ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

CHURCH OF STEINBACH INC. MEMBER OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CANADA

Sunday, September 3, 2017Sunday, September 3, 2017Sunday, September 3, 2017Sunday, September 3, 2017

Welcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship Service

465 Henry Street, Steinbach MB R5G 0H1 204-326-3758 Fax 204-326-2548

email: office@stpaulsteinbach.org www.stpaulsteinbach.org

THE NUMBERS

ATTENDANCE: August 27 - 213; Woodridge - 12

OFFERING: August 27 - $15,274.50 (Includes August direct deposit)

OUR MISSION

God’s purpose for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is: Accepting all people through God’s grace,

sharing our faith in Christ, and making disciples.

Lead Pastor: Rev. Terry Gudmundson 204-380-3293

Associate Pastor: Rev. Melissa Frankland 204-293-7930

DID YOU KNOW? With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation

inching ever closer, here are a few more tidbits

of information about the man who started it all

…..Martin Luther:

In order to help put Luther’s life in a time frame,

did you know that Christopher Columbus set sail

when Luther was in grammar school?

Did you know that Michelangelo was completing the Sistine

Chapel as Luther began teaching theology school?

Did you know that, as a schoolboy, Luther preferred music to

any other subject, and he became proficient at playing the

lute? He gave away his lute when he entered the monastery at

age 21.

Did you know that Luther publicly criticized the abuse of indul-

gences more than three years before he published his 95

Theses on the topic?

Did you know that Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora,

who was previously a nun? They had six children.

Did you know that one of their sons, around the age of three,

kept running around their home asking “was ist das…..was ist

das”, as children do? This is the reason that Luther uses “was

ist das” to help explain the various parts contained in his Small

Catechism.

If you didn’t already know…..now you do!

HOLY COMMUNION

God feeds and renews us with the presence of Jesus Christ. In Christ’s body and blood given to us, God for-gives us and nourishes us for mission. In response to the Lord’s invitation I come - confessing my sin, trusting that the Lord is truly present, believing that to receive Him is to receive forgiveness - to partake of the Lord’s Supper. People of all ages and faith communities are welcome.

Holy Communion is served in a continuous format unless announced otherwise. Participants are asked to fill out a registration card, available in the pews or at both entrances, and place them in the baskets at the entrances, or in the offering plates.

Ushers will direct you toward the aisle to come forward to the serving stations. If you desire to commune, extend your hand to the server who will place a wafer in your hand. If you prefer a gluten-free wafer, simply say “gluten-free” to the server. Wine is served from the chalice or individual cups; white grape juice is served from individual cups.

Come and hold in your hand and taste on your lips the love we cannot comprehend.

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

Wednesday 6:30 am Men’s Fellowship 7:00 Scouts Registration 7:00 Reformation Choir Practice Saturday 7:00 am Lutheran Men in Mission @ Smitty’s

• SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 WELCOME BACK SUNDAY 9:30 am Sunday School/Confirmation registration 10:00 am Contemporary Worship Service with communion, followed by Kick-off Barbecue & fun activities for all

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Monday, Sept. 11, Luther Movie Night @ St. Paul’s, 7:00 pm. All ages welcome!

• Sunday, Sept. 17, regular worship services & programs resume

WELCOME BACK

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

SUNDAY SCHOOL/CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION 9:30 AM

WORSHIP SERVICE WITH COMMUNION 10:00 AM

BARBECUE LUNCH

FUN FOR ALL AGES!

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure -

The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race -

The saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]

↓ Message Hymn of the Day:

“We Are Called” - # 720

↑ Apostles’ Creed - p. 105 Prayers of the People Sharing of the Peace ↓ Offering Interlude: Text & Music Arrangement by Martin Luther “Out of the Depths I Cry to You” (# 600 ELW) ↑ Offertory - Doxology - # 884 The Great Thanksgiving - p. 206-207 The Lord’s Prayer - p. 208 ↓ Communion Hymns (sung during the distribution):

“Bread of Life from Heaven” - # 474 “Spirit of Gentleness” - # 396 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” - # 620 “The Love of God” - printed on back page ↑ Prayer after Communion The Benediction - Blessing Sending Song:

“Jesus, Still Lead On” - # 624

HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Communion is offered in the TRADITIONAL FORMAT today. Registration cards are available in the pews and at both entrances. Participants are

asked to fill out a card and place it in the basket provided or in the offering plate. All are welcome at God’s table.

PRAYER REMINDERS

In your prayers this week, please remember Bob Angell, Jac Doerksen, Katarina Grienke, Kathy Doerksen, Chris Funk, Laura Heckert, Tina

Heckert, Wanda Hoehn, Marlene Klassen, Evelyn (Art) Krentz, Emma Kuehn, Henrietta Reimer, Helmuth Renz, Henry Schalla, Joan Schultz and Elsie Schilke.

