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.

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