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
God Almighty, you want all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Forgive me as my sins of apathy and inaction are revealed today. Align my heart with yours when it comes to desiring others’ salvation, especially when that means I have to be the bearer of bad news first. Give me the courage to share the message of your hatred and punishment of sin so that I can lead people to the message of your forgiveness of sin through Jesus. In his name I ask this. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 743 I Hear the Savior Calling
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Ezekiel 33:7–11
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 32B
SECOND READING Galatians 2:11–16
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1 Timothy 2:4
GOSPEL Matthew 18:15–20
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 654 Jesus Sinners Does Receive
SERMON Matthew 18:15-20 Go, Bind and Loose in the Love of Christ
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
INSTALLATION OF SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS (8:00 am)
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 570 God Loved the World So That He Gave
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 745 Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDY RETURN TODAY!
Our Sunday morning Bible study and Sunday School start back up today! Our first midweek studies will be September 12 and 13.
ST. PAUL’S CHOIR
Choir practice will begin on Monday, September 11, at 7:00 pm at church. If you enjoy singing, please join us as we sing God’s praises. We will be working with the new hymnal and preparing for upcoming festivals and holiday services. Any questions call Brian Berg at 608-486-4049.
HELP BUILD UP SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School is one of the main ministries our church offers to Christian families for the biblical instruction of their children. Sunday School lessons allow children to become familiar with Bible stories and create a deeper understanding of Scripture and of God’s plan of salvation. It also helps develop the godly habit of attending Bible study on Sunday mornings beyond 8th grade. Parents can grow, too, as adult Bible study takes place at the same time.
The Lord blessed us with an increase in Sunday School attendance last year, but we’re looking to continue to build off of last year and build up our numbers so more families are in God’s Word together on Sundays. So we’d love to see you there when Sunday School and Bible study start back up on September 10. And bring a friend!
PUBLIC SCHOOL PRE-CONFIRMATION
If you have a child in the public school in grade 5 or 6, we will be having pre-confirmation studies on Wednesdays at 3:30 pm starting on September 13 (same time as confirmation class). The class will be led by Mr. Mark Larson. Please notify Pastor Groth at pastor@stpaulsbangor.com of your interest in enrolling your child.
USHER SCHEDULES
Copies of the usher schedules can be found printed in the narthex.
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.
BIBLE BASICS CLASS
Our next Bible Basics class (also called Bible Information Class or the new member class) will be on Mondays at 6:00 pm starting Monday, October 2. If interested in attending, please contact Pastor Groth at pastor@stpaulsbangor.com.
SCRIP
St. Paul’s gets money when you purchase gift cards through the Scrip program. The gift cards can be used for things you already purchase all the time from common stores (Hansen’s, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.). The percentage of your purchases that St. Paul’s receives varies depending on the store.
If you would like to purchase gift cards through Scrip, use the order forms found in the church lobby or at the school. Return the order form to the Scrip box at church by the 15th of each month. The cards will come in the mail and be distributed to you.
Or, if you’re tech savvy, you can simply use the RaiseRight app and do everything from your phone. Your gift cards then are automatically added to the app and you can use the barcode that shows on your phone to make your purchases. Our school’s enrollment code for the app can be found on a piece of paper next to the Scrip box at church or in the school office.
You can designate a specific family or the credit will go to the general fee assistance fund. Families will then be able to use the credit that was built up over the year (July 1 – June 30) and can choose to apply that credit towards next school year’s tuition.
Thank you for considering helping out our ministry using Scrip!
CAMM LETTER FOR SEPTEMBER
Copies of the September edition of the Central Africa Medical Mission newsletter can be found printed in the lobby.
RECOVERY IN CHRIST OFFERS HOPE IN JESUS
A symptom of addiction of any kind is hopelessness. The focus of Recovery in Christ is to bring the hope of Jesus. RIC meets most Sundays (the next meeting is 9/10), 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Onalaska, Wisconsin (school library), and Wednesdays, 1:15 p.m. at Coulee Recovery Center at La Crosse’s Coulee Recovery Center (933 Ferry St.). To confirm meeting days/times call 608-567-3038 for Sundays, 608-784-4177 for Wednesdays.
OLD HYMNALS
The old hymnals have been placed in boxes in the basement elevator hallway. On one side are hymnals dedicated in honor or memory of someone. The boxes are listed with the range of names contained within (there are a number of repeats) and are (generally) in alphabetical order. On the other side of the hallway are hymnals with no names mentioned for dedication. You are free to take any hymnals (and as many as) you would like, but please give first opportunity to families of the memorials.
COULEE REGION OWLS
The Coulee Region OWLS will be holding their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at First Ev. Lutheran Church, 400 West Avenue South, La Crosse at 12:00 noon for a potluck luncheon. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Coffee will be provided. All church members – men and women age 55 or older – are welcome. The program will be Jeff Essig, the new Manager of Good Steward, giving us a presentation about how Good Steward operates and who receives their profits. Please come for a visit, enjoy the friends you meet, a good lunch, and an excellent program. There will be a free will offering.
MEN OF HIS WORD CONFERENCE
The 7th annual Men of His Word Conference (Theme: MAN UP: in a man down world) will be held at the Rochester Civic Center in downtown Rochester on October 28, 2023. Please go online at www.menofhisword.org to register and get details about schedule, breakout sessions, keynote speaker, cost, etc. Join for a day of worship, praise and fellowship in God’s Word!
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
7:00 pm PACE Meeting
MONDAY 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
7:30 pm Luther High Conf. of Delegates Meeting
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion