St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

January 19, 2025 Epiphany 2

GOD DELIVERS MORE THAN WE ASK, NOT LESS

WELCOME

HYMN 82 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” (Please stand for the last verse)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacra-ments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 62:1-5

The prophet Isaiah pictures the Church’s relationship with the Lord as an infinitely happy marriage. As our bridegroom, Christ delivers more than that for which we ask.

1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. 2 The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. 3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. 5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 133,134 – page 115

Happy the people the LORD has chosen to be his own.

SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 3:14-21

St. Paul teaches that God wants us to have a life that is fuller than we could possibly imagine.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia. (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written that we may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: John 2:1-11

To spare a newlywed couple embarrassment from having run out of wine, Mary asks Jesus to do something. Jesus delivers more than his mother asks, turning water into the choicest of wine.

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

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

HYMN 602 “God of Love and God of Marriage”

SERMON: John 2:1-11 Jesus is the Friend You Need

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)

HYMN 411 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen.

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

HYMN 84 "Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun"

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

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

THANK YOU to all who help de-decorate the church. The many hands made the job easy and we were able to accomplish the task quickly. The pizza, chocolates, and lemon bars were delicious.

ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING – Next Sunday after worship the voters’ will meet for their Annual Meeting. Please plan to attend.

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