St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

January 18, 2026

Confession of Peter

JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today.

HYMN 510 “In Christ Alone”

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Almighty God, you inspired Simon Peter to confess Jesus as the Messiah and Son of the living God. Keep your church firm on the rock of this faith that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Acts 4:8-13

Saint Peter preaches that salvation comes only through Jesus.

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. 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and found out that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished and took note of the fact that these men had been with Jesus.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 42 “As the Deer”

SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 3:15,16

Saint Peter urges all of us to be prepared to confess Jesus Christ.

15 But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answerto everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.\

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Alleluia.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Your words - are my joy - and my - heart’s delight.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-19

Saint Peter is commended for his confession of faith.

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But you, who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overpower it.19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ.

HYMN 892 (1,10,3) “By All Your Saints Still Striving”

SERMON: 1 Peter 3:15,16

Prepared to Confess Jesus Christ

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182

HYMN 861 “Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s Head”

PRAYER: C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING: C: Amen.

HYMN 744 “Rise, Shine, You People”

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.

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