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
God of the universe, I am in need of salvation. I am a sinner who deserves nothing good from you, and I often convince myself I can earn your favor. Open my eyes to your Son, the Savior of the world. Lift my heart with the promise that I—even I—am forgiven in him. Help me raise up my voice today to sing your praises for your gracious gift of salvation in Christ. In his name I pray. Amen.
CHOIR Seek Ye First
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST LESSON Genesis 12:1-8
SECOND LESSON Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
VERSE OF THE DAY Philippians 2:8b
GOSPEL John 3:1-17
HYMN OF THE DAY God Loved the World So that He Gave | 391
SERMON Genesis 12:1-8 Blessed by God’s Promises
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord | 309
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice | 377
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared | 312
SONG OF SIMEON
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN From All that Dwell below the Skies | 250
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MIDWEEK…STUDY
Our midweek study is How to Study the Bible. This study is a tool to help Christians meditate on God’s Word. In this meditation is defined as a combination of Bible study and prayer. The class members are taught to use Luther’s four strands and are given an opportunity to develop their own personal Bible reading plans.
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES CONTINUE
Our Wednesday Lenten services continue this week at 7:00 pm. The overall theme for the 2023 Lenten services is “His Final Steps.” The series ponders the significance of the people and places on Jesus’ resolute final steps to the cross and three days later, his first steps from the tomb.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES?
If you notice that your name or the name of a family member is not being mentioned for birthday and anniversary prayers on Sunday, it means we don’t have them in our church management system. Feel free to email the dates to Pastor Groth (pastor@stpaulsbangor.com) or to our church secretary, Shelly Lafky (churchoffice@stpaulsbangor.com). Also, fear not! We do technically pray “for all those with…” birthdays and anniversaries, and the Lord knows. 🙂
ALTAR FLOWERS
If you’d like to contribute flowers for the church altar for worship services, there’s a signup in the lobby on the bulletin board. Also, if you’d like to have the reason/memorial for the flowers in the New and Announcements, send Pastor Groth an email and he’ll make sure to include it.
GRIEF SUPPORT
If you or someone you know is grieving, you are invited to our next Grief Support meeting on Tuesday, March 7, at 7:00 pm. We meet at St. John’s Lutheran in Barre Mills. Please come for comfort and encouragement from God’s Word and from God’s people. Our topic for discussion next week will be “Coping with My Emotions.”
NEW CHRISTIAN WORSHIP HYMNAL
The Council would like to thank the New Hymnal Committee for their year and a half of diligent, thoughtful and thorough analysis in coming up with a recommendation concerning our synod’s new Christian Worship hymnal. This hymnal was released at the end of 2021. The Committee consisted of Pastor Groth, Brian Berg, Harriet Langrehr, Mark Larson, Brad Gollnik, Penny Adickes and Sam Lindemann.
Based upon that committee’s recommendation, the council has approved proceeding with the purchase of new hymnals. Implementation will be gradual, and the introduction will start this September. Some people like to purchase their own hymnals for home. While the congregation will be providing all hymnals necessary for worship, if you or anyone you know wish to purchase a hymnal yourself, please notify Pastor Groth, and we will order the hymnal for you. The total cost for the new hymnals and all supporting materials will be approximately $9,000. Currently we have about $225 in the New Hymnal Fund, and the Ladies Aid has expressed an interest in contributing to the cost. In the past, memorials and special donations have covered much of the hymnal cost. We anticipate this will again be the case, and any special donations or memorials designated to the new hymnals will be appreciated.
HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONS FROM MLC
To assist you in your Holy Week observance this year, Martin Luther College is once again providing a set of devotions as a gift to you: 7 + 1 Words from the Heart of God. In these devotions, you’ll ponder Christ’s seven words from the cross—plus an additional Easter word. As Jesus suffers, what are his thoughts bent toward? What is he most concerned about? What is he personally experiencing? His own words give us a glimpse into the heart of the omnipotent God himself, who somehow feels sorrow and suffering as he defeats sorrow and suffering. Some of Jesus’ words are somber. Some are sublime. Others signify victory. And all of them matter. You can read these devotions online or request them to be sent to your personal email on a daily basis, Palm Sunday to Easter, April 2-9. In the email, you’ll receive the written devotion and the link to the author’s audio recording. https://mlc-wels.edu/publications/seasonal-devotions/
CHURCH BASEMENT UPDATE
This summer our church basement will be updated. The update includes new carpet, updated kitchen cabinets and appliances, and updated technology for Bible studies and streaming. We will also be replacing the carpet in the sanctuary with new red carpet. Everything is tentatively planned to begin the week of June 5. The funding for the updates is coming from a generous bequest designated for capital improvements. God be praised for his blessings to our church!
BAND FEST HOSTS REALLY NEEDED!
Luther High School hosts the WELS National Band Festival March 17-19. We need host families to house the over 100 visiting students March 16-19. Please consider hosting and contact Mr. Witte for more info at wittjona@luther.k12.wi.us. Thank you!
LUTHERAN PIONEERS
Lutheran Pioneers is helping youth build their lives around Christ. Beginning with a solid foundation, the program aims to strengthen future generations and leaders with truth and wisdom through outdoor activities, creative projects, and group adventures. The skills that boys and girls learn in the Pioneers prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow—while they build a strong Christian community around them.
We are currently gauging interest in starting a Lutheran Pioneers program here at St. Paul’s. If you and your child are interested in joining a Pioneers program, please contact Pastor Groth at pastor@stpaulsbangor.com.
For more information on the programs, visit lutheranpioneers.org and lgp.org.
WELS TASTE OF MISSIONS
Registration for Taste of Missions 2023 is now open! You can join in person or online for a day of fellowship with our WELS home and world missionaries and volunteers from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. There will be multiple opportunities for fellowship, a worship service to commission new home and world missionaries, displays from our various mission fields, and activities for the whole family! In-person attendees can sample ethnic dishes from various countries where WELS conducts mission work as missionaries present on their experience and answer questions about life in a mission field. For those attending the event virtually, everything will be livestreamed for your participation. You can witness the commissioning worship service, hear our speakers from home and world mission fields, and try the ethnic recipes that will be shared online. View the full list of activities for the day and register at tasteofmissions.com. Registration is $15 per person, with children 13 and under attending for free. Those attending in person will receive food tickets to sample ethnic cuisine and can purchase additional food from the food trucks. Or attend virtually for free! Sign up today at tasteofmissions.com/register.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
MONDAY 6:00 pm Bible Basics Class
7:00 pm Choir Practice
TUESDAY 10:00 am Mornings with Mommy
7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
7:00 pm Lenten Service
8:00 pm Church Council & Education Committee Meeting
SATURDAY 3:30 pm Accreditation Meeting
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
6:30 pm PACE Meeting