July 7, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

  website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

July 7, 2024 Pentecost 6 

The Living Lord’s Power Over Death & the Devil 

WELCOME 

HYMN 582 “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O God, you have prepared joys beyond understanding for those who love you. Pour into our hearts  such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all  that we can desire; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and  the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Lamentations 3:22-33 

God’s people were suffering. But the prophet Jeremiah knew that suffering and impending death can  focus our attention on what matters—the LORD’s compassion and salvation. 

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is  my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in  him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. 28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him. 29 Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be  hope. 30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with  disgrace. 31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will  show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. 

PSALM 30 – page 76 

At the works of your hands, O Lord, I lift up my voice in song: I sing for joy. 

SECOND LESSON: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 

Paul knew that serving Christ might result in death. But he also knew the one who raised Jesus from the 

dead will also raise us. 

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from  God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not  destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of  Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given  over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So  then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore  I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore  speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also  raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so  that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow  to the glory of God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow  me. Alleluia.  

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe  

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Mark 5:21-24a,35-43 

Jesus raises the young daughter of a synagogue leader from the dead as easily as you would wake a  sleeping twelve-year old from a nap. 

21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd  gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue  leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded  earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her  so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him….35 While Jesus was still  speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your  daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Over-hearing what  they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow  him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home  of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing  loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is  not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the  child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the  child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little  girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she  was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders  not to let anyone know about this and told them to give her something to eat. 

HYMN 388 “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven”

SERMON: Matthew 8:28-34 

28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass  that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here  to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs  was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed  down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off,  went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him,  they pleaded with him to leave their region. 

The Lucidity of Demons 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional) 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the fellowship  connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS communicant members  receive this Sacrament. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 619 “God Bless Our Native Land” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined  together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not  expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.  

TODAY’S GUEST PASTOR is Pastor Joel Krieger is from Milwaukee, WI, where he serves  as School Pastor and his wife, Kate, serves as Member Engagement Lead at St. Marcus. They have  three kids: Reuben (7), Armin (4), and Ramona (2). Joel lived in Manistee while his dad served as  pastor here at St. Paul’s. This is their second time in Manistee for the parsonage share program. 

NEXT SUNDAY: Pastor Brian Diring, from St. James Lutheran Church, North Branch, will be  our guest pastor.  

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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

June 30, 2024

 St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 June 30, 2024 5th Sunday after Pentecost 

OUR GRACIOUS GOD IS WITH US 

THROUGH ALL THE STORMS OF LIFE 

WELCOME 

HYMN 415 “Be Still, My Soul” (please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Lord, our God, govern the nations on earth and direct the affairs of this world so that your  Church may worship you in peace and joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives  and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Job 38:1-11 

Job questioned why God had allowed trouble to befall him. Out of a storm the LORD spoke to Job,  explaining that no mere man has the capacity to understand the wonderful ways God works. 

1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2“Who is this that obscures  my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question  you, and you shall answer me. 4“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who  stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its  cornerstone—7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for  joy? 8“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, 9 when  I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, 10 when I fixed limits  for it and set its doors and bars in place, 11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no  farther; here is where your proud waves halt’? 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 46 – page 84 

The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

SECOND LESSON: Acts 27:13-20 

St. Paul and others were on a boat in the middle of a hurricane. God did not calm the storm. Yet, he was  with them in the storm, accomplishing his good and gracious work. 

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they  weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of  hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was  caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were  driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly  able to make the life-boat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed  ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would  run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship  be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day  they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s  tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for  many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  crying, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia. 

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the  Son of God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Mark 4:35-41 

Even the winds and the waves must obey Jesus Christ.  

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other  side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the  boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves  broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping  on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we  drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then  the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are  you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other,  “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 379 “Amazing Grace—How Sweet the Sound”

SERMON: Mark 4:35-41 

No such thing as a dumb question? 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional) 

HYMN 433 “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 517 “Almighty Father, Strong to Save” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have  joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but  are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s  ministry.  

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. 

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement. 

TODAY’S GUEST PASTOR is Pastor Josh Krieger. His father Phil Krieger, served as a pastor  here when Josh was a kid. (“I loved it so much that my wife and family keep coming back to St. Paul’s.) He has served as a pastor for 13 years, the last 7 years at St. Paul’s in Livonia. His wife, Julie,  serves at St. Paul's in Livonia as their Preschool Director and 4K teacher. They have been married  15 years this summer and are blessed with 4 boys (ages 4, 6, 8, and 10). Thank you for your  faithful service. 

NEXT SUNDAY: His brother, Pastor Joel Krieger, from St. Marcus Lutheran Church,  Milwaukee, will be our guest pastor.  

COUNCIL MEETING: The Church Council will meet after refreshments today.

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

June 23, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

June 23, 2024 4th Sunday after Pentecost

THE DEVIL DOES HIS WORST, YET JESUS ALWAYS WINS 

WELCOME 

HYMN 249 “God of Mercy, God of Grace” (stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 3:8-15 

The devil did his worst, but a gracious God promised that from Eve’s descendants would come one who  would defeat the serpent for us. 

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden  in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But  the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the  garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11And he said, “Who told you that  you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 

12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree,  and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The  woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the LORD God said to the serpent,  “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You  will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[ and hers; he will crush your  head, and you will strike his heel.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 51a – page 86

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. 

SECOND LESSON: Revelation 20:1-6 

God had promised victory in the Garden. Jesus allows St. John to see that victory in his Revelation. 

1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in  his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or  Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and  sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years  were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4I saw thrones on which were  seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had  been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads  or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the  dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.  6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no  power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a  thousand years. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and entrusting to us the message of  reconciliation. Alleluia. 

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of  God.  

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Mark 3:20-35 

Jesus came to oppose Satan and his allies and undo all their work.  

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were  not even able to eat. 21When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for  they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22And the teachers of the law who came down from  Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out  demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How  can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot  stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan opposes  himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong  man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly  I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever  blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” 31 Then Jesus’ mother and  brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32A crowd was sitting  around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a 

circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does God’s  will is my brother and sister and mother.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

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

HYMN 378 “All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall” 

SERMON: Genesis 3:8-15  

God makes our problem His problem. 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 396 “In Adam We Have All Been One” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 201 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have  joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but  are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s  ministry.  

TODAY’S GUEST PASTOR is Pastor Brad Krause from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in  Appleton, WI. He & his wife, Heidi, have five children (Sienna-11, Natalia-10, Leo-8, Owen-6 and  Caleb-3). Before serving at FVLHS, they lived in different areas of Mexico from 2009-2016. Thank  you for being here and for your faithful service! 

NEXT SUNDAY: Pastor Josh Kreiger from St. Paul’s, Livonia, will be our guest pastor. 

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

June 16, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

www.StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

2024 3rd Sunday after Pentecost 

From the Tiniest Seed Grows the Largest Kingdom 

Prayer Before Worship – Lord, thank you for planting the seed of Your Word into my life.  Thank you for using people in my life to do that. Help me to realize that I need to be using your  Word regularly on my own and with my brothers and sisters in the faith otherwise my growth  as Your child will stop. 

WELCOME 

HYMN 255 “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Ezekiel 17:22-24 

Through the prophet Ezekiel, the LORD promised that the kingdom of God would grow large and strong  and provide safety and shelter for God’s people. 

22 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top  of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant  it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it  will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind  will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the  forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow  tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken,  and I will do it.’”

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 92 – page 101 

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 

Planters & waterers are all headed for the same goal: Having God produce faith to grasp eternal life & godliness to point others to Him. 

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came  to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos  watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7So neither the one who plants nor the  one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who  plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded  according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s  field, God’s building. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy. Alleluia. (Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the  Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Mark 4:26-34 

The kingdom grows when the seed is sown. The Word works. 

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the  ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,  though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk,  then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts  the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” 30 Again he said, “What shall we say  the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a  mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows  and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can  perch in its shade.” 33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as  much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a  parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 568 “Good News of God Above”

SERMON: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9  

Who’s Who 

1. Planters 

➢ LORD Jesus, thank you for the people who were planters in my life. 

 LORD Jesus, help me be a planter. 

2. Waterers 

➢ LORD Jesus, thank you for people who are waterers in my life. 

 LORD Jesus, help me be a waterer. 

3. Producer 

➢ LORD Jesus, make things grow. 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 324 “Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast” 

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen. 

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.  

HYMN 327 “God Be with You till We Meet Again” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

VISITORS, PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK 

GUEST PASTOR: It is good to have Pastor Kieth Kuschel and his wife, Karen in our midst  again. Pastor Kuschel served St. Paul’s for 3 months before Pastor Himm retired. Pastor  Kuschel has served many congregations as a retired vacancy pastor. Thank you for your  faithful service. 

NEXT SUNDAY: Pastor Brad Krause from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton,  WI, will be our guest pastor. 

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

June 9, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

June 9, 2024 2nd Sunday after Pentecost “Rest is a Gift, not something Earned” 

WELCOME 

HYMN 238 “Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O God, you rule over all things in wisdom and kindness. Take away everything that may be  harmful and give us whatever is good; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and  reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 

The LORD commanded that the Sabbath day be observed so that we might rest and remember all that  he has done for us. 

