St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

website: StPaulsManistee.com

facebook: SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

February 2, 2025 Epiphany 4

POPULARITY IS NOT PROOF OF SUCCESS

WELCOME

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

– please stand for last stanza

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord God, you know that we are surrounded by many dangers and that we often stumble and fall. Strengthen us in body and mind, and bring us safely through all temptations; 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: Jeremiah 1:4-10

The LORD called Jeremiah to fearlessly share God’s Word, even if what he said made him unpopular.

4 The word of the LORD came to me. 5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. 6 But I said, “Ah, LORD God! I really do not know how to speak! I am only a child!” 7 The LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone to whom I send you and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, because I am with you, and I will rescue you, declares the LORD.” 9 Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. The LORD said to me: There! I have now placed my words in your mouth. 10 Look, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

HYMN 293 “God's Word Is Our Great Heritage”

SECOND LESSON: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

A temptation is for spiritual teachers to say only what people want to hear, equating personal popularity with success. St. Paul gives young Pastor Timothy a different agenda.

14 As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God breath-ed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work. 41I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching.3For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. 4 They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord is on me; he has anointed me to preach good news. 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: Luke 4:38-44

Jesus was popular in Capernaum. The people wanted him to stay there permanently. Jesus knew for his mission to be successful, he needed to proclaim the good news in other towns.

38 Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39 He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40 As the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42When it was day, he went out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. They went up to him and were trying to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he continued to preach in the synagogues in the land of the Jews.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

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

HYMN 284 “How Precious Is the Book Divine”

SERMON: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Use God’s Word Faithfully

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 request that only WELS and ELS communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor Himm.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 203 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”

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.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Do you or someone you know what to learn more about God, forgiveness, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and much more? Are you interested in church membership? Then Pastor Himm has a class for you. There is no obligation and it’s free. Contact Himm to set up a convenient time to meet for a class designed for you.

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