St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

November 9, 2025

Pentecost 22

PEACE COMES WITH JUDGMENT

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today.

HYMN 493 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”

(Please stand for last stanza)

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff BLUE HYMNAL

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord God Almighty, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may always look forward to the end of this present evil age and the day of your righteous judgment. Keep us steadfast in true and living faith, and present us at last holy and blameless before you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Malachi 4:1-6

On the day of judgment, those who do evil will be laid low. But that day will mean rescue for those who revere the name of the LORD.

1Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall. 3 You will trample the wicked. They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action, says the Lord of Armies. 4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, which I commanded to him at Horeb to serve as statutes and judgments over all Israel. 5Look! I am going to send Elijah the prophet to you before the great and fearful day of the Lord comes! 6 He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with complete destruction.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 73 – REFRAIN sung – Verses spoken responsively

SECOND LESSON: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

The Thessalonian Christians were suffering a persecution. To empower their perseverance, Paul assures them of the coming judgment and punishment.

5 This is evidence of God’s righteous verdict that resulted in your being counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also suffer. 6 Certainly, it is right for God to repay trouble to those who trouble you, 7and to give relief to you, who are troubled along with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels, 8he will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength, 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 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: Luke 21:5-19

Jesus instructs us, when persecuted, to not seek vengeance. Instead, we are to stand firm and persevere, confident in the justice of coming judgment.

5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said, 6“These things that you see here—the days will come when there will not be one stone left on another—every one will be thrown down.” 7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what is the sign that these things are about to happen?” 8 He said, “Watch out so that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 Whenever you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be right then.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be horrifying sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out to be your opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand how to defend yourselves, 15 for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all people for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By patient endurance you will gain your lives.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 488 (1,2,4,5) “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”

SERMON: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

The Lord’s Righteous Judgment Brings Peace

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182

HYMN 871: Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING: C: Amen.

HYMN 29 “Lo! He Comes” RED HYMNAL

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.

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP – Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1 pm

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