.15
A memorial has been given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Elof and Eleanor Nordbeck by their son John Nordbeck to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
____________________________________________________________________________________________ Remember Our Shut-Ins
Christina Rohn
27475 Huron Circle Apt. #240 Novi, MI 48377
(Waltonwood Twelve Oaks)
____________________________________________________________________________________________ Altar Flowers this week are :
Flowers this week to the Glory of God from the Chris and Anne Burgess. Please arrange to pick up your flowers after the 11am service.
Altar Flowers ; If you would like to purchase flowers for the altar we 1 vase available for June 20,2021. Flowers are $15 a vase. Please call Ruth Natiw @ 248-348-7875.
June 5th – 10am to 2pm.
• We need volunteers to spread wood chips
• We need volunteers to take off the baseboards in the school upstairs hallways.
Please contact the school if you can help or have questions. 248-349-3146
Come On Boots! The Board of Evangelism is planning a work day at Detroit Christian School of Excellence (DCSE), on June 19th from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Dave and Dottie Siefker are members of our church and Dave is the Principal at this school. We have been financially helping to support this school for the past several years and we would like to put Boots on the Ground and serve them by helping with a few projects. This will include cleaning up the campus by removing debris, weeds, small bushes and tree branches along the fence line surrounding the back of the property. The priority construction project is to construct 3 raised beds to plant vegetables. If the work force allows the secondary project will be to construct two picnic tables. Painting/staining will be required to finish these projects. The invitation will go out to DCSE students, parents and staff members, we are looking forward to an opportunity to work with them to build community and relationships. Will you put your Boots on the Ground at 19370 Greenfield, Detroit and join us for a local mission project? If yes, let the Board of Evangelism know, we have a sign up sheet on our ministry board in the church hallway. Questions, please talk or email Pat McGuigan, 734.718.8597, pking1252@gmail.com.
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MEXICO MISSION TRIP We are excited to report that preparation has begun for our upcoming mission trip
to Mexico from November 1st to 7th. This will be St. Paul’s fifth mission with MOST ministries. Previous St. Paul mission teams have traveled to Nicaragua and Guatemala. This time St. Paul will be sending a team to Mexico to provide water filters, health and hygiene education and home construction assistance for families in two Mexican communities. Our team will be lodged at a Lutheran mission church in El Paso, Texas, and each day the team will be driven over the border to our mission site.
This will be an excellent opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our brothers and sisters in Mexico. We are looking not only for “Goers” to join our mission team, but equally important we are looking for “senders” to help out with fundraising, etc. Anyone interested should contact either Team Leader Barbara Hoffmeier bhoffmeier3@gmail.com (248) 756-3035 or Team Liason Chris Burgess chris.burgess917@gmail.com
(734) 765-4782.
There will be a 2020 and 2021 High School and College Graduation Recognition Day on June 6 during both services and at the coffee hour. As in years past, the Board of Social Ministry would like to do Picture Boards of the graduates. Consequently, would you please get a picture of the graduate and a small explanation of their future plans, (or in the case of 2020 graduates: What has happened since graduation), to the church office or to Ruth Fisher at RTFNovi@gmail.com. Please have them there by May 30.
Writings-- Books of Poetry and Wisdom. We learned there are 31 chapters in Proverbs-- so we can read one chapter each day and finish Proverbs in about a month. We learned about the Song of Solomon and how romantic love is part of God's plan. We also learned about how Ecclesiastes is actually quite a bummer of a book. But it teaches one of the most important life lessons we need these days-- we are not going to finding meaning in our lives through school or work or money or glory or fame. We find meaning in our relationship with God. And that is a lesson people of all ages need to be reminded of. We don't have class today because of Memorial Day weekend, but we will be having Sunday School on June 6 after we briefly recognize our wonderful teachers who have been with us through this whole year!!
____________________________________________________________________________________ Fundraiser – Raise Craze In place of our annual auction this year, our school has launched a new
fundraiser, Raise Craze: Fundraising through Kindness. Students in preschool through 8th grade are collecting donations and in return completing acts of kindness in their homes, communities, and our school. What an amazing opportunity to support our staff and school while teaching our children to have servant hearts. If you are interested in donating to our Raise Craze fundraiser, please visit our link -
https://my.raisecraze.com/give/a7wxmt6/ . Cash and check donations may also be turned in to the
school office, with Raise Craze written in the memo. Thank you for your continued support!
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Sunday School Teacher Appreciation will be held during coffee hour on Sunday, June 6. We are
blessed to have wonderful, spiritual leaders for our children. Sue Poole, Chris Henning, Kristen Goodman and Debbie Jenter have volunteered their time every Sunday to provide religious instruction and fun activities to our young people. Please join the Board of Christian Education in recognizing this group for their outstanding efforts on June 6.
Summer Sunday School will be offered for June, July and August. We encourage our church family to
take advantage of this opportunity. Weather permitting, we will conduct Sunday school outside and take advantage of the sunny, warm days. Children will learn about Jesus while playing games, using the play structures and interacting with each other in a relaxed social setting. Children should meet in the gym at 10:00 am where Ms. Goodman will provide direction for the activity. Sunday school concludes at 10:45 am. The Board of Christian Education looks forward to welcoming our children back. We have missed them!
JUNE MOVIE NIGHT
IT’S FREE
SATURDAY JUNE 12TH @ 5PM
MOVIE TBD
PIZZA, POPCORN & A LOT OF FUN
Drop your children off for a fun night with their friends and go enjoy a
night out.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Jeanette Koch, Family Life Director
248-349-3140 ext 13
GOD MISSION MEAL the third Wednesday of May. Although the
attendance was slim because of the shut down with Covid last month, the people that come are in great need. We served 63 meals with about half of them being take-out trays. One of the girls that comes into the building to take out three meals is living out of her Mom's car with her sister and they sleep in a school parking lot at night. It breaks your heart to see her every month but she always says 'thank you' to us for serving the meals. Our servers were: Nancy Berg, Chris Burgess, Wayne Gray, Barbara Hoffmeier, Dennis Verseman. Our cooks were: Nancy, Barbara, Marilyn Edick, Chris Henning, Linda Johnson, Sue Mai. The brownie bakers were: Anne Burgess, Mary Lewis, Shirley Mapes. Our shoppers were: Ernie & Marilyn Edick. Thank you Marilyn & Ron Breuhan for contributing cases of water for the mission. The next meal will be June 16th. Please contact Nancy Berg if you can help #248.348.4031.
