November 26, 2025

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Manistee, MI

Giving Thanks in Uncertain Times

WELCOME 

OPENING HYMN 613 “Come, You Thankful People, Come”  

- please stand for last stanza 

1 Come, you thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest-home. 

All be safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin. 

God our Maker shall provide For our wants to be supplied. 

Come to God’s own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest-home. 

2 All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield; 

Wheat and weeds together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown. 

First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear. 

Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be. 

3 For the Lord our God shall come And shall take his harvest home, 

From his field shall in that day All offenses purge away, 

Give his angels charge at last In the fire the weeds to cast, 

But the fruitful ears to store In his garner evermore. 

4 Even so, Lord, quickly come To your final harvest-home; 

Gather all your people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, 

There, forever purified, In your garner to abide. 

Come with all your angels, come; Raise the glorious harvest-home. 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

M: It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,  

and to sing praise to your name, O Most High. 

C: For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD. 

M: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation, 

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 

C: For the LORD is a great God, the great King above all Gods. 

M: In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 

C: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our 

Maker, let us sing praise to the LORD our God. 

HYMN OF WORSHIP 611 “For the Fruit of His Creation” 

1 For the fruit of his creation, Thanks be to God. 

For his gifts to ev’ry nation, Thanks be to God. 

For the plowing, sowing, reaping,  

Silent growth while we are sleeping,

Future needs in earth’s safekeeping, Thanks be to God. 

2 In the just reward of labor, God’s will be done. 

In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will be done. 

In our worldwide task of caring  

For the hungry and despairing, 

In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will be done. 

3 For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God. 

For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God. 

For the wonders that astound us,  

For the truths that still confound us, 

Most of all that Love has found us, Thanks be to God. 

THANKSGIVING PRAYER 

M: In all things, O Lord, grant to us grace not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to honor You above  all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. On our own we have nothing that will endure, but You have granted to us  all things in Christ and the life that does not end. Hear Your people for the sake of and in the name of our Lord,  Jesus Christ, with whom, in whom and through whom all honor and glory is Yours, almighty Father, with the Holy  Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

C: Amen. 

WORD OF GOD 

FIRST LESSON: Deuteronomy 8:10-18 

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. 11 Be very careful so that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping his  commandments and ordinances and his statutes that I am commanding you today. 12 When you eat and are  satisfied, and you build nice houses and move into them, 13 and your herds and your flocks multiply, and  your silver and gold increase, and everything that you have prospers, 14 watch out so that your heart does  not become arrogant and forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where  you were slaves. 15 Do not forget the LORD, who led you in the great and terrifying wilderness, where  there were venomous snakes and scorpions, where the thirsty ground had no water, but the LORD made  water come out of a flint rock for you. 16 Do not forget the LORD, who in the wilderness fed you manna,  which your fathers had not known before, to humble you and to test you so that it would be good for you  later on. 17 You might say in your heart, “My ability and the power of my hand have earned this wealth for  me.” 18 But then you are to remember that the LORD your God is the one who gives you the ability to  produce wealth, to confirm his covenant that he promised to your fathers with an oath, as he does to this  day. 

M: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

CHOIR ANTHEM: “Thanksgiving Medley” 

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 4:10-20 

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again. Actually, you  were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I lack anything; in  fact, I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself. 12 I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being  content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. 13 I can do  all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you did well by becoming partners with me  in my affliction. 15 You Philippians know that in the beginning of your experience with the gospel, when I left  Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 Even  while I was in Thessalonica, you sent help more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I  am seeking the fruit that adds to your account. 18 I have been paid in full, and I have more than enough. I am  fully supplied since I’ve received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling  fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully supply your every need,  according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever!  Amen. 

M: 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 lepers 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? 18 Was 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.” 

M: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ. 

CONFESSION OF FAITH 

The First Article of the Apostles’ Creed & Explanation 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 

What does this mean? 

I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that he gave me my body and soul,  eyes, ears and all my members, my mind and all my abilities. 

And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes,  food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle and all I own, and all  that I need to keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me against all  danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil. All this God does only because he is my  good and merciful Father in heaven, and not because I have earned or deserve it. For all  this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.  

HYMN OF THE DAY 612 “Praise to God, Immortal Praise” 

1 Praise to God, immortal praise, For the love that crowns our days. 

Bounteous Source of ev’ry joy, Let your praise our tongues employ. 

All to you, our God, we owe, Source whence all our blessings flow. 

2 All the plenty summer pours, Autumn’s rich, o’erflowing stores, 

Flocks that whiten all the plain, Yellow sheaves of ripened grain — 

Lord, for these our souls shall raise Grateful vows and solemn praise.

3 Peace, prosperity, and health, Private bliss and public wealth, 

Knowledge with its gladd’ning streams, True religion’s holier  

 beams— 

Lord, for these our souls shall raise Grateful vows and solemn praise. 

4 As your prosp’ring hand has blest, May we give you of our best 

And by deeds of kindly love For your mercies grateful prove, 

Singing thus through all our days: “Praise to God, immortal praise.” 

THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 

Give Thanks – For What ?  

Habakkuk 3:17-20 

17 The fig tree may have no buds. 

 The vines may have no grapes. 

 The olive tree may fail to produce. 

 The fields may yield no food. 

 The sheep may be cut off from their flock, 

 and there may be no cattle in the barns, 

18 but I will delight in the LORD 

 and rejoice in God who saves me. 

19 The LORD God is my strength. 

 He will give me feet like a deer 

 and make me leap along the high hills. 

HYMN OF RESPONSE 610 “Now Thank We All Our God” 

1 Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices, 

Who wondrous things has done, In whom his world rejoices, 

Who from our mother’s arms Has blessed us on our way 

With countless gifts of love And still is ours today. 

2 Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, 

With ever-joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us 

And keep us in his grace And guide us when perplexed 

And free us from all ills In this world and the next. 

3 All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, 

The Son, and him who reigns With them in highest heaven, 

The one eternal God, Whom earth and heav’n adore! 

For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore. 

THANKSGIVING LITANY 

Responses sung to the tune: “Old Hundredth” 

M: We give thanks, heavenly Father, for all the material blessings with which you continue to strengthen and support  our lives. We give you thanks for food, for clothing, for shelter:

We praise you, God, enthroned above, 

For ev’ry token of your love 

That crowns our lives through all our days. 

Accept our grateful songs of praise. 

M: For the gifts of families and those who share their lives with us and who give our lives purpose and directions, we  give you thanks: 

Our fam’lies are your blessing, too. 

Keep all to one another true, 

That we may each, in word in deed, 

Bring your support in time of need. 

M: For the opportunities to be part of your creative and redemptive plan, by giving us opportunities for employment and  for service, we offer our thanks: 

For daily work, the jobs we do, 

We raise our voice in thanks to you. 

At home, at work, at play may we 

Reflect your cre-a-tiv-ity. 

M: For the privilege and responsibility of living in a land blessed with freedom, striving for justice, we give you thanks: 

We praise you, God, you make us free 

And give the gift of liberty. 

May we in turn this gift extend 

To those whose bondage knows no end. 

M Throughout the year, many of our lives have been touched by gifts or healing or wholeness or nearness to you, O  Lord. For such a time we give you thanks: 

When lives are touched by healing, Lord, 

We see your hand and hear your Word. 

For those called home and those restored, 

We join to praise your name, O Lord. 

M: And most especially, O Lord, do we bring your thanks and praise for blessing our lives with the promise of your  precious Gospel. Make us faithful witnesses of your love, grace, and truth: 

You give us Word and Sacrament, 

Our spirit’s one sure nourishment. 

We join your saints in ev’ry place 

To thank your for these Means of Grace. 

M For every gift and goodness, Lord, as well as, for every demonstration of your overflowing love, we offer you our  grateful hearts and highest praise: 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise him, all creatures here below; 

Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; 

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen. 

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING (Philippians 4:19,20) 

M: And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

C: To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

CLOSING HYMN 617 “Christ, by Heav’nly Host Adored” 

1 Christ, by heav’nly hosts adored, Gracious, mighty, sov’reign Lord, 

God of nations, King of kings, Head of all created things, 

By the Church with joy confessed, God o’er all, forever blest— 

Pleading, at your throne we stand: Save your people, bless our land. 

2 On our fields of grass and grain Send, O Lord, the kindly rain; 

O’er our wide and goodly land Crown the labors of each hand. 

Let your kind protection be O’er our commerce on the sea. 

Open, Lord, your bounteous hand; Bless your people, bless our land. 

3 Give us rulers who will be Known for love and honesty; 

Let the pow’rs that you ordained Be in righteousness maintained. 

In the people’s hearts increase Love of piety and peace. 

Thus united, we shall stand One wide, free, and happy land. 

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. 

Sleigh Bell Festival Open House – Dec. 6, Noon – 2 pm 

Sunday School & Bible Class – 9:00 am  

WORSHIP – 10 am

November 23, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

November 23, 2025 Christ the King 

CHRIST, OUR KING REIGNS! 

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today. 

HYMN 512 “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172 BLUE HYMNAL 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord Jesus Christ, by your victory you have broken the power of the evil one. Fill our hearts  with joy and peace as we look with hope to that day when every creature in heaven and earth  will acclaim you King of kings and Lord of lords to your unending praise and glory; for you live  and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 23:1–6 

Imagine a king who cares about a sheep. A king may care about vast herds of sheep, shorn for the  purpose of raising wealth. But this, our Shepherd-King, loves each of his sheep to the point of calling us  by name. This Shepherd-King will come to bring us to safe pastures. 

1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! declares  the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the  shepherds who shepherd my people. You have scattered my flock. You have driven  them away. You have not taken care of them, but I will certainly take care of you,  because of the evil things you have done, declares the Lord. 3I will gather what is left  of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them  back to their pastures. They will be fruitful and multiply. 4I will raise up shepherds  over them who will shepherd them. They will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will  any be missing, declares the Lord. 5Listen, the days are coming, declares the Lord,  when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, who will reign wisely as king and  establish justice and righteousness on earth. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel  will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called: The Lord Our  Righteousness.

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 98 – REFRAIN sung – Verses spoken responsively 

SECOND LESSON: Colossians 1:13–20 

Our Savior-King has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into his kingdom of light. Our King reigns. 

13 The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the  kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all crea-tion, 16 for in him all  things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones  or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and  for him. 17 He is before all things, and all things hold together in him. 18 He is also the  head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that  in all things he might have the highest rank. 19 For God was pleased to have all his  fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself (whether  things on earth or in heaven) by making peace through the blood of his cross. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Alleluia. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179) 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Your words - are my joy - and my - heart’s delight. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Luke 23:35–43 

Hardly a vision of triumph as the King of the Jews hangs from the cross. Taunted, jeered, and battered,  the King of kings offers his life for the very ones that have so abused him and made such sacrifice  necessary.  

35 The people stood watching. The rulers were ridiculing him, saying, “He saved others.  Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers  also made fun of him. Coming up to him, they offered him sour wine, 37 saying, “If you  are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription written above  him: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging there was  blaspheming him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other  criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same  condemnation? 41 We are punished justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for  what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell  you: Today you will be with me in paradise.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 534 "Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus"  

SERMON: Colossians 1:13–20 What a King! 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH  

HYMN 524: “Rejoice, the Lord is King” 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

BLESSING: C: Amen.  

HYMN 511 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”  

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. 

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP this Wednesday, at 1 pm. Please invite family and friends  as we give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his mercy endures forever. 

SLEIGH BELL WEEKEND – We will hold our Annual Open House on Saturday,  December 6., from noon – 2 pm. Please let us know if you can help. It’s a great opportunity  to invite others to see our historical building and all that we have to offer as you proclaim Christ  crucified and risen for the salvation of all.

Christian Worship Hymnal © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)

November 16, 2025

 St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

November 16, 2025 Pentecost 23

JESUS GIVES US A CERTAIN HOPE 

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today. 

HYMN 250 “From All that Dwell below the Skies” (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:  

Living God, your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us  the fullness of your grace to lay hold of your promises and live forever in your presence 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 65:17–25 

The second half of Isaiah is written to a people whose world had crumbled to pieces. The Lord gives his  people the certain hope of a better world that is to come. 

17 Watch this! I am about to create new heavens and a new earth. The former things  will not be remembered. They will not come to mind. 18 Instead, rejoice and celebrate  forever, because of what I am creating. Watch this! I am about to create Jerusalem to  be a source of gladness, and her people will be a source of joy. 19 I also will be glad  because of Jerusalem, and I will rejoice over my people. The sound of weeping will not  be heard in her again, nor will the sound of crying. 20 There will never again be an infant  there who lives for only a few days, or an elderly man who does not fill out all his days,  for one who dies at a hundred will be considered a young man, and one who fails to  attain the age of one hundred will be regarded as cursed. 21 Then they will build houses  and live in them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They will not build a  house and have another person live in it. They will not plant and have another person  eat the crop, for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and my chosen  ones will enjoy all the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor only to receive  nothing, and they will not give birth to children doomed to disaster, for they will be  offspring who are blessed by the Lord, and their descendants will be with them. 24 Then  even before they call, I will answer. While they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The  wolf and the lamb will graze together, and lions will eat straw like cattle, but the  serpent will eat dust as its food. They will not harm or destroy anywhere on my holy  mountain, says the Lord. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Revelation 22:1–5 

St. John is given a vision of our future. The effect? We delight in the certainty of hope provided by the  promise of this life to come. 

1 The angel showed me the river of the water of life, which was as clear as crystal,  flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. 2In the middle of the city’s street and  on each side of the river was a tree of life that yielded twelve kinds of fruit. The tree  yields its fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 There  will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. His  servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face. His name will be on their  foreheads. 5 There will no longer be any night or any need for lamplight or sunlight,  because the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through  endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Luke 20:27–38 

To the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, Jesus gives this promise: Our God is the God  of the living, because to him all are alive. 

27 Some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him. 28 They  asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving  a wife but no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up children for his  brother. 29 So there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died  childless. 30 The second took her as a wife, 31 and so did the third, and in the same way  the seven died and left no children. 32 Finally the woman died too. 33 So in the  resurrection, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.” 34 Jesus said to  them, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are  considered worthy to experience that age and the resurrection from the dead neither  marry nor are given in marriage. 36 In fact, they cannot die any more, for they are  like the angels. They are sons of God, because they are sons of the resurrection.  37 “Even Moses showed in the account about the burning bush that the dead are raised,  when he called the Lord: ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of  Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 391 “God Loved the World So That He Gave” 

SERMON: Luke 20:27-38 - written by Circuit Pastor John Eich 

The Living Have a Certain Hope 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 385 “Chief of Sinners Though I Be” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen.  

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen.  

HYMN 379 “Amazing Grace” 

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. 

Join us this Wednesday at 1 pm for our annual Thanksgiving Worship Service.

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

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

November 9, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

November 9, 2025

Pentecost 22

PEACE COMES WITH JUDGMENT 

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today. 

HYMN 493 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”  

(Please stand for last stanza) 

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff BLUE HYMNAL 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God Almighty, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may  always look forward to the end of this present evil age and the day of your righteous judgment.  Keep us steadfast in true and living faith, and present us at last holy and blameless before  you; 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: Malachi 4:1-6 

On the day of judgment, those who do evil will be laid low. But that day will mean rescue for those who  revere the name of the LORD. 

1Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every  evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of  Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. 2 But for you who  fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings.  You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall. 3 You will trample the  wicked. They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take  action, says the Lord of Armies. 4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, which I  commanded to him at Horeb to serve as statutes and judgments over all Israel. 5Look!  I am going to send Elijah the prophet to you before the great and fearful day of  the Lord comes! 6 He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of  children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with complete  destruction. 

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 73 – REFRAIN sung – Verses spoken responsively 

SECOND LESSON: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 

The Thessalonian Christians were suffering a persecution. To empower their perseverance, Paul assures  them of the coming judgment and punishment. 

5 This is evidence of God’s righteous verdict that resulted in your being counted  worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also suffer. 6 Certainly, it is right for God to  repay trouble to those who trouble you, 7and to give relief to you, who are troubled  along with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful  angels, 8he will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and  on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9Such people will receive a  just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his  glorious strength, 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and  to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you  was believed. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.  Alleluia. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179) 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Your words - are my joy - and my - heart’s delight. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Luke 21:5-19 

Jesus instructs us, when persecuted, to not seek vengeance. Instead, we are to stand firm and persevere,  confident in the justice of coming judgment. 

5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones  and offerings, Jesus said, 6“These things that you see here—the days will come when  there will not be one stone left on another—every one will be thrown down.” 7 They  asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what is the sign that these  things are about to happen?” 8 He said, “Watch out so that you are not deceived! For  many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow  them. 9 Whenever you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for these  things must happen first, but the end will not be right then.” 10 Then he said to them,  “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great  earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be horrifying sights and  great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, bringing you  before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out to be your  opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand how to  defend yourselves, 15 for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your  adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by  parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will put some of you to death. 17 You  will be hated by all people for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will  perish. 19 By patient endurance you will gain your lives. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 488 (1,2,4,5) “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near” 

SERMON: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 

The Lord’s Righteous Judgment Brings Peace 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182 

HYMN 871: Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

BLESSING: C: Amen.  

HYMN 29 “Lo! He Comes” RED HYMNAL 

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. 

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP – Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1 pm

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

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

November 2, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

November 2, 2025 All Saints

SAINTS FACE CHALLENGES EVERY DAY 

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today. 

HYMN 867 “Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near”  

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff  

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, you have knit your people together into one holy Church, the body of Christ our  Lord. Grant us grace to follow the example of your blessed saints in lives of faith and willing  service and with them at last inherit the inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those  who love you; 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: Revelation 21:1–6 

St. John is allowed to see the home of the saints, the new Jerusalem. 

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth  had passed away. And the sea no longer existed. 2 And I saw the Holy City, the New  Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her  husband.3 And from the throne I heard a loud voice that said, “Look! God’s dwelling  is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself will  be with them, and he will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things  have passed away.”5 The one who was seated on the throne said to me, “Look, I am  making everything new!” He also said, “Write, for these words are trustworthy and  true.” 6 And he said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning  and the End. To anyone who is thirsty, I will give freely from the spring of the water  of life. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 11:32–40 

For many Christians, their faith was the cause of pain and even death. They faced these troubles with  amazing courage and stamina because they knew God has planned something better for his saints. 

32 And what more should I say? There would not be enough time for me to continue  to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 By  faith they conquered kingdoms, carried out justice, obtained things that were  promised, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edges  of the sword, were made powerful after being weak, became mighty in battle, and  caused foreign armies to flee. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection.  And others who were tortured did not accept their release, so that they may take  part in a better resurrection. 36 Still others experienced mocking and lashes, in addition  to chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were  tempted; they were killed with the sword; they went around in sheepskins and  goatskins, needy, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them as  they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 All of  these were commended in Scripture by faith, yet they did not receive what was  promised, 40 because God had planned something better for us, namely, that they  would not reach the goal apart from us. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.  Alleluia. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179) 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Your words - are my joy - and my - heart’s delight. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Luke 6:20–23 

Jesus teaches that the blessedness of being God’s saint is currently hidden from sight. Yet, one day, that  blessedness shall be revealed. 

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.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ. 

HYMN 889 “Jerusalem the Golden” 

SERMON: Hebrews 11:32-40  

Saints Believe, Dare, & Endure 

NICENE CREED - page 180 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182 

THE SACRAMENT - pages 182-187 

➢ Prayer of Thanksgiving 

➢ Lord’s Prayer 

➢ Words of Institution 

➢ Lamb of God – sung 

➢ Distribution 

P: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! 

C: His mercy endures forever. 

P: Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, 

C: We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

PRAYER: C: Amen. 

BLESSING: C: Amen.  

HYMN 885 “There Is a Higher Throne” 

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.

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.

October 26, 2025

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street

Manistee, MI 49660 

www.StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

October 26, 2025 Reformation 

HOLDING TO THE TRUTH  OFTEN LEADS TO PERSECUTION 

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today. 

HYMN 870 “O Church, Arise” (Please stand for last stanza) 

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff  

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep  them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them  against all their enemies, and bestow on the church your saving peace; 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: Jeremiah 31:31-34 

The truth of God’s new covenant of grace transforms our hearts so we freely and gladly follow God’s  will. 

31 Yes, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with  the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I  made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land  of Egypt. They broke that covenant of mine, although I was a husband to them, declares  the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those  days, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds, and I will write it on their  hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will each one teach  his neighbor, or each one teach his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” because they  will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord, for I will  forgive their guilt, and I will remember their sins no more. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 42 

SECOND LESSON: Galatians 5:1-6 

St. Paul encourages us to stand firm in the freedom that we receive in the truth about Jesus Christ. 

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone  to put the yoke of slavery on you again. 2Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow  yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3I testify again to  every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole  law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated  from Christ. You have fallen from grace. 5Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are  eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither  circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that  matters. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth,  and the truth will set you free. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179) 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Your words are my joy and my heart’s delight. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Matthew 10:16-22 

Jesus reminds us that as we hold to the truth there will be persecution from many different sources. Don’t  fear. Endure to the end. 

16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and  as innocent as doves. 17 Be on guard against people. They will hand you over to  councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought into the  presence of governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the  Gentiles. 19Whenever they hand you over, do not be worried about how you will  respond or what you will say, because what you say will be given to you in that  hour. 20 In fact you will not be the ones speaking, but the Spirit of your Father will be  speaking through you. 21 “Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father will  do the same with his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to  death. 22 You will be hated by all people because of my name, but whoever endures to  the end will be saved. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 877 “Reformation Song” 

Sharon Spencer: Stanza 1 & Refrain, and stanza 2 

Congregation: Refrain after stanza 2 till the end. 

SERMON: Matthew 10:16-22  

Lord, Keep Us Faithful to Your Word even in the Face of Persecution HYMN 862 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182 

LORD’S PRAYER 

BLESSING: C: Amen.  

HYMN 864 “A Mighty Fortress Is 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.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

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

OCTOBER 31, 6 PM – We will not be nailing 95 Theses on the church door like Martin  Luther did in 1517, but we will be handing out treats to those who are out trick-or-treating.  Please join us to help greet our costumed visitors or come and get a treat yourself. Bring  family and friends. All are welcome. 

TIME CHANGE – Set you clocks back one-hour next Saturday night before you go to  bed. You don’t want to arrive to church an hour before we begin Bible Class / Sunday School  at 9 and worship at 10 am. That would be embarrassing.  

Speaking of TIME CHANGE, the Tuesday Confirmation Class will begin at 5 pm starting  this Tuesday until further notice. Class will stop at 6:30 pm.

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.

October 19, 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

October 19, 2025                                               Pentecost 18

The 175th Anniversary of the WELS

WELCOME

HYMN 623 “God the Father, Son, and Spirit”   

INVOCATION 

We gather worship and give thanks for the 175th anniversary of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  

C: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

M: If we say we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, 

C: and his Word is not in us. 

M: My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

C: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.

M: Let us confess our sins to the LORD.

C: Holy God, merciful Father, I am sinful by nature.  I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions.  I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others like myself; I have not loved and prayed for my enemies.  Yes, I deserve your punishment both now and forever. According to your own word, Jesus, your Son, my Lord and Savior, paid for my sins with his perfect life and innocent suffering and death.  I truly do trust in him as I pray – God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C:  Amen.

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

HYMN 392  “Not unto Us”

PRAYER OF THE DAY: 

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We give thanks for your abundant blessings over the years, for the faithful proclamation of your Word, and for the countless lives touched by the Gospel through our synod's ministry. Lord, for many generations, you have preserved and guided your Church both through trials and blessings, raising up pastors, teachers, and lay leaders to serve your kingdom. As we remember this milestone, we ask for your continued guidance and strength to remain steadfast in the truth, proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of all. Bless this synod with unity, wisdom, and a renewed commitment to spread the kingdom of God, that your name may be glorified now and forever. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Romans 5:8-10                                        Christ FOR Us!

8 But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, it is even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, it is even more certain that, since we have been reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

HYMN 529 “Built on the Rock”

SECOND LESSON: Deuteronomy 6:3-9                Christ THROUGH Us!

3 Listen, O Israel, and be conscientious about doing those things, so it may go well for you and so you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God. The Lord is one! 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. 7 Teach them diligently to your children and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as a sign on your wrists, and they will serve as symbols on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.

HYMN 556 “Rise, Shine, You People”

GOSPEL: Matthew 28:18-20                                           Christ WITH Us!

18 Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”

RESPONSIVE ANNIVERSARY PRAYER

M: Gracious God, the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, has redeemed us from sin, and the work of your Spirit in our hearts has brought us to faith. According to your promise, preserve us in faith through your Word and sacraments. Accept our humble thanks for these rich blessings and help us to rejoice in them and use them faithfully. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

M: Gracious God, you have brought us together in a church body in which your Word is proclaimed faithfully, the message of reconciliation through Christ is the central focus of ministry, and the mission is to reach the lost and strengthen the saved. For this gift of your grace, we give you thanks. Work in us by your Holy Spirit to rekindle our zeal for the work you have set before us. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

M: Gracious Lord, you have given us opportunities to proclaim your Word in our nation and throughout the world. Move the hearts of more young people to prepare for the teaching and preaching ministry. Help us view them as your precious gifts. Bless the work of our schools that prepare them for ministry and provide the opportunities for them to serve in your kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

M: Gracious Lord, you have brought us together as a church body that we may proclaim your praise. Inspire us by your grace to let our light shine so that more people may be led to glorify you. Forgive us when we fall short of living and working together as your people. Renew in us a godly determination to serve you and one another in love. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

M: Gracious Lord, you have preserved our synod and blessed its ministry for the past 175 years. We thank you for the faithful ministers of the gospel throughout our history who have taught your truth and proclaimed your Word. Bless us in the future as you have in the past so that our synod, its congregations, and each of us may boldly confess your name for the salvation of precious souls. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

M: Hear us, help us, and hold your guiding hand over us that in all our service your saving name may be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN 538 “The Church’s One Foundation”

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING

HYMN 283 “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage”  

WELS Connection

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT ST. PAUL’S, 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK.

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

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.

COUNCIL MEETING will take place after refreshments today.

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

October 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 

October 12, 2025 Pentecost 17 

God's Compassion in Our Problems Causes Us to Practice Our Faith by Bearing Suffering

WELCOME 

HYMN 429 “What God Ordains Is Always Good” (Please stand for the last stanza) SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 – RED HYMNAL 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us, that, loving  you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; 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: Job 5:17-26 

These words of Job’s friend, Eliphaz, remind us of the Lord’s correction in the lives of his believers. 

17 Consider this: How blessed is the man whom God corrects! Do not reject the discipline  of the Almighty! 18 For though he may inflict wounds, he also bandages them. Though he  may strike, his hands also heal. 19 From six calamities he will rescue you. In seven no harm  will touch you.20 In famine he will redeem you from death, and in battle he will redeem you  from the power of the sword. 21 You will be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and you  will not be afraid of devastation when it comes. 22 You will laugh at devastation and hunger. You will not be afraid of the wild animals of the countryside, 23 because there will be a  covenant between you and the stones in the field, and the wild animals will be at peace  with you.24 You will know that your tent is secure, and when you inspect your property,  you will find nothing missing. 25 You will know that your offspring will be many, and your  descendants will be like grass from the earth. 26 You will come to the grave at a ripe old  age, like a stack of sheaves that is gathered in season. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 126 – page 113 – sung 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 3:13-21 

Saint Paul prayer and praise leads us to trust our loving Father even when we don’t understand. 

13 So I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, because it is your  glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom  the entire family in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16 I pray that, according to the  riches of his glory, he would strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner  self, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then, being rooted and  grounded in love, 18 I pray that you would be able to comprehend, along with all the saints,  how wide and long and high and deep his love is, 19 and that you would be able to know  the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled to all the fullness  of God. 20 Now to him, who is able, according to the power that is at work within us, to  do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in  Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. You are forgiving and good, O  Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and  needy. 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 7:11-16 

In the account of Jesus raising the widow’s son, it assures us of the Lord’s love, compassion, and power  even in the tears of sorrow. 

11 Soon afterward Jesus went on his way to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a  large crowd were traveling with him. 12As he was approaching the town gate, there was  a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. She was a widow, and a  considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, he had  compassion on her and said to her, “Do not cry.” 14 He went up to the open coffin,  touched it, and the pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The  dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear gripped all  of them, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us” and “God  has visited his people!” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 435 “The Will of God Is Always Best” 

SERMON: Ephesians 3:13 

13 So I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, because it is your  glory. 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 428 “Why Should Cross and Trail Grieve Me” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

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

HYMN 355 “Take the World, but Give Me Jesus”  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT ST. PAUL’S,  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK. 

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

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. 

SERVING US TODAY is Pastor Joshua Becker from Christ Lutheran Church in Saginaw. He  grew up in Milwaukee, WI, but has called Michigan home for his entire ministry. His first call was  to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor and has been at Christ Lutheran Church in Saginaw since. His wife, Erin, has spent most of their marriage as a homemaker, but, after two years  teaching in one of our area grade schools, she recently began working at Mary's Creative Cakery  (a local bakery). All five of the Becker children were born in Michigan. Julia is a senior at Michigan  Lutheran Seminary (MLS), and trying to figure out the next step in her education. She enjoys  music, cross country, track, and reading. Lydia is a junior at MLS, and is recovering from her  second knee surgery. She loves to read, hang out with friends, and is learning to sew. John, our  only boy, is in 8th grade. Video games are the way he would spend his days (if allowed), although  he also has started to enjoy biking places by himself. Anna is in 6th grade and tends to be the  quiet one of the kids. She shares John's love of video games, and is currently learning both piano  and violin. Claudia (4th grade) is the youngest and smallest, but has a big personality. If she got  her way, she'd have a playdate with friends every day. Thank you for your Bible Class and leading  our service today. 

We also thank Pastor Becker’s daughter, Julia, for playing the piano for our service. May the  LORD continue to shower his blessings on the Beckers. 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM 

TUESDAY BIBLE CLASSES 

Ladies – TABOO – 10 AM at parsonage 

Youth – Luther’s Small Catechism – 5:30 PM at parsonage 

Adult - The Wonders of God – 7 PM at Pastor’s home

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

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

October 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 

October 5, 2025 Pentecost 16 

WHAT HELPS IN LIFE FAILS IN DEATH 

WELCOME – We will be using the red hymnal today. 

HYMN 190 “We Now Implore God the Holy Ghost” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for  without your help we are unable to please you; 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: Amos 6:1-7 

At the time of Amos, the Israelites enjoyed prosperity, but spiritually they were drifting from the LORD.  The prophet warns not to let prosperity provide a false sense of security. 

1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you  distinguished people of the leading nation, to whom the house of Israel comes. 2 Travel to  Kalneh and look. Go from there to Hamath Rabbah, and go down to Gath of the  Philistines. Are you better than those kingdoms? Are their territories greater than your  territory? 3 You who are trying to put off the evil day, you bring near the session for  violence! 4 Those who lie on ivory beds, sprawling upon their couches, eating lambs from  the flock and calves straight from the stall, 5improvising tunes on the lyre, composing  music for themselves on musical instruments like David, 6drinking large bowls of wine— they slather themselves with the most expensive perfumed oils, but they do not grieve  over the ruin of Joseph. 7 That is why they will go into exile as the first of the exiles. Those  who sprawl out at their feasts for the dead will depart. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 13:1-6

All Christian virtue—including a proper attitude toward wealth—comes from knowing the Lord is our  help. 

1 Continue to show brotherly love. 2 Do not fail to show love to strangers, for by doing  this some have welcomed angels without realizing it. 3 Remember those in prison, as if  you were fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated, as if you yourselves were also  suffering bodily. 4 Marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to be kept  undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 5 Keep your life free  from the love of money, and be content with what you have. For God has said: I will never  leave you and I will never forsake you. 6So then we say with confidence: The Lord is my  helper, and I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?  

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if  someone rises from the dead. Alleluia. 

C: (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 16:19-31 

Jesus tells a parable about two men, one whose confidence was in his wealth, another whose confidence  was in his God. 

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every  day. 20A beggar named Lazarus had been laid at his gate. Lazarus was covered with sores  and 21 longed to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Besides this, the dogs also  came and licked his sores. 22 Eventually the beggar died, and the angels carried him to  Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in  torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. 24 He  called out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of  his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in misery in this flame.’ 25 “But  Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and  Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in  misery. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been set in place between us and you, so that  those who want to cross from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there  to us.’ 27 “He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s home, 28 because I have  five brothers—to warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’  29 “Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No,  father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’  31 “Abraham replied to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not  be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 376 “Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness” 

SERMON: Luke 16:19-31 

What Helps in Life Fails in Death 

NICENE CREED – page 31 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH – page 32 

LORD’S PRAYER – page 32 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship connected  with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS repented communicant members  come forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor Himm offers a free  class so you can become a communicant member. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING pages 37 (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. 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. 

SUNDAY  

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM

TUESDAY BIBLE CLASSES 

Ladies – TABOO – 10 AM at parsonage 

Youth – Luther’s Small Catechism – 5:30 PM at parsonage 

Adult - The Wonders of God – 7 PM at Pastor’s home

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

September 28, 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 

September 28, 2025 Pentecost 15

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN 

WELCOME 

HYMN 452 “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” (Please stand for the last stanza)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 – RED HYMNAL 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord God, you call us to work in your kingdom and leave no one standing idle. Help us to order  our lives by your wisdom and to serve you in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our  Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 

King Solomon knew from experience that if you serve money, you will end up sorely disappointed. 

10Anyone who loves money is never satisfied with money, and anyone who loves wealth  is never satisfied with his income. This too is vanishing vapor. 11 When goods increase, so  do those who eat them. What profit, then, does the owner get, except to see these things  with his eyes? 12 The worker’s sleep is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but a rich  person’s abundant possessions allow him no sleep. 13 I have seen a sickening evil under  the sun—wealth hoarded by its owner to his own harm, 14 or wealth that is lost in a bad  investment. Or a man fathers a son, but he has nothing left in his hand to give him. 15 As  he came out from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came. From his  hard work he can pick up nothing that he can carry away in his hand. 16 This too is a  sickening evil: Just as he came, so he will go. So what does he gain, he who works for the  wind? 17 Besides this, during all his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, sickness,  and anger. 18 So then, here is what I have seen to be good: It is beautiful to eat, to drink,  and to look for good in all a person’s hard work which he has done under the sun, during  the few days of his life that God has given him, for that is his reward. 19 Likewise, for  everyone to whom God has given wealth and riches, if God has also given him ability to  eat from it, to enjoy his reward, and to rejoice in the results of his hard work—this is a  gift of God, 20 for the man seldom reflects on the days of his life, since God keeps him  busy with the joy in his heart.

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 67 – page 91 – sung 

 Let the people praise you, O God. Let all the people praise you. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19 

Saint Paul teaches that serving money will lead to spiritual destruction. But serving God with our money  leads to a fulfilling life. 

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world,  and we certainly cannot take anything out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these  we will be satisfied. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and many  foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into complete destruction and utter  ruin. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils. By striving for money, some  have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains…. 

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to put their hope  in the uncertainty of riches, but rather in God, who richly supplies us with all things for  our enjoyment. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and  willing to share. 19 In this way they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good  foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 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 16:1-13 

All money belongs to God; he loans it to us to manage for his glory. Through a parable, Jesus teaches us  to be shrewd in the way we use money to serve him. 

1 Jesus also said to his disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager who was  accused of wasting his possessions. 2 The rich man called him in and said to him, ‘What is  this that I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you can no  longer be manager.’ 3“The manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, since my master is  taking away the management position from me? I am not strong enough to dig. I am  ashamed to beg. 4I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my position as  manager, people will receive me into their houses.’ 5“He called each one of his master’s  debtors to him. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘Six  hundred gallons of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write  three hundred.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘Six  hundred bushels of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and write four hundred and eighty.’ 8“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.  For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than  the children of the light are. 9I tell you, make friends for yourselves with  unrighteous mammon, so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal  dwellings. 10 The person who is faithful with very little is also faithful with much. And the  person who is unrighteous with very little is also unrighteous with much. 11 So if you have  not been faithful with unrighteous mammon, who will entrust you with what is really  valuable? 12 If you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give  you something to be your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters. Indeed, either he  will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the  other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 421 “All Depends on Our Possessing” 

SERMON: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 

“Godliness with Contentment” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 485 “We Give Thee But Thine Own” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

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

HYMN 481 “O God, Your Hand the Heavens Made”  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT ST. PAUL’S,  PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK. 

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

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.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM 

TUESDAY BIBLE CLASSES 

Ladies – TABOO – 10 AM at parsonage 

Youth – Luther’s Small Catechism – 5:30 PM at parsonage 

Adult - The Wonders of God – 7 PM at Pastor’s home

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

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

September 21, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

September 21, 2025 Pentecost 14

THE LOST ARE FOUND 

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today. 

HYMN 339 “Today Your Mercy Calls Us” (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, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving you  with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; 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: Hosea 3:1-5

The LORD called the prophet Hosea to seek his adulterous wife and love her again. This served as an  object lesson, showing our God is a God who seeks and redeems those who are lost. 

1 The Lord said to me, “Go again. Show love to a woman who is loved by another man, a  woman who keeps committing adultery. Show love just as the Lord loves the people of Israel,  even though they keep turning to other gods and loving the raisin cakes.” 2So I bought her  for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and nine bushels of barley. 3I said to her, “You will stay  with me for many days. You must not be promiscuous. You must not be with any other man,  and I will also be for you.” 4So the people of Israel will live many days without king or prince,  without sacrifice or sacred memorial stones, and without the special vest or family  idols. 5Afterward the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their  king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 

A member of the church in Corinth had been lost in sin, but through loving church discipline, had been  moved to repent. Paul encourages the members to joyfully welcome him back. 

5 Now if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not done it to me, but to all of you to some extent  (not to overstate it). 6 This punishment inflicted on such a person by the majority is  enough, 7so that instead you should rather forgive and comfort him, or else such a person  could be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8For that reason, I urge you to reaffirm your  love for him. 9In fact, this was also the purpose of my writing: I wanted to know the result of  your being tested, that is, if you are obedient in all things. 10 If you forgive anyone anything, I  do too. To be sure, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for  your sake, 11 so that Satan would not take advantage of us. We are certainly not unaware of  his schemes. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance  and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-10 

Through two parables, Jesus rebukes those who consider themselves already found and not in need of  repentance. 

1All 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: 4“Which one of you, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one  of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost  until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home.  Then he calls together his friends and his neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I  have found my lost sheep!’ 7I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over  one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.

8“Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, would not light a lamp,  sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls  together her friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the lost  coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one  sinner who repents.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 304 “Jesus Sinners Does Receive” 

SERMON: Luke 15:1-10 “Joy Over Repentance” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 385 “Chief of Sinners Though I Be” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen.  

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen.  

HYMN 384 (1,3,5) “By Grace I’m Saved” 

WELS Connection Video 

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. 

YOUTH INSTUCTION CLASS will begin this Tuesday at 5:30 pm. The class is for 7th &  8th graders to learn more about the Bible, their God, and the Christian faith. If you know of  someone that age that would like to attend, please let Pastor Himm know. 

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will continue this TUESDAY at 7 pm at the home of  Pastor & Kay Himm. Please contact Pastor Himm for more information, if you would like to  learn more about the wonders of God.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE  

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM

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

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

September 14, 2025

St Paul’s   Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

September 14, 2025 Pentecost 13

COUNT THE COST 

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today. 

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

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift of grace that we come into your presence and offer  true and faithful service. Grant that our worship on earth may always be pleasing to you, and in the  life to come give us the fulfillment of what you have promised; 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: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Prior to settling within the Promised Land, the LORD wants his people to calculate carefully the choice  between life and death. 

15 See now, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. 16 This is what  I am commanding you today: Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, and keep his  commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and increase in number,  and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are going to possess. 17 But if your  heart turns away, and you do not listen, and you are lured away, and you bow down to other  gods and serve them, 18 then I declare to you today that you will most certainly perish. You  will not live a long life on the land that you are about to enter and possess by crossing over  the Jordan. 19 I call the heavens and the earth to witness against you today that I have set  before you life and death, a blessing and a curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants  may live 20 by loving the Lord your God, by listening to his voice, and by clinging to him,  because that means life for you, and you will live a long life on your land that the Lord swore  to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Philemon 1,7-21  

The case of the escaped slave, Onesimus, returning to his owner, Philemon, is a perfect example of the  cost in following Jesus. The apostle Paul encourages Philemon to free Onesimus and embrace him as a  brother. 

7For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the  saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8For that reason, even though I have plenty of  boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9I am appealing to you, instead, on the  basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I am  appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains.  11 There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to  me. 12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. 13 I wanted to keep  him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But  I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the  result of compulsion, but of willingness. 15 Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for  a while: so that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but as more than a  slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to  you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as  you would welcome me. 18And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything,  charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention  that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord.  Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you  will do even more than I ask. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Luke 14:25-35 

Jesus teaches us that following him closely will come at a cost. 

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes  to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,  yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry his own cross and  follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, if he wants to build a tower, does not  first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when  he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, everyone who sees it will begin to ridicule  him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build, but was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, as he  goes out to confront another king in war, will not first sit down and consider if he is able with  ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32And if he  is not able, he sends out a delegation and asks for terms of peace while his opponent is still  far away. 33 So then, any one of you who does not say farewell to all his own possessions  cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty  again? 35 It is not fit for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. The one who has  ears to hear, let him hear.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 349 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure” 

SERMON: Luke 14:25-35 (written by Circuit Pastor John Eich) 

Following Christ is Costly – Is it Worth It? 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 125 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen.  

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen.  

HYMN 465 (1-3) “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” 

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. 

NO BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS THIS WEEK 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM

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

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

September 7, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

   website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

September 7, 2025 Pentecost 12 

THOSE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES WILL BE HUMBLED 

WELCOME – We will be using the red hymnal today. 

HYMN 477 “What Is the World to Me” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more  than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things  of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,  except through the merits and mediation of 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: Proverbs 25:6,7 

Solomon provides common sense about humility and pride. 

6 Do not honor yourself in a king’s presence. Do not stand in a place reserved for great  people, 7because it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than for you to be humiliated before  a ruler whom your eyes have seen. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: James 2:1-13 

James teaches that showing favoritism to those we think can provide us with upward mobility shows a  lack of mercy and puts us at risk of God’s judgment. 

1 My brothers, have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing favoritism. 2For  example, suppose a man enters your worship assembly wearing gold rings and fine clothing,  and a poor man also enters wearing filthy clothing. 3If you look with favor on the man wearing  fine clothing and say, “Sit here in this good place,” but you tell the poor man, “Stand over  there” or “Sit down here at my feet,” 4have you not made a distinction among yourselves and  become judges with evil opinions? 5Listen, my dear brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom, which he promised  to those who love him? 6 But you dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and  don’t they drag you into court? 7Aren’t they the ones who blaspheme the noble name that  was pronounced over you? 8 How-ever, if you really fulfill the royal law according to the  Scripture: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show  favoritism, you are committing a sin, since you are convicted by this law as transgressors. 10 In  fact, whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point has become guilty of breaking  all of it. 11 For the one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit  murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do commit murder, you have become  a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law  of freedom. 13 For there will be judgment without mercy on the one who has not shown  mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 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 14:7-14 

Jesus teaches some ways to demonstrate humility and promises that those who humble themselves will  be exalted. 

7When he noticed how they were selecting the places of honor, he told the invited guests a  parable. 8“When you are invited by some-one to a wedding banquet, do not recline in the  place of honor, or perhaps someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by  him. 9 The one who invited both of you may come and tell you, ‘Give this man your place.’  Then you will begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. 10 “But when you are invited, go  and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will tell you,  ‘Friend, move up to a higher place.’ Then you will have honor in the presence of all who are  reclining at the table with you. 11 “Yes, everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and  whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 He also said to the one who had invited him,  “When you make a dinner or a supper, do not invite your friends, or your brothers, or your  relatives, or rich neighbors, so that perhaps they may also return the favor and pay you back. 13 “But when you make a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you  will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. Certainly, you will be repaid in the  resurrection of the righteous.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 492 “Son of God, Eternal Savior”

SERMON: Proverbs 25:6,7 

Christians are to be Humble 

NICENE CREED – page 31 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH 

LORD’S PRAYER – page 32 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship connected  with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS repented communicant members  come forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor Himm offers a free  class so you can become a communicant member. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING pages 37 (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 316 “O Jesus, Blessed Lord, to Thee”  

WELS CONNECTION 

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. 

IF YOU ARE VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME, 

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK 

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

THE WONDERS OF GOD – There is no Thursday Bible Class this week. 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM

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

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

August 31, 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 

August 31, 2025 Pentecost 11 

GOD’S GRACE SURPASSES OUR SINS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 283 “Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening” (Please stand for the last stanza) SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O God, you reveal your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and kindness. Grant us the full measure  of your grace that we may obtain your promises and become partakers of your heavenly glory; through  Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and  forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Judges 2:1-5 

The Israelites are reminded of God’s deliverance and grace in spite of the people’s disobedience. 

1 The Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim, and he said, “I brought you up out of  Egypt, and I brought you to the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will not  break my covenant with you, forever. 2As for you, do not make a covenant with the people  living in this land. You must tear down their altars.’ But you did not listen to my voice. What  is this you have done? 3So I say, ‘I will not drive them out before you, but they will be traps  for you, and their gods will be a snare to you.’” 4When the Angel of the Lord spoke these  things to all the people of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept loudly. 5 They  named that place Bokim, and they sacrificed to the Lord there. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 34 – page 80 

 Happy the people the Lord ahs chosen to be his own. 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 3:21-24 

Righteousness from God comes through faith not by works.  

21 But now, completely apart from the law, a righteousness from God has been made known. The Law and the Prophets testify to it. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith  in Jesus Christ to all and over all who believe. In fact, there is no difference, 23 because all have  sinned and fall short of the glory of God 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the  redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and  we will come to him and make our home with him.” 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: Matthew 5:13-16 

Believers make a difference by being salt and light in our sin-filled world. 

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again?  Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You  are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a  lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in  the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see  your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 484 “Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly” 

SERMON: Judges 2:1-5 “Messy People, Merciful God” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER  

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 379 “Amazing Grace – How Sweet the Sound” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

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

HYMN 334 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CHURCH PICNIC – Please stay for some delicious food, fellowship and fun. All are welcome.  Stay as long as you like. Thank you, Jerry Wright, for your generous donation of food today. 

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT ST. PAUL’S,  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK. 

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

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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Retired Pastor Brad Wright grew up in Manistee and was confirmed  here at St. Paul’s. He served several places in his ministry including 5 years at Abiding Word  Lutheran Church in Highlands Ranch, CO, and 23 years at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond  du Lac, WI, serving as a teacher, coach, and vice principal. His final call was to Mansfield, OH,  where served as the first pastor of Risen Savior Lutheran Church for 4 years. He retired in 2023  but recently served a vacancy in CA. Brad & Susan 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Mikayla, and  her husband Tyler live in Charleston, SC, with their children, Zara and Theo. Austin, and his wife  Addie make their home in Gilbert, AZ, with their son, Micah. Their youngest, Zach, lives in North  Phoenix, AZ. They now live in Sun Lakes, AZ. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren,  playing golf and pickleball, and appreciating the warm Arizona weather. Thank you for serving us  for the past 2 Sundays. May the LORD continue to bless you, your children & grandkid and all  your activities. 

THE WONDERS OF GOD – Join us at Pastor & Kay Himm’s home on Thursdays at 7 pm.  as we explore the wonders of God in the pages of God’s Word. The class is open to all. There  is no cost nor obligation. 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class – 9 AM 

WORSHIP – 10 AM

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

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

August 24, 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 

August 24, 2025 Pentecost 10 

THE GIFT OF PRAYER 

WELCOME 

HYMN 440 “On Eagles’ Wings” (Please stand for the last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O Lord, your ears are always open to the prayers of your humble servants, who come to you in Jesus’  name. Teach us always to ask according to your will that we may never fail to obtain the blessings  you have promised; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: 1 Samuel 1:10-16 

Hannah’s silent prayer from her heart, although misunderstood by Eil, would be answered by her loving  Lord with a the gift a son, Samuel. 

10 Hannah’s spirit was very distressed, and as she prayed to the Lord, she sobbed and wept  many tears. 11 She made a vow and said, “O Lord of Armies, if you will carefully consider the  misery of your servant and remember me, and if you do not forget your servant but give your  servant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall  ever touch his head.” 12As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli was looking at her  mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking silently from her heart. Although her lips were moving, her  voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you  going to be drunk? Get away from your wine!” 15 Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman  with a very troubled spirit. I have not been drinking wine or beer, but I have poured out my  soul to the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless, wicked woman. I have been  speaking like this because of my great misery and because of how I have been grieved.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 6 – page 66 

 Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 8:14-17 

As children and heirs of God, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray. 

14 Indeed, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive  a spirit of slavery so that you are afraid again, but you received the Spirit of adoption by  whom we call out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself joins our spirit in testifying that we  are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, we are also heirs—heirs of God and fellow  heirs with Christ, since we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him. 

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.  (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: Matthew 6:5-9 

Jesus teaches his disciples (and us) how to pray. 

5“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. They love to stand and pray in the  synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by people. Amen I tell you:  They have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your private room, close  your door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what others  cannot see, will reward you. 7“And when you pray, do not babble like the heathen, since they  think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 However do not be like them,  because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Therefore pray like this:  ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 415 “Be Still, My Soul” 

SERMON: Matthew 6:5-9 “A Christian’s Talk With God” 

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 323 “Almighty Father, Bless the Word” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT ST. PAUL’S, PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK. 

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

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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Retired Pastor Brad Wright grew up in Manistee and was confirmed  here at St. Paul’s. He served several places in his ministry including 5 years in Highlands Ranch,  CO, and 23 years at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, WI, serving as a teacher,  coach, and vice principal. His final call was to Mansfield, OH, where served as the first pastor of  Risen Savior Lutheran Church for 4 years. He retired in 2023 but recently served a vacancy in  CA. Brad & Susan make their home in Sun Lakes, AZ. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, playing golf and pickleball, and appreciating the warm Arizona weather. The  Wrights are blessed with 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Mikayla, and her husband Tyler live in  Charleston, SC, with their children, Zara and Theo. Austin, and his wife Addie make their home  in Gilbert, AZ, with their son, Micah. Their youngest, Zach, lives in North Phoenix, AZ. Thank  you for serving us again. 

CHURCH PICNIC AFTER WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY. Come, enjoy a time of  fellowship, food, and fun for all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax, connect with one  another, and celebrate the close of summer as a church community. Delicious food will be  provided, courtesy of Jerry Wright – many thanks to him for his generosity! Bring a chair or  blanket, and feel free to invite friends and family. We’ll have plenty of space to gather and enjoy  the afternoon together. We hope to see you there! All are welcome! 

THE WONDERS OF GOD – Join us at Pastor & Kay Himm’s home on Thursdays at 7 pm.  as we explore the wonders of God in the pages of God’s Word. The class is open to all. There  is no cost nor obligation.

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

All Scripture readings are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®

August 17, 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 

August 17, 2025 Pentecost 9

OUR HEAVENLY TREASURE 

WELCOME 

HYMN 255 “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” (Please stand for the last stanza) SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Grant us, Lord, the spirit to think and do what is right that we, who cannot do anything that is  good without you, may by your help be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ,  your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (Sung) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 15:1-6 

In faith, Abram treasured all the LORD’s gracious promises. 

1After these events the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. He said, “Do not  be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 2Abram said,  “Lord God[a] what can you give me, since I remain childless, and the one who will inherit  my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3Abram also said, “Look, you have given me no  offspring, so a servant born in my house will be my heir.” 4Just then, the word of  the Lord came to him. God said, “This man will not be your heir, but instead one who  will come out of your own body will be your heir.” 5 The Lord then brought him outside  and said, “Now look toward the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” 

He said to Abram, “This is what your descendants will be like.” 6Abram believed in the Lord, and the Lord credited it to him as righteousness. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 119a – page 109 

 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 5:12–19  

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the consequence of the first sin by Adam and Eve and the benefit of  the perfect life, sacrificial death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 

12 So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also  death spread to all people because all sinned. 13 For even before the law was given, sin  was in the world. Now, sin is not charged to one’s account if there is no law, 14 and yet  death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those whose sin  was not like the transgression of Adam, who is a pattern of the one who was to come. 

15 But the gracious gift is not like Adam’s trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of  this one man, it is even more certain that God’s grace, and the gift given by the grace of  the one man Jesus Christ, overflowed to the many! 16And the gift is not like the effect of  the one man’s sin, for the judgment that followed the one trespass resulted in a verdict  of condemnation, but the gracious gift that followed many trespasses resulted in a verdict  of justification. 17 Indeed, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one  man, it is even more certain that those who receive the overflowing grace of the gift of  righteousness will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ! 18 So then, just as one  trespass led to a verdict of condemnation for all people, so also one righteous verdict led  to life-giving justification for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man  the many became sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will  become righteous. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. My Word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the  purpose for which I sent it. 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 12:22-34 

Jesus assures us that we have a Father in heaven who knows what we need better than we do.  

22 Jesus said to his disciples, “For that reason I tell you, stop worrying about your life,  about what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Certainly life is more  than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow  or reap; they have no warehouse or barn; and yet God feeds them. How much more  valuable are you than birds! 25And who of you by worrying can add a single moment to  his lifespan? 26 Since you are not able to do this little thing, why do you worry about the  rest? 27 Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. But I tell you,  not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 28 If this is how God  clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,  how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith? 29 Do not constantly chase after  what you will eat or what you will drink. Do not be worried about it. 30 To be sure, the  nations of the world chase after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need  them. 31 Instead, continue to seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added  to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is pleased to give you the  kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide money bags for  yourselves that do not become old, a treasure in the heavens that will not fail, where no  thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart  will be also. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 388 “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven” 

SERMON: Romans 5:12–19 “Restoration” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER  

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 349 “Jesus Priceless Treasure” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen.

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

HYMN 293 “God’s Word is Our Great Heritage” 

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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Pastor Max Kerr was ordained and installed at Holy Scripture  Lutheran Church (Midland, MI) in July of 2023. He and his wife, Danica, have three children:  Aurelia (Raylee), Rafael (Rafa), and Anastasia (Annie). They enjoy music, their dog (Sephora),  and playing with their kitten (Luna). Thank you for serving us and may the Lord continue to  bless the Kerrs and the ministry at Holy Scripture. 

ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC will be held immediately following the morning service on Sunday, August 31st, Come, enjoy a time of fellowship, food, and fun for all ages.! Bring a  chair or blanket, and feel free to invite friends and family. We’ll have plenty of space to gather  and enjoy the afternoon together. We hope to see you there! All are welcome! 

THE WONDERS OF GOD – The workbooks of our Bible Information Class, “The  Wonders of God” have arrived. If you don’t have one yet, please let Pastor know. We meet  at Pastor & Kay Himm’s home on Thursdays at 7 pm. We are on Lessons 5 & 6 this week.  The class is open to all. There is no cost nor obligation. 

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

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

August 10, 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 

August 10, 2025 Pentecost 8

Forgiveness for All Nations 

WELCOME 

HYMN 566 “We All Are One in Mission”  

 (Please stand for the last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your Word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy and to bring forth fruits  in faith and hope and love; 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: Isaiah 6:1-8 

Being in the presence of the LORD God is an unforgettable experience. His grace motivates our service. 

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![a]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,“HereI am. Send me!” 

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: Colossians 4:2-6 

Paul encourages us to a life of prayer and living a life that affects those around us. 

2 Be persistent in prayer, and as you pray, be alert and thankful. 3At the same time, pray for us too, that God might open a door  for our message, so that we can tell the mystery about Christ, for which I am in prison. 4Pray that I may make it known clearly, as  it is necessary for me to speak. 5Walk in wisdom in the way you act toward those on the outside, making the most of your  opportunity. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you are to answer each person. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. The Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 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 24:45-48 

Jesus, the Word made flesh, unfolds the Scriptures to his followers on the road to Emmaus. He reminds us of our mission to be witnesses of him 

and the Scriptures.  

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The  Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to  all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 256 "How Great Thou Art"  

SERMON: Luke 24:45-48 “Forgiveness for All Nations” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

BLUE HYMNAL HYMN 850 “It is Well with My Soul”  

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

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

BLUE HYMNAL HYMN 510 “In Christ Alone” 

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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Pastor Timothy Redfield was born and raised in Oconomowoc, WI, attended Lakeside Lutheran High  School in Lake Mills, WI, then went on to Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (graduating in 2009). He served at  St. Peter’s in Darwin, MN and St. Paul’s in Litchfield, MN from 2009 to 2014 and then he served at Trinity in Belle Plaine, MN from  2014 to 2020. Since Spring of 2020, he has served at St. Luke’s in Watertown, WI. Pastor Redfield married Megan (Favorite) in 2006, 

They adopted their daughter, Libby, in 2012. Libby is blind and has other special needs including autism. Megan is currently teaching  piano at Luther Prep School and Trinity-St. Luke’s Elementary School in Watertown. This is the Redfields’ third time visiting Manistee  and they greatly appreciate this opportunity to serve you and enjoy this area. May the Lord continue to bless the Redfields and their  ministries. 

ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC will be held immediately following the morning service on Sunday, August 31st, Come, enjoy a  time of fellowship, food, and fun for all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax, connect with one another, and celebrate the  close of summer as a church community. Delicious food will be provided, courtesy of Jerry Wright – many thanks to him for his  generosity! Bring a chair or blanket, and feel free to invite friends and family. We’ll have plenty of space to gather and enjoy the  afternoon together. We hope to see you there! All are welcome!

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

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

August 3, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

  website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

 August 3, 2025 Pentecost 7

THE PRIVILEGE AND PURPOSE OF PRAYER 

WELCOME – We will be using the red hymnal today. 

HYMN 409 “Come, My Soul, with Every Care” – please stand for last stanza SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT – page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our  heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care;  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: Genesis 18:20-32 

Abraham prays on the basis of what he knows about the LORD: that the LORD is a just judge, that the  LORD shows mercy, and that the LORD invites us to be bold in our prayers. 

20 So the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and  because their sin is very flagrant, 21 I will go down now and see if what they have done is  as bad as the outcry that has come to me. If not, I will know.” 22 The two men turned  from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before  the Lord. 23 Abraham approached him and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous  along with the wicked? 24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you  really sweep them away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who  are in it? 25 You would never do such a thing, killing the righteous along with the wicked,  treating the righteous the same as the wicked. You would never do such a thing. The  Judge of all the earth should do right, shouldn’t he?” 26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty  righteous people within the city of Sodom, then I will spare the entire place for their  sake.”27 Abraham answered, “See now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it on  myself to speak to my Lord. 28 What if there are five fewer than fifty righteous? Will you  destroy the entire city if the number is five short?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find  forty-five there.” 29 He spoke to him yet again and said, “What if only forty are found  there?” He said, “I will not do it for the sake of the forty.” 30 He said, “Please, do not be angry, my Lord, but I will speak again. What if thirty are found there?” He said, “I will not  do it if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “See now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to  my Lord. What if there are twenty found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the  sake of the twenty.” 32 He said, “Please, do not be angry, my Lord, but I will speak just  once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of  the ten.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 

Paul teaches us that the ultimate purpose for everything we ask is that God’s will would be done. 

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. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man  Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper  time. 7For this testimony, I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I speak the truth; I  am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 

P: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Happy are they who hear the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and  bring forth fruit with patience. 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 11:1-13 

Jesus teaches us how to pray and how our Father will answer.  

1 On another occasion, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his  disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”2 He  said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your  kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us each day our daily  bread. 4Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us  not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” 5 He said to them, “Suppose one of you has  a friend, and you go to him at midnight and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of  bread, 6because a friend of mine who is on a journey has come to me, and I do not have  anything to set before him.’ 7 And the one inside replies, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is  already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you.’ 8I tell  you, even if he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because  of his bold persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9“I tell you, keep  asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it  will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives. The one who seeks finds. And 

to the one who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “What father among you, if your son asks for  bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, would give him a snake instead of  a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, would give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are  evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly  Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 411 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 

SERMON: Psalm 67:1-7 

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us. May his face shine on us—2so that your way  may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 May the peoples praise you,  O God. May the peoples praise you—all of them. 4 May the countries be glad and sing for  joy, because you rule the peoples with fairness, and you guide the countries of the earth.  5 May the peoples praise you, O God. May the peoples praise you—all of them. 6 The  earth will yield its harvest. God, our God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us, and all the ends  of the earth will fear him. 

