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, give me strength. For millennia your people have been persecuted and harassed for holding to your truth, and today is no different for me. In both blatant and subtle ways my faith is attacked, and the world seeks to silence me. So give me strength. Open my ears today to your warnings but especially to your promises. Remind me that you are watching over me and that you care for me to the point where is nothing I should fear. Give me the courage to share you with others boldly. In your holy name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN Speak, O Lord | 735
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
GLORY BE TO GOD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 20:7-13
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 91, p.100
SECOND LESSON 2 Timothy 4:1–8
VERSE OF THE DAY Galatians 4:6
GOSPEL Matthew 10:5a, 21-33
APOSTLES’ CREED
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY Lift High the Cross | 579
SERMON Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 Your Savior says, “Do Not Be Afraid to Confess Me!”
CREATE IN ME
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus | 474
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN How Firm a Foundation | 768
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELS NIGHT AT THE LOGGERS
Join area WELS congregations at the Loggers game on Friday, July 14, at 5:05 pm (gates open at 4:00 pm). Tickets are $15 and include a reserved bleacher back seat and a Loggers hat. Purchase your tickets at la-crosse-loggers.nwltickets.com/Buy/Tickets and make sure to use promo code FRIENDSOFLUTHER. If you have any issues purchasing tickets, contact the Luther High School office at 608-783-5435.
ST. PAUL’S @ THE COUNTY FAIR
Our church will be manning the WELS booth at the county fair the evening of Wednesday, July 19. We’ve had some great conversations with fair goers about Jesus, have given away some great prizes, and have made some good contacts for church prospects for the area churches. If you would like to help man the booth, please speak with Pastor Groth. (There will most likely be some cheese curds and malts in it for you, too.) If you would like to donate some school supplies for the prizes, please speak with Bart Horstman.
WELS/ELS SINGLES RETREAT
The WELS/ELS Singles Retreat for 2023 is November 10-12, at Camp Phillip, Wisconsin. Registration is open and the early bird rate is $140. Early bird registration will continue through August 1. Regular registration will be $150. All registration will close on October 1. If you have activity ideas or ways you can help, feel free to email at retreat@wels-els-singles.com. More details and register at wels-els-singles.com/2023-retreat/.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Presentation on Latin American Missions
10:00 am Worship
MONDAY 7:00 pm Worship
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
10:00 am Worship with Communion