St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

May 17, 2026 Ascension of our Lord

HE LIVES TO RULE ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH

WELCOME – we will be using the RED HYMNAL

HYMN 171 “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (Please stand for the last stanza) SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens and at God’s right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that at your command and by your power we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

(Sing) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Act 1:1-11

Jesus ascends to rule over all things as his Church serves as his witnesses.

1I wrote my first book, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began doing and teaching 2until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and told them things about the kingdom of God. 4 Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. 5For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6So when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes

stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

PSALM 47 – page 85

Let the people praise you, O God. Let all the people praise you.

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 1:15-23

Jesus ascended to fill all creation with his presence and power for a very specific purpose.

15 This is why, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, 19 and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20 It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is his body, the fullness of him[b] who fills everything in every way.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age. 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 24:44-53

Before he ascends, Jesus promises to send the disciples power from on high to carry out the mission of the Church.

44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 He led them out as far as the vicinity

of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52 So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 They were continually in the temple courts, praising and[b]blessing God. Amen.

HYMN 173 “On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build”

SERMON: Acts 1:1-11

This Same Jesus

1. Rules for you

2. Will come back for you

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42

LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN 175 “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”

PRAYER - page 43

C: Amen. (sung)

BLESSING - page 443

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung)

HYMN 169 “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET by the water cooler near the kitchenette

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway.

GUEST PASTOR: Pastor Randy Johnson will be serving us this morning. We thank Pastor Johnson and is wife, Annette, for sharing their time with us. The Johnsons live in

Perry, Michigan.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

❖ Tuesday, 10 am - Ladies’ Book Study – “Taboo” at parsonage ❖ Tuesday, 5:15 pm Youth Catechism Class at Pastor’s house ❖ Tuesday, 7 pm Bible Study on Romans at Pastor’s house ❖ Sunday, 9 am - Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

❖ Sunday, 10 am – WORSHIP

All Scripture readings are from the EHV. Used by permission.