St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

website: StPaulsManistee.com

facebook: SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

September 6, 2026

Pentecost 14

UNEXPECTED TRUTHS: The Church is for All People WELCOME – We will be using the RED HYMNAL today.

HYMN 532 “God Is Here! As We His People” – please stand for last stanza SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Gracious God, in Christ you bring people from near and far into the fellowship of your church. Open our eyes to your saving plan, and move us to embrace all who seek your salvation so that we may rejoice together at the banquet of your love; 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 56:1,6-8

The LORD told the world that all God-fearing people would have a place in the house of his Church.

1 This is what the LORD says. Protect justice, and carry out righteousness, because my salvation is coming very soon. My righteousness is ready to be revealed…. 6 Then the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him and to love the name of the LORD and to become his servants, every one of them who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, those who take hold of my covenant—7I will bring them to my holy mountain, and I will make them glad in my house of prayer. Their whole burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar. For my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples of the world. 8 This is the declaration of God the LORD, who gathers Israel’s dispersed people: “I will gather still more people to my house besides the ones already gathered.”

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 67 – page 91

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

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 2:13-22

Christ takes foreigners and strangers and builds them into a holy temple, his Church.

13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace. He made the two groups one by destroying the wall of hostility that divided them 15 when he abolished the law of commandments and regulations in his flesh. He did this to create in himself one new person out of the two, in this way making peace. 16 And he did this to reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by putting the hostility to death on it. 17 He also came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. 20 You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

P: Alleluia. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Alleluia.

C: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written that we may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Matthew 15:21-28

In the face of a test from Jesus, a Canaanite woman demonstrates great faith in God’s promise for all people.

21 Jesus left that place and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 There a Canaanite woman from that territory came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! A demon is severely tormenting my daughter!” 23 But he did not answer her a word. His disciples came and pleaded, “Send her away, because she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt in front of him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to their little dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet their little dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, your faith is great! It will be done for you, just as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

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

HYMN 538 “The Church’s One Foundation”

SERMON: “God Builds His Church for All” Ephesians 2:13-22 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 571 “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains”

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Will begin on September 20. Join us at 9 am before worship for studying God’s Word. You’ll grow in your faith and

be better prepared for worship.

CATECHISM CLASS begins this Tuesday, September 8 at Pastor Himm’s house. This is a class for 7th & 8th graders to help them better understand the Bible and the Biblical truths of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. We will meet on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:30 pm. This class is open to all.

TUESDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We will begin this week. We will pick up our study on the book of Romans. This Tuesday we will focus on Romans 13. The class meets at Pastor Himm’s house at 7 pm. All are welcome.

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