WELCOME TO WORSHIP
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we welcome you to St. Paul’s. We especially welcome our guests who have joined us today. We pray that your soul will be strengthened by the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus.
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S WORSHIP
Lord Jesus, you endured the cross as part of God’s plan to save me. Forgive me today for the times I fail to take up my cross and follow you. Refocus me on the life that truly matters, my eternal life in heaven, and strengthen me for a life of continually taking up my cross out of love and devotion to you above all things, even my earthly wellbeing. Continue to bless our ministry at church and school so more souls can receive the crown of glory in heaven with you. In your name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 818 My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
OH, TASTE AND SEE
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Jeremiah 15:15–21
HYMN 529 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
SECOND READING Romans 8:18–25
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mark 8:34
GOSPEL Matthew 16:21–26
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 694 Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
SERMON Colossians 2:6, 7 Rooted in Christ
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERTORY 752 Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings sts. 1, Ref, 2
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 693 O Gracious Lord, with Love Draw Near
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 850 It Is Well with My Soul
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
LAST MONDAY WORSHIP THIS YEAR
Note that Monday, August 31st, will be our last Monday worship service until next summer (the first Monday after Memorial Day).
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDIES
Everything starts back up the week of September 13th. Sunday School and Sunday Bible study begin again on September 13th, with midweek study beginning on September 15th and 16th. We pray the Lord continues to bless our families’ time in his Word together.
THREE-WEEK MISSION FESTIVAL
Beginning on September 13th, we will be celebrating a three-week worship and study focus called Come and See, reflecting on the disciples’ words about Jesus in John chapter 1. We’ll look at the mission we’ve all been given by our Savior as we take in The Calling We’ve Been Given, The Blessings We Have as Followers of Christ, and Inviting People to Connect to Christ. Pastor Quinn Bilitz from First Lutheran will join us that first Sunday for worship and for a presentation between services about God’s work through campus ministry in La Crosse. Our Sunday Bible study in weeks two and three will dive into John 1:35-51 and what we can learn as we invite people to see their Savior.
FIRST MIDWEEK STUDY
For our first midweek study of the study year, we’ll be tackling a difficult and deep topic: A Christian View of Death. This study looks at various issues related to suffering and death. It also addresses current issues like euthanasia and the world’s approach to death and dying. It will cover four lessons: The Art of Dying; Euthanasia; Death and the Child; and Life after Death. Join us for an eternally important topic, one for which God prepares us well. It will begin on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 pm, with the same study each week on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
SURROUND CARE HELP
We are looking for a surround care helper who would be willing to split time with our current surround care supervisor, Lisa Hammes. If you are interested in this position, please email Pastor Groth for a job description and with any questions. pastor@stpaulsbangor.com
SCHOOL DONATION BOARD
Located in the church entryway is a “Donation Board” that has some wish list items our St. Paul’s teachers have requested for their classrooms. If you’re willing and would like to contribute to the classrooms, feel free to pick an item from the board, purchase, and then bring the item back to the donation bin. Our students and teachers appreciate all of your support!
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Join us on Thursday, September 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. at the school for our Back to School Bash! Students, families, congregation members, and Sunday School families are all invited to help us celebrate the start of a new school year. Enjoy bounce houses, face painting, games, and a potluck meal! Please bring a nut-free dish to pass and your beverage of choice; utensils will be provided. Come enjoy a fun evening as we kick off the new school year together!
JOIN PACE!
Looking for a way to support our school and get involved? Consider joining PACE (Partners Active in Christian Education)! PACE helps support our students, teachers, and school through special events, activities, and other projects throughout the year. You do not need to have a child enrolled in our school to join—congregation and community members are welcome and encouraged to get involved! We’d love to have you join us as we work together to support our school and its ministry.
ST. PAUL’S EMAIL NEWS
These church and school news items also get sent out via email each week. You can add yourself to the email list using the QR code on the right or by navigating to the bottom center of our website. Make sure to “whitelist” pastor@stpaulsbangor.com so it doesn’t go straight to the spam folder.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THRIVENT MEMBERS
Are you a Thrivent member? Did you know that you can use your Thrivent membership to support projects right here at our church or school without any cost to you? Eligible members can receive an Action Team Card with up to $250 to help with a fundraiser, service project, educational event, or other approved activity. If you’re a Thrivent member and would like to use an Action Team Card to support our church or school, PACE would love to hear from you!
COULEE REGION JESUS CARES MINISTRY
Come join our Jesus Cares group for adapted worship services, Bible study, fellowship and fun! Jesus Cares is a ministry that provides Bible instruction and Christian friendship to people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are kicking off the 2026-27 school year with our Welcome Back to Jesus Cares meal and fellowship on Monday, September 14th. On Monday, September 21st we will begin our regularly scheduled adapted worship services and Bible classes. All Jesus Cares activities are held on Mondays from 4:30pm-5:45pm at First Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave S. in La Crosse. We are always welcoming new students, families, and volunteers! Please join us on September 14th or stop by on another Monday night to see what our group is all about. Feel free to contact us for more details by emailing couleeregionjesuscares@gmail.com or text/call Lisa Loersch at (920) 944-8759 or Kris Schwartz at (608) 797-5194 for more information and a 2026-27 school year schedule.
COULEE REGION OWLS MEETING
The Coulee Region OWLS will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at First Ev. Lutheran Church, 400 West Avenue South, La Crosse, at 12:00 Noon with a potluck luncheon. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Coffee will be provided. The program will be Jon Beilke, Luther High School Principal, discussing the progress of Luther High. All church members – men and women age 55 or older – are welcome. Please come for a visit, enjoy the friends you meet, a good lunch, and an informative program. There will be a goodwill offering.
LMSG SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Registration is open for the 2026 Spiritual Retreat, “Armor of God: Truth & Righteousness,” held October 8–11, 2026, at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Rochester, Minnesota. This Christ-centered retreat is designed for Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses, providing a unique opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and be renewed through God’s Word, worship, Christian fellowship, and meaningful conversations with others who understand the military journey. Travel assistance is available for those who need it.
Grounded in the truth of Scripture, the retreat brings together WELS and ELS pastors, mental health professionals, and Military Veterans and Spouses to address the spiritual, emotional, and relational challenges often experienced by military families. Through biblical teaching, peer connection, and practical resources, participants will be encouraged and equipped to stand firm in God’s promises.
Register at https://www.lutheranmilitary.org/.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Gary and Christa Lemke, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Shelly Horstman, Kelly Langrehr, Mary Holzhausen, Larry Langrehr, Carol Hesselberg, Bob Manke, Kathy Bottcher and Jeanne Steinhoff.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am School Opening Worship Service
11:15 am School Meeting & Registration @ School Gym
MONDAY First Day of School
5:00 pm Bible Information Class
7:00 pm Worship
TUESDAY 2:30 pm Bible Information Class
WEDNESDAY 6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Church Council Meeting
THURSDAY 5:30 pm Back to School Bash (Potluck)
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship with Communion