July 3, 2022

Thank you Rev. Dennis Himm from Gloria Dei Lutheran in Grand Blanc, MI for leading our worship service today. And a special thank you, too, for your CHILDREN'S choir blessing us with patriotic hymns. It was a wonderful celebration of our country’s INDEPENDENCE.

St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

Pentecost 4 July 3, 2022

THEME OF THE DAY

We have sinned and fall short of fulfilling the Law of the Lord. Through contrition and repentance God prepares the heart to receive the gift of the Gospel.

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP (spoken & sung – Hymn 618) Psalm 100

M: Shout to the Lord with joy, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs.

C: Before the Lord we bow, The God who reigns above

And rules the world below In boundless pow'r and love.

Our thanks we bring; In joy and praise

Our hearts we raise To heav'n's high King.

M: Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

C: The nation you have blessed May well your love declare,

From foes and fears at rest, Protected by your care.

For this fair land, For this bright day

Our thanks we pay -- Gifts of your hand.

M: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courtyards with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

C: May ev'ry mountain height, Each vale and forest green,

Shine in your Word's pure light And its rich fruits be seen!

May ev'ry tongue Be tuned to praise

And join to raise A grateful song!

M: For the Lord is good. His mercy endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.

C: Earth, hear your Maker's voice; Your great Redeemer own.

Believe, obey, rejoice, And worship him alone.

Cast down your pride! Your sin deplore

And bow before The Crucified!

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M : O God, protector of all the faithful, you alone make strong; you alone make holy. Show us your mercy and forgive our sins day by day. Guide us through our earthly lives that we do not lose the things you have prepared for us in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON: 2 Chronicles 33:1-6,10-18

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he ruled as king in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD by following the disgusting practices of the nations which the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel. 3 He rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had torn down. He erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He worshipped the whole army of the heavens and served them. 4 He built altars in the House of the LORD, about which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem my Name will be forever.” 5 He built altars for the whole army of the heavens in the two courtyards of the House of the LORD. 6 He made his sons pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. He practiced fortune telling and sought omens and consulted mediums and spiritists. He greatly increased the evil deeds he did in the eyes of the LORD and provoked him to anger… 10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the LORD brought the officials of the army of the king of Assyria against them. They led Manasseh captive with hooks. They bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 When he was in distress, he sought the favor of the LORD and humbled himself deeply before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to the LORD, and the LORD responded to his prayer and heard his plea for mercy. He brought him back to Jerusalem into his own kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is the true God. 14 Afterward he built an outer wall for the City of David in the valley, from west of the Gihon Spring up to the entrance by the Fish Gate. He encircled Ophel with it and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. 15 He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the House of the LORD. He removed all the altars he had built on the mountain of the House of the LORD and in Jerusalem and threw them outside of the city. 16 He restored the altar of the LORD and offered sacrifices of fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it. He commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God. 18 You can find the rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the annals of the kings of Israel.

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor males who have sex with males, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor the verbally abusive, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And some of you were those types of people. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Luke 7:36-50

36 A certain one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 Just then a sinful woman from that town learned that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 stood behind him near his feet weeping, and began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she began to wipe them with her hair while also kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would realize who is touching him and what kind of woman she is, because she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the larger debt forgiven.” Then he told him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, but you did not give me water for my feet. Yet she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but she, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that is why she loved so much. But the one who is forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those reclining at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

M: Here ends the Gospel.

C: Praise be to You, O Christ

HYMN 617

Christ, by heav'nly hosts adored, Gracious, mighty, sov'reign Lord,

God of nations, King of kings, Head of all created things,

By the Church with joy confessed, God o'er all, forever blest --

Pleading, at your throne we stand: Save your people, bless our land.

On our fields of grass and grain Send, O Lord, the kindly rain;

O'er our wide and goodly land Crown the labors of each hand.

Let your kind protection be O'er our commerce on the sea.

Open, Lord, your bounteous hand; Bless your people, bless our land.

Give us rulers who will be Known for love and honesty;

Let the pow'rs that you ordained Be in righteousness maintained.

In the people's hearts increase Love of piety and peace.

Thus united, we shall stand One wide, free, and happy land.

SERMON: Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin brings shame to a people.

Want to Do Something for Your Country?

1. Recognize the problem

2. Remember the solution

CONFESSION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed)

M: In a world that has difficulty believing in the one true God, but is so ready to believe that our universe happened by some unknown accident or by a random series of events, what do you believe?

C: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

M: In a society that often teaches that Jesus was just a great human teacher, a wise prophet or just one way to God, what do you believe?

C: We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human.

M: While many put their trust in things or people that they make into their gods, what do you believe that Jesus did that proves He has conquered death and is true God just as He said?

C: For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

M: Those who refuse to trust the Lord are without hope. What do you believe that gives you hope now and for eternity?

C: We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERINGS GATHERED

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

M: Almighty God, we acknowledge with thanks that all we have and enjoy is a gift from your gracious hand. We come before you today in heartfelt appreciation for our nation and its people.

C: We thank you for enabling us to worship you in freedom and to serve you without fear.

M: You have enriched us with the bounties of farm and factory, the beauty of forest and mountain, and the marvels of medicine and science.

C: For all these blessings, we praise and glorify you.

M: Look with favor upon our nation, and preserve our cherished liberties. Enable our leaders to govern with wisdom, honesty, courage, and justice. Protect those who serve in the armed forces and those who maintain peace and safety in our communities.

C: Give us willingness to obey our nation’s laws and to work for the common good.

M: Keep our financial institutions secure and our economy strong. Bless our fields that they may produce abundant harvests. Guard us from calamities of nature and accident, and spare our land from the ravages of disease and epidemic.

C: Teach us not to worry but to cast all our cares on you.

M: Strengthen the homes of our nation. By your Spirit lead husbands and wives to love each other, parents to nurture their children, young adults to assume responsibility, and children to show respect.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

M: To you, O Lord, we bring our thanks and our requests.

C: Hear our prayers for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

CONFESSION OF SINS – HYMN 303

With broken heart and contrite sigh,

A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry.

Your pard'ning grace is rich and free

O God, be merciful to me!

No gifts, no deeds that I have done

Can for a single sin atone.

To Calvary alone I flee

O God, be merciful to me!

And when, redeemed from sin and hell,

With all the ransomed souls I dwell,

My joyous song shall ever be:

God has been merciful to me!

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN 317

O Lord, we praise you, bless you, and adore you,

In thanksgiving bow before you.

Here with your body and your blood you nourish

Our weak souls that they may flourish. O Lord, have mercy!

May your body, Lord, born of Mary,

That our sins and sorrows did carry,

And your blood for us plead

In all trial, fear, and need: O Lord, have mercy!

Your holy body into death was given,

Life to win for us in heaven.

No greater love than this to you could bind us;

May this feast of that remind us! O Lord, have mercy!

Lord, your love and kindness did move you;

Let your supper move us to love you.

All our debt you have paid;

Peace with God once more is made. O Lord, have mercy!

May God bestow on us his grace and favor

To please him with our behavior

And live together here in love and union,

Cherishing our blest communion. O Lord, have mercy!

Let not your good Spirit forsake us;

Grant that heav’nly-minded he make us.

Give your Church, Lord, to see

Days of peace and unity. O Lord, have mercy!

Please stand

HYMN OF THANKSGIVING – 316

O Jesus, blessed Lord, to thee

My heartfelt thanks forever be,

Who hast so lovingly bestowed

On me thy body and thy blood.

Break forth, my soul, for joy and say:

What wealth is come to me this day!

My Savior dwells within my heart -

How blest am I! How good thou art!

BENEDICTION

M: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: Amen.

HYMN 619

God bless our native land! Firm may she ever stand

Through storm and night! When the wild tempests rave,

Ruler of wind and wave, Do thou our country save By thy great might.

For her our prayers shall rise To God above the skies;

On him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh,

Guarding with watchful eye,To thee aloud we cry, God save the state!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org

June 26, 2022

Thanks to Pastor Brad Krause for leading us in worship and study today. He serves Jesus and God's people at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, WI. Previously he served in Mexico.

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

June 26, 2022 Pentecost 3

Theme: From death to life

Prayer Before Worship: Read Hymn 193

Hymn 404

Service of Word, front of hymnal, page 38

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

Old Testament Lesson: I Kings 17:17-24

God demonstrated His power over death through Elijah.

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

Hymn 588 vs.6&7

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-24

Paul has a journey from spiritual death to eternal life. So do we.

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and

called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.

Hymn 429

Sermon Text: Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus exhibited His divinity by raising the son of the widow.

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and

the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Apostles Creed, front of hymnal, page 41

Thankoffering & Friendship Register

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, pg 42

Lord’s Prayer, page 43

Hymn 415 (“friends depart”)

Continue page 43

Hymn 607

June 19, 2022

Thank you Pastor Samuel Pappenfuss for leading us in worship and Bible study today while on vacation. He serves St Paul, Crandon WI, Christ, Crandon WI and St John, Pelican Lake WI.

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

June 19, 2022 Pentecost 2

Theme: Ask with Faith

Prayer Before Worship: Lord, remind me to talk to You boldly & confidently as a child to a dear Father.

Hymn 239

Common Service, front of hymnal, page 15

Prayer: O God, You rule over all things in wisdom & kindness. Take away everything that may be harmful/ & give us whatever is good; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing)Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Joshua 5:13 – 6:5 & 20

Joshua’s question was: “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” His response showed he asked with faith.

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. 6 Now the gates ofJericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” 20 When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.

Psalm 100, front of hymnal, page 104

The Lord’s faithfulness gives us reason to shout for joy and serve with gladness.

Epistle: James 1:2-12

When we ask God, we do so without doubt.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Apostles' Creed, front of hymnal, page 19

Hymn 233

Sermon Text: Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

Jesus, upon request, healed the centurion’s servant. This man’s faith was humble about its own power but was confident in the strength of Jesus.

7 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with

soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Sermon Theme: "Faith Trusts God's Almighty Authority"

(sing) Create in me....pg 20 front of hymnal

Thankoffering & Friendship Register

The members of St. Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. However, we do ask that visitors introduce yourself to our church family.

Prayer of the Church, front of the hymnal, page 127

Special Prayers

Lord’s Prayer(traditional), page 20

Hymn 391

Continue page 25 front of hymnal

Hymn 402

June 12, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

June 12, 2022 – Festival of the Holy Trinity

Prayer Before Worship – Lord, help me to be comfortable that I am not able to understand everything about You.

Hymn 724

Morning Praise, front of hymnal bottom pg 45

Old Testament Lesson: Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord told Moses to bless Israel with a blessing we use yet today.

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Hymn 191

Epistle Romans 5:1-5

The Father justifies us through faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith is planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This gives us hope & joy.

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Athanasian Creed, front of hymnal, page 132

Hymn 194

Sermon Text: Gospel: John 16:12-15

The Holy Spirit leads us into the truth of salvation and implants Jesus in our hearts to make us right with the Father.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Theme: Our Salvation is a work of the Triune God

Decreed by the Father

(Acts 2:2223)"Jesus of Nazareth was handed over to you by God's set purpose and fore-knowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”

(Rev 13:8) “The Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”

Titus: (1:2) eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.

(1 Cor 2:7) We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”

2. Accomplished by the Son

3. Made known by the Holy Spirit

Hymn 195 (replaces pgs 48-49)

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. However, we do ask that visitors introduce themselves to our church family

Continue page 50 front of hymnal

Lord’s Prayer

Prayer of the day: Almighty God & Father,/ dwelling in majesty & mystery,/ filling & renewing all creation by Your eternal Spirit,/ & manifesting Your saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ:/ in mercy cleanse our hearts & lips/ that, free from doubt & fear, / we may ever worship You,/ one true immortal God,/ with Your Son & the Holy Spirit,/ living & reigning, now & forever.

Special Prayers

Prayer for grace, pg 50

Continue pg 51

Hymn 193

June 5,2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

June 5, 2022 Pentecost

Prayer Before Worship - Read Hymn 178 in hymnbook

Hymn 185

Word and Sacrament pg 26-27 front of hymnal

Hymn 188, verse 4 replaces "O Lord, our Lord" pgs 28-29

Prayer: Hymn 180

Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 36:25-27

It is completely an action of God the Holy Spirit that we are believers in Jesus and live godly lives

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Hymn 176:1 replaces Psalm

Epistle Acts 2: 1-21

The Holy Spirit reversed the confusion of Babel as the disciples received the ability to speak in other languages. They could thus share the Gospel with people from every nation. This had been promised as the beginning of the end times by the prophet Joel.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Hymn 176:2

Gospel: John 15:26-27

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father & the Son & testifies to the work of Jesus & brings us to faith.

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Hymn 186

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson

Theme: God’s Promise to You: I will put my Spirit in You

You will be clean Hymn 181:2

You will have a new heart Hymn 181:3

You will keep my laws

Finally, do you intend to shape your life with God’s Word, to hear the Word of God proclaimed every week, to use the Lord’s Supper whenever it is offered, & to study the Word with your fellow Christians in this congregation at every opportunity.,

Prayer: Lord God Holy Spirit, lead us all to keep this promise that we made so that You can keep Your promise to be in us the rest of our lives.

Hymn 181:4

Confession of faith – Explanation of the Third Article of the

Apostles’ Creed from Luther’s Small Catechism.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pastor: What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing/ believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel,/ enlightened me with His gifts,/ sanctified & kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens & sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth,/ & keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily & fully forgives all sins/ to me & all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead; & He will give eternal life to me & all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, Hymn 190

Special Prayers, Lord’s Prayer

Continue page 33, front of hymnal

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with someone after worship. We would be delighted to help someone come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation.

Hymn 177 during distribution

Hymn181:1 &5 replaces 'Thanksgiving" pg 36

Continue with prayer bottom of page 36 front of hymnal

Hymn 183

May 29, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Festival of the Ascension of our Lord

May 29, 2022

Prayer Before Worship - Lord Jesus, sometimes I wish You hadn’t ascended and withdrawn your physical presence on this earth. I would like to see You as Your first disciples did. Remind me this evening of the benefits for me of Your ascension.

Hymn 174

Common Service, hymnal, pg 15

Hymn 169 replaces “Glory be to God”

Prayer: 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.

Lesson: Exodus 14:21-31

Our ascended Lord Jesus uses His almighty power to control nature for our benefit as the LORD used His almighty power to rescue his people at the Red Sea.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Hymn 171:1-3

Epistle: Revelation 19:11-16

Our ascended Lord Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who uses His power to rule over His enemies and uses His Word to rule in the hearts of His people.

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

Hymn 171, verses 4-6

Gospel - Luke 24:44-53

44 He said to them, "This is what I told 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

so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: 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 at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." {50} When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. {51} While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. {52} Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. {53} And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God

Apostles' Creed, front of hymnal, page 19

Hymn 173

Sermon Text: Psalm 110

The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” 3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.

4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind:“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”5 The Lord is at your right hand;

he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.7 He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.