Dear God: "Sorry, Thanks, and Please" 

NICENE CREED – page 31 

PRAYER 

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) – page 32 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship connected with the  Lord’s Supper, we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS communicant members come forward to receive the  Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor Himm offers a free class so you can become a  communicant member. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING pages 37 (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 406 “This is the Threefold Truth” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

is located at the back door near the water cooler. 

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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Pastor Joshua Free serve as one of three pastors at St. Paul's in Livonia,  MI, since 2021. Before Livonia, he served at Abiding Peace in Elgin, IL for ten years. His wife, Joanna (Joey), works part time as a RN so she care for the kids and house. She also volunteers at our church and school. Their oldest daughter is Eloise (Ellie) is 11. She loves reading, music,  and making videos. Their second oldest, Olive, is 8. She also loves reading, music, and making  videos. Ellie and Olive are best buddies. Their son, Henry, is 5 years-old and loves playing all  sports, especially golf. Heny often has his set of clubs with him, and he and his Dad were able to  golf a round in the Manistee area, Henry starts Kindergarten in the fall. The Free family  cherishes this trip to Manistee every summer! This is our 4th summer here! May the Lord  continue to bless the Frees and their work at St. Paul’s, Livonia.

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

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

July 27, 2025

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

July 27, 2025 Pentecost 6

THE ONE THING NEEDED 

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:  

O God, you have prepared joys beyond understanding for those who love you. Pour into our hearts  such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all  that we can desire; 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: Genesis 18:1-14 

With his gracious visit and gracious words, the Lord gives Sarah exactly what she needs most—a  strengthened faith in God’s promise of a child. 

1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he was sitting by the door to his  tent during the heat of the day. 2Abraham looked up, and he saw three men standing in front  of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and he bowed down  to the ground. 3 He said, “My lord. if I have now found favor in your sight, please do not pass  your servant by. 4 Now let me get a little water so that all of you can wash your feet and rest  under the tree. 5Let me get some bread so that you can refresh yourselves. After that you  may go your way. That is why you have come to your servant.” They said, “Yes, do as you  have said.” 6Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly prepare twenty  quarts of fine flour, knead it, and make some loaves of bread.” 7Abraham ran to the herd,  brought a good, tender calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to prepare it. 8 He took  cheese curds, milk, and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them. He stood beside  them under the tree while they ate. 9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said,  “She is over there in the tent.” 10 One of the men said, “I will certainly return to you when  this season comes around next year. Then Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah was listening  to this from the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well  into old age. Sarah was past the age for childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After  I am worn out, will I have pleasure, since my lord is also old?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham,  “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really give birth to a child though I am old?’ 14 Is anything  impossible for the Lord? At the set time next year I will return to you, and Sarah will have a  son.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Colossians 1:1-14 

Through the gospel Christ gives us what we need—a faith which bears fruits in our individual lives and in  his wider church. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy  and faithful brothers[a]in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.  3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because  we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the  saints 5because of the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. You have already heard about  this in the word of truth, the gospel 6that is present with you now. The gospel is bearing fruit  and growing in the entire world, just as it also has been doing among you from the day you  heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth. 7 You learned this from Epaphras, our  dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. 8 He is the one who  told us about your love in the Spirit. 9For this reason, from the day we heard about your  love, we also have not stopped praying for you. We keep asking that you would be filled with  the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you might live in  a way that is worthy of the Lord. Our goal is that you please him by bearing fruit in every  kind of good work and by growing in the knowledge of God, 11 as you are being strengthened  with all power because of his glorious might working in you. Then you will have complete endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who qualified us to share in the  inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 The Father rescued us from the domain of  darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have  redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  Alleluia.  

GOSPEL: Luke 10:38-42 

One sister served Jesus, which was lovely. The other sister wanted to be served by Jesus, which is the one  thing needed. 

38As they went on their way, Jesus came into a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed  him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at the Lord’s feet and was  listening to his word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her serving. She came over and  said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help  me.”41 The Lord answered and told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about  many things, 42 but one thing is needed. In fact, Mary has chosen that better part, which will  not be taken away from her.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 290 “One Thing Needful” 

SERMON: Luke 10:38-42 “You Are Served by the Savior” (written by Circuit Pastor John Eich) 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42  

HYMN 421 “All Depends on Our Possession” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (spoken) 

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen. (spoken) 

HYMN 394 “Blessed Are the Saints of 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.  

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: No class this week. Next class will be on Thursday, August  7, at Pastor Himm’s house. 

SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS will be held as usual at 9 am. There is no Sunday School during the  summer months.

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

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

July 20, 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 

July 20, 2025 Pentecost 6

Take Up Your Cross 

WELCOME 

HYMN 238 “Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul” (Please stand for the last stanza)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O God, you have prepared joys beyond understanding for those who love you. Pour into our hearts  such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all  that we can desire; 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: Ruth 1:1-19a 

The LORD moves a Moabite woman named Ruth to care for her widowed mother-in law, even though it  meant leaving her people, her country, and her way of life behind. 

1 During the days of the judges, a famine occurred in the land. So a man left Bethlehem in  Judah to stay awhile in the territoryof Moab—he, his wife, and his two sons. 2 The man’s name  was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and  Kilion. They were from the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the  territory of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, so she was left  with her two sons. 4 They then married Moabite wives. The name of the first was Orpah, and  the name of the second was Ruth. They lived there for about ten years. 5 But Naomi’s sons,  Mahlon and Kilion, also died. So the woman was left without her two children and without  her husband. 6 Then Naomi set out with her daughters-in-law to return from the territory of  Moab, because while she was in the territory of Moab, she had heard that the Lord had  graciously visited his people by providing them with food. 7So she left the place where she  had been, and her two daughters-in-law left with her. They set out on the road to return to  the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back. Both of you return  to your mother’s house. May the Lord show you kindness[e]as you have shown kindness to  the dead and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you finds security[f]in the house of a  husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept loudly. 10 But they said to her, “No, we will  return with you to your people.” 11 Then Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why should  you go with me? Am I going to give birth to any more sons[g] who could become your  husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters. Go! For I am too old to be married to another  husband. Suppose I say, ‘I have hope, and I will be married to another husband tonight, and I  will even give birth to sons.’ 13Would you wait for them until they grow up? On the basis of  that hope would you give up the chance to marry another husband? No, my daughters. It is  much more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has reached out against  me.” 14 They once again wept loudly. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth would  not let her go. 15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her  gods. Go back! Follow your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to abandon you  or to turn back from following you. Because wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you  make your home, I will make my home. Your people will be my people, and your God will be  my God. 17Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me  severely and double it if anything but death[i]separates me from you.” 18When Naomi saw  that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 Then the two of them traveled until they arrived at Bethlehem. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 118 - pages 108 

 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! 

SECOND LESSON: Galatians 5:1,13-25 

Those who have been set free from the law by Christ naturally bear fruit that benefits their neighbor. 

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to  put the yoke of slavery on you again….13After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only  do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another  through love. 14 In fact, the whole law is summed up in this one statement: “Love your  neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that  you are not consumed by one another. 16What I am saying is this: Walk by the spirit, and you  will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. 17 For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary  to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. In fact, these two continually  oppose one another, so that you do not continue to do these things you want to do. 18 But if  you are led by the spirit, you are not under the control of the law. 19 Now the works of the  sinful flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, complete lack of restraint, 20 idolatry,  sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions,  heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things similar to these. I warn you, just  as I also warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the  kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the spiriy is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,  faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who  belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live  by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  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 9:21-27 

One sister served Jesus, which was lovely. The other sister wanted to be served by Jesus, which is the one  thing needed.. 

21 He gave them a strict command not to tell this to anyone. 22 He said, “The Son of Man must  suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law. He  must be killed and be raised on the third day.” 23 Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to  come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever  wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25After all,  what will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world, but destroys himself or is lost? 26 In fact,  whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he  comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. 27 I am telling you the  truth: There are some standing here who will certainly not taste death until they see the  kingdom of God.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 453 "Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spoke"  

SERMON: Luke 9:21-27 “Take Up Your Cross” 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

PRAYER  

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 465 "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"  

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

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

HYMN 582 “Awake, My Soul, and with 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. 

SERVING US TODAY: Pastor Joel Krieger, a son of St. Paul’s, serves as School Pastor at St.  Marcus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he has joyfully ministered for the past  three years. He is married to Kate, who serves as Ministries Coordinator at St. Marcus, and they  are the proud parents of three children: Reuben (8, entering 3rd grade), Armin (5, starting  kindergarten), and Ramona (3). May the Lord continue to bless the ministries of the Kriegers at  St. Marcus, along with their children. Thank you for serving us, today.

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

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