St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

February 23, 2025 Epiphany 7

DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU

WELCOME

HYMN 234 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

(Please stand for last stanza)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Gracious Father, keep your family, the Church, always faithful to you, that we may lean on the hope of your promises and be strong in the power of your love; 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: Genesis 45:3-15

The account of Joseph forgiving his brothers after they had sold him into slavery demonstrates that God overcomes evil with good.

3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ 12 You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” 14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 51b – page 87

Come, Holy Spirit, renew our hearts and kindle in us the fire of your love.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 12:14-21

Paul lived in a Roman empire that operated on the principles of force and aggressing. Yet, he encourages believers to operate on the principles of grace, forgiveness, and humility.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Alleluia.

(Sing) 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 6:27-38

In our interactions with others, Jesus calls us to disregard what people deserve. Instead, we are to show the same grace that God has shown to us.

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 492 “Son of God, Eternal Savior”

SERMON: Luke 6:27-38

“Loving Your Enemies is More Than a Feeling”

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN 493 “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen. (sung)

BLESSING - page 43 C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung)

HYMN 326 “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior”

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.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP – March 5 at 12:30 pm. We will be joining the members of Redeemer, Scottville, for their Lenten series, “Reflection on Repentance.” There is no lunch on Ash Wed.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you have the desire to learn more about God and the Bible? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. It is free and there is no obligation. Contact Himm to set up a time for you.

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