Theme: The One sitting at the LORD’s right hand

1. Is still working for us (priest)

Hebr 9:28 Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins.

Heb 10:10 We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebr 10:14 By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Prayer: LORD Jesus. Thank You for still working for me now. Thank you for still being my priest throughout my life. Thank You for still working for humans as our Intercessor-Mediator-Defense Lawyer until Judgment Day. Thank You for ascending into heaven and repositioning yourself at God’s right hand so You can do that.

2. Has a job for us (Zion)

Prayer: LORD Jesus. thank You for giving me a job. Thank You for qualifying me for the job by arraying me in holy splendor and causing me to be born anew like dew. Thank You for equipping me for the job by placing into my hands the Scepter of Your Word. Thank You for ascending into heaven and repositioning Yourself at God’s right hand so that You can extend Your rule through me. 3. Will be the Winner

Matt 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, 44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more question

Prayer: LORD Jesus. thank You for giving me a look a the future.. Thank You for reminding me that You will crush all Your and my enemies on the Last Day. Thank You for using that reminder to motivate me to go on with life amidst its hardships and attacks. Thank You for ascending into heaven and repositioning Yourself at God’s right hand so that You will on Judgment Day be the winner and so will we.

(Sing) Create in me.... pg 20

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the Church Hymn 170, Continue with Lord’s Prayer

Hymn 174

Continue pg 25

Hymn 175

May 22, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

May 22, 2022 Easter 6– Peace Prepares for Parting

Prayer Before Worship: “For Peace”, front of hymnal, p 10

Hymn 141

Common Service , front of hymnal, page 15

Prayer: Father of lights,/every good & perfect gift comes from You. Inspire us to think those things that are true/ & long for those things that are good,/ that we may always make our petitions according to Your gracious will; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Epistle Revelation 21: 10-14, 22,23

Jesus the Lamb will continue to be with us even though we can’t see Him and will take us to be with Him in His splendor.

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There

were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Hymn 146

Gospel: John 14:23-29

Jesus told His disciples He was returning to the Father, promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things, & urged us not to worry for He leaves us with His peace which lasts

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

Apostles' Creed, front of hymnal, page 19

Hymn 150

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Even though Jesus physically left this earth, we can be at peace knowing we are surrounded by His holy angels.

14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 6 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Sermon Theme: Personified Purveyors of Peace

Our needs “What are we going to do!!!!”

Their Presence

Ps 34:6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 91: 9 If you say, ““The Lord is my refuge,””and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Our attitude

“Lord, let at last Thine angels come, to Abram’s bosom bear me home, That I may die unfearing; And in its narrow chamber keep My body safe in peaceful sleep Until Thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me That these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, Thy glorious face, My Savior and my Fount of grace. Lord Jesus Christ, My prayer attend, my prayer attend, And I will praise Thee without end.”

(Sing) Create in me.... pg 20

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, pg 126, Special Prayers

Lord’s Prayer, page 20

Hymn 719

Continue page 25, front of hymnal

Hymn 149

May 15, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Easter 5 – May 15, 2022

Sunday Theme: God’s Love to Each Other

Prayer Before Worship -Please read “For Love of Others”

hymnal, page 137

Hymn 491

Service of the Word, front of hymnal, page 38

Prayer: O God,/ You form the minds of Your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what You command/ & desire what You promise,/ that among the many changes of this world,/ our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Lesson: Acts 13:44-52

Paul and Barnabas preach the message of salvation to crowds of people. However, jealous Jews stir up persecution against Paul & Barnabas and force them to leave. God used persecution to spread his Word.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds,

they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145, front of hymnal, page 119

In love the Lord continues to be merciful to us & bless us.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

God’s love passing through us to others is to look like this.

13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Verse: Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the LORD. Alleluia! (Sing) Alleluia....pg 40

Gospel: John 13:31-35

By carrying out the plan of salvation, Jesus brought glory to Himself & to His heavenly Father. Although He is no longer with us in the body, He lives in us through faith. He commands us to love one another. He says that love for one another will tell those around us that we are His.

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Hymn 479

Sermon Text: Gospel

Theme: Let’s Talk about leaving

1. Everybody is doing it

2. People will need to be loved

3. God needs to be glorified

Apostles’ Creed, front of hymnal, page 41

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the Church, page 42

Hymn 499

Continue on page 43, front part of hymnal

Hymn 494

May 8, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

May 8, 2022  Easter 4 - Good Shepherd

                    

Prayer Before Worship - Lord, thank You for being the Lamb of God.  If  You hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have eternal life.   Thank You also for being the Good Shepherd.  If You wouldn’t be, I would be in constant difficulty

Hymn 375  Word and Sacrament, front of hymnal, page 26 

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ,/ You are the Good Shepherd who laid down Your life for the sheep.  Lead us now to the still waters of Your life-giving Word/ that we may abide in Your Father’s house forevermore; for You live & reign with Him & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.  

Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 34:25-31

If all the people  in the world would be followers of the Shepherd-King Jesus and live lives loyal to Him, then we might look around us and see  the perfection of the Garden of Eden.  But such is not  the case.  We will have to wait until we are removed from this sin-infested world to experience perfection. 

25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. 26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. 29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Verse: The Lord is my Shepherd.  He laid down His life for His sheep.  Alleluia  (Sing) Alleluia, pg 30

Epistle Revelation 7: 9-17

 Jesus the Lamb of God is also our Shepherd.  He lived, died & rose so  we might be cleansed of sin & live with Him in perfection in heaven.

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’‘ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Hymn 374

Gospel: John 10:22-30

Jesus, our good Shepherd, speaks words of eternal life to us.  We, His sheep, hear and believe the message of salvation and enjoy the assurance that God is protecting our faith.  

22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Hymn 436

Sermon Text:  Gospel

 Theme:.We are safe in Jesus’ hands

1. He is our Good Shepherd

2. He gives us eternal life

3. He and the Father are one

Nicene Creed, pg 31

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's  have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world.  Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 32

Special Prayers, Lord’s Prayer               

Continue page 33, front of hymnal

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other  WELS or   ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with someone after worship.  We would be delighted to help someone come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation.              

Hymn 360  during distribution

Continue page 36 front of hymnal               

Hymn 432

May 1, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

May 1, 2022 – Easter 3

Theme: Jesus Resurrection Strengthens Faith

Prayer Before Worship: Lord Jesus, Your appearances to the apostles and to Paul were foundational for their faith. Help me to be satisfied with Your appearances to me through the Scriptures.

Hymn 153

Morning Praise, front of hymnal, page 45

Epistle Revelation 5:11-14

Jesus alone is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise.

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, num- bering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living crea- tures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Psalm 67, front of hymnal, page 91

Salvation which comes through Jesus’ resurrection is meant for all & will fill people with joy

Gospel: John 21:1-14

Jesus appeared to His disciples while they were fishing. He repeated an earlier miracle so they might recognize that He was the same Jesus who had died, but who now had risen for them.

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Hymn 145:1-3

Sermon Text: Lesson: Acts 9:1-19

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”“Yes, Lord,” he answered.11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Theme: Strength from Jesus

To stop persecuting Jesus

Prayer: LORD Jesus, please give the strength to stop persecuting You.

2. To believe Jesus is the Savior

Prayer: LORD Jesus, please give the strength to keep believing that You are my Savior.

3. To proclaim that Jesus is God

Prayer: LORD Jesus, please give the strength to keep proclaiming that You are God.

Hymn 147 replaces pages 48-49

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Continue page 50

Prayer: O God,/ by the humiliation of Your Son/ You lifted up this fallen world from the despair of death. By His resurrection to life,/ grant Your faithful people gladness of heart/ & the hope of eternal joys; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now and forever.

Continue with prayer for grace, pg 50-51

Hymn 145: 4-5

April 24, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Easter 2 - April 24, 2022

Resurrection removes Fears gives Peace

Prayer Before Worship: Lord, take away my doubts so that I can be at peace.

Hymn 165:1-3

Service, front of hymnal, page 15

Hymn 165:9 replaces “Glory be to God………..

Prayer of the Day: O Risen Lord,/ You came to Your disciples/ & took away their fears with Your word of or peace. Come to us also by Word & sacrament,/ & banish our fears with the comforting assurance of Your abiding presence; for You live & reign with the Father & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Epistle: Revelation 1:4-18

In heaven Jesus is no longer suffering servant. He is firstborn from the dead, all powerful prophet, priest, king, Alpha, Omega, who is, was, & is to come, Almighty, & Living One who reigns forever & ever.

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to

you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c]

So shall it be! Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Hymn 552: 24

Gospel Lesson: John 20:19-31

Jesus appeared to Thomas twice to convince him that He was alive. Jesus appears to us in His Word to convince us that He is alive.

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 18

Hymn 165:4-8

Sermon Text: Lesson: Acts 5:12, 17-32

The risen Christ gave His apostles the ability to perform miracles & to proclaim the peace & joy of salvation boldly in spite of persecution.

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Sermon Theme: Resurrection gives courage

1. To Proclaim the Law

2. To Proclaim Gospel

3. To carry out God's Orders

Prayer: Risen LORD Jesus, please continue to give me the courage to proclaim Law and Gospel and to obey You.

(Sing) Create in me, front of hymnal, page 20

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 126

Special Prayers, Lord’s Prayer, pg 20, Continue pg 21

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with someone after worship. We would be delighted to help someone come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation. Hymn 161 during distribution

Continue page 24, front of hymnal Hymn 154

Easter Sunday April 17, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord 

April 17, 2022

Prayer before Worship - Please read Hymn 150 

Scriptural Greeting: He is Risen

Hymn  157

Invitation to celebrate

 John 11:25  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 

            {26} and  whoever lives and believes in me will never die.:          

Rev 1:17-18  "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!

Rom 1:4  Jesus Christ our Lord was declared with power

to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.

