St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

website: StPaulsManistee.com

facebook: SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

July 5, 2026 Pentecost 5

CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

WELCOME – We will be using the RED HYMNAL today.

HYMN 618 “Before the Lord We Bow” – please stand for last stanza SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care; 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: Isaiah 61:1-3

The promised Messiah – Jesus Christ – gives us true freedom and joy.

1 The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, 2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD to display his beauty.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 33 – page 79

The earth is full of the goodness of God, the goodness of our God.

SECOND LESSON: 1Timothy 2:1-4

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to pray for all people, including our government leaders.

1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we might live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose to be his possession.. Alleluia.

C: Alleluia Response – page 30

GOSPEL: Matthew 22:15-22

Jesus teaches us that there is a difference between the State (government) and the Church. Both are to be honor.

15 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted together how to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accord with the truth. You are not concerned about gaining anyone’s approval because you are not swayed by appearances. 17 So tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus knew their evil purpose and said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. 20 He asked them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied to him. Then he said to them, “Therefore give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. Then they left him and went away.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 523 “God of Grace and God of Glory”

SERMON: Galatians 5:1,13

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again.

13 After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love.

“True Freedom is Christian Freedom”

NICENE CREED – page 31

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

LORD’S PRAYER – page 32

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS repented communicant members come forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor Himm offers a free class so you can become a communicant member.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36

BLESSING pages 37 (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 619 “God Bless Our Native Land”

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. 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: We welcome back Pastor Randy Johnson who served us on May 17. Pastor Johnson and Annette live in Perry, MI, where he served many years before retiring. After retiring, he served at Gloria Dei, Grand Blanc, and Salem, Owosso. Thank you for service and enjoy your stay in Manistee.

TUESDAY BIBLE CLASS: We will be studying Romans 13. We meet at Pastor Himm’s home at 7 pm. All are welcome.

NEXT SUNDAY: Stephen Bautista will be leading us in worship. Stephen and his family are WELS members who travel around the country for their full-time Christian music mission. Their goal is to "enlighten the lost and encourage the found" with Stephen’s original, Christ-centered music. Stephen shares his music in a very compelling yet soothing style while conveying a solid

Gospel message

Stephen, his wife, Christy, their nine “roadschooled” children, a dog, and two cats have a home base in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, but are more often found visiting congregations around the country in their Chevy Express van with their 33ft travel trailer in tow.

Stephen has five professionally produced CDs that are available for purchase at his concerts and worship services. His music is also available online at www.StephenBautistaMusic.com, iTunes, Amazon, and most other online outlets.

Please consider supporting Stephen's music mission by purchasing his CDs and/or contributing a freewill offering that will help him continue spreading the Gospel of Jesus with his music.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.