Mark 8:31-38 – With Christ COmes the Cross

Mark 8:31-38 – With Christ COmes the Cross

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 Christ, you took up your cross to save me and give me life. As I now take up my cross and follow you, give me a right attitude toward the crosses I bear. Help me see your love at work in the difficulties and sufferings I have because of my connection to your name, and continue to use them to draw me closer to you and the joyous eternal life I will have forever in heaven thanks to you. In your name I pray this. Amen. 

GRADES 3-8 CHOIR (8:00 am) His Cross, My Life 
OPENING HYMN (10:00 am) 817 Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
INVOCATION 
CONFESSION 
DECLARATION OF GRACE 
LORD, HAVE MERCY 
HYMN 529 In the Cross of Christ I Glory sts. 1–2, 4 
The Word 
SALUTATION 
PRAYER OF THE DAY 
FIRST READING Job 1:13–22 
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 22C 
SECOND READING Romans 5:1–11 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mark 8:34 
GOSPEL Mark 8:31–38 
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE 
HYMN OF THE DAY 583 God Loves Me Dearly 
SERMON Mark 8:31–38 With Christ Comes the Cross 
APOSTLES’ CREED 
OFFERING 
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH 
HYMN 694 Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
PRAYER 
LORD’S PRAYER 
BLESSING 
CLOSING HYMN 409 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

LUTHER’S SOUND FOUNDATION BLESSING OUR WORSHIP 

On Wednesday, March 6, Luther High School’s Sound Foundation will be blessing our midweek Lenten worship with their musical talents. Come hear them sing to the Lord and join in praising Jesus our Savior. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDY 

The account of Jesus clearing the temple serves as today’s lesson, “A Temple Cleansing.” Merchants and money-changers fill the outer courts of the temple in preparation for the Passover. Jesus overturns the tables and drives out the animals in His zeal to restore the temple to its proper PURPOSE. When the Jews question His authority, Jesus tells them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Only after His resurrection do the disciples realize that Jesus was referring to His body as the new temple. 

MIDWEEK LENTEN SERIES 

Our midweek Lenten worship this year is entitled Scriptures Fulfilled. It focuses on various Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering and death of the Christ and how Jesus fulfilled them. We pray this series refreshes us in the truths that our God is all-knowing, powerful, and gracious. Come deepen your appreciation for our Lord Jesus Christ’s love for you, me, and all people. 

GRAPE JUICE NOW OFFERED AT COMMUNION 

For those who cannot drink wine, we are now offering grape juice during the Lord’s Supper. The grape juice will be in the center of the tray in the purple-tinted cups. Please reserve the cups with grape juice for those who need them. If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Groth. 

CARE COMMITTEE BEING FORMED 

St. Paul’s is starting a Care Committee (a subcommittee of Stewardship-Evangelism). Mission Statement: The Care Committee seeks to spread the love of our Lord Jesus Christ through celebration, support, comfort, and care for members, visitors, guests, and friends in activities of 19 

fellowship and community. Vision of what the Care Committee will offer: send cards and make phone calls; provide meals, grocery/prescription pick up, child care, transportation; volunteer our time with whatever the need may be. Right now, we are looking for members to join the committee. If you would be interested in joining, please sign up on the bulletin board in the lobby with your name, phone number, and email. What we envision is when a need arises the committee members would be contacted to see who can help in what capacity, meal trains, transportation needs, etc. The responsibilities of the committee members will depend on what the need is of the individual that is reaching out to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for help. The goal is the Care Committee will grow and in return be able to offer more support in various ways not only within our congregational walls but extend to our Bangor community. 

CAMM LETTER 

The February letter of the Central Africa Medical Mission can be found printed in the lobby. 

DIVINE CALL EXTENDED 

A divine call has been extended to Miss Deborah Buelow to serve as our 1st and 2nd grades teacher beginning this fall. Miss Buelow currently serves at First Lutheran School in Elkhorn, WI. Please keep her in your prayers as she deliberates where she can best use the gifts and abilities the Lord has given her. 

CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY 

Once every other year we seek input from the congregation regarding our ministry and its various facets. Your feedback is very much appreciated by the leadership and extremely valuable to the direction of our church. Please provide your anonymous input via the congregational survey that has been prepared. You can find it at the following URL (link provided in email News): https://forms.gle/PzEVxZUxt7uKsG3h6. If you’d prefer, you can also find printed copies in the narthex and turn them into pastor or the church office. 

MIDWEEK STUDY 

Our midweek study is an evangelism module called In Season & Out of Season. In his second letter to Timothy, apostle Paul wrote, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (4:2). Although originally written as an encouragement to a first-century pastor, Paul’s words are equally applicable to twenty-first-century Christians. We have the same message to share with sinners who desperately need to hear it. In Season & Out of Season seeks to encourage and equip God’s people to share that message in any and every situation. 

ST. PAUL’S LADIES’ PAINT NIGHT 

On Saturday, March 2nd, from 5:30-7:00 pm, all ladies of St. Paul’s (and their friends!) are invited to join us in the church basement for an evening of painting with Katie Meyer, owner of The Art Room. No experience required! Participants will choose their own color pallet then add a botanical painting on top. The cost is $25/person payable the evening of the event. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share and we can enjoy an evening of painting and snacking together! Sign up is required by February 24th. Contact Heather Groth at (608) 351-1025 with any questions. 

LUTHER SPRING MUSICAL 

Tickets are now on sale for Luther’s Spring Musical, The Secret Garden. Head to lutherhigh.org/arts/box-office to purchase your tickets. Questions? Talk to Miss Schmidt (schmemil@luther.k12.wi.us). 

CALENDAR 

TODAY 8:00 am Worship 

9:10 am Sunday School 

9:15 am Bible Study 

10:00 am Worship 

MONDAY 6:00 pm Bible Basics Class 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study 

WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.) 

3:30 pm Public School Catechism Class 

7:00 pm Lenten Worship 

THURSDAY 2:00 pm Ladies Aid 

SATURDAY 5:30 pm St. Paul’s Ladies Paint Night 

NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion 

9:10 am Sunday School 

9:15 am Bible Study 

10:00 am Worship with Communion 

6:30 pm PACE Meeting