Rom 6:45 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death  in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 

{5} If we have been united with him like this in his death, 

we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

Phil 3:10-11 I want to know Christ & the power of his resurrection & the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,  becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead/ will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

I Pet 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  {4} & into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you                                                                            

Hymn 150:1

Prayer: Almighty God,/ by the glorious resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ,/ You conquered death & opened the gate to eternal life.  Grant that we, who have been raised with Him through baptism,/ may walk in newness of life,/ & ever rejoice in the hope of sharing His glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who, with You & the Holy Spirit be dominion & praise now & forever.  (Sing) Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 15:1-11

Moses & Israel sang these words when God led them safely through the    Red Sea & away from Pharaoh & his army.  We rejoice that the risen,      living Jesus brings us safely through the waters of life that daily threaten    us, & delivers us from our enemies as He leads us to our promised home.

    15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. 2 “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. 7 “In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory, working wonders?

Hymn 150:2

Epistle: I Corinthians 15:1-11

Jesus our Savior lived, died and rose for us.  He appeared to many proving that He had indeed risen from the dead & is our Savior. 

     Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Hymn 150:3

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

The women were the first witnesses of the empty tomb.  The angels          announced “He is not here; He has risen!”  The women told the                disciples.  The disciples were skeptical.

    On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Hymn  150:4

Confession of faith - Second article of the Apostles’ Creed: 

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,/ who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,/ born of the Virgin Mary,/ suffered under Pontius Pilate,/ was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.  

Pastor: What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God,/ begotten of the Father from eternity,/ & also true man, born of the Virgin Mary,/ is my Lord.  He has redeemed me, a lost & condemned creature,/ purchased & won me from all sins, from death & from the power of the devil,/ not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood & with His innocent suffering & death.  All this He did that I should be His own, & live under Him in His kingdom, / & serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence & blessedness,/ just as He has risen from death lives & rules eternally. 

This is most certainly true.

Hymn 143

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson

Sermon Theme: The LORD has become my Salvation

                       1.  From enemies                            Hymn 152, verses 1-3          

          2. With His Actions                        Hymn 152, verses 4 & 5

          3. My Response                               Hymn 152, verses 6 -8

Thankoffering The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world.  Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

Prayer, front of hymnal, pg 126; Special Prayers; 

Lord’s Prayer, pg 32 

Benediction.  (Sing ) Amen. Amen. Amen.

Hymn 159 

April 10, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

April 10, 2022 – Palm Sunday

Prayer Before Worship – Lord, thank You for reminding me You are God and Man.

Hymn 131

Morning Praise, front of hymnal page 45 bottom

Old Testament Lesson: Zechariah 9:9-10

Believers are told to rejoice because their King & Savior is coming. He is almighty & will be victorious over His enemies even though He will come gentle, riding on a donkey.

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous & victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea & from the River to the ends of the earth.

Hymn 130

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40

The Palm Sunday parade

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Hymn 133

Sermon Text: Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus our Savior is Lord of all. He did not display His glory while on this earth. Instead, He became our humble Substitute & died to save us. Now His Father has exalted Him above all things. He will be revered as King of all by all people.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Sermon

Theme: The Contradiction of Christ(ians)

1. The Attitude of Christ(ians)

2. The Exaltation of Christ(ians)

Response: Praise the LORD.

Hymn 134 replaces pages 48-49

Thankoffering

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Continue page 50 front of hymnal

Prayer: We praise You, O God,/ for the great acts of love/ by which You have redeemed us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As He was acclaimed/ by those who scattered their garments and branches of palms in his path,/ so may we always hail Him as our King/ & follow Him with perfect confidence,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever.

Continue Prayer for Grace page 50-51, front of hymnal

Hymn 540

April 3, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Lent 5 - April 3, 2022

Theme: God offers the Precious Treasure of Salvation

Prayer Before Worship-“Praise & Thanksgiving” pg10 hymnal

Hymn 477 (Epistle)

Common Service, front of hymnal, page 15

Prayer: Eternal God & Father,/ help us to remember Jesus,/ who obeyed Your will & bore the cross for our salvation/ that through His anguish, pain, & death/ we may receive forgiveness of sins & inherit eternal life; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. (sing) Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 43:16-21

The Lord who delivered His people from Egypt continued to offer a new life of blessings to His faithful people.

16 This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Verse: The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Gospel: Luke 20: 9-19

As Israel rejected the prophets, so they also rejected and would soon kill the author of their salvation, God’s own Son. Since they rejected their Savior, He would also reject them. May we never reject the precious gift of life from God.

9 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. 13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!” 17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” 19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 18

Hymn 457

Theme: Success is knowing what is trash and what is treasure

Our best is trash

Jesus is our Treasure

Stay Treasure Focused Sermon Text: Epistle: Philippians 3:5-14

Our greatest treasure is salvation, by which we are righteous before God. This treasure motivates & strengthens us in holy living as we strive to live the godly life to which we were called. We cling to this treasure as we press on to the goal of eternal life. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; {6} as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. (7) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (8) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {10} I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. {12} Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. {13} Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, {14} I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Post Sermon Prayer: LORD Jesus, please help me to keep knowing what is trash and what is Treasure.

Thankoffering

The members St Paul’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 125

Lord's Prayer, page 20 Continue page 21

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul’s and other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith

(1 Cor 10:17). Hymn 348 during distribution

Continue page 24

Hymn 466

March 27, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Sunday Theme: God’s Plan: Foolishness or Wisdom??

Prayer Before Worship -- Hymn 231

Hymn 379 Service of Word, front of hymnal, page 38

Prayer: Almighty God,/ we confess that we deserve to be punished for our evil deeds. But we ask You graciously to cleanse us from all sin/ & to comfort us with Your salvation; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Complete salvation for unworthy sinners didn’t seem logical to the Greeks. The Jews didn’t want a Savior who lived & died humbly. Yet, this is God’s plan of salvation for us. By God’s grace we rejoice in it.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Hymn 304:1-3

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Because of the son’s sins, he could not expect kindness from his Father. Yet his Father received him as a son & rejoiced over him. This seemed wrong to the brother who didn’t understand repentance & forgiveness.

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Hymn 306

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 12:1-6

God saves us. The wells of salvation are filled with forgiveness & love. With joy & thanksgiving, we sing to the Lord.

12 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Theme: Joyful journey amidst sin and sorrow

1. Cause of Joy

2. Tool to reinforce joy

{Matt 9:2}“Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven.”

{Rom 8:18} “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be yours with me forever.”

{1 Pet 1:5} “You are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.”

3. Expression of joy

Post sermon prayer: LORD Jesus, thank You for being my friend & Lord without end.

Apostles’ Creed, front of hymnal, page 41

Thankoffering

The members St Paul’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church front of hymnal, page 42, Lord's Prayer,

Hymn 304:4-7 Continue page 43, front of hymnal

Hymn 384: 1,2,5

March 20, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Lent 3 - March 20, 2022

Sunday Theme: God Calls to Repentance & to Himself

Prayer Before Worship - Lord, use everything in my life to call me to repent of my sins and to bring me back to You.

Hymn 336

Word and Sacrament, front of hymnal, page 26

Prayer: Almighty God, look with favor on Your humble servants,/ & stretch out the right hand of Your power/ to defend us against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever.

Epistle - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Some of God’s people Israel fell into sins and lost God’s gift of salvation. If we trust in our own effort to stand firm in the faith, we also will fall. God, however, provides the strength to overcome temptation.

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and

drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Verse: Jesus became obedient to death, even death on the cross.

Gospel Luke 13:1-9

Tragedies remind us that the world is infected with sin. The greatest tragedy is to be cut down in judgment by the Lord for resisting His will

13 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Hymn 302

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 3:1-8, 10-15

God called Moses to lead Israel out of their suffering in Egypt to Himself.

3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them,

‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’“This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

Theme: God calls us to change our minds

1. About Ourselves

2. About Him

Prayer after sermon: LORD, thank You for changing our minds about ourselves and about You.

Nicene Creed, pg 18

Thankoffering The members St Paul’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of church, pg 32, Special prayers, Lord’s Prayer

Continue pg 33

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with Pastor after worship or during the week. We would be delighted to help you come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation

Hymn 303 during distribution

Continue page 36

Hymn 345

March 13, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

Second Sunday in Lent - March 13, 2022

Theme: Salvation through Jesus Rejected

Prayer Before Worship - Lord, sometimes I admit that I am chicken, when it comes to facing opposition. But it’s nice being a chick when I know that You are the hen.

Hymn 478 (vs 3 - foes need not alarm you)

Morning Praise, front of hymnal, page 45

Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 26:8-15

Jeremiah faced persecution because of the message God told him to proclaim. Yet, Jeremiah faithfully spoke the truth. He proclaimed God’s judgment on those who rejected his message. He announced God’s love & forgiveness to all who in faith obeyed.

8 But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. 10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” 12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

Psalm 42-43, front of hymnal, page 82

Since God is the source of our salvation, we are eager to hear His Word. We put our trust in Him.

Epistle: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Many people resist the Savior & their salvation. Paul encourages us to stand firm in the Lord since we know we are citizens of His kingdom.

7 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Verse: Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Jesus was rejected & killed. We enjoy the benefit - our salvation.

2

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Hymn 421(Epistle)

Sermon Text: Psalm 42 & 43

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? {3} My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" {4} These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. {5} Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and {6} my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar. {7} Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. {8} By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life. {9} I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" {10} My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" {11} Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. {2} You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? {3} Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. {4} Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. {5} Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Theme: Where is your God?

He has left you all alone

He lets bad things happen to you

He is here as Savior

Hymn 454 (vs 4 “come bear thy cross with me”)replaces pg 48-49

Thankoffering The members St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Continue pg 50

Prayer: Almighty God,/ You see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard & keep us both outwardly & inwardly/ from all adversities that may happen to the body/ & from all evil thoughts that may assault & hurt the soul; through, Jesus Christ, our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever.

Continue pg 50

Hymn 449 (reflects Gospel)

March 6, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

March 6, 2022 - Lent 1

Theme: Jesus Defeats Satan

Prayer Before Worship - Please read IN THE MORNING prayer

beginning with “Grant us, O Lord,” on page 139 front of the hymnal.

Hymn 585 (Note vs 2:defend when dangers are at hand)

Common Service , front of hymnal, page 15

Prayer: Lord our Strength/ the battle of good & evil rages inside us and all around us,/ & our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits & empty promises. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, & when we fall,/ raise us up again/ & restore us through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Epistle: Hebr 4:14-16 We can be bold and confident about our relationship with God because Jesus successfully conquered every temptation for us.

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hymn 440 Reflects thoughts of Psalm 91

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Jesus began His public ministry by battling and overcoming the temptations of the devil. He used the Word to defeat Satan

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’]” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 18

Hymn 541:1-5 (the guile and rage of Satan stay)

Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson: Joshua 6 &7 selected verses Temptations to sin are all around us.

{6:16}[Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. (this means that everything was given over to the LORD often by totally destroying them) 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” {7:13}This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel.14 “‘In the morning, present yourselves. 15 Whoever is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord and has done an outrageous thing in Israel!’ 16 Early the next morning Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes, and Judah was chosen. 17 The clans of Judah came forward, and the Zerahites were chosen. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward by families, and Zimri was chosen. 18 Joshua had his family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was chosen. 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. 23 They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the Lord. 24 Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. 26 Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.

Theme: We are tempted to redefine God

1. He isn’t all knowing

2. He isn’t most important

3. He doesn’t punish sin

Prayer after sermon: LORD Jesus, thank You for conquering Satan’s temptations for me,/ covering me with your holiness. Please empower me to conquer Satan’s temptations/ so that my words and actions don’t disrupt my relationship with You.

Sing: Create in me.... pg 20

Thankoffering

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 125

Lord's Prayer, Continue pg 21

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Peter's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with Pastor after worship or during the week. We would be delighted to help you come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation

Hymn 447(reflects Gospel) during distribution

Continue page 24 front of hymnal

Hymn 541:6-7 (Your Word alone is our defense)

February 27, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

 Feb 27, 2022 – Transfiguration our Lord

Prayer Before Worship - Lord, sometimes I really want to see You now. You have shown Yourself & Your glory to others in the past.  I know You  could do the same for me, if you wanted to.  Thank You for showing me  Your glory through Your Word.  Help me to be satisfied if that is all You choose to show me while I am on earth.  Give me patience to wait for the full revelation of Your glory when I see You in heaven.

Hymn 95 

Service of Word, front of hymnal, page 38

Prayer: Lord God,/ before the suffering & death of Your one & only Son,/ You revealed His glory on the holy mountain.  Grant that we who bear His cross on earth/ may behold by faith the light of His heavenly glory/ & so be changed into His likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever.  (Sing) Amen.  

Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 34:29-35

After Moses was in the presence of the Lord to receive the law, his face   shone so much, reflecting the Lord’s glory, that others were afraid of him.

    29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

Verse: Alleluia! A voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Alleluia! (Sing) Alleluia x3

Gospel - Luke 9:28-36       The transfiguration of our LORD.

28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

Hymn 97

Sermon Text Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6  

The glory of God shines through the Gospel proclaimed by us.  Some  refuse the message and can’t see God’s glory.

  3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

THEME:  Light shines in darkness

1. It has shined

2. It should shine

3. No matter what

Apostles Creed, front of hymnal, page 41

Thankoffering 

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world.  Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

Prayer of the church, page 42,front part of the hymnal

Special Prayers, Lord's Prayer 

Hymn  712

Continue page 43, front of the hymnal 

Hymn 369 

February 20, 2022

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901

website: stpaulsmanistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Telephone: 231-299-1022

February 20, 2022: Epiphany 7

Theme: Jesus Reveals What Love Is

Prayer Before Worship – Please read “For Love of Others” front of hymnal, page 137

Hymn 257, verses 1 & 2(Reflects the Psalm)

Word & Sacrament, front of hymnal, 26

Prayer: Gracious Father,/ keep Your family, the Church, always faithful to You,/ that we may lean on the hope of Your promises/ & be strong in the power of Your love; through Your Son Jesus Christ our LORD,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 45:3-8, 15

Even though his brothers mistreated him, Joseph shows them love by forgiving them, by revealing himself to them after he led them to repentance, by pointing to God’s providential care, and by providing for their needs and the needs of their families.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph,the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Psalm 103, front of hymnal, page 105

God’s constant and complete forgiveness fills us with peace. His love & compassion remain with us forever.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-49

Through Christ’s resurrection, the guarantee of our forgiveness, we know that we also shall rise. Our corrupted and sinful flesh will be replaced with the glorious, holy likeness of Christ.

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[a]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

Hymn 479

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus, whose life & message was one of love for sinners, instructs us to show love to others as well, even to our enemies.

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Sermon Text:Gospel

Theme: Love as Jesus does

1. Whom?

(Rom 8:7)“The sinful mind is hostile to God,”

2. How?

3 Why ?

Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 31

Thankoffering

Prayer of church and Lord's Prayer, page 32

Continue page 33

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17).

Hymn 492 during distribution

Continue page 36

Hymn 257, verse 3