Romans 5:1-8 – Hope for the Helpless

Romans 5:1-8 – Hope for the Helpless

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 
“My soul thirsts for God.” Lord, I echo the psalmist. I long for your grace, your glory, and your peace. Lift up my spirit today and quench my spiritual thirst. Pour your love into my heart which so desperately needs it, and point me ever forward to the eternal life I will enjoy to the fullest thanks to Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen. 

OPENING HYMN What Wondrous Love Is This | 120
INVOCATION 
CONFESSION 
LORD, HAVE MERCY 
ABSOLUTION 
Prayer and Praise 
GLORY BE TO GOD 
PRAYER OF THE DAY 
The Word 
FIRST LESSON Exodus 17:1-7 
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 121, p.112 
SECOND LESSON Romans 5:1-8 
VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 12:3 
GOSPEL John 4:5–26 
APOSTLES’ CREED 
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE 
HYMN OF THE DAY Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven | 388
SERMON Romans 5:1-8 Hope for the Helpless 
CREATE IN ME 
OFFERING 
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH 
LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say | 338
PRAYER 
BLESSING 
CLOSING HYMN Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain | 106  

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

MIDWEEK…STUDY 

Our midweek study is How to Study the Bible. This study is a tool to help Christians meditate on God’s Word. In this meditation is defined as a combination of Bible study and prayer. The class members are taught to use Luther’s four strands and are given an opportunity to develop their own personal Bible reading plans. 

MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES CONTINUE 

Our Wednesday Lenten services continue this week at 7:00 pm. The overall theme for the 2023 Lenten services is “His Final Steps.” The series ponders the significance of the people and places on Jesus’ resolute final steps to the cross and three days later, his first steps from the tomb. 

HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONS FROM MLC 

To assist you in your Holy Week observance this year, Martin Luther College is once again providing a set of devotions as a gift to you: 7 + 1 Words from the Heart of God. In these devotions, you’ll ponder Christ’s seven words from the cross—plus an additional Easter word. As Jesus suffers, what are his thoughts bent toward? What is he most concerned about? What is he personally experiencing? His own words give us a glimpse into the heart of the omnipotent God himself, who somehow feels sorrow and suffering as he defeats sorrow and suffering. Some of Jesus’ words are somber. Some are sublime. Others signify victory. And all of them matter. You can read these devotions online or request them to be sent to your personal email on a daily basis, Palm Sunday to Easter, April 2-9. In the email, you’ll receive the written devotion and the link to the author’s audio recording. https://mlc-wels.edu/publications/seasonal-devotions/ 

CHURCH BASEMENT UPDATE 

This summer our church basement will be updated. The update includes new carpet, updated kitchen cabinets and appliances, and updated technology for Bible studies and streaming. We will also be replacing the carpet in the sanctuary with new red carpet. Everything is tentatively planned to begin the week of June 5. The funding for the updates is coming from a generous bequest designated for capital improvements. God be praised for his blessings to our church! 

BAND FEST HOSTS REALLY NEEDED! 

Luther High School hosts the WELS National Band Festival March 17-19. We need host families to house the over 100 visiting students March 16-19. Please consider hosting and contact Mr. Witte for more info at wittjona@luther.k12.wi.us. Thank you! 

LUTHERAN PIONEERS 

Lutheran Pioneers is helping youth build their lives around Christ. Beginning with a solid foundation, the program aims to strengthen future generations and leaders with truth and wisdom through outdoor activities, creative projects, and group adventures. The skills that boys and girls learn in the Pioneers prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow—while they build a strong Christian community around them. 

We are currently gauging interest in starting a Lutheran Pioneers program here at St. Paul’s. If you and your child are interested in joining a Pioneers program, please contact Pastor Groth at pastor@stpaulsbangor.com. 

For more information on the programs, visit lutheranpioneers.org and lgp.org. 

WELS TASTE OF MISSIONS 

Registration for Taste of Missions 2023 is now open! You can join in person or online for a day of fellowship with our WELS home and world missionaries and volunteers from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. There will be multiple opportunities for fellowship, a worship service to commission new home and world missionaries, displays from our various mission fields, and activities for the whole family! In-person attendees can sample ethnic dishes from various countries where WELS conducts mission work as missionaries present on their experience and answer questions about life in a mission field. For those attending the event virtually, everything will be livestreamed for your participation. You can witness the commissioning worship service, hear our speakers from home and world mission fields, and try the ethnic recipes that will be shared online. View the full list of activities for the day and register at tasteofmissions.com. Registration is $15 per person, with children 13 and under attending for free. Those attending in person will receive food tickets to sample ethnic cuisine and can purchase additional food from the food trucks. Or attend virtually for free! Sign up today at tasteofmissions.com/register. 

CAMM LETTER 

The Central Africa Medical Mission letter for March is printed and available in the lobby. 

GIVING NUMBERS 

The offering giving numbers will not be published in the annual report as has been done in the past. If you would like to know your giving amount for 2022 for tax purposes, please contact our treasurer, Dylan Blount, at treasurer@stpaulsbangor.com. If you need a written letter stating the amount you gave, those can be prepared by request as well. 

CALENDAR 

TODAY 8:00 am Worship 

9:10 am Sunday School 

9:15 am Bible Study 

10:00 am Worship 

6:30 pm PACE Meeting 

MONDAY 5:30 pm Bible Basics Class 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study 

WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.) 

7:00 pm Lenten Service 

NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion 

9:10 am Sunday School 

9:15 am Bible Study 

10:00 am Worship with Communion