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
Glorious Savior, I come before you today needing rest. I allow my heart and mind to be worked up with stress and anxiety—especially as I consider my sin before you, a holy God. Give peace to my soul and refresh my heart and mind as I rest in you this hour of worship. Use your Word to free me from my burdens and relieve my stresses. Then move me to joyfully glorify your name each day. In that name I confidently pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN (8:00 am) 703 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
K-2 CHOIR (10:00 am) Savior, Stay with Me
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Amos 8:4–12
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 62C
SECOND READING Hebrews 4:1–13
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Matthew 11:28
GOSPEL Luke 13:10–17
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 883 Behold a Host, Arrayed in White
SERMON Luke 13:10–17 This Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 708 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 842 Jesus, Still Lead On
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
STEWARDSHIP LEGACY – TIME
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 remaining worship and midweek lesson will look at: A Time to PAUSE. Midweek study is on Tuesday at 7:00 pm and Wednesday at 9:00 am (same study). The Lord bless your growth in his Word and in your godly use of such a precious commodity.
CHRIST THROUGH US
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Delegates at the 68th biennial synod convention, held July 21-24, 2025, at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., adopted a new long-range strategic plan to guide WELS in its next ten years of mission and ministry work.
This plan’s theme, “Christ through us,” is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, which reads in part: “God…reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
The plan lays out four intertwined priorities:
- Culture: Cultivating a gospel-driven culture
- Congregations: Strengthening WELS’ backbone
- Calling: Producing workers for a growing harvest
- Commission: Bringing Christ to the nations
All members are encouraged to participate in this plan as Christ’s ambassadors through gospel ministry in their local congregations and communities. This plan isn’t simply guidelines and goals for synod leaders at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry; it provides encouragement for all members in our family of believers.
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
You can find more about this strategic plan at christthroughus.net.
TED THIELKER VICTORY SERVICE
Our brother in the faith, Ted Thielker, was taken home to heaven this past week. Join us on Monday, September 29th, at 11:00 am, for a victory service (funeral) as we celebrate the crown of life that is his forever thanks to Christ. There will be a visitation before the service beginning at 9:00 am, as well as a luncheon following the service. God be praised for our Savior!
MISSIONS SUNDAY AND PRESENTATION
On Sunday, October 5th, we will celebrate a Missions Sunday, with “Pastor Paul” giving a message from the Word during worship and giving a presentation during Bible study hour.
Pastor Paul served in Pakistan as a general surgeon for 36 years. Alongside his medical career, the Lord also called him into pastoral ministry, and in 2010 he was ordained in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sahiwal, Pakistan. Due to Christian persecution, Pastor Paul and his wife Aneela were forced to leave Pakistan in 2015. Since then, God has continued to use them for His kingdom work. They are blessed with three children: two daughters who are medical doctors in England and active in our Lutheran Church in Abingdon and Birmingham, and one son, Pastor Jordan, who serves alongside Pastor Leon Ehlert at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay. Pastor Paul and Aneela now serve the South Asian congregations through The Church for All Nations at Christ Lutheran Church, Pewaukee. Through this ministry, God is bringing many souls to the knowledge of Christ.
Join us as we worship our God together for his gospel message and hear about God’s work through them in Pakistan and the Pewaukee area.
WELS ONLINE TEEN BIBLE STUDY
Don’t miss the upcoming opportunity to gather virtually with WELS peers across the continent to study God’s word together! Beginning on Sunday, September 28, at 6 p.m. (Central), Professor Dave Scharf, professor of theology at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., will lead four studies throughout the school year on the book Judges. In this first study, participants will explore how God gave the Promised Land to the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership. Then a new generation came along who turned away from God, starting a cycle for Israel that lasted centuries. However, God provided “saviors” or judges who saved the people from their enemies. This first lesson gives us a chance to look in the mirror as we see their example, but also rejoice in the grace of God, who provided THE Savior we need! Register at wels.net/event/september-national-online-teen-bible-study.
NEXT MIDWEEK STUDY: MORMONISM
Our next midweek study will take a look at Mormonism. In Part 1 of the study, we’ll look at an overview of Mormon teachings. In Part 2, we will take that knowledge and apply it as we look at ways we can witness to Mormons with the truth about Jesus Christ. This study will begin on Tuesday, October 7th, at 7:00 pm, and Wednesday, October 8th, at 9:00 am (same study).
COULEE REGION OWLS
The Coulee Region OWLS will be holding their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, October 9, at First Ev. Lutheran Church, 400 West Avenue South, La Crosse, at 12:00 Noon, for a Potluck Luncheon. 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 “Campus Ministry” given by Pastor Garrett Alford from Winona State University. Quinn Bilitz, Campus Minister from Luther High School, will be our guest. Please come for a visit, enjoy the friends you meet, a good lunch, and an excellent program. There will be a free will offering. This will be our last meeting until April 2026.
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.
WELS TRAVEL TOUR?
Interested in traveling with a group of like-minded believers? The OWLS (WELS Seniors) is partnering with Father’s World Tours to offer a New Year’s (Dec 31-Jan 13) trip to sunny Southern California (Rose Parade, Reagan Library, San Diego, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree NP) that also includes a 7-night Princess cruise to the Mexican Riviera. All tours involve daily devotions and WELS weekend worship. The tour is open to W/ELS members of all ages. Registration closes on October 1 (earlier if all spots are sold). Visit www.fathersworldtours.com or contact us (steve@fathersworldtours.com, 507-217-1731) to learn more.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Brian Berg, Gary and Christa Lemke, Clarice Koltermann, Marcie Richmond, Herb Miller, Ron Meyer, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Sherman Olson, Gidget Gade, Nicole Wakeen, and Rev. Bob Gerke.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
6:30 pm PACE Meeting
TUESDAY 10:00 am Mornings with Mommy
7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Church Council Meeting
NEXT SUNDAY Missions Sunday
8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Missions Presentation
10:00 am Worship with Communion
SERVING IN WORSHIP
Presiding Minister Pastor Brock Groth
Accompanist Irene Bakken