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 Almighty, you are the omnipotent God sustaining all things by the power of your will and Word. As I contemplate your power at work through the incarnate Word, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me especially remember the purpose of your power at work in him. Guide me not to focus on the earthly blessings he can provide but on the salvation he worked through his almighty power. In Jesus’ name I pray as I prepare to worship with my brothers and sisters. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 627 To God Be the Glory
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE YOUR NAME
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 35:4–7a
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 146
SECOND READING Acts 3:1–10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Isaiah 25:9
GOSPEL Mark 7:31–37
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 520 Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
SERMON Mark 4:26-32 God Works – Through the Spirit – From small beginnings
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 576 Amazing Grace
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 816 I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
BIBLE STUDIES BEGIN TODAY!
After our break for the summer, all Bible studies are back beginning this week. They will generally run each week until Memorial Day.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School begins today at 9:10 am. Any children 3 years old (potty-trained) and up are free to attend. The children will be divided by age, with one group using the Sunday School room in the basement and the other using the sanctuary. Children of middle school age are free to choose between the older group of Sunday School students or the adult class if they prefer. If you have any questions about Sunday School, feel free to contact Angela Bunker at 608-633-7357.
NEW SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY
We will be changing up our Sunday adult Bible study between services this year a bit. We will be using an adult course called “Growing in Christ” that will take us through portions of Scripture for insight and application. Our first unit will cover the first half of the book of Genesis. Join us for a weekly half-hour of study beginning today!
MIDWEEK STUDY – THE LIFE OF DAVID
Our first midweek study this fall will be on the life of King David. The Life of David Bible study draws from eight segments of David’s life and connects them to our lives. The Lord uses David’s strengths and weaknesses to teach his church. From David killing Goliath to David being overcome by temptation, we can see images of ourselves and learn how God deals justly with those he loves.
CHOIR BEGINS THIS WEEK
Choir begins on Monday September 9th at 7:00 pm in the church basement. New members are welcome to join. If you have any questions about the adult choir, contact Brian Berg at 608-351-9025.
LIVE NATIVITY THANK YOU DINNER
FOR: Anyone who has volunteered for Live Nativity in any capacity this past year!
DATE: Wednesday, September 18th
TIME: 6:00pm A light dinner will be served. Food will be available throughout the evening.
6:30pm Prayer/Devotion- Updates- Question/Answer session
7:00pm (approx.) Steering Committee Meeting (you are welcome to stay for that if you wish)
LOCATION: 1st Lutheran Church basement. (400 West Ave.)
Come enjoy some fellowship and be the first to hear about some fun new updates that are in the works. Questions? Contact Pat McGuire 608-385-0178
2024 MEN OF HIS WORD CONFERENCE
The 9th Annual Men of His Word Conference (Theme: Built to SERVE) will be held at the Mayo Civic Center in downtown Rochester, MN, on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Please go online at www.menofhisword.org to register and get details about schedule, breakout sessions, keynote speaker, cost, etc. Please join us for a day of worship, praise and fellowship in God’s Word!
COULEE CHORALE
Coulee Chorale is back for its 2024 Christmas season under the direction of Mr. Paul Adickes, Mr. Gregory Baures, and Miss Emily Schmidt! You are invited to join this group of Christians as we praise God through His gift of music! Rehearsals will be held at Luther High School from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on November 10th, 17th, 24th, and December 1st, and from 9:00–11:00 a.m. on December 7th to prepare for our concert on December 8th at 2:00 p.m. Sign up to sing today at https://forms.gle/bQffFefMBayytA548. Questions? Contact Paul Adickes at adicpaul@luther.k12.wi.us or 608-783-5435, ext. 1340.
JUNIOR KNIGHTS BASKETBALL
Luther Junior Knights offers a basketball program for boys and girls in 4th-8th grade in the Luther High Association. This program is for additional basketball tournaments outside of LALSAC games. We do our best to avoid any practices or tournaments that would conflict with LALSAC basketball. In order to meet the needs of all our players, we are hoping to offer both “fundamental” and “competitive” teams this year. If your son or daughter is considering playing basketball through Luther Junior Knights, please register now, so we can plan accordingly. Registration is open through 9/13/24. More information and registration can be found at https://www.lutherjuniorknights.com/basketball.
WELS NATIONAL TEEN BIBLE STUDY
Have you ever felt lost? Felt like you’re going down the wrong path? Felt like there’s no way God could love you or forgive you, or that you’re so alone God must have forgotten you?
It’s common not only for teens but for all of God’s people to feel this way. That’s why you need to join with other teens for a meaningful and heartfelt study of the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Join fellow WELS teens from around the country for a special online Bible study September 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (Central). The 45-minute Bible study will have opportunity to connect with other teens, study and discuss the Word, and apply it specifically to your teen lives today. The Bible study will be led by Pastor Phil Huebner, the campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Register at https://gf.wels.net/teen-bible-study/
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
6:00 pm WELS National Teen Bible Study (see News above)
MONDAY 7:00 pm Choir Practice
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
7:30 pm Luther Conference of Delegates Meeting
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion