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
Christ, today help me learn about being a Christian. Remind me of that which planted me in the realm of your grace and strengthens me so I stay firm in your grace: your Word. Open my eyes and ears to the truths of your Word found throughout this worship service that I may ever grow in knowledge of and love for you. In your name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 633 Speak, O Lord
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 55:6–11
HYMN 644 Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 3:5–11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Isaiah 55:11
GOSPEL Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 537 Word of God, Come Down on Earth
SERMON Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 A Heart that Hears Yields a Good Crop
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERTORY 609 We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer sts. 1, 3
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 905 Good News of God Above
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 925 On What Has Now Been Sown
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ST. PAUL’S @ THE COUNTY FAIR
We will be manning the WELS booth at the La Crosse County Fair on Wednesday, July 15th, from 5:00 until about 9:00 pm. If you are able to help visit with passersby and hand out prizes and Bible-related gifts, come on down to the booth for any amount of time you can give. If you would like to give school supplies, backpacks, or faith-related gifts for the prize wheel, please drop those off in the church lobby any time prior to the 15th.
PASTORAL INSTALLATIONS IN OUR CIRCUIT
The Lord has answered the prayers of congregations in our circuit and has provided them with new pastors for their ministries. Join us as we celebrate with our sister congregations and help them welcome their new pastors at their installation services listed below. The Lord of the Harvest continue to bless our work together in his kingdom!
July 19, 4 pm @ St. Paul, Tomah – Installation of Graduate Jonah Backus
July 26, 4 pm @ St. John’s, Ridgeville – Installation of Pastor John “Jack” Kelly
OUR BIBLE SISTERS
Despite a separation of thousands of years and miles, we’re much more like them than we first realize. This summer, you’re invited to join Women’s Ministry for an online Bible study focusing on “Our Bible Sisters.” Throughout this five-week series, we’ll look at more than just the heroic actions of biblical women. We’ll also consider how our unchanging God met these flawed, real women in their daily struggles and learn to find his grace, faithfulness, and purpose in our own daily realities. Please join us this summer as we get to know five of our Bible sisters better! The study is offered twice each week—8:00 a.m. (Central) on Saturday mornings and 7:00 p.m. (Central) on Monday evenings—starting July 11. Register at: gf.wels.net/womens-ministry-online-class-our-bible-sisters.
WELS/ELS SINGLES RETREAT
If you are an adult WELS/ELS member, single, and would like to join others of the same description for fellowship and activities amidst the natural beauty of central Wisconsin, come to the WELS/ELS Singles Retreat, August 28-30, at Camp Phillip in Wautoma, WI. For more information and to register, visit https://sites.google.com/view/lutheransinglesretreat/. Please register by July 26.
MEN’S RETREAT
Our 18th annual Men’s Retreat, organized by men from Twin Cities area WELS churches, will take place at Camp Croix on September 18-20, 2026. This year’s theme is “Here I Stand: Lutherans find their voice in Christian apologetics.” There are reasons that Lutherans have been quiet in the area of Christian apologetics. But there are even bigger reasons for us to break the silence, given what we uniquely see and understand about arguing for Christ in this skeptical world. Together, we will explore the What and the How of Christian apologetics so as to grow in confidence for our own sake, for the sake of those who do not know Jesus, and for the sake of the most vulnerable among us. This presentation will be led by Martin Luther College Prof. Mark Paustian. Sign up now, while there’s still room, at mensretreat.org! Questions regarding Camp Croix? Call Keith at 218-341-2119. Questions regarding the retreat? Call Clay at 651-231-3237.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Herb Miller, Gary and Christa Lemke, Clarice Koltermann, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Shelly Horstman, and Barb Wittmershaus.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship
MONDAY 5:00 pm Bible Information Class
7:00 pm Worship
TUESDAY 2:30 pm Bible Information Class
WEDNESDAY 5:00 pm St. Paul’s @ County Fair Booth
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship with Communion
4:00 pm Installation of Grad. Jonah Backus @ St. Paul, Tomah
NEXT MONDAY 5:00 pm Bible Information Class
7:00 pm Worship with Communion
NEXT TUESDAY 2:30 pm Bible Information Class