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded  you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath  to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or  daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your  animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female  servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that  the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched  arm. Therefore, the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Colossians 2:13-17 

All God’s commands about religious festivals and the Sabbath day were meant to point us to the spiritual 

rest found in Christ. 

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made  you[a]alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our  legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away,  nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a  public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let  anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a  New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that  were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Alleluia.  (Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the  Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

GOSPEL: Mark 2:23-3:6 

The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. 

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked  along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look,  why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never  read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the  days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated  bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his  companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for  the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” 31 Another time Jesus  went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2Some of them  were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he  would heal him on the Sabbath. 3Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand  up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to  do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked  around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the  man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely  restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how  they might kill Jesus. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 338 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”

SERMON: Numbers 6:22-27  

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.” 

The Lord Speaks A Triune Blessing  

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 4 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 336 “Come Unto Me, Ye Weary” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 332 “Go, My Children, With My Blessing” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

GUEST PASTOR: Professor Andrew Naumann has served at MLS since 2008 first as a  tutor and now as a professor. His wife, Faith, has been with him for all 16 of those years,  having two of their kids raised in the dorm. The other two have grown up in the shadow of  the school. Josiah is 15, Lyla 13, Eva 10, and Jude 6. Thank you!

Service of Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

June 2, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660  

website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee 

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

Trinity Sunday…. Truths about God Too Good to Make Up 

WELCOME 

HYMN 195 “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” – please stand for last stanza 

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

C: Amen. 

M: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know  that full well….Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written  in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:14,16) 

C: I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my  body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my  senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes,  food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I  have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this  body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects  me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and  mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to  thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. 

M: I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your  father. (Psalm 2:7) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far  from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1) 

C: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity,  and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed  me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins,  from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but  with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,  that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in  everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

M: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast  me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your  salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your  ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51:10-13 C: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength 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 and kept me in the true faith. In  the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole  Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true  faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and  the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead,  and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly  true. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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

C: Amen.  

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 6:1-8 

The triune God delivers Isaiah from guilt and sin and offers Isaiah lofty purpose. 

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a  throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each  with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered  their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the  sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled  with smoke. 5“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the  LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand,  which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said,  “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall send? And who will go for  us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

M: The word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 8:12-17 

The triune God gifts us the right to speak to our Father, the comfort of our Brother, and the indwelling  of the Spirit. 

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to  live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the  Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are  led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not  make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought  about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b]Father.” 16 The Spirit  himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children,  then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his  sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

M: The word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

M: Alleluia. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL: John 3:1-17 

Jesus teaches a Pharisee named Nicodemus about the kingdom of the triune God, who rules in the heart  of all those who are born again. 

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the  Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you  are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are  doing if God were not with him.” 3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see  the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4“How can someone be born when  they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their  mother’s womb to be born!” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter  the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to  flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying,  ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound,  but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone  born of the Spirit.” 9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s  teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you,  we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people  do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not  believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever  gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as  Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world  that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but  have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,  but to save the world through him. 

M: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to Christ. 

HYMN 277 “God, We Praise You” 

SERMON: Romans 8:12-17  

The Family of the Triune God 

ATHANASIAN CREED - selected sections 

M: Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all else, hold to the true Christian faith. C: Whoever does not keep this faith pure in all points will certainly perish  forever. 

M: Now this is the true Christian faith: 

C: We worship one God in three persons and three persons in one God, without mixing the persons or dividing the divine being. 

M: For each person—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is distinct, C: but the deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory and  coeternal in majesty. 

M: What the Father is, so is the Son, and so is the Holy Spirit. 

The Father is uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated; 

the Father is infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite; 

the Father is eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal; 

C: yet they are not three who are eternal, but there is one who is eternal, just as they are not three who are uncreated, nor three who are infinite, but there is one who is uncreated and one who is infinite. 

M: In the same way the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty; C: yet they are not three who are almighty, but there is one who is almighty. M: So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God; 

C: yet they are not three Gods, but one God. 

M: So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord; 

C: yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord. 

M: For just as Christian truth compels us to confess each person individually to be God and Lord, C: so the true Christian faith forbids us to speak of three Gods or three Lords. M: The Father is neither made nor created nor begotten of anyone. 

The Son is neither made nor created, but is begotten of the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeds from the Father and  the Son.

C: So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. 

M: And within this Trinity none comes before or after; none is greater or inferior, but all three persons are coequal and coeternal, 

C: so that in every way, as stated before, all three persons are to be   worshiped as one God and one God worshiped as three persons. M: Whoever wishes to be saved must have this conviction of the Trinity…. This is the true  Christian faith. 

C: Whoever does not faithfully and firmly believe this cannot be saved. PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER 

COMMUNION  

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship  connected with the Lord’s Supper we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS communicant  members come forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor  Himm offers a class so you can become a communicant member. 

M: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you. 

M: Lift up your hearts. 

C: We lift them up to the Lord. 

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

C: It is right to give him thanks and praise. 

M: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every  spiritual blessing. In perfect unity with his Son and the Holy Spirit, he is the source, guide, and  goal of our lives now and always. Now have come the salvation and the power and the  kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the  Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever: 

WORDS OF INSTITUTION 

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always. 

C: Amen. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 

M: We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet you have given us in  this Sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and   strengthened our love. By your Spirit, help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns  with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

C: Amen. 

BLESSING 

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with  gladness. 

The Lord bless you and keep you. 

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. 

The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. 

C: Amen.  

HYMN 334 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway. 

If you do not have a church home, St. Paul’s would love to serve you!

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

May 26, 2024

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

May 26, 2024 Pentecost

“Christ Has Not Left Us Alone” 

WELCOME 

HYMN 176 “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in our  hearts the holy fire of your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our  Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, now and forever.  (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Ezekiel 37:1-14 

The Lord allows Ezekiel to see that the Spirit would give that prophet’s words the power to raise the dead  to life. 

1 The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set  me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and  I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me,  “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”4 Then he said  to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of  the LORD!5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter  you, and you will come to life. 6I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you  and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will  know that I am the LORD.’” 7So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying,  there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8I looked,  and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in  them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it,  ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into  these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered  them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope  is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the  Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them;  I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am  the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you  and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I  the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

SECOND LESSON: Acts 2:1-21 

The Day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out his Spirit. 

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly 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.4All 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.6When 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?9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of  Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and  the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism);  Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own  tongues!”12Amazed 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. 21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of your  love. Alleluia

(Sing) Alleluia.....page 40 

GOSPEL: John 14:25-27 

The Spirit comes forth from the Father and the Son. He is the Paraclete, the one called to be at our side.  

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. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 182 “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling” 

SERMON: John 15:1-8 – sermon by Pastor John Eich 

Jesus Calls His Star Witness 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 4 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 190 “We Now Implore God the Holy Ghost” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 183 “Holy Spirit, Light Divine” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

All readings from NIV’11

May 19, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 Website: www.StPaulsManistee.com 

Facebook: SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

May 19, 2024 Easter 7

Jesus Prays for Us in this Broken World 

WELCOME 

HYMN 242 “Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at your right hand.  Through your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know him and faith to follow where he has  gone; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen.  

FIRST LESSON: Acts 6:1-9, 7:2, 51-60 

Simply for proclaiming Christ, the Sanhedrin wanted to kill Stephen. Christ used their murderous intent to  enable Stephen to overcome this broken world. 

1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them  complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily  distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would  not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 

3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the  Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention  to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon,  Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to  the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7So the word of God spread. The  number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became  obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great  wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the  Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the  provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen…. 

71 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our  father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran…. 51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like  your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your ancestors  did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was  given through angels but have not obeyed it.” 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard  this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy  Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of  God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of  God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed  at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid  their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen  prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do  not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Jesus standing at the  right hand of God. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 8 – page 67 

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 5:1-6 

St. John explains that everyone born of God overcomes the world. 

7Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the  father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by  loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his  commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of  God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our  faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son  of God. 6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by  water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the  truth. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come  to you. Alleluia.  

(Sing) Alleluia.....page 40 

GOSPEL: John 17:11-19 

Jesus, our great high priest, prays that his Father would sanctify us with his truth and enable us to overcome  the world. 

13 (Holy Father,) “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word  and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the  world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them  from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the  truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the  world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 167 “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense” 

SERMON: John 17:13-19 

Jesus Prays for Us in this Broken World 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 42 

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 284 “How Precious Is the Book Divine” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 579 “Lift High the Cross” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway. 

COUNCIL MEETING – after refreshments today.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

All readings from NIV ‘11

May 12, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 Website: www.StPaulsManistee.com 

Facebook: SPLCManistee 

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

May 12, 2024 Ascension Christ has ascended, He is closer than ever. 

WELCOME 

HYMN 171 “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 1:1-11 

Before Jesus ascends, he promises to send his disciples the Holy Spirit so that he could continue to carry  out his saving work through the Church. 

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to  teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy  Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them  and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period  of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating  with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my  Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered  around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to  Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has  set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on  you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the  ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going,  when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they  said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken  from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 47 – page 85 

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 4:7-16 

St. Paul explains the power and purpose of Christ’s ascension. Jesus left this world for our good. He  ascended so that he could give gifts to us. 

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why itsays: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9(What  does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly  regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens,  in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets,  the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so  that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the  knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the  fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the  waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and  craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we  will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is,  Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting  ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

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

(Sing) Alleluia.....page 40 

GOSPEL: Luke 24:44-53 

The risen Savior ascended, and his disciples responded with joyful worship. 

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 Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third  day, 47 and repentance for the 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.” 50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up  his hands and blessed them. 51While 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. 53And  they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 169 “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” 

SERMON: Ephesians 4:7-16 

Gifts from our Ascended Lord. 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 4 

ASCENSION PRAYER 

M: Blessed Jesus, you ascended to the right hand of your Father’s majesty, power, and  glory and now reign as eternal King of kings and Lord of lords.  C: We praise you for your victory over sin, death, Satan, and hell. 

M: O ascended Prophet, equip your Church to proclaim the precious gospel message  of God’s love for all the world. 

C: Give courage to our hearts, power to our words, and success to  our efforts. 

M: O ascended High Priest, represent us before the Father as his own dear children  and heirs. Defend us against Satan’s every accusation. Ask for the Father’s rich  blessings in our everyday lives. 

C: Plead for his mercy and grace on our behalf. 

M: O ascended King, direct the affairs of governments and nations that they may  serve the best interest of your Church. 

C: You are our Lord, Master, and King.  Special prayers and intercessions may follow. 

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

Silent prayer. 

M: As the disciples lifted their eyes to watch your ascension, so lift our eyes daily to  look for your coming again in glory.

C: Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. 

LORD’S PRAYER 

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

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 341 “Crown Him with Many Crowns” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

If you are visiting today, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway.

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

May 5, 2024

St Paul’s  

Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660   

 website: StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook: SPLCManistee  

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

May 5, 2024 Easter 6 Love is Jesus’ Business and Ours 

WELCOME 

HYMN 241“Alleluia! Let Praises Ring” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes from you. Inspire us to think those things  that are true and 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 and reigns  with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 9:36-42 

Because Tabitha loved Jesus, she was always helping the poor in the town of Joppa. Because Jesus loved  the people of Joppa, he had Peter raise Tabitha from the dead. 

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was  always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died,  and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so  when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged  him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was  taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him  the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.  Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and  seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then  he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 4:7,19-21 

Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves  has been born of God and knows God….19 We love because he first loved  us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever  does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom  they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must  also love their brother and sister. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  

C: Alleluia Response – page 30 

GOSPEL: John 15:9-17 

The living Lord gives us this command. Remain in his love so that we might also love each other. 

9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you  keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s  commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you  and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have  loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s  friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you  servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called  you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to  you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might  go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the  Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.” 

HYMN 491 “O Master of the Loving Heart” 

SERMON: 1 John 4:7,19-21   Loved & Loving 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35

Because God’s Word clearly teaches us about the Real Presence and the fellowship  connected with the Lord’s Supper we kindly ask that only WELS and ELS communicant  members come forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Pastor  Himm offers a class so you can become a communicant member. 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING pages 37 

(sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 492 “Son of God, Eternal Savior” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway.

Service of the Word & Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

April 28, 2024

    St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

                                  facebook.com/SPLCManistee   

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

April 28, 2024 5th Sunday of Easter “The Living Lord Produces Active Faith” 

WELCOME 

HYMN 168 “With High Delight Let Us Unite” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you  command and 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 and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 4:32-37 

In the early church, as the apostles preached the resurrection of Christ, the living Lord produced the fruits  or unity and generosity. 

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their  possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power  the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s  grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons  among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold  them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was  distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the  apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he  owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 67 – page 91 

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 3:18-24 

St. John encourages us to demonstrate living faith in loving words and actions. 

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest  in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our  hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we  have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep  his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the  name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The  one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we  know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

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.....page 40 

GOSPEL: John 15:1-8 

Jesus is the vine who gives us, his branches, the ability to produce fruits of faith. 

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me  that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesso that it will be  even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to  you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must  remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5I am the vine;  you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart  from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that  is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and  burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,  and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit,  showing yourselves to be my disciples.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 497 “This Is My Will” 

SERMON: John 15:1-8

Stay Connected to the Vine of Christ 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 4 

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 43 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 462 “Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 323 “Almighty Father, Bless the Word” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

April 21, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

April 21, 2024 4th Sunday of Easter “The Risen Savior Provides Good Shepherding” 

WELCOME 

HYMN 360 “The Lord’s My Shepherd; I’ll Not Want” 

 (Please stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O 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 and reign with him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 20:28-32 

The good shepherd asks his sub-shepherds to keep watch over the flock. 

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you  overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare  the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order  to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three  years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 Now I commit  you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an  inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM 23 – page 72

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 4:1-6 

St. John encourages us to test all those who claim to have a spiritual message. Not all such individuals  have been sent by God. 

