St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660
www.StPaulsManistee.com
facebook.com/SPLCManistee
February 1, 2026 Epiphany 4
JESUS CALLS YOU BLESSED
WELCOME – NOTE: we will be using the RED HYMNAL today. HYMN 234 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Please stand for last stanza) COMMON SERVICE - page 15
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Almighty and everlasting God, look with mercy on our weaknesses, and in all our dangers and needs stretch out the right hand of your majesty to help and defend us; 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: Zephaniah 2:3,3:11-13
The Lord promises that those who trust him will not be put to shame.
3Seek the Lord, all you humble people of the earth who have carried out his commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. Maybe then you will be sheltered in the day of the Lord’s anger….311 In that day you will no longer bear the shame of your rebellions against me. Then I will remove the proud boasters from among you, and you will never again be arrogant on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave among you the people who are humble and weak. They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. 13 The Israelites who remain will no longer act unjustly. They will not lie, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouth. Instead, they will graze peacefully like sheep and lie down. No one will terrify them.
P: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM 1 – page 64
Blessed are they who hope, who hope in the Lord.
SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
God changes how we view ourselves by connecting us to Christ Jesus.
26 For example, consider your call, brothers. Not many of you were wise from a human point of view, not many were powerful, and not many were born with high status. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are strong, 28 and God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to do away with the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before God. 30 But because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us the wisdom from God, namely, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 31 God did this so that, just as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
P: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY:
Alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia. (sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12
In the Beatitudes, our Savior turns the ideas of the world upside down.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up onto a mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He opened his mouth and began to teach them. He said these things:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, because they will receive mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to you, O Christ!
NICENE CREED – pages 18,19
HYMN 395 “Seek Where You May to Find a Way”
SERMON: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 “Foolish Believers”
SONG OF RESPONSE “Create in Me a Clean Heart” – page 20 PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 21-23
God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, and that a person could receive it to their judgment, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor Himm.
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION
SONG OF SIMEON - page 24
PRAYER - page 24 C: Amen. (sung)
BLESSING - page 25 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
HYMN 383 “Blessed Are They, Forever Blest”
ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS
OFFERING 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 the parsonage
➢ Tuesday, 3:30 pm - Youth Confirmation Class at Pastor’s house ➢ Tuesday, 7 pm - Bible Study on Philippians at Pastor’s house
➢ Sunday, 9 am - Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
➢ Sunday, 10 am - WORSHIP
UPCOMING EVENTS
➢ Saturday, February 21 – Men Alive Rally – in Bay City
▪ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER – www.menalive-balm.org
➢ Friday – Sunday, April 10-12 – Sisters in Christ Retreat – in Traverse City
Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®) Used by permission