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, oftentimes I say your name, confess my sins, or hear your Word without even truly thinking about it. I can do good deeds with an empty heart. Forgive me for my spiritual insincerity of just going through the motions of my faith life. Wake me up today so that I can exhibit true repentance and a genuine faith in you and your grace. In your name I ask this. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 914 Christ Is Our Cornerstone
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32
SECOND READING Philippians 2:1–11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Psalm 51:17
GOSPEL Matthew 21:23–32
HYMN OF THE DAY 547 At the Name of Jesus
SERMON Matthew 21:23–32 It’s Time for a Change of Mind
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The Sacrament
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 656 As Surely As I Live, God Said
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 534 Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 667 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared
THANKSGIVING
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 928 May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
QUARTERLY VOTERS’ MEETING
Our next quarterly voters’ meeting is Sunday, October 8, at 11:15 am in the church basement.
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!
MIDWEEK STUDY – THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Our first midweek Bible study this fall is 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 us as we continue to dive into the imagery and meaning of Christ our Savior in the book of Revelation.
NEW WORSHIP RESOURCE FROM NPH
My Christian Worship is a note-taking journal for Christians to use during worship services and throughout the week, enhances and facilitates a more mindful participative worship experience, a more personal connection to the hymnal, and suggestions for using the hymnal beyond Sunday for personal devotional use throughout the week. Features include: Seven tips to help you get the most out of time spent in God’s Word and enrich your worship experience; Lists of passages in God’s Word that provide guidance, comfort, encouragement, and strength in a variety of situations; Helpful prayers for you to use throughout the service and the following week; Ability to organize and take notes during the service helps you retain key information from the sermon; Listing of helpful Christian Worship: Hymnal resources for your personal devotional use throughout the week, including: Daily Devotions, Daily Lectionary, Personal Prayers, Questions to Prepare for Communion, and Christian Worship: Psalter. For more info and to order, please visit online.nph.net/my-christian-worship.html.
LIVE NATIVITY PROP REPAIR NIGHTS
We will be starting to prepare/repair our props for our 2023 season on October 2nd. Prop repair nights are Mondays and Wednesdays in October from 6:30-9pm at the Rotary Building (27 Market St. – entrance at center of the building.) Oct. 2,4,9,11,16,18,23,25 are all the dates we will be needing help. Come lend a hand for whatever time you are available on those dates. Thank you so much for your willingness to help! Questions? Call George Italiano (608-317-0271).
LWMS FALL RALLY
The LWMS Fall Rally will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tomah, WI. Registration will begin at 12:30 with the program starting at 1:00 pm. The guest speaker for the fall rally is Pastor Dennis Kleist, one of the directors of Costa Maya Ministries. A light luncheon will be served following the business meeting.
FALL SCRAP-N-CRAFT
Registration for this year’s fall Scrap-N-Craft event can be found printed in the narthex. The event is at Mt. Calvary Grace School (1614 Park, La Crosse) on Saturday, October 14, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
7:00 pm PACE Meeting
MONDAY 7:00 pm Choir
TUESDAY 10:00 am Mornings with Mommy
7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
3:30 pm Public School Catechism Class
5:30 pm Education Committee
7:00 pm Church Council
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Quarterly Voters’ Meeting