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are  from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how  you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ  has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus  is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming  and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have  overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the  world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the  world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God  listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we  recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 

P: The Word of the Lord. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I am the good shepherd;  I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Alleluia. 

(Sing) Alleluia.....page 40 

GOSPEL: John 10:11-18 

Jesus explains why he is the good shepherd. 

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The  hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf  coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and  scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the  sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just  as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I  have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will  listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my  Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it  from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and  authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” 

P: The Gospel of the Lord. 

C: Praise be to you, O Christ! 

HYMN 375 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

SERMON: John 10:11-18 

Jesus Is Truly the Good Shepherd 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 4 

PRAYER  

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 515 “Shepherd of Tender Youth” 

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 432 “I Am Jesus' Little Lamb” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING after refreshments today. 

REMEMBER: St. Paul’s offers Sunday School for children and Bible Class for adults  before each Sunday service at 9 am. All are invited to grow in God’s Word. 

SERVING TODAY 

Pastor Dennis Himm 

Organist Kay Himm

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

April 14, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

StPaulsManistee.com www. facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

April 14, 2024 3rd Sunday of Easter

WE HAVE A MEANINGFUL MESSAGE TO SHARE 

May God bless your worship and your opportunities to share Easter’s meaningful message. WELCOME 

HYMN 160 “This Joyful Eastertide” (stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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 and the hope of eternal joys; through your  Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 3:11-20 

Peter healed a crippled beggar, drawing a large crowd. Peter used that opportunity to share a meaningful message about  the one the people of Jerusalem asked Pilate to crucify. 

11While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to  them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow  Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness  we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has  glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before  Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked  that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the  dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know  was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed  him, as you can all see. 17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your  leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his  Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that  times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been  appointed for you—even Jesus. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 1:5-2:2 

St. John summarizes the meaningful message we have heard and been called to declare: God is light.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no  darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do  not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one  another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we  deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will  forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we  make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 21 My dear children, I write this to you so that  you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the  Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins  of the whole world. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Our hearts were burning within us while he talked  with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us. Alleluia.  

(Sing) Alleluia.....page 40 

GOSPEL: Luke 24:36-49 

The risen Savior gives us peace. He also gives us a mission. We are to share the message of repentance and  forgiveness. 

36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace  be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to  them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my  feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 

40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe  it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave  him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 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 Messiah will suffer and rise  from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the 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.” 

HYMN 288 “The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace” 

SERMON: 1 John 1:5-2:2 

God’s Light, Our Delight 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 358 (1,2,7) “How Sweet the Name  

 of Jesus Sounds ”

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 579 “Lift High the Cross” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway.

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

April 7, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

  www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

 Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821 

THE LIVING LORD GIVES PROOF AND PEACE 

May the resurrected Savior bless your worship 

and strengthen your faith with his Word and Sacrament. 

WELCOME 

HYMN 147 “Like the Golden Sun Ascending” 

– please stand for last stanza 

COMMON SERVICE - pages 15-17 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

O risen Lord, you came to your disciples and took away their fears with your word of peace.  Come to us also by your Word and sacrament, and banish our fears with the comforting  assurance of your abiding presence; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Acts 18:1-11 

The promised presence of the living Lord gave Paul the courage to keep on speaking the gospel, even  when Paul was facing harsh persecution. 

1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila,  a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because  Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he  was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he  reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and  Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching,  testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6But when they opposed Paul and  became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be  on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then  Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord;  and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. 9 One night  the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be  silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have  many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching  them the word of God. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 1:1-4 

St. John reminds us that there were witnesses who saw and touched Jesus raised from the dead. This  resurrection serves as proof that eternal life is ours.  

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with  our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim  concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and  we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to  us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have  fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus  Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Blessed are those who have not  seen and yet have believed. Alleluia. 

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 

The risen Savior offers proof and peace to his disciples. 

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.”24Now  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. 28Thomas 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 – pages 18, 19 

HYMN 165 (1,5-8) “O Sons and Daughters of the King” 

SERMON: John 20:19-31 

Proofs to Confirm our Faith 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER 

COMMUNION LITURGY – pages 21-23  

DISTRIBUTION 

SONG OF SIMEON – pages 24 

PRAYER – page 25 

BLESSING  

 (Sing) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 145 “Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

March 31, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 24, 2024 Palm Sunday Rethinking Real Strength 

WELCOME 

HYMN 131 “All Glory, Laud and Honor” 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

M: We praise you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you redeemed us through  your Son, Jesus Christ. As he was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments and  branches of palm in his path, so may we always hail him as our King and follow him  with perfect confidence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,  now and forever. 

C: (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Zechariah 9:9-12 

The prophet Zechariah foretold a king who is both infinitely strong and perfectly humble. He would enter  Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey. 

