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, who you are is most important piece of information I can know. Yet I can doubt who you say you are and fail to grow in that knowledge through studying your Word. Help me see the seriousness of knowing the answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” and help me learn so that I can confess you as well as Peter did when you asked him. Continue to build your church on my faithful confession of who you are. In your name—and all that it means—I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 631 Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
LORD, HAVE MERCY
TO GOD ON HIGH BE GLORY
The Word
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Exodus 34:5–9
HYMN 511 Crown Him with Many Crowns
SECOND READING Romans 10:5–13
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John 6:68
GOSPEL Matthew 16:13–20
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 512 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
SERMON Romans 10:5–13 Reliable Righteousness
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERTORY 609 We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer sts. 1, 3
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 522 Beautiful Savior
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 930 Go, My Children, with My Blessing
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDIES
Everything starts back up the week of September 13th. Sunday School and Sunday Bible study begin again on September 13th, with midweek study beginning on September 15th and 16th. We pray the Lord continues to bless our families’ time in his Word together.
FIRST MIDWEEK STUDY
For our first midweek study of the study year, we’ll be tackling a difficult and deep topic: A Christian View of Death. This study looks at various issues related to suffering and death. It also addresses current issues like euthanasia and the world’s approach to death and dying. It will cover four lessons: The Art of Dying; Euthanasia; Death and the Child; and Life after Death. Join us for an eternally important topic, one for which God prepares us well. It will begin on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 pm, with the same study each week on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
SURROUND CARE HELP
We are looking for a surround care helper who would be willing to split time with our current surround care supervisor, Lisa Hammes. If you are interested in this position, please email Pastor Groth for a job description and with any questions. pastor@stpaulsbangor.com
SCHOOL DONATION BOARD
Located in the church entryway is a “Donation Board” that has some wish list items our St. Paul’s teachers have requested for their classrooms. If you’re willing and would like to contribute to the classrooms, feel free to pick an item from the board, purchase, and then bring the item back to the donation bin. Our students and teachers appreciate all of your support!
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Join us on Thursday, September 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. at the school for our Back to School Bash! Students, families, congregation members, and Sunday School families are all invited to help us celebrate the start of a new school year. Enjoy bounce houses, face painting, games, and a potluck meal! Please bring a nut-free dish to pass and your beverage of choice; utensils will be provided. Come enjoy a fun evening as we kick off the new school year together!
JOIN PACE!
Looking for a way to support our school and get involved? Consider joining PACE (Partners Active in Christian Education)! PACE helps support our students, teachers, and school through special events, activities, and other projects throughout the year. You do not need to have a child enrolled in our school to join—congregation and community members are welcome and encouraged to get involved! We’d love to have you join us as we work together to support our school and its ministry.
CAMM LETTER FOR AUGUST
Copies of the Central Africa Medical Mission newsletter can be found in narthex.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THRIVENT MEMBERS
Are you a Thrivent member? Did you know that you can use your Thrivent membership to support projects right here at our church or school without any cost to you? Eligible members can receive an Action Team Card with up to $250 to help with a fundraiser, service project, educational event, or other approved activity. If you’re a Thrivent member and would like to use an Action Team Card to support our church or school, PACE would love to hear from you!
COULEE REGION JESUS CARES MINISTRY
Come join our Jesus Cares group for adapted worship services, Bible study, fellowship and fun! Jesus Cares is a ministry that provides Bible instruction and Christian friendship to people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are kicking off the 2026-27 school year with our Welcome Back to Jesus Cares meal and fellowship on Monday, September 14th. On Monday, September 21st we will begin our regularly scheduled adapted worship services and Bible classes. All Jesus Cares activities are held on Mondays from 4:30pm-5:45pm at First Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave S. in La Crosse. We are always welcoming new students, families, and volunteers! Please join us on September 14th or stop by on another Monday night to see what our group is all about. Feel free to contact us for more details by emailing couleeregionjesuscares@gmail.com or text/call Lisa Loersch at (920) 944-8759 or Kris Schwartz at (608) 797-5194 for more information and a 2026-27 school year schedule.
LMSG SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Registration is open for the 2026 Spiritual Retreat, “Armor of God: Truth & Righteousness,” held October 8–11, 2026, at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Rochester, Minnesota. This Christ-centered retreat is designed for Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses, providing a unique opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and be renewed through God’s Word, worship, Christian fellowship, and meaningful conversations with others who understand the military journey. Travel assistance is available for those who need it.
Grounded in the truth of Scripture, the retreat brings together WELS and ELS pastors, mental health professionals, and Military Veterans and Spouses to address the spiritual, emotional, and relational challenges often experienced by military families. Through biblical teaching, peer connection, and practical resources, participants will be encouraged and equipped to stand firm in God’s promises.
Register at https://www.lutheranmilitary.org/.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Gary and Christa Lemke, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Shelly Horstman, Kelly Langrehr, Mary Holzhausen, Twyla Krueger, Carol Hesselberg, Bob Manke, Kathy Bottcher and Jeanne Steinhoff.
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
THURSDAY 2:00 pm Ladies Aid Meeting
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am School Opening Worship Service
11:15 am School Registration @ School Gym
NEXT MONDAY 5:00 pm Bible Information Class
7:00 pm Worship