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 have graciously made me a part of your gospel ministry. Give me strength today as I consider that not everyone to whom I minister will want or accept what I offer them. Help me take in the readings that show me I’m not alone and in fact am in good company when I receive such rejection and resentment. Encourage me all the more to serve you and please you in this meaningful ministry you’ve given me. In you I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 872 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Ezekiel 2:1–7
SECOND READING 2 Timothy 2:1–13
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Ezekiel 2:7
GOSPEL Mark 6:1–6
HYMN OF THE DAY 869 Onward, Christian Soldiers
SERMON Mark 5:21-24a, 35-43 Don’t Be Afraid; Only Believe
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 900 Lift High the Cross
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 895 Preach You the Word
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 902 Spread Abroad, O Mighty Word
THANKSGIVING
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 774 God Bless Our Native Land
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANK YOU, PASTOR JOHNS
We thank Pastor Johns for leading our worship and sharing God’s Word with us today as Pastor Groth does the same for Pastor Johns’ congregation in Burr Oak. May the Lord continue to bless our ministries and fellowship to his glory.
MEANINGFUL MINISTRY – SERIES EXPLANATION
“Ministry” is one of those churchy words that is often used, yet perhaps not fully understood. Ministry comes from the Latin word for “service.” Ministry involves serving others with love, compassion, and empathy. Helping someone with physical needs is sometimes called “compassion ministry.” Helping someone with their spiritual needs, sharing the good news of Christ, is generally called “gospel ministry.” We misunderstand ministry if we think of it as something only ministers do. While pastors are called to perform gospel ministry on behalf of others, ultimately every believer is called by God to reflect Christ-like love and share the message of salvation as God provides those opportunities.
In this worship series we will see our efforts to meet the needs of those God brings into our sphere of influence as meaningful ministry. In our service to them, those people see God’s love and God sees our faith.
JULY VOTERS’ MEETING
Our next quarterly voters’ meeting will be Sunday, July 14, at 11:15 am in the church basement. Note: In order to satisfy continuing school Accreditation requirements, there is a proposed amendment to the Bylaws which inserts the redline language into the current Bylaw concerning the Education Committee. Because this is a change to our Bylaws, it must be voted on by the voters in the July meeting and appear in the bulletin twice before the vote. If there are any questions on this, please feel free to call Congregational President Dan Arndt or Education Committee Chairman Dale Arndt.
ST. PAUL’S @ THE COUNTY FAIR
We will once again be manning the WELS fair booth on the opening night of the La Crosse County Fair, Wednesday, July 17, from 5:00-10:00 pm. If you’re able to help out and tell people about Jesus while inviting them to one of our area WELS churches for eternal comfort and hope, the Lord would appreciate it. Also, if you’d like to donate some school supplies for prizes, you can place them in the box in the lobby anytime between now and the Sunday before the fair.
CROSS TO GLORY CONCERT
Faith Lutheran Church of Black River Falls and Cataract, Wisconsin, would like to invite you to a Christian concert by WELS band – Cross to Glory. This will be a part of Black River Falls’ concerts in the park series at the Lunda Community Park (1400 Tyler St, Black River Falls, WI 54615). It is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, at 7 pm. There is no cost. Cross to Glory started in 2010 and the group has played throughout the Midwest as well as Arizona, Texas, and Florida and as far away as Israel. The music of Cross to Glory has been described as a mix of Christian Rock, Country, Folk and Gospel. For more information on the concert, check out Faith’s website: www.faithwels.com. In addition to sponsoring the band, Faith will provide free popcorn and lemonade. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. In case of stormy weather tune to WWIS Radio (99.7) to hear if the concert will be moved to the church building.
NPH EXTRA
If you shop at Northwestern Publishing House, make sure to sign up for their new program called NPH EXTRA. NPH EXTRA is a free program that benefits your church or school whenever you sign in to your account and purchase devotion books, gifts, or other faith-building resources from NPH. Find out more at online.nph.net/extra-rewards-loyalty-program.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship with Communion
MONDAY 7:00 pm Worship with Communion
WEDNESDAY 6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Council Meeting
THURSDAY 6:00 pm Bible Information Class
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Quarterly Voters’ Meeting