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 23, 2026 Pentecost 12

GRACE WINS!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. In this divine good news, God reveals the righteousness we could never earn on our own - a righteousness given freely through faith in Christ alone. Gathered around Word and Sacrament, we rejoice that we are justified by grace and strengthened to live by faith.

WELCOME – We will be using the Blue Hymnal today

HYMN 523 “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” (Please stand for the last stanza) THE SERVICE: Setting 2 – page 172 ff

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted this fallen world from the despair of death. By his resurrection to life, grant your faithful people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 25:6-9

Through the pen of Isaiah, the LORD promises a banquet for all believers.

6 On this mountain the LORD of Armies will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of aged wines, with the best cuts of meat, and with the finest wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that covers all peoples, the burial cloth stretched over all nations. 8 He has swallowed up death forever! The LORD God will wipe away the tears from every face. He will take away the shame of his people throughout the earth. For the LORD has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said, “Look, here is our God! We waited for him, and he saved us! This is the LORD! We waited for him. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM OF THE DAY – Psalm 103

The LORD is kind and merciful.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 1: 1-17

God’s grace is powerful and brings salvation to all who believe.

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised in advance through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, 4 who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and the call to be an apostle on behalf of his name, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, 6including you, who were called by Jesus Christ. 7 To all those loved by God who are in Rome, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 To be sure, God, whom I serve with my spirit by proclaiming the gospel of his Son, is my witness to how constantly I make mention of you. In all my prayers, 10 I always ask if perhaps at last a way might be opened, if God wills, for me to come to you. 11 I certainly long to see you, in order that I may deliver some spiritual gift to you, so that you are strengthened— 12 that is, when I am with you, that we will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, yours and also mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware of the fact, brothers, that I have often planned to come to you but have been prevented from doing so until now. I wanted to have some fruit among you in the same way as I did among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I have an obligation both to Greeks and non-Greeks, to the wise and to the foolish. 15 That is why I am eager to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

P: Alleluia. Happy are they who hear the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruits of faith. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: God’s Word (sung)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Your words – are – my – joy

And my – heart’s – de – light.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus sets us free from sin, guilt, and eternal death. In joy we remain in his Word.

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. 32 You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “We

are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered, “and we have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Everyone who keeps committing sin is a slave to sin. 35 But a slave does not remain in the family forever. A son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 529 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”

SERMON: “Grace Wins - because of our Loving God” Romans 1: 1-17 APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH - page 182

HYMN 541 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)

BLESSING C: Amen.

HYMN 548 "The King of Glory Comes"

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

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

SERVING US TODAY is Pastor Brad Wright, another son of the congregation. We welcome Brad and Susan back to his hometown. After serving 32 years in ministry across Colorado, Wisconsin, and Ohio, Brad & Susan retired to Arizona. Since retiring he continues to serve in the public ministry, spending 4 months with a congregation in Sacramento and the past 9 months serving Peace in Gilbert, Arizona. The Wrights have been blessed with three children and four grandchildren. He will serve us again next week. Thank you!

ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC TODAY Please join us for a tasty meal and get to know one

another better. We thank the Wrights for providing the main course and beverages. We have more than enough food for everyone.

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