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.

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