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 God, there are so many things in life that clamor for my time, and I can often push you and my faith aside as I fill up my schedule with earthly matters. Forgive my lack of godly priorities, and reorient my heart today to choose you over anything else this world tries to offer. Help me build my faith today so that I can realign my life according to your will. In Jesus I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 919 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Joshua 24:14–24
SECOND READING Ephesians 5:15–20
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John 6:68
GOSPEL Matthew 6:25–34
HYMN OF THE DAY 698 Seek Where You May to Find a Way
SERMON Joshua 24:14–24 It’s A No-Brainer
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The Sacrament
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 817 Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 695 Take My Life and Let It Be
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 663 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
THANKSGIVING
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 803 Day by Day
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
STEWARDSHIP LEGACY – TIME
“Stewardship” is the lifelong management of the earthly and spiritual resources God has given in the lives of his people and for his gospel ministry. They are represented by the five areas of time, talent, treasure, truth, and temple. “Legacy” reminds us of the Church’s responsibility to teach everything Christ commanded to the next generation. Are we viewing ourselves as stewards of God’s gifts? Are we actively living a life of stewardship?
We will have a special worship series throughout the month of September called Stewardship Legacy: A Time for Everything. Stewardship includes a quickly-depleting resource called “time.” So much competes for it. Taking the time to manage the time we have left has huge implications on how we individually and as a church use it for Christ and each other. “A Time for Everything” is a stewardship series to draw attention to the precious time we have left in our lives.
Corresponding with our worship series will be our midweek studies throughout September. The focus of our worship on Sunday will be the further focus of our midweek study that week. Our worship and midweek lessons will look at: A Time to PRIORITIZE, A Time for PERSPECTIVE, A Time to PLAN, and A Time to PAUSE. The Lord bless your growth in his Word and in your godly use of such a precious commodity.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDIES ARE BACK!
Today we will once again have Sunday School and Bible studies in between services. Sunday School begins at 9:10 am and Bible study begins at 9:15 am (or whenever pastor stops blabbing upstairs). Midweek study starts back up on Tuesday at 7:00 pm and Wednesday at 9:00 am (same study). God be praised for the time we get to be in his powerful, eternal Word!
MORNINGS WITH MOMMY IS BACK FOR ITS 5TH YEAR AT ST. PAUL’S
All caregivers and their little ones ages 0–5 are invited to join us for themed sessions filled with child-centered activities. This program is open to the entire community, so invite your friends and neighbors to check it out! We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 10:00am in the church basement. Learn more and register at www.stpaulsbangor.com/mornings-with-mommy/.
BUTTER BRAID FUNDRAISER
We’re excited to kick off our Butter Braid® fundraiser to support the 5th–8th grade class trip in May! These delicious, high-quality pastries are a favorite—and every purchase helps our students get one step closer to an unforgettable experience. Order forms are available in the lobby, along with all the details you’ll need to sign up and pay. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to: Susie Johnson (608-790-8911). Thank you in advance for your support!
COULEE REGION OWLS
The Coulee Region OWLS will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at First Ev. Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave., La Crosse, with a Potluck Luncheon at 12:00 Noon. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Coffee will be provided. All church members – men and women age 55 or older – are welcome. The program will be “Outreach to China – 316 NOW”. This is an organization of WELS to reach missionaries in China. Please come to a visit, enjoy the friends you meet, a good lunch, and an excellent program. There will be a free will offering.
COULEE REGION JESUS CARES MINISTRY
Join the 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 2025-26 school year with our Welcome Back to Jesus Cares meal and fellowship on Monday, September 8th, at 4:30pm. On Monday, September 15th 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 8th 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 2025-26 school year schedule.
MEN OF HIS WORD CONFERENCE
Join other Christian men for the tenth annual Men of His Word Conference at the Mayo Civic Center in downtown Rochester, MN, on Saturday, October 25th. This year’s theme is Forge Ahead In Faith. Check out conference details at www.menofhisword.org (Click on “Rochester”). The registration fee is $75 for adults and $40 for youth – These rates increase to $90 and $50 respectively after October 10th.
REFORMATION/WELS 175TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
Luther High School is excited to announce that a special service at Luther High School on Sunday, November 2nd, at 2:00 pm. That service will celebrate both the Lutheran Reformation and the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin Synod. Pastor Paul Koelpin will be preaching, the Luther High School Concert Choir will be singing. There will also be an adult choir, and children from Association elementary schools will be singing as well. The service will be held in the Chapel Auditorium.
CAMM LETTER FOR SEPTEMBER
Copies of the monthly Central Africa Medical Mission newsletter can be found in the narthex.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Brian Berg, Gary and Christa Lemke, Clarice Koltermann, Marcie Richmond, Herb Miller, John Langrehr, Ron Meyer, Dan Chandler, Nicole Wakeen, and Rev. Bob Gerke.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Midweek Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Midweek Bible Study (same as Tues.)
THURSDAY 6:00 pm Bible Information Class
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship