St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

May 3, 2026 5th Sunday of Easter

HE LIVES TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

WELCOME – we will be using the BLUE HYMNAL today.

HYMN 469 “Welcome, Happy Morning” - please stand for last stanza THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; 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: Acts 4:8-12

St. Peter explains that Jesus is the only person in whom salvation is found.

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 9if we are being questioned today for a kind act that was done for the lame man, as to how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead! By him this man stands before you healed. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 118

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

SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 2:4-10

People stumble over the claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven. But that truth is the cornerstone on

which Christ builds his Church.

4 As you come to him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, 5you also, like living stones, are being built as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to bring spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it says in Scripture:

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who believes in him will certainly not be put to shame. 7 Therefore, for you who believe, this is an honor. But for those who do not believe: The stone which the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,

8and,

a stone over which they stumble and a rock over which they fall.

Because they continue to disobey the word, they stumble over it. And that is the consequence appointed for them. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

P: Alleluia. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Alleluia.

EASTER GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Praise God for a / liv-ing hope:

Christ is risen / from the dead!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: John 14:1-11

Jesus teaches that the only way to draw near to God the Father is through God the Son.

1“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. 4 You know where I am going, and you know the way.” 5“Lord, we don’t know where you are going,” Thomas replied, “so how can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 7If you know me, you would also know my Father.[c]From now on you do know him and have

seen him.” 8“Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that is enough for us.” 9“Have I been with you so long,” Jesus answered, “and you still do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am telling you I am not speaking on my own, but the Father who remains in me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. Or else believe because of the works themselves.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ.

HYMN 514 “You Are the Way; through You Alone”

SERMON: John 14:1-11

Jesus Is the Only Way to Heaven

NICENE CREED - page 181,182

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH – page 182

THE SACRAMENT - pages 183-186

NOTE: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church believes that participation in the Lord's Supper is both a confession of faith and an expression of our unity in that faith. When you commune with us you are saying that you agree with the Biblical teachings about the Lord's Supper and all the other teachings of the Bible. If you have never communed with us before, we ask that you speak with Pastor Himm to learn how you can establish a communing fellowship with us. We are eager to enjoy that fellowship with you!

BLESSING C: Amen.

HYMN 518 "Christ Be My Leader"

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.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

❖ Tuesday, 10 am - Ladies’ Book Study – “Taboo” at parsonage

❖ Tuesday, 5:15 pm - Youth Catechism Class at Pastor’s house ❖ Tuesday, 7 pm - Bible Study on Romans at Pastor’s house ❖ Sunday, 9 am - Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

❖ Sunday, 10 am – WORSHIP

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