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 offered your life for me and showed me just how much God loves me. Forgive me when I fail to love as you have loved me. Open my eyes today to the extent of your love, and thereby motivate me to live a life of lavish love for others as you have commanded. Also continue to be with the confirmands from today forward as they believe and glorify your love all their days. In your grace I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 748 Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Acts 11:1–18
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 13
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1 John 4:16
GOSPEL John 13:31–35
HYMN OF THE DAY 695 Take My Life and Let It Be
SERMON John 13:31–35 God’s Glory Is Seen in Jesus’ Love
OFFERING
CONFIRMATION
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
CONFIRMATION BLESSINGS (10:00 am)
Luke David Gray
James Thomas Langrehr
Ryan Raymond Lochen
Chloe Addison Lund
Camden Carl Wehrs
The Sacrament
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 718 Though Thoughtless Thousands Choose the Road
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 869 Onward, Christian Soldiers
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 729 Son of God, Eternal Savior
THANKSGIVING
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 726 Love in Christ Is Strong and Living
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSINGS TO THE CONFIRMANDS
Today we celebrate the instruction of the confirmands in the truths of God’s Word. May the Lord help them be faithful to the promises they make today, and may he continue to bless their fellowship in our church family.
CHURCH & SCHOOL PICNIC
We are planning the St. Paul’s Church & School picnic again this year. It is Sunday, May 25th, beginning at 11:15 am at the school. Potluck is the plan, so bring a dish to pass. We will have pulled pork available for all. There will also be games for kids and adults. Please come join the fellowship and fun!
MIDWEEK STUDY
Our midweek Bible study on the book of Colossians will wrap up this week. Join us on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning (same as Tues.) as we continue to apply Christ’s all-sufficiency to our Christian lives.
ASCENSION & GRADUATION SERVICE
Join us as we celebrate the truths of the ascension of our Lord on Thursday, May 22nd, at 7:00 pm. The service will also serve as our graduation service and we’ll thank the Lord for another school year completed in his grace.
THE DEVIL DOESN’T TAKE A SUMMER BREAK
As we get ready to take our break from formal Bible studies for the summer, we recognize that the devil still attacks our faith and living. If you would like devotional or Bible study materials to continue to grow and be strengthened during the summer months, please contact Pastor Groth (pastor@stpaulsbangor.com). Studies will resume after Labor Day.
MONDAY WORSHIP
Monday worship begins for the summer on June 2nd at 7:00 pm. It will continue until August 25th (the Monday before Labor Day).
CHRIST THROUGH US
As our synod celebrates 175 years, we have purchased a copy of Christ Through Us: A Pictorial History of the Wisconsin Synod, 1850–2025, which can be found in the basement on the library counter. The book is a special edition, hardcover book with a fresh, new look at WELS history, with 250 full-color pages covering 175 years of God’s grace to our synod. Give it a look through!
SURROUND CARE POSITION @ ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL
Next school year we will be offering surround care (before and after school care) to St. Paul’s students. If you or another WELS member would be interested in serving as surround care supervisor (either before or after, or both), please email Pastor Groth (pastor@stpaulsbangor.com) for a job description and with any questions.
SCENIC COULEE LWMS MISSION CONTRIBUTION
Besides our congregation, other area churches in The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society of the Scenic Coulee include: Barre Mills, Burr Oak, Black River Falls and Cataract, Kendall, Ridgeville, Sparta, Tomah, Viroqua and West Salem. Each year, the Scenic Coulee chooses a Home and World Mission to which our Ladies Aid contributes each month as does the congregation when we donate funds in the collection box of our foyer. For June 2025-2026, the Scenic Coulee chose a Joint Mission which is Pastoral Studies Institute.
“In partnership with WELS Joint Missions, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute provides pre-seminary and seminary training to North American students from a variety of countries and cultures. They also provide consultation on curriculum and educational practices in World Mission fields. In addition, many Christian individuals, churches and synods are seeking support, training, and connection to a church body that shares the truth of God’s Word and the good news of salvation through Christ. PSI assists regional world mission teams in the evaluation process and provides consultation and support in theological education leading to fellowship. Our monetary gifts help cover travel expenses for new exploratory training visits as well as scholarships and school expenses for PSI students.”
For those wishing to contribute, the collection box is in the foyer.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Barry Wehrs, Brian Berg, Gary and Christa Lemke, Clarice Koltermann, Marcie Richmond, Herb Miller, and John Langrehr.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
Rite of Confirmation
MONDAY 6:00 pm School Awards & Talent Night
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.)
THURSDAY 7:00 pm Ascension & Graduation Service
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Church & School Picnic