Sunday Service - 1/26/2025

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
Father in heaven, your gospel message is for all people because Jesus paid for the sins of all people. Yet I can let my fear of rejection prevent me from sharing that message because of my deeper fear of failure. Remind me today that Jesus himself was rejected even by his own people, and yet he still faithfully fulfilled your will perfectly in his ministry. Forgive my true sinful failures and give me confidence that rejection in your name is not failure at all. In Jesus I pray. Amen.
CHIMES Thy Word
OPENING HYMN 517 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
OH, TASTE AND SEE
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 61:1-6
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 146A
SECOND READING Acts 4:23-31
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Luke 4:18
GOSPEL Luke 4:16-30
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 384 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
SERMON Luke 4:16-30 Words of Grace
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 905 Good News of God Above
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 929 May the Peace of God
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING
Our annual voters’ meeting is today at 11:15 am in the church basement.
VICTORY SERVICE FOR JACK KNEBES
We will celebrate the work of Christ in the life of Jack Knebes with a victory service (funeral) on Monday, February 3, at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held before the service at 10:00 am. Come praise God with us for the crown of life given to Jack forever.
3K & 4K OPEN HOUSE
If you have a child that will be eligible for 3K or 4K for the 2025-2026 school year, we invite you and your family to our Open House on Saturday, February 1st from 9:00-11:00am! This event is the perfect opportunity for your family to learn more about the new program being offered at our school. St. Paul’s members interested in reserving a spot for their child must apply by March 1st. Learn more at stpaulsbangor.com/school/3k-4k-program.
NOW WHAT?
Our midweek study is entitled Living My Life as a Christian. Putting your Christian faith into practice is a lifelong pursuit that requires consistent guidance, solid biblical wisdom, and daily reminders of God’s grace. Originally written as a follow-up to a Bible Information Class, this course addresses a wide variety of Christian living topics that new and seasoned believers often struggle to apply to their lives, from maintaining a regular prayer habit to managing God’s gifts wisely. Our remaining lessons: My Life as a Free Child of God, My Life as I Speak to God, My Life as I Worship God, My Life as a Christian Man or Woman, My Life as I Encourage Others, My Life as I Manage God’s Gifts to Me, My Life as I Confess My Faith, My Life as I Profess My Faith, My Life as a Member of God’s Church. Join us on Tuesdays/Wednesdays as we dive into our lives as Christians.
LIVE NATIVITY THANK YOU
A big thank you to all those who took time out of their busy holiday schedule to proclaim our Savior’s birth to the thousands of people that visit the rotary lights each year, and for those who helped with all the preparation and encouraged new people to volunteer. We are grateful for each and every one of you!
OFFERING ENVELOPES
Envelopes for our giving to the Lord have arrived and can be found in (generally) alphabetical order in the basement.
HAM DINNER FUNDRAISER
Fundraising for this year’s class trip for the 5th-8th grades continues! This year we will be touring the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and the WELS Headquarters as well as various other spots in the Milwaukee area. The students will be learning what it takes to run a successful ministry. As we prepare for our trip, we pray for safe travel with the hope that we impact our youth to walk with Christ. We pray that God will use this trip to inspire and encourage these students in their faith journey. May we leave a lasting impression and show them the power of God’s love. To help raise funds for this trip, we will be hosting a freewill donation ham dinner on Sunday, February 16th, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, in the church basement. The meal will include ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, and dessert. Carry-outs will be available. Thank you for your support!