March 30, 2025

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 30, 2025 Lent 4 

GRACE INSTEAD OF CONDEMNATION 

WELCOME – we will be using the Blue Hymnal today. 

HYMN 394 “Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

THE SERVICE – Setting One - page 154ff  

NOTE: all responses will be spoken 

HYMN 948 “Thank the Lord and Sing His Praise” 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, we confess that we deserve to be punished for our evil deeds. But we ask you graciously  to cleanse us from all sin and to comfort us with your salvation; through your Son, Jesus Christ our  Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 12:1-6 

God’s grace turns the fear of our condemnation into the joy of our salvation. 

1 In that day you will say: I will give thanks to you, Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you comfort me. 2Surely God is my salvation. I will trust  him and will not be afraid, because Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song, and he has become  my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4In that  day you will say: Give thanks to the Lord! Proclaimhis name. Declare among the peoples what  he has done. Proclaim that his name is exalted! 5Sing to the Lord, for he has done amazing  things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6Shout aloud and sing for joy, daughter of Zion, for  the Holy One of Israel is great among you! 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 32 – Refrain read in unison; Verses read responsively 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 8:1-10 

In Christ Jesus, God has already condemned all sin. For us there is only grace and the gift of the Holy 

Spirit. 

1So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.2For in Christ  Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3Indeed, what the  law was unable to do, because it was weakened by the flesh, God did, when he sent his own  Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. God condemned sin in his flesh, 4so that  the righteous decree of the law would be fully satisfied in us who are not walking according  to the flesh, but according to the spirit. 5 To be sure, those who are in harmony with the  sinful flesh think about things the way the sinful flesh does, and those in harmony with the  spirit think about things the way the spirit does. 6Now, the way the sinful flesh thinks results  in death, but the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace. 7For the mind-set of the sinful  flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. 8 Those  who are in the sinful flesh cannot please God. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him  shall not perish but have eternal life. 

GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-3,11-32 

How does God respond to those who object to or are enraged by his grace? He responds with more  grace. 

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and  the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 He told them this parable:…11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger of  them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property  between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and  traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his wealth with reckless living. 14After he had  spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 He  went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields  to feed pigs. 16 He would have liked to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were  eating, but no one gave him anything. 17When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of  my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! 18 I will  get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I  am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 He  got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled  with compassion. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I  have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a  ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and  celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’  Then they began to celebrate. 25 His older son was in the field. As he approached the house,  he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going  on. 27 The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 The older brother was angry and refused to go  in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, these  many years I’ve been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave  me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for  him!’ 31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 But  it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive  again. He was lost and is found.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! (sung) 

HYMN 523 “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” 

SERMON: Luke 15:1-3,11-32 “Who is the Biggest Prodigal?” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 163 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & LORD’S PRAYER 

BLESSING: C: Amen.  

HYMN 579 “His Mercy Is More” (Refrain sang 3x after verse 3) 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

LENTEN WEDNESDAY WORSHIP – We will be joining the members of Redeemer,  Scottville, at 1:30 pm for their Lenten series, “Reflection on Repentance.” Based on Psalm  51. No lunch.

Christian Worship Hymnal © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

March 23, 2025

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 23, 2025 Lent 3

ALWAYS PRESENT, ALWAYS PATIENT 

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today. 

HYMN 302 “Lord, to You I Make Confession” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

INVOCATION & CALL TO WORSHIP 

L: We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. 

L: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in our troubles, C: So that we can comfort others in their troubles with the same comfort we  ourselves have received from God. 

L: For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, 

C: So also through Christ our comfort overflows to others. 

L: Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. C: One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of your  mighty acts. 

L: Our God is a God who saves. 

C: He does not treat us as our sins deserve. 

L: For God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, 

C: So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 

L: Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. C: And He died for all that those who live should no longer live for them-selves,  but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 

L: May His Spirit inspire our giving thanks for all of His blessings to us, 

C: And make us able to serve Him throughout our lives. 

L: Let us pray. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, look with favor on your humble servants and stretch out the right hand of your power  to defend us against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns  with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Exodus 3:1-15

The Lord reveals his presence to Moses as flames within a bush—fire that does not consume. 

1 Now Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, a priest of Midian, and he  led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The  Angel of the Lord appeared to him in blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush  was on fire, but the bush was not burning up. 3So he said, “I will go over and look at this  amazing sight—to find out why the bush is not burning up.” 4When the Lord saw that Moses  had gone over to take a look, God called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses!  Moses!” Moses said, “I am here.” 5 The Lord said, “Do not come any closer. Take your sandals  off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He then said, “I am the  God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses  hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have certainly seen the  misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry for help because of their slave drivers.  Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8So I have come down to deliver them from the hand of  the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land  flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9Now indeed, the Israelites’ cry for help has  come to me. Yes, I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Come now, I will  send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to  God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the Israelites out of  Egypt?” 12 So he said, “I will certainly be with you. This will be the sign to you that I have sent  you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve God on this mountain.” 13 But Moses said to God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers  has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I say to them?” 14 So  God replied to Moses, “I am who I am.” He also said, “You will say this to the Israelites:  I am has sent me to you.” 15 God also told Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: ‘The Lord, the  God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent  me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation  to generation.’ 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 

God revealed his presence among the nation of Israel. Instead of his presence leading to repentant faith,  with a sense of false security the Israelites set their hearts on evil. 

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy  gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and know all the mysteries and have  all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am  nothing. 3If I give away everything I own, and if I give up my body that I may be burned but  do not have love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does  not brag. It is not arrogant. 5It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable.  It does not keep a record of wrongs. 6It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices  with the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love  never comes to an end. But if there are prophetic gifts, they will be done away with; if tongues,  they will cease; if knowledge, it will be done away with. 9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, 10 but when that which is complete has come, that which is partial will  be done away with. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned  like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see indirectly using  a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just  as I was fully known. 13 So now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of  these is love. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

 C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone  who believes in him may have eternal life. 

GOSPEL: Luke 13:1-9 

God is always patient, but our time of grace does come to an end at the moment of death. Since that  can come at unexpected times, Jesus teaches that the time to repent is right now. 

1 At that time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood  Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans  were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3I tell  you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed  when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse sinners than all  the people living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too.” 6 He told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking  for fruit on it, but he did not find any. 7So he said to the gardener, ‘Look, for three years now  I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Cut it down. Why even  let it use up the soil?’ 8 But the gardener replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until  I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. 9If it produces fruit next year, fine. But if not, then cut  it down.’” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 339 “Today Your Mercy Calls Us” 

SERMON: (written by Circuit Pastor John Eich) 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 490 “Love in Christ Is Strong and Living” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (spoken) 

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen. (spoken)

HYMN 331 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together  to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to  participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. 

GUESTS, PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK  

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIP – March 19 at 1:30 pm. We will be joining the member  of Redeemer, Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Repentance Reflections” based on Psalm 51. Lunch  is served at 12:30 pm. All are welcome! 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God and the Bible?  Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. It is free and there  is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you. 

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®) 

March 16, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 16, 2025 Lent 2

NO DETOURS ALLOWED 

WELCOME 

HYMN 111 “Sweet the Moments Rich in Blessing”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

COMMON SERVICE - page 15 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly  and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may  assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy  Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 26:8-15 

Jeremiah knew the path the Lord had called him to walk—calling the nation to repent—might get him  killed. In love for the Lord and for his nation, Jeremiah walked that path willingly. 

8 When Jeremiah had finished saying everything the LORD had commanded him to say  to all the people, then the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him and said,  “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will  be like Shiloh and that this city will be desolate with no one living here?” All the people  crowded around Jeremiah in the House of the LORD.10 When the officials of Judah  heard about these things, they came up from the king’s house to the House of  the LORD and sat in the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD’s house. 11 Then the  priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves  the sentence of death because he has been prophesying against this city, as you heard  with your own ears.” 12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and to all the people,  “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the things  that you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions, and obey  the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring about the disaster he  has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, look, I am in your hands. Do with me  whatever seems good and right in your eyes. 15 But you can be certain of this. If you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on  those who live here, for it is true that the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these  words in your hearing.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 42-43 – page 82 

Blessed are they who hope, who hope in the Lord. 

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 3:17-4:1 

Paul explains that being a follower of Jesus means that our path in life will resemble his. Paul encourages  us to not try and take detours as we journey toward heaven. 

17 Brothers, join together in imitating me and in paying atten-tion to those who are  walking according to the pattern we gave you. 18 To be sure, many walk as enemies of  the cross of Christ. I told you about them often, and now I am saying it while  weeping. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite, and their glory is in  their shame. They are thinking only about earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in  heaven. We are eagerly waiting for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 By  the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our  humble bodies to be like his glorious body. 41So then, my brothers, whom I love and  long for, my joy and crown, in this way keep standing firm in the Lord, my dear friends. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. 

GOSPEL: Luke 13:31-35 

The Pharisees offer Jesus a detour around danger and a shortcut to safety. But Jesus was determined to  continue down the path he was on for us and our salvation. 

31 In that very hour, some Pharisees came to him and said, “Leave, and go away from  here, because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I  am going to drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third  day I will reach my goal. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow  and the next day, because it cannot be that a prophet would be killed outside  Jerusalem!’ 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those  sent to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen  gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 Look, your house is  left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you will  say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”  

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 19 

HYMN 452 “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” 

SERMON: Philippians 3:17-4:1 “Walking the Hard Road” 

SONG “Create in Me a Clean Heart” – page 20 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 417 “I'm But a Stranger Here” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 103 “Glory Be to Jesus” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIP – March 19 at 130 pm. We will be joining the  member of Redeemer, Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Repentance Reflections” based on  Psalm 51. There is no Lunch this Wednesday. All are welcome! 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God and the  Bible? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. It is  free and there is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you.

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

March 9, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 9, 2025 Lent 1

ONE STANDS; EVERYONE ELSE SITS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 416 “How Firm a Foundation, O Saints of the Lord”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts  us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word, and when we fall, raise us  up again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and  the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: 1 Samuel 17:4-11,32-40,45-51 

One warrior from each nation stood and fought while everyone else sat. David’s victory over Goliath is  as much a spiritual victory as a military one, for it teaches us that the battle is the Lord’s. 

4A challenger who represented the Philistines came out from the camp of the Philistines. He  was named Goliath of Gath. He was nine feet, six inches tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his  head, and he wore scaled body armor, which was made of more than one hundred pounds of  bronze. 6 He had bronze greaves on his shins and a bronze spear slung between his  shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spearhead was made of  fifteen pounds of iron. His shield bearer went out ahead of him. 8 He would stand up and  shout to the armies of Israel, “Why have you come out to line up in battle formation? I am a  Philistine, and you are servants of Saul, aren’t you? Choose a man to represent you, and let  him come down to me. 9If he is able to fight with me and kill me, we will be your servants.  But if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our servants, and you will serve us.” 10 The  Philistine would say, “I defy the ranks of Israel today! Give me a man, and we will fight each  other!” 11When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they lost their courage  and were terrified….32 David said to Saul, “Do not let anyone lose heart because of this  Philistine! Your servant will go and fight him.” 33 But Saul said to David, “You cannot go against  this Philistine to fight with him, because you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior since  he was a youth.” 34 David said to Saul, “Your servant has been taking care of his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after it and struck it  and rescued the lamb out of its mouth. When the lion reared up against me, I grabbed it by  its mane, struck it, and killed it. 36 Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This  uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the ranks of the living  God.” 37 David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the  paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go then!  May the Lord be with you.” 38 So Saul dressed David in his own gear. He placed a bronze  helmet on his head and dressed him in scaled body armor. 39 David strapped his sword over  his gear. David tried to walk around in them, since he had never trained with this kind of  equipment before. David said to Saul, “I cannot go in these, because I have never trained with  them.” So David took them off. 40 Then David took his staff in his hand and picked five smooth  stones out of the stream bed and put them into the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. He took his  sling in his hand and approached the Philistine….45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You  come against me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come against you in the  name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today  the Lord will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will  give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air and to the wild  animals of the earth. Then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and all those  gathered here will know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle  belongs to the LORD, and he will deliver you into our hand.” 48 Then, when the Philistine  started advancing to attack David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the  Philistine. 49 David put his hand into his bag, took a stone from it, shot it from his sling, and  struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown  to the ground. 50 So David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. He struck the  Philistine and killed him, even though David did not have a sword in his hand. 51 So David ran,  stood over the Philistine, took hold of his sword, drew it out of its sheath, killed him, and cut  off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 The  men of Israel and Judah got up, cheering loudly, and pursued the Philistines toward the  entrance of the valley, all the way to the gates of Ekron. Fatally-wounded Philistines lined the  road from Sha’araim all the way to Gath and Ekron. 53When the Israelites returned from  pursuing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the head of the Philistine  and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put the Philistine’s armor and weapons into his tent. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 91 – page 100 

Keep me, keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me, hide me in the shadow of your wings. 

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 4:14-16 

Jesus has stood in our place, facing every temptation that we have faced. Yet he did not sin. 

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely,  Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15 For we do not have a  high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted  in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. 16 So let us approach the throne of grace  with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

It is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” 

GOSPEL: Luke 4:1-13 

Weak and in the wilderness, Jesus stands against Satan’s temptations. He overcomes them, winning the  victory for us. 

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the  wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during  those days. When they came to an end, he was hungry. 3 The Devil said to him, “If you are  the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man  shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” 5 The Devil led him up to a high  mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil  told him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it has been  entrusted to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.”  8Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him  only.’” 9 The Devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from  here, 10 because it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you.  11And, they will lift you up with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a  stone.” 12 Jesus answered him, “It says: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’” 13When the  Devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! (sung) 

HYMN 359 “Jesus, My Great High Priest” 

SERMON: Hebrews 4:14-16 “Serving on Your Behalf” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 200 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 203 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

LENTEN WEDNESDAY WORSHIP – We will be joining the members of Redeemer,  Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Reflection on Repentance.” Based on Psalm 51. Lunch  begins at 12:30 with worship at 1:30 p.m. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God  and the Bible? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class  for you. It is free and there is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you.

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

March 2, 2025

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

website: StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

March 2, 2025 Transfiguration 

JESUS IS REVEALED AS THE LORD OF GLORY 

WELCOME 

HYMN 95 “How Good, Lord, to be Here” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God, before the suffering and death of your one and only Son, you revealed his glory on the holy  mountain. Grant that we who bear his cross on earth may behold by faith the light of his heavenly  glory and so be changed into his likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you  an d the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Exodus 34:29-35 

The glory of God was reflected in the two-sided covenant of the law which God established through Moses.  It made people afraid. Through Christ God would establish a new and greater covenant which would  remove all our fears. 

29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his  hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not realize that the skin of his face was  shining because he had been speaking with the Lord. 30When Aaron and all the people of  Israel saw Moses, they were amazed that the skin of his face was shining, so they were afraid  to come close to him. 31 Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the rulers of the community  returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32Afterward, all the people of Israel came close  to him, and he gave them all of the commands that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount  Sinai. 33When Moses was finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But  whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off until  he came out again. Then he would come out and tell the people of Israel what he had been  commanded. 35Whenever the people of Israel saw Moses’ face, they would see that the skin  of Moses’ face was shining. Then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in  to speak with the Lord again. 

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 

Paul declares that the glory of the New Covenant of grace far surpasses the glory of the Old Covenant of  law. The glory of the New Covenant is hidden in the work of Christ and revealed through the work of the  Holy Spirit. 

7If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory,  so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his  face (though it was fading), 8how will the ministry of the spirit not be much more  glorious? 9For if the ministry that brought condemnation has glory, the ministry that brought  righteousness has even more glory. 10 In fact, in this case, what was glorious is no longer very  glorious, because of the greater glory of that which surpasses it. 11 Indeed, if what is fading  away was glorious, how much more glorious is that which is permanent! 12 Therefore, since  we have this kind of hope, we act with great boldness. 13We are not like Moses, who put a  veil over his face, so that the Israelites could not continue to look at the end of the radiance,  as it was fading away. 14 In spite of this, their minds were hardened. Yes, up to the present  day, the same veil remains when the Old Testament is read. It has not been removed because  it is taken away only in Christ. 15 Instead, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over  their hearts. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the  Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But all of us who  reflect the Lord’s glory with an unveiled face are being transformed into his own image, from  one degree of glory to another. This too is from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. A voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Alleluia.  (Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-36 

The glory of God, hidden in Christ, shines through on the Mount of Transfiguration. 

28About eight days after he said these words, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up  on the mountain to pray. 29While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his  clothing became dazzling white. 30 Just then, two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with  him! 31 They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to  bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.32 Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep,  but when they were completely awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s  make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not realize what he  was saying. 34While he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. They  were afraid as they went into the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 36After the voice had spoken, they found Jesus alone.  They kept this secret and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 97 “Down from the Mount of Glory” 

SERMON: Luke 9:28-36 God’s Glory Seen & Heard 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional) 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the  fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS  communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor  Himm.  

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

 HYMN 568 (BLUE): “His Robes for Mine” Sharon Spencer 

 Congregation sings stanza 4 with Sharon 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - page 36 

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 318 “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP – March 5 at 1:30 pm. We will be joining the members  of Redeemer, Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Reflection on Repentance.” There is no luncheon on Ash Wednesday. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you or someone you know what to learn more about God, forgiveness, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and much more? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. There is no obligation and it’s free. Contact Pastor Himm to set up a convenient time to meet for a class designed for you 

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®) 

.

February 23, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

February 23, 2025 Epiphany 7

DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU 

WELCOME 

HYMN 234 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Gracious Father, keep your family, the Church, always faithful to you, that we may lean on the hope  of your promises and be strong in the power of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 45:3-15 

The account of Joseph forgiving his brothers after they had sold him into slavery demonstrates that God  overcomes evil with good. 

3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not  able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his  brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph,  the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with  yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of  you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there  will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a  remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8So then, it was not you  who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and  ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph  says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in  the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and  herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to  come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’  12 You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am  speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about  everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” 14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 51b – page 87 

Come, Holy Spirit, renew our hearts and kindle in us the fire of your love. 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 12:14-21 

Paul lived in a Roman empire that operated on the principles of force and aggressing. Yet, he encourages  believers to operate on the principles of grace, forgiveness, and humility. 

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice;  mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but  be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay  anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible,  as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19 Do not take revenge, my dear  friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will  repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,  give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not  be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Alleluia.  

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  These words are written that we may believe  that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38 

In our interactions with others, Jesus calls us to disregard what people deserve. Instead, we are to show  the same grace that God has shown to us. 

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate  you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps  you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold  your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to  you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you  love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love  them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even  sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is  that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your  enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 492 “Son of God, Eternal Savior” 

SERMON: Luke 6:27-38 

“Loving Your Enemies is More Than a Feeling” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 493 “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 326 “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP – March 5 at 12:30 pm. We will be joining the members of Redeemer, Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Reflection on Repentance.” There is no lunch  on Ash Wed. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God and the  Bible? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. It is  free and there is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you.

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

February 16, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

February 16, 2025

Epiphany 6

BLESSINGS ARE CURSED; CURSES ARE BLESSED 

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today. 

HYMN 283 “Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening” 

(Please stand for last stanza) 

INVOCATION & CALL TO WORSHIP 

L: We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. 

L: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in our troubles, C: So that we can comfort others in their troubles with  

 the same comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

L: For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, 

C: So also through Christ our comfort overflows to others. 

L: Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. C: One generation will commend Your works to another;  

 they will tell of your mighty acts. 

L: Our God is a God who saves. 

C: He does not treat us as our sins deserve. 

L: For God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, 

C: So that in Him we might become the righteousness of  

 God. 

L: Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for 

 all, and therefore all died. 

C: And He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves,  but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 

L: May His Spirit inspire our giving thanks for all of His blessings to us, 

C: And make us able to serve Him throughout our lives. 

L: Let us pray. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God, in mercy receive the prayers of your people. Grant them the wisdom to know the things  that please you and the grace and power always to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, your Son, 

our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 17:5-8 

A blessed life is not connected to outward circumstances like health or wealth. Rather, the one who is  blessed is the one who has been given the gift of faith, whose trust is in the LORD. 

5 This is what the Lord says. Cursed is anyone who trusts in mankind, who seeks his strength  from human flesh, and who turns his heart away from the Lord. 6 He will be like a juniper  bush in the wasteland. He will not see good things when they come. He lives in a dry place in  the wilderness, in a salty land where no one lives. 7 But blessed is anyone who trusts in  the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by water. It sends out  its roots to the stream. It does not fear the heat when it comes. Its leaves will remain green.  It is not concerned about a time of drought. It does not stop producing fruit. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 

Paul had some infirmity he initially viewed as a weakness. He came to see it as a blessing as it forced  him to rely on God’s strength. 

7 Therefore, to keep me from becoming arrogant due to the extraordinary nature of these  revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I  would not become arrogant. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that he would  take it away from me. 9And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power  is made perfectin weakness.” Therefore I will be glad to boast all the more in my weaknesses,  so that the power of Christ may shelter me. 10 That is why I delight in weaknesses, in insults,  in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when-ever I am weak,  then am I strong. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Please stand for the  Gospel.  

GOSPEL: Luke 6:17-26 

In one of his most famous sermons Jesus teaches that the good things we seek are found in places we  would least expect. 

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and  a large number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, as well as from the coastal area of  Tyre and Sidon. These people came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. 18 Those  who were troubled by unclean spirits were also cured. 19 The whole crowd kept trying to  touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all. 20 He lifted up his  eyes to his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, because yours is the kingdom of  God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you whenever people hate you, and  whenever they exclude and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.  23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because of this: Your reward is great in heaven! The  fact is, their fathers constantly did the same things to the prophets. 24 But woe to you who  are rich, because you are receiving your comfort now. 25Woe to you who are well fed now,  because you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, because you will be mourning and  weeping. 26Woe to you when all people speak well of you, because that is how their fathers  constantly treated the false prophets.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 421 “All Depends on Our Possessing” 

SERMON: (written by Circuit Pastor John Eich) 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 446 “I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (spoken) 

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen. (spoken) 

HYMN 329 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Are you interested in learning more about the Bible & the  Christian faith, or church membership? Pastor Himm will be happy to arrange a class for you.

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

February 9, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

February 9, 2025 Epiphany 5

THE LEAST QUALIFIED ARE OFTEN SENT 

WELCOME 

HYMN 195 “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” (Please stand for last stanza) SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, you sent your one and only Son as the Word of life for our eyes to see and our  ears to hear. Help us to believe what the Scriptures proclaim about him and do the things that  are pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you  and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 6:1-8 

Isaiah admitted he was sinfully unclean, unqualified to stand in God’s presence. The LORD not only takes  Isaiah’s sin away but also sends Isaiah out as a messenger of grace. 

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted,  and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had  six wings. With two they covered their faces. With two they covered their feet. With  two they flew. 3 One called to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies! 

The whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 The foundations of the thresholds shook at the  voice of the one who called, and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said, “I am  doomed! I am ruined, because I am a man with unclean lips, and I dwell among a people  with unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Armies!” 6 Then  one of the seraphim flew to me, carrying a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken  from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with the coal and said, “Look, this has  touched your lips, so your guilt is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.” 8 Then I heard the  Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am.  Send me!” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 85 – page 97 

I will hear what the Lord proclaims: peace to his people. 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 10:12-17 

God’s plan is to equip saved sinners like us to proclaim salvation to other sinners. St. Paul explains that  God has no backup plan. 

12 So there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all,  who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 Yes, “Everyone who calls on the name of  the Lord will be saved.” 14 So then, how can they call on the one they have not believed  in? And how can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard? And how can  they hear without a preacher? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it  is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, who  preach the gospel of good things!” 16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord,  who believed our message?”17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the  message comes through the word of Christ. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in  darkness, but will have the light of life.” Alleluia.  

 (Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the  Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11 

Jesus takes simple, self-admittedly sinful fishermen, seemingly unqualified for gospel ministry. He removes  their fears, calls them to follow, and makes them fishers of men. 

1 One time, while the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,  he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there along the lakeshore.  The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3Jesus got into one of the boats,  which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. He sat down  and began teaching the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said  to Simon, “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon  answered him, “Master, we worked hard all through the night and caught nothing. But at  your word I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great  number of fish, and their nets were about to tear apart. 7 They signaled their partners in  the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they  began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away  from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord.” 9For Peter and all those with him were amazed  at the number of fish they had caught, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee,  who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear. From now on you will  be catching people.” 11 After they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 573 “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying” 

SERMON: Luke 5:1-11 “You’re Telling Me to Do What?” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 453 “Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spoke” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 560 “I Heard the Savior Calling” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God and the  Bible? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. It is  free and there is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you.

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

February 2, 2025

St Paul’s 

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

 website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

February 2, 2025 Epiphany 4

POPULARITY IS NOT PROOF OF SUCCESS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 238 “Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God, you know that we are surrounded by many dangers and that we often stumble and  fall. Strengthen us in body and mind, and bring us safely through all temptations; through  Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,  now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 1:4-10 

The LORD called Jeremiah to fearlessly share God’s Word, even if what he said made him unpopular. 

4 The word of the LORD came to me. 5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the  nations. 6 But I said, “Ah, LORD God! I really do not know how to speak! I am only a  child!” 7 The LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to  everyone to whom I send you and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of  them, because I am with you, and I will rescue you, declares the LORD.” 9 Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. The LORD said to me: There!  I have now placed my words in your mouth. 10 Look, today I appoint you over nations  and kingdoms to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and  to plant. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

HYMN 293 “God's Word Is Our Great Heritage”

SECOND LESSON: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 

A temptation is for spiritual teachers to say only what people want to hear, equating personal popularity  with success. St. Paul gives young Pastor Timothy a different agenda. 

14 As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have  become convinced. You know from whom you learned them 15 and that from infancy  you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation  through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God breath-ed and is useful for teaching,  for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of  God may be complete, well equipped for every good work. 41I solemnly charge you  in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead,  and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2Preach the word. Be ready whether it  is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and  teaching.3For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers  in line with their own desires. 4 They will also turn their ears away from the truth and  will turn aside to myths. 5 As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear  hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord is on me; he has anointed me to preach good news. Alleluia.  (Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 4:38-44 

Jesus was popular in Capernaum. The people wanted him to stay there permanently. Jesus knew for his  mission to be successful, he needed to proclaim the good news in other towns. 

38 Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law  was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39 He stood over her,  rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40 As  the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He  laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many  people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow  them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42When it was day, he went  out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. They went up to him and  were trying to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he told them, “I must preach the  good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was  sent.” 44 And he continued to preach in the synagogues in the land of the Jews.

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 284 “How Precious Is the Book Divine” 

SERMON: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Use God’s Word Faithfully 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional) 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the  fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS  communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor  Himm.  

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 203 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you or someone you know what to learn more about  God, forgiveness, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and much more? Are you interested in church  membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. There is no obligation and it’s free. Contact  Himm to set up a convenient time to meet for a class designed for you.

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)  

© 2017 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

January 26, 2025

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

January 26, 2025 Epiphany 3

REJECTION IS NOT PROOF OF FAILURE 

WELCOME 

MORNING PRAISE - pages 45-51 - Please stand 

HYMN: “Father, We Praise You” 

M: O Lord, open my lips. 

C: And my mouth shall declare your praise. 

M: Hasten to save me, O God.  

C: O Lord, come quickly to help me.  

M: The glory of Christ is revealed: let us worship him. 

VENITE: “Oh, Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord” – pages 46,47 

GOSPEL: Luke 4:16-30 

In one of Jesus’ first sermons, delivered in his hometown, people took offense at his words and ultimately  rejected him. 

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he  went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of  the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is  written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim  good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and  recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of  the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat  down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by  saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of  him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s  son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me:  ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we  have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in  Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was  a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to  a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with  leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only  Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard  this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill  on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right  through the crowd and went on his way. 

SEASONAL RESPONSE: (spoken together) 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the  Father, full of grace and truth. 

HYMN 556 “Rise, Shine, You People” 

SERMON: Acts 4:23-31 

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all  that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they  raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made  the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the  Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations  rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band  together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius  Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire  against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and  will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and  enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand  to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were  all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 

Let Us Speak with Great Boldness 

TE DEUM: “We Praise You, O God” - pages 48-49 

KYRIE: “Lord, Have Mercy” - spoken 

M: In the morning, O Lord, I call to you; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. C: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.  

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

PRAYER FOR GRACE 

M: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely  to this new day. Defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we neither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger; and in all we do, direct us to what is right in  your sight, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. C: C: Amen 

M: Let us praise the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

BLESSING 

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy  Spirit be with you all. 

C: Amen. 

HYMN 579 "Lift High the Cross" 

WELS Connection: 175th Anniversary of our Synod 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is  located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING – Today after refreshments the voters’ will meet for their  Annual Meeting. Please plan to attend. 

2025 MEN ALIVE RALLY will be held on Saturday, February 15, at the DoubleTree Hotel in  Bay City (Breakfast starting at 7:15 am). Registration ends on January 31. The theme is Throughout All Generations with a keynote from Pastor Jonathan Hein  followed by several breakout sessions, lunch, a panel discussion, and closing  devotion. 

Register at www.menalive-balm.org

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

January 19

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

January 19, 2025 Epiphany 2 

GOD DELIVERS MORE THAN WE ASK, NOT LESS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 82 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” (Please stand for the last verse)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people,  illumined by your Word and sacra-ments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he  may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord,  who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 62:1-5 

The prophet Isaiah pictures the Church’s relationship with the Lord as an infinitely happy marriage. As  our bridegroom, Christ delivers more than that for which we ask. 

1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her  vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. 2 The nations will  see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the  mouth of the Lord will bestow. 3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a  royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 No longer will they call you Deserted, or name  your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for  the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. 5 As a young man marries  a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 133,134 – page 115 

Happy the people the LORD has chosen to be his own.

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 3:14-21 

St. Paul teaches that God wants us to have a life that is fuller than we could possibly imagine. 

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on  earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your  hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have  power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and  deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you  may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do  immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work  within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,  for ever and ever! Amen. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia.  (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: John 2:1-11 

To spare a newlywed couple embarrassment from having run out of wine, Mary asks Jesus to do  something. Jesus delivers more than his mother asks, turning water into the choicest of wine. 

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and  Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone,  Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Woman, why do you involve  me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do  whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for  ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the  servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told  them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9and  the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not  realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.  Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine  first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have  saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the  signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 602 “God of Love and God of Marriage” 

SERMON: John 2:1-11 Jesus is the Friend You Need 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 411 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 84 "Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is  located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

THANK YOU to all who help de-decorate the church. The many hands made the job easy and  we were able to accomplish the task quickly. The pizza, chocolates, and lemon bars were  delicious. 

ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING – Next Sunday after worship the voters’ will meet for their  Annual Meeting. Please plan to attend.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

January 12, 2025

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

January 12, 2025

Epiphany 1 (Baptism of Jesus) 

BAPTISM IS THE CURE FOR AN IDENTITY CRISIS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 89 “To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord” 

 (Please stand for the last verse) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved  Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our  calling as your children and make us heirs with him of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus  Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 

David was the youngest of eight brothers and a shepherd. Yet, at his anointing, the Lord declared his true  identity—future king of Israel. 

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him  as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of  Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If  Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have  come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to  do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4Samuel did what the Lord said. When  he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked,  “Do you come in peace?” 5Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to  the Lord. Conse-crate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he  consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6When they arrived,  Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the  outward appear-ance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and  had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one  either.” 9Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen  this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him,  “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send  for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought  in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then  the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and  anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of  the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 2 – page 65 

Great are the works of the LORD. Alleluia! 

SECOND LESSON: Titus 3:4-7 

In the eyes of the world, baptism appears to be just a religious ceremony. St. Paul explains baptism is  so much more—a second birth that gives you the identity of God’s child and heir. 

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because  of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the  washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on  us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his  grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Alleluia.  

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 3:15-17,21-22 

People wondered if John the Baptist was the Messiah. He was a powerful preacher who lived a unique  life. But at his baptism, Jesus was identified by his Father as the Anointed One. 

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if  John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing  fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but  he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 21 When all the people were being  baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the  Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:  “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 297 “Baptized in Water" 

SERMON: Titus 3:4-7 Blessings Flowing From Baptism 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 679 (insert) “God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It” 

God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It CW 679

Text: tr. Robert E. Voelker, b. 1957; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756 

Tune: Johann Caspar Bachofen, 1695–1755, alt. 

Text: © 1991 Robert E. Voelker. Used by permission: 30002522 no. 1401839 

Tune: Public domain 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 299 "All Who Believe and Are Baptized" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is  located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

DE-DECORATING & PIZZA – please stay after worship to help de-decorate the church  while enjoying some pizza.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission

January 5, 2025

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660   

 website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

January 5, 2024 Epiphany

THE GIFT OF GOD IS FOR ALL PEOPLE 

WELCOME 

HYMN 83 “As With Gladness Men of Old” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God, by the leading of a star, you once made known to the nations your one and only  Son. Guide us, also, who know him now by faith to come at last to the perfect joy of your  heavenly glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: 1 Kings 10:1-9 

An African queen visits Israel to test the wisdom of King Solomon. The result of her visit: she ends up  praising the LORD for his love. The gift of God is for all people. 

1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to  the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with  a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and  precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on  her mind. 3Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to  explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the  palace he had built, 5the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending  servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple  of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. 6She said to the king, “The report I heard in my  own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not  believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was  told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy  your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and  hear your wisdom! 9Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he  has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

HYMN 79 (1,2) “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” 

SECOND LESSON: Acts 13:46-49 

The focus of St. Paul’s ministry would be to share the gift of eternal life with the Gentiles. 

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God  to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life,  we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have  made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the  earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the  Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it  rose and have come to worship him. Alleluia. (Sing)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12 

The Lord miraculously led Magi across many hundreds of miles of difficult terrain, so that they might  worship the child who offered the gift of salvation. 

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King  Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has  been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship  him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the  law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they  replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land  of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for out of you will come a  ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and  found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to  Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him,  report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king,  they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they  were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,  and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and  presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in  a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 67 “What Child Is This?” 

SERMON: Matthew 2:1-12  

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional) 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the  fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS  communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor  Himm.  

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 92 “Brightest and Best” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

December 29, 2024

 St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

December 29, 2024 Christmas 1

GOD’S GIFT GIVES BOTH SUBSTITUTE AND SACRIFICE WELCOME 

HYMN 50 “Once in Roay David’s City” 

 (Please stand for the last verse) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human  nature. By his gracious coming deliver us from the corruption of our sin and transform us into  the likeness of his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 50:4-9 

The Servant of the LORD spoke through the prophet Isaiah. As our substitute Jesus demonstrated perfect  obedience and trust, even when his Father asked him to be the sacrifice for our sin. 

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that  sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like  one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been  rebellious, I have not turned away. 6I offered my back to those who beat me, my  cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and  spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore  have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who  vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. 

Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them  up. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 111 – page 106 

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. 

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 2:10-18 

Through his suffering and sacrifice, Jesus has made us holy. He now calls us his brothers and sisters. 

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and  through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect  through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are  made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and  sisters.12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly  I will sing your praises.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14 Since the children have flesh and  blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the  power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those  who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not  angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like  them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful  high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the  people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those  who are being tempted. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Alleluia.  

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 2:41-52 

Even as a boy, Jesus was acting as our substitute, demonstrating obedience to the Heavenly Father and  respect for God’s holy Word. 

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42When  he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After  the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed  behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company,  they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and  friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for  him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the  teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was  amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your  father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for  me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did  not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with  them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her  heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 38 (1-4) “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come" 

SERMON: Luke 2:41-52 

God’s Son’s Business 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 53 “To Shepherds as They Watched by Night” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 41 “Let All Together Praise Our God” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is  located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

. Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

December 24, 2024

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

December 24, 2024 Christmas Eve

THE GIFT OF GOD 

WELCOME 

HYMN 61 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” 

Please stand for the last stanza 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

C: And also with you. 

L: O little town of Bethlehem, on this still quiet night, we have come through your dark streets  to find the everlasting light. 

C: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 

L: For Christ is born of Mary, and all around are gathered angels keeping watch over the holy  place. 

C: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 

L: How silently this wondrous gift is given to the world. So God imparts to human hearts the  blessings of his heaven. 

C: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 

L: O holy child of Bethlehem, come to us we pray. Cast out our sins, and enter in, be born in  us today. 

C: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 

SOLO: “Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head” Sharon Spencer 

PRAYER 

L: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that  as we have known on earth the wonder of that light, we may also behold him in all his glory  in the life to come; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and  the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7 

Isaiah, 700 years before Christ’s birth, foretells the greatness of the son born of the Virgin Mary, who is  our Lord and Savior. 

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of  deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their  joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when  dividing the plunder. 4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the  yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined  for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and  the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful  Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his  govern-ment and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over  his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time  on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 

L: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

HYMN 67 “What Child Is This” 

GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20 Recited by Children 

SONG “Joy Has Dawned"  

Children 1,2, Congregation 3,4 

352 Joy Has Dawned CW 352

Text: Stuart Townend, b. 1963; Keith Getty, b. 1974 

Tune: Stuart Townend, b. 1963; Keith Getty, b. 1974 

Text and tune: © 2005 Thankyou Music, admin. CapitolCMGPublishing,com. Used by permission: 30002522 no. 1401839 

SERMON: Luke 2:8-14 

An Invitation that Changed the World 

HYMN 62 “Joy to the World” 

PRAYER 

LORD’S PRAYER (Tune 68: Away in a Manger) 

 Our Father in heaven, all praise to your name! 

 Your kingdom among us, your will done the same 

 By mortals and angels. Come, Lord, reign alone; 

 Oh, hear us and bless us from heaven’s high throne. 

 The bread that we yearn for provide us each day; 

 As we forgive others, our sins take away; 

 In times of temptation, to lead us be near; 

 From evil deliver your children most dear. 

 For yours is the kingdom; o’er all things you reign. 

 And yours is the power; all things you maintain. 

 To you be the glory, resounding again 

 From all of creation, forever! Amen. 

BLESSING 

HYMN 60 "Silent Night" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is  located next to the water dispenser.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

There is no Christmas Day service at St. Paul’s. However, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scottville has a 10 am service.

December 22, 2024

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

December 22, 2024 Advent 4 

A REAL CHRISTMAS WILL LIFT UP THE LOWLY 

WELCOME 

HYMN 23 “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emanuel” 

 (Please stand for the last verse) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the burden of our sins and make us ready  for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you  live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Micah 5:2-4 

The lowly little town of Bethlehem would be lifted up. There a special son would be born who would bring  spiritual peace to the ends of the earth. 

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out  of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of  old, from ancient times.” 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she  who is in labor bears a son and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the  name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach  to the ends of the earth. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 10:5-10 

We could not possibly raise ourselves up to God. So, the Son of God obeyed the law for us and by his  sacrifice has made us holy. Christ has lifted up the lowly. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did  not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’” 8First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt  offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”— though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I  have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by  that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ  once for all. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.  Alleluia.  

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-55 

In Spirit-wrought humility, Mary knew she needed a Savior. God lifts her up, making her the mother of  that Savior. 

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of  Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When  Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled  with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among  women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the  mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting  reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has  believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul  glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy  extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed  mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost  thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the  humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his  descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 21 “Hosanna to the Coming Lord" 

SERMON: Luke 1:39-55 

Christmas Lifts Up the Lowly 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 65 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 15 "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are  not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  The basket is located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP – 5 PM. Join us at 5 pm on Christmas Eve to  worship our newborn King. The children will enhance this service with words and  song. Please invite family, friends, and neighbors. 

There is no Christmas Day service at St. Paul’s. However, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scottville has a 10 am service.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

December 15, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

December 15, 2024 Advent 3 

A REAL CHRISTMAS  RESULTS IN GREAT JOY 

WELCOME 

HYMN 3 “Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates” 

 (Please stand for the last verse) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance.  Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with your light; for you live and reign with the  Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Zephaniah 3:14-17 

We can rejoice, because the Lord has saved us and delights in us. 

14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back  your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any  harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your  hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will  rejoice over you with singing.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 103 – page 105 

I will hear what the LORD proclaims: peace to his people. 

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 4:4-7 

What is the reason for our enduring joy? The Lord is near to us.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident  to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by  prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace  of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in  Christ Jesus. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.  Alleluia.  

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 3:7-18 

Those who rejoice in the good news of salvation joyfully produce fruits of repentance. 

7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of  vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping  with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our  father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for  Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not  produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do  then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share  with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even  tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some  soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and  don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 15 The people were waiting  expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the  Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more  powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He  will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to  clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the  chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people  and proclaimed the good news to them. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 32 “When Sinners See Their Lost Condition"

SERMON: Luke 3:7-18 

The Joy of Forgiveness 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 7 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 6 "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are  not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  The basket is located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP – 5 PM. Join us at 5 pm on Christmas Eve to  worship our newborn King. The children will enhance this service with words and  song. Please invite family, friends, and neighbors. 

There is no Christmas Day service at St. Paul’s. However, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scottville has a 10 am service.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

December 8, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

December 8, 2024 Advent 2 

A REAL CHRISTMAS IS ROOTED IN REPENTANCE 

WELCOME 

HYMN 12 “Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes” 

 (Stand for the last verse) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming, give us  strength in our conflicts, and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through  your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,  now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Malachi 3:1-7b 

Through God’s Word and the messengers who proclaim it, the Lord encourages his people to return to  him in humble repentance. 

1“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the  Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom  you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his  coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a  launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites  and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring  offerings in righteousness, 4and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable  to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. 5So I will come to put you on trial.  I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who  defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and  deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. 6“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are  not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my 

decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the  Lord Almighty. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 24 – page 739 

Let the LORD enter; He is the King of Glory! 

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 1:3-11 

God began his good work in us at our baptism, empowering us to love, to demonstrate discernment, and  to produce fruits of repentance. 

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always  pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until  now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on  to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all  of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and  confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how  I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your  love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may  be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of  Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the  glory and praise of God. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. And all people will see  God’s salvation. Alleluia.  

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 3:1-6 

John the Baptist prepared people to meet their Savior by preaching a message of repentance and  forgiveness. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was  governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and  Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high-priesthood of Annas  and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He  went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for  the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight  paths for him. 5Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The  crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see  God’s salvation.’” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 16 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” 

SERMON: John 5:25-29 

A Real Christmas is Rooted in Repentance 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 11 “Comfort, Comfort All My People" 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 14 "Arise, O Christian People" 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are  not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  The basket is located next to the water dispenser. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

December 1, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

  website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

December 1, 2024 Advent 1

What Kind of Advent Will You Have? 

WELCOME 

HYMN 582 “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the  threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one  God, now and forever. 

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 33:14-16 

The LORD promised that a descendant of King David would be our righteous Savior. 

14 “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I  made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “‘In those days and at that time I will make  a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the  land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the  name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’ 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 

Christ came the first time so that by his saving work we might be found blameless and holy when he  comes again. 

9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the  presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we  may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the  Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just  as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be  blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus  comes with all his holy ones. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord  Jesus. Alleluia.  

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Luke 19:28-40 

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing he would soon be put to death. This is why Christ  came. 

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he  approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two  of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it,  you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it  here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those  who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were  untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They  replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt  and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the  whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles  they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in  heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus,  “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the  stones will cry out.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 388 “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven” 

SERMON: Isaiah 62:10-12 

10 Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build  up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. 11 The Lord has 

made procla-mation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior  comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” 12 They  will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called  Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. 

“What Kind of Advent Will You Have?” 

 1. Will it be an ADVENT filled with preparation?  

 2. Will it be an ADVENT filled with certainty?  

 3. Will it be an ADVENT filled with light? 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional) 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the  fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS  communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor  Himm. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 619 “God Bless Our Native Land” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)  have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests  may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our  church’s ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

NEXT SATURDAY, from 12 noon – 2 pm, St. Paul’s will have an Open House  during the Victorian Sleighbell Festival weekend. Did you know that St. Paul’s Ev.  Lutheran Church’s current building was built in 1890 and is one of Manistee’s oldest 

churches? Visitors will receive a free Christmas ornament. Please join us to  welcome and help answers questions which our visitors might have.

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.

Thanksgiving Eve 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

November 27, 2024 Thanksgiving 

WELCOME 

HYMN 613 “Come, You Thankful People” 

(please stand for the last verse) 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 100) 

P: A psalm. For giving thanks. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

C: Worship the LORD with gladness;  

P: Come before him with joyful songs. 

C: Know that the LORD is God.  

P: It is he who made us, and we are his;  

C: We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

P: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;  

C: Give thanks to him and praise his name. 

P: For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;  

C: His faithfulness continues through all generations. 

Hymn 610 “Now Thank We All Our God” 

PRAYER 

Almighty God, your mercies are new every morning, and you graciously provide for all our needs  of body and soul. Grant us your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge your goodness, give thanks  for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience all our days; through your Son, Jesus Christ  our Lord. C: Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 

1First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made  for all people, 2for kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we might live a  quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of  God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the  truth. 

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God! 

GOSPEL: Luke 17:11-19 

11 On another occasion, as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the  border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 When he entered a certain village, ten men with  leprosy met him. Standing at a distance, 13 they called out loudly, “Jesus, Master, have  mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As  they went away they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed,  turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking  him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus responded, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the  other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give glory to God except this  foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has saved you.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 615 “We Thanks You for Your Blessings” 

SERMON: Deuteronomy 8:1-10 

1 Be conscientious about carrying out the entire body of commands that I am giving you  today so that you may thrive and increase and you may go in and possess the land that  the Lord promised by oath to give to your fathers. 2 Remember the whole journey on  which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble  you and to test you, in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would  keep his commandments. 3So he humbled you and allowed you to be hungry. Then he fed  you manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known before, in order to teach you  that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the  mouth of the Lord. 4 The clothes you wore did not wear out, and your feet did not swell  these forty years. 5So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so  the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Therefore you are to keep the commandments of  the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by revering him. 7For the Lord your God  is bringing you into a good land, a land of gullies filled with water, a land with springs and  groundwater that flows out into the valleys and down the mountains, 8a land with wheat  and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees for oil, and  honey,[a] 9a land where you can eat bread and not be poor, where you will not lack  anything, a land whose rocks are iron and from whose mountains you can mine copper. 10 Then you will eat, and you will be filled, and you will praise the Lord your God for the  good land that he has given you. 

Remember the LORD’S Loving Gifts 

1. Look back and praise Him 

2. Look forward and serve Him 

HYMN 609 “We Praise You, O God”

RESPONSIVE PRAYER (page 128) 

LORD’S PRAYER  

BLESSING 

HYMN 617 “Christ, by Heavenly Host Adored” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have  joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests  may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our  church’s ministry. The basket is located next to the water dispenser. 

IF YOU ARE VISITING,  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

Join us this Sunday! 

9 am – Sunday School & Bible Class 

10 am – Worship 

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2018 The Wartburg  Project. All rights reserved