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jeru-salem! See, your king  comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and 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 and from the River to the ends  of the earth. 11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will  free your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your fortress, you  prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to  you.

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 12:1-3 

Jesus demonstrated strength by enduring the cross. He did so for the joy set before him: redeeming us  from our sin. 

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us  throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us  run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the  pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the  cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of  God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you  will not grow weary and lose heart. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  

The Alleluia response is omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-10 

The almighty Son of God demonstrates real strength by humbly riding into Jerusalem knowing he will  soon be put to death. 

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the  Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the  village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which  no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are  you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they  untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them  go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat  on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread  branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who  followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the  Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the  highest heaven!” 

HYMN 133 “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” 

SERMON: Hebrews 12:1-3 

Rethinking Real Strength 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 351 “Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus”  

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 130 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway. 

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP: Redeemer in Scottville will have their Maundy  Thursday service and Good Friday services at 1:30 pm. You are cordially invited! 

EASTER SUNDAY: No Bible Class. Easter Breakfast Potluck at 9 AM in the  back of the church. Orange juice and coffee will be provided. 

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

March 24, 2024

St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

Palm Sunday Rethinking Real Strength 

WELCOME 

HYMN 131 “All Glory, Laud and Honor” 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

M: We praise you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you redeemed us through  your Son, Jesus Christ. As he was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments and  branches of palm in his path, so may we always hail him as our King and follow him  with perfect confidence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,  now and forever. 

C: (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Zechariah 9:9-12 

The prophet Zechariah foretold a king who is both infinitely strong and perfectly humble. He would enter  Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey. 

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jeru-salem! See, your king  comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and 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 and from the River to the ends  of the earth. 11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will  free your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your fortress, you  prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to  you.

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 12:1-3 

Jesus demonstrated strength by enduring the cross. He did so for the joy set before him: redeeming us  from our sin. 

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us  throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us  run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the  pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the  cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of  God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you  will not grow weary and lose heart. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  

The Alleluia response is omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-10 

The almighty Son of God demonstrates real strength by humbly riding into Jerusalem knowing he will  soon be put to death. 

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the  Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the  village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which  no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are  you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they  untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them  go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat  on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread  branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who  followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the  Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the  highest heaven!” 

HYMN 133 “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” 

SERMON: Hebrews 12:1-3 

Rethinking Real Strength 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 351 “Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus”  

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 130 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway. 

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP: Redeemer in Scottville will have their Maundy  Thursday service and Good Friday services at 1:30 pm. You are cordially invited! 

EASTER SUNDAY: No Bible Class. Easter Breakfast Potluck at 9 AM in the  back of the church. Orange juice and coffee will be provided. 

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

March 17, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

Rethinking Devoted Commitment 

WELCOME 

HYMN 122 “Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle” 

Please stand for the last stanza. 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Eternal God and Father, help us to remember Jesus, who obeyed your will and bore the cross for our  salvation that through his anguish, pain, and death we may receive forgiveness of sins and inherit  eternal life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,  one God, now and forever.  

(Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 43:1-7 

In devoted commitment the LORD promises his people that even if they need to pass through raging waters or  walk through a wall of fire, he will be right there with them. 

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When  you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers, they  will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames  will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I  give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4Since you are precious and  honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in  exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from  the east and gather you from the west. 6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the 

south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of  the earth— 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I  formed and made.” 

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 5:7-9 

Because he was truly human Jesus did not relish having to suffer for our salvation. Yet he submitted to the cross  out of his devoted commitment to us. 

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries  and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his  reverent submission. 8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and,  once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The Alleluia response is omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: John 12:20-33 

Though the thought of the cross troubled his soul, Jesus was committed to glorifying his Father’s name by  winning eternal life for us. 

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They  came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would  like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus  replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a  kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces  many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this  world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my  servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 “Now my soul is  troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I  came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified  it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others  said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now  is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I,  when I am lifted up[g]from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the  kind of death he was going to die. 

HYMN 120 “What Wondrous Love Is This” 

SERMON: John 12:20-33 

Rethinking Commitment 

– It’s What Changes Transforms a Promise to Reality

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 387 “Drawn to the Cross”  

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 43 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 470 “Praise to You and Adoration” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway. 

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP: at Redeemer in Scottville this Wednesday at 1:30 pm.  A meal will be served at 12:30 prior to the service. All are welcome.

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

March 10, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee.com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Lent 4

Rethinking the Solution to Sin 

WELCOME 

HYMN 108 “Jesus, Refuge of the Weary” 

 (stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

M: 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 and to comfort us with your salvation; through your Son, Jesus  Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Numbers 21:4-9 

The LORD promised a solution for the bite of venomous snakes. That solution perhaps seemed nonsensical. Yet, all those  who trusted God’s promise lived. 

