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, your love for all people led you to the cross to shed your blood for every man, woman, and child. Forgive me when I fail to show the same all-encompassing compassion as you, especially as I look down on others because of who they are or the sins they’ve committed. Show me your grace today shown in your all-sufficient sacrifice, and strengthen me that I can rejoice with you when anyone comes to you seeking your mercy. In your name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 912 Open, Lovely Doors
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
LORD, HAVE MERCY
O LORD, OUR LORD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST READING Isaiah 56:1, 6–8
SECOND READING Ephesians 2:13–22
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Ephesians 2:13
GOSPEL Matthew 15:21–28
HYMN OF THE DAY 855 The Church’s One Foundation
SERMON Ephesians 2:13–22 Brought Near
by ____________ ______________________
to _________________ _______________________
to _____________
to be __________________________ _____________
to be _______________________ ____________________
for _______ _______________________________
NICENE CREED
OFFERTORY 749 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending sts. 1, 3
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 868 By Faith
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 870 O Church, Arise
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 526 What Wondrous Love Is This
Thanksgiving
THANK THE LORD
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 932 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship with Communion
12:00 pm Bangor Fun Daze Parade
MONDAY 5:00 pm Bible Information Class
7:00 pm Worship with Communion
TUESDAY 2:30 pm Bible Information Class
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FUN DAZE PARADE
Join us today at noon as we walk together and hand out invites and Scripture to our community in the Fun Daze parade. God be praised for this easy opportunity to help grow his kingdom!
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.
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.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Gary and Christa Lemke, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Shelly Horstman, Kelly Langrehr, Mary Holzhausen, Twyla Krueger, and Carol Hesselberg.