St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

website: StPaulsManistee.com

facebook: SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

July 6, 2025 Pentecost 3

CHRIST’S CALL FOR COMMITMENT

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:

O God, the strength of all who trust in you, mercifully hear our prayers. Be gracious to us in our weakness and give us strength to keep your commandments in all we say and do; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: 1 Kings 19:19-21

Elisha commits himself completely to the work to which the Lord had called him, leaving family and wealth behind.

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. Elisha was doing the plowing with twelve teams of oxen in front of him, and he himself was driving the twelfth team. Elijah crossed over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20 Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah. He said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother good

bye! Then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said, “Go back! For what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from following him. Then he took the team of oxen and slaughtered them. Using the equipment from the oxen as fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, followed Elijah, and served him.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 12:14-21

The Apostle Paul reminds us in our call to commitment that we are to show mercy to all because of God’s constant mercy he showers on us.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; weep with those who are weeping. 16 Have the same respect for one another. Do not be arrogant, but associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves. 17 Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 But: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by 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. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Alleluia.

C: Alleluia Response – page 30

GOSPEL: Luke 9:51-62

Jesus teaches that following him means leaving this world behind.

51 When the days were approaching for him to be taken up, Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messeng-ers ahead of him. They went and entered a Samaritan village to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not welcome him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. “You don’t know what kind of spirit is influencing you. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s souls, but to save them.” Then they went to another village. 57 As they went on the way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another man also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those at my home.” 62 Jesus told him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

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

HYMN 469 “Take My Life and Let It Be”

SERMON: Romans 12:14-21

In view of God's Mercy

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

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: Pastor Joshua Krieger, a son of St. Paul’s, Manistee, has been a pastor for 14 years, and the last 8 years he has served as the youth, family (focusing on 15-35 year olds), and evangelism pastor at St. Paul's in Livonia, Michigan. His wife, Julie, is the 4K teacher and preschool director at St. Paul’s school. They have been married for 15 years. They enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, reading, going to Detroit Tigers' games, and trying to keep up with our four boys (Anthony- 11, Darion- 9, Jaden- 7, and Kayden- 5). The Kriegers are thrilled to be back in Manistee where his father, Phillip, served as pastor... some years ago). May God continue to bless the Kriegers and their ministries at St. Paul’s, Livonia. Thank you for leading us in worship.

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