St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

October 4, 2026 Pentecost 18

REAL REPENTANCE LOOKS DIFFERENT.

WELCOME: We will be using the Red Hymnal today.

HYMN 302 “Lord, to You I Make Confession” – please stand for last stanza COMMON SERVICE - pages 15-17 (Red Hymnal)

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for without your help we are unable to please you; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32

A strong warning to Christians who have grown dismissive of their sin.

1 The word of the LORD came to me. 2 What do you mean, you who keep repeating this proverb concerning the soil of Israel, “Fathers eat sour grapes, and their sons’ teeth are set on edge”? 3 As surely as I live, declares the LORD God, you will never again use this proverb in Israel. 4Indeed, all souls are mine. The soul of the father is mine just like the soul of the son….25 But you say, “The LORD’s way is not fair.” Listen now, house of Israel. Is it my way that is not fair? Is it not your ways that are not fair? 26 If a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and practices unrighteousness, he will die because of it. Because of the unrighteousness that he has practiced, he will die. 27 But if a wicked man turns from his wickedness that he has done and practices justice and righteousness, he will preserve his life. 28 Because he has seen and turned away from all the rebellious acts that he had committed, he will surely live, and he will not die. 29 But the house of Israel says, “The LORD’s way is not fair.” Is it really my ways that are not fair, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not fair? 30 Therefore, I will judge each one of you according to his ways, O house of Israel, declares the LORD God. Repent and turn away from all your rebellious acts, so that

you will not set out a stumbling block that makes you guilty. 31 Throw off from yourselves all your rebellious actions by which you have rebelled, and obtain a new heart and a new spirit for yourselves. Why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the LORD God. So repent and live!

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 2:1-11

Moved by Christ’s love and empowered by the Spirit, we seek to imitate the humility of Jesus.

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility consider one another better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look carefully not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Indeed, let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 6 Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, 7but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Alleluia.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Matthew 21:28-32 Glory be to you, O Lord Sincere love for God involves not just saying what God wants to hear but doing what God wants done. 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 He came to the second and said the same thing. The second son answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen I tell you: The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax

collectors and prostitutes did believe him. Even when you saw this, you did not change your mind and believe him.

P: The Word of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ!

NICENE CREED – pages 18, 19

HYMN 308 “As Surely As I Live, God Said”

SERMON: “Repent & Live” Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER

COMMUNION LITURGY – pages 21-23

DISTRIBUTION

NOTE: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church believes that participation in the Lord's Supper is both a confession of faith and an expression of our unity in that faith. When you commune with us you are saying that you agree with the Biblical teachings about the Lord's Supper and all the other teachings of the Bible. If you have never communed with us before, we ask that you speak with Pastor Himm to learn how you can establish a communing fellowship with us. We are eager to enjoy that fellowship with you!

SONG OF SIMEON – pages 24

PRAYER – page 25

BLESSING

Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 318 “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”

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.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

➢ Tuesday, 10 am - Ladies’ Book Study – “The Narrow Lutheran Middle” at the parsonage

➢ Tuesday, 5:15 pm - Youth Confirmation 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

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