Please also include those from St. Paul’s who make their home in care homes: at Bethesda Place, Louise (David) Falk, Louise (Jake) Falk, Lena Krentz, Rose Rempel, Della Schmitke, and Irene Sobering; at Rest Haven Nurs-ing Home, Marianne Begalke; and at Grunthal Menno Home, Janet Harder.

** If you would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office. If you know of someone you think should be included, please note that we need their permission.

SINGERS STILL WANTED

The St. Paul's Reformation Choir is still looking for sing-ers! We plan to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm for September and October. There will be three performances during this Reformation celebration. We especially need male voices, so if you are interested in joining us, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway, or contact Crystal Lawrance at lawrances@yahoo.com. Singers from traditional and contemporary services are welcome. We look forward to sharing the good news of Reformation through song.

GIFT OF REMEMBRANCE In a tribute of love and remembrance, a Memorial Gift has been received from Ruby Steffan and family in memory of beloved husband, father and grandfather, Melvin Steffan, who passed away September 2, 1985. “No longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you’re always there.”

UNITED IN MARRIAGE United here in marriage yesterday, September 2 were Ben Townsend and Josée Lafreniere, with the groom’s grandfather, Rev. Jack Frederick, officiating. We wish Ben and Josée much joy and many blessings as they begin a new journey together.

HYMNS BY MARTIN LUTHER Martin Luther wrote countless hymns during his lifetime, many of which appear in our Evangelical Lutheran Wor-ship (cranberry book). For the next several weeks, some of these hymns will be played during the offering. Watch for a note that tells you which hymn it is and where it can be found, just in case you want to follow along.

PIONEER GIRLS REGISTRATION Pioneer Girls will have their registration night and a wie-ner roast on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6:30 pm, here at church. If any of the girls have friends they think might be interested in coming, please invite them to come and check us out. For details contact Gerry Funk, 204-355-4202, email gsfunk@hotmail.com.

URGENT We are still needing Confirmation Guides for this year. Guides are prayerful congregation members who spend time with their small group discussing the topics that have been presented by the Large Group Leader. We recom-mend male guides for the boys and female guides for the girls. The small groups allow for thoughtful discussion of the topic of the week. We require: Grade 7 Boys -2 Grade 7 Girls -1 Grade 8 Girls -2 Grade 8 Boys -2 Grade 9 Boys -1

NEW DESIGNS POSTED A new set of stained glass designs for the center cross on the front of the church is posted on the bulletin board next to the office. Be sure to take a look and cast your vote for your favorite one.

WELCOME VISITORS If you are a visitor to our church today, we invite you to sign the guest book. Welcome here. May you be blessed as you worship with us. A time of coffee and fellowship takes place in the Education Wing immediately after the service. Come, and enjoy!

THANK YOU DEPARTMENT

• Thank you to all who assisted with the service today.

Please Note: Small numbers (eg. p. 211) refer to liturgical settings at the beginning of the Lutheran Book of Worship.

Larger bold numbers (eg. # 239) refer to hymn numbers. The up arrow means the congregation is asked to stand, the down arrow, to be seated.

Welcome & Announcements

↑ Confession & Forgiveness - p. 94-96

Gathering Song:

“For the Beauty of the Earth” - # 879

GREETING: P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C. And also with you.

Canticle of Praise - p. 204

PRAYER OF THE DAY: L. Let us pray together: ALL: Holy God, we thank you for your Son, who

chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and encourage us to find our lives in the service of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

↓ GOD’S WORD: Reader Robert Bond

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 15:15-21

15 O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. 19 Therefore, thus says the LORD: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you,

but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

L. The Word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 26:1-8 (congregation reads bold parts)

L. 1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. C.

2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me;

test my heart and mind. L. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. C.

4 I do not sit with the worthless,

nor do I consort with hypocrites; L. 5 I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. C.

6 I wash my hands in innocence,

and go around your altar, O LORD, L. 7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds. C.

8 O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell,

and the place where your glory abides.

↑ Gospel Acclamation: “Alleluia” (sung) - p. 205 Alleluia! Lord and Savior, open now your saving word. Let it burn like fire within us; speak until our hearts are stirred. Alleluia! Lord, we sing, for the good news that you bring.

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-28

Congregational response after the announcement: “Glory to you, O Lord.”

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ 23But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? 27 ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

L. The Gospel of the Lord. C. Praise to you, O Christ.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

Martin’s Musings (on education)

“There never yet have been, nor are there now,

too many good books.”