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, your patience with us is beyond comprehension. Over and over again we disappoint you and can reject you and your Word just like the Israelites did throughout their history with the prophets. Nurture our faith through the power of your Spirit that we can see the times you send your Word to us and so we can receive your Son with joy and appreciation. In the name of the One who embodied your resolute patience, we pray. Amen.
CHOIR Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 5:1–7
HYMN 631 Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening
SECOND READING Philippians 3:12–21
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Ephesians 2:10
GOSPEL Matthew 21:33–43
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 705 Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways
SERMON Matthew 21:33-43 Bring Forth Fruit for Your Lord
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 811 My Faith Looks Up to Thee
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 862 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
QUARTERLY VOTERS’ MEETING TODAY
Our next quarterly voters’ meeting is today at 11:15 am in the church basement.
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.
TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT HELP
PACE is looking for a few volunteers to represent our church and school at the Bangor Library’s “Trunk or Treat.” The event will include greeting and helping the children pick a special treat from our St. Paul’s “trunk.” “Trunk or Treat” is on October 31st, from 4-6pm in the Library’s parking lot. PACE members will help set up the event and supply all the goodies. If anyone would like to support the event, we would welcome your help. If interested, please feel free to reach out to Krista Pfaff at 608-386-2444. Thank you for your support!
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
Prop repair nights for the Live Nativity are Mondays and Wednesdays in October from 6:30-9pm at the Rotary Building (27 Market St. – entrance at center of the building.) Oct. 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
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Quarterly Voters’ 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
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion