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, your love for all people led you to the cross to shed your blood for every man, woman, and child. Forgive me when I fail to show the same all-encompassing compassion as you, especially as I look down on others because of who they are or the sins they’ve committed. Show me your grace today shown in your all-sufficient sacrifice, and strengthen me that I can rejoice with you when anyone comes to you seeking your mercy. In your name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN Speak, O Lord | 735
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
BAPTISM p.12
(8:00 am) Jed David Caygill
(10:00 am) Camden Henry Mlsna 6
The Word }
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 56:1,6-8
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 2:13–22
GOSPEL Matthew 15:21-28
HYMN OF THE DAY God Loved the World So that He Gave | 391
SERMON Matthew 15:21-28 God’s Mercy Is for All
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
INSTALLATION OF MRS. SUSAN RIEDIGER (10:00 am)
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN I Hear the Savior Calling | 560
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Lift High the Cross | 579
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Salvation unto Us Has Come | 390
Thanksgiving
THANK THE LORD
PRAYER (8:00 am and Monday)
PRAYER (10:00 am)
SCHOOL YEAR INVOCATION (10:00 am)
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN To God Be the Glory | 399
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCHOOL PLAYGROUND DEDICATION TODAY
After the 10:00 am church service today, August 20, we will be having a short service at St. Paul’s school to dedicate the playground and its new equipment. Join us as we thank the Lord for his wonderful blessings and ask his continued blessings on our school facilities and grounds!
SCHOOL REGISTRATION TODAY
School registration this year at St. Paul’s will be after the playground dedication following the second service today (August 20). Registration will take place after a schoolwide meeting in the gym.
WELCOME SUE RIEDIGER!
We are overjoyed to welcome Mrs. Susan Riediger to our school faculty! If you would like to help welcome Mrs. Riediger and her family, we have placed a box for cards in the narthex. We will have the box up through the end of August.
COME CELEBRATE HARRIET’S 60 YEARS AS ORGANIST!
Harriet Langrehr has been blessing worship services at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church with her gift playing the organ and piano for 60 years! We will have a fellowship hour in her honor in the newly remodeled church basement between services on Sunday, August 27. Join us as we celebrate and thank Harriet for her faithful work for our congregation.
CLASSROOM GIVING TREE
Located in the church entryway is a “Giving Tree” that has some wish list items our St. Paul’s teachers have requested for their classroom. If you’re willing and would like to contribute to the classrooms, feel free to pick an item from the tree, purchase, and then bring the item back to the donation bin. Our students and teachers appreciate all of your support!
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Our school will once again be having a Back to School Bash on the first Friday of the school year, August 25, at 5:30 pm, at the school. We will have a potluck, a bounce house, face painting, and games. Please bring a dish to pass (nut-free please) and lawn chairs. Bottled water will be provided. All are welcome! Join us for another fun night of fellowship as we celebrate the new school year together!
FIRST SUNDAY WITH NEW HYMNAL COMING UP
We will be officially transitioning to our synod’s new Christian Worship hymnal on Sunday, September 3. A reminder that this transition will take some time until all are comfortable—and that’s ok. Unfamiliar or difficult music will be introduced in various ways, and worshipers will be encouraged to join in singing as they are comfortable. We will be using each setting (liturgy) for four weeks in a row to develop familiarity, and we will only introduce Setting 1 and Setting 3 at first. Once comfortable, we can introduce Setting 2 (a more unique setting) in the future. If you would like to purchase a new hymnal for at-home use, please message or email Pastor Groth. We pray the Lord bless our transition to this new hymnal and continue to bless our worship in Jesus’ name!
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDY RETURNING SOON
Our Sunday morning Bible study and Sunday School will start back up the week after Labor Day on Sunday, September 10. Our first midweek studies will be September 12 and 13.
MIDWEEK STUDY – THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Our first midweek Bible study this fall will be on one of the most interesting books of Scripture: Revelation. Chapter by chapter the author cuts a pathway through each vision and prophecy of Revelation until he reaches the clearing where we behold a new heaven and a new earth. The 12 Lessons include: The Purpose, Outline and Interpretation of the Book; The Letters to the Seven Churches; God’s Rule of the World; The Seven Seals; God’s Judgment of the World; The Church Secure and Glorified; The Devil and His Helpers Appear; The Seven Bowls of Wrath; The Downfall of the Devil’s Allies; The Millennium; The New Heaven and the New Earth; and Review. Join me as we dive into the imagery and meaning of Christ our Savior in the book of Revelation.
CAMM LETTER
Copies of the Central Africa Medical Mission letter for August are printed and ready for you in the church lobby.
THANK YOU FROM MICAH GRAY
Micah Gray would like to thank the congregation for continuing to participate in the Congregational Partner Grant Program with Martin Luther College. He immensely appreciates the encouragement and support he has received as he continues to pursue his degree.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
10:00 am Worship with Communion
11:15 am School Playground Dedication & School Registration
MONDAY 7:00 pm Worship with Communion
WEDNESDAY First Day of School
FRIDAY 5:30 pm Back to School Bash
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Fellowship Hour in Honor of Harriet Langrehr
10:00 am Worship