4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people  grew impatient on the way; 5they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you  brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we  detest this miserable food!” 6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the  people and many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke  against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses  prayed for the people. 8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone  who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then  when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. 

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 2:1-10 

God’s solution to sin is offered by grace and received through faith. 

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when  you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who  is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one  time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is  rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is  by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in  the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the  incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by  grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of  God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in  Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall  not perish but have eternal life.  

The Alleluia response is omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: John 3:14-21 

Christ is the solution to sin. Whoever believes in Christ shall not perish but have eternal life. 

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that  everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his  one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did  not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through  him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned  already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were  evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their  deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen  plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 

HYMN 391 “God Loved the World So That He Gave” 

SERMON: Numbers 21:4-9 

Rethinking the Solution to Sin 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

RESPONSIVE PRAYER FOR LENT- page 125 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 106 “Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain”  

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 388 “Redeemed”, Restored, Forgiven”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway. 

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP: at Redeemer in Scottville this Wednesday at 1:30pm. There is  no meal before this service. The next meal will be on March 20.

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

March 3, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

 313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660   

 website: StPaulsManistee.com 

facebook.com/SPLCManistee 

March 3, 2024 Lent 3 

Rethinking the Worth of Worship 

May the LORD bless your worship. 

WELCOME 

HYMN 255 “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” 

– please stand for last stanza 

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

Almighty God, look with favor on your humble servants and stretch out the right hand  of your power to defend us against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, your Son,  our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Exodus 20:1-17 

The Ten Commandments teach us that God is to be worshiped above all. Why? He is the God who  brought us out of slavery. 

1 And God spoke all these words: 2“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of  Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3“You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 4“You  shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the  earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or  worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for  the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but  showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not  hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.8“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping  it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a  sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor  your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and  the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore  the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your  mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You  shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You  shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your  neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female  servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 

Whatever it is you trust most, that is what you truly worship. Some worship intelligence. Others worship  power. May we worship Christ for what he did on the cross. 

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.” 20Where 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 Gen-tiles, 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. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  

Alleluia is omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: John 2:13-22 

Jesus restores his Father’s house to what it was supposed to be: a place of worship for all people. 

13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In  the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting  at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the  temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers  and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of  here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that  it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then responded to  him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus  answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They  replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised  from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the  scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. 

HYMN 390 “Salvation unto Us Has Come” 

SERMON: John 2:13-2228  

Rethinking the Worth of Worship 

NICENE’ CREED - page 31 

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER 

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35 

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION 

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36 

BLESSING pages 37 

(sung) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

HYMN 318 “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway. 

LENT WORSHIP AT REDEEMER, SCOTTVILLE – This Wednesday at 1:30  pm. All are invited.

Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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

February 25, 2024

St Paul’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church 

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 

 www.StPaulsManistee. com 

 facebook.com/SPLCManistee

February 25, 2024 Lent 2

May God bless your worship as we rethink suffering under the cross.

HYMN 434 “Lord, You I Love with All My Heart” 

 (stand for last stanza) 

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  

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

C: (Sing) Amen. 

FIRST LESSON: Job 1:13-22 

Job is given a heavy cross, but it does not crush his faith. Instead, God uses Job’s cross to move Job to  worship and praise the LORD. 

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest  brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the  donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They  put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 

16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell  from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who  has escaped to tell you!” 17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said,  “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made  off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped  to tell you!” 18While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your  sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when  suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. 

It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell  you!” 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the  ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will  depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be  praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. 

SECOND LESSON: Romans 5:1-11 

St. Paul teaches that God works through our suffering to shape our Christian character and to lead us to  cling to Christ’s gracious promises. 

12 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through  our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in  which we now stand. And we[b]boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but  we[c]also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces  perseverance; 4perseverance, 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. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still  powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous  person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God  demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from  God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to  him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be  saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord  Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 

VERSE OF THE DAY: 

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

Alleluias are omitted during Lent 

GOSPEL: Mark 8:31-38 

Jesus teaches of the absolute necessity of the cross, both his and ours. 

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be  rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be  killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him  aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he  rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns  of God, but merely human concerns.” 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his  disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up  their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever  loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for someone to  gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for  their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful  generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 

HYMN 465 “Jesus, I My Cross I Have Taken” 

SERMON: Mark 8:31-38 

Rethinking Suffering Under the Cross 

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41 

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42 

LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN 429 “What God Ordains is Always Good”  

PRAYER - page 43 

C: Amen. (sung) 

BLESSING - page 443 

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung) 

HYMN 433 “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS 

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR 

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

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway. 

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP: at Redeemer in Scottville this Wednesday at  1:30pm. There is no meal before this service.

Common Service © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

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