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, when I was spiritually blind and wandering in darkness, you opened my spiritual eyes to your grace. Forgive me for the times I still struggle to open my eyes to your words of warning. Bring the light of your Word to me today by showing me once again these sins and the punishment they deserve, and shine the light of your cross so I can see clearly my forgiveness found only in you. In your name I pray. Amen.
CHOIR – GRADES 3-8 No One Loves Me More than Jesus
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
LORD, HAVE MERCY
O LORD, OUR LORD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 42:14-21
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 5:8–14
GOSPEL John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39
HYMN OF THE DAY Amazing Grace – How Sweet the Sound | 379
SERMON Isaiah 42:14-21 Hear and Listen! Look and See!
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Just As I Am, without One Plea | 397
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Christ Is the World’s Light | 343
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness | 311
Thanksgiving
THANK THE LORD
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN Christ Be My Leader | 367
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT MIDWEEK STUDY SURVEY
Another quick survey has been prepared with four options for our next midweek Bible study. How We Got the Bible naturally will explore how the Bible was passed down to us and what books were recognized as canon and why. Christian Decision Making will examine scriptural principles for believers to examine as they walk with Christ in life. The House of the Lord will explore the various ways God has dwelt, dwells, and will dwell with his people forever. How Can They Teach That? looks into why some Christian churches preach beliefs that are contrary to what Scripture clearly says on several key topics. You can access the survey via the QR code to the right using your phone’s camera app, or you can find copies of the survey in the church basement where Bible study sheets are usually found.
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.
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/
EASTER BREAKFAST
We will be having an Easter Breakfast again this year. Breakfast will be served between services Easter Sunday 7:15-9:00 am. If you are interested in donating breakfast sweets (sweet rolls or coffee cake) please contact Pam/Linda Hoth or Ruth Elsen. (Pam Hoth: 608-386-0169)
BAKE SALE
On Palm Sunday, April 2, PACE will be hosting a bake sale between services in the church basement. Funds raised will help support the Easter Egg Hunt and various other PACE initiated events throughout the year. If you would like to donate a baked good for the event, feel free to bring an item to the church basement on Saturday, April 1, between 9:00-10:00 am or on April 2 prior to the first church service. If baking isn’t your expertise, feel free to indulge on the talents of those others have prepared!
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!
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.
GIVING NUMBERS
The offering giving numbers will not be published in the annual report as has been done in the past. If you would like to know your giving amount for 2022 for tax purposes, please contact our treasurer, Dylan Blount, at treasurer@stpaulsbangor.com. If you need a written letter stating the amount you gave, those can be prepared by request as well.
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 5:30 pm Bible Basics Class
7:00 pm Stewardship-Evangelism Meeting
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
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship (Grades PreK-2 singing)
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship