Bulletin 9.27.26
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
2305 Goshen Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Telephone: (260) 483-9312
Email: office@stmatthewslutheran.com
Website: http://www.stmatthewsfw.org
Ministers: The People Pastor: Dale Henderson
Music Director: Tracy Meihls Sexton: Brock Snyder 18th Sunday after Pentecost September 27, 2026
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Z: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our
sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
Z: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the
thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy
Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify
your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Z: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion
forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have
done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to
you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and
serve you in newness of life through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Z: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a priesthood of all believers, we rest on God's promise: May Almighty God strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life,
C: Amen.
Please stand
GREETING
Z: 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.
KYRIE
L: Lord Jesus, you came not to be served but to serve.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: Christ Jesus, you gave your life as a ransom for many.
C: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal salvation.
C: Lord, have mercy. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW 848
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated
THE READINGS
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Philippians 2:1-13
Please stand
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ELW Setting 4 p.151
Holy Gospel- Matthew 21:23-32
MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW 810
All vs. 1,3,4
Choir only v. 2
Please stand
APOSTLES CREED ELW p. 105
THE PRAYERS
L: With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for
church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
(A brief silence is kept for personal reflection.)
L: Fill your church throughout the world with the spirit to work
for your pleasure. Hear us, O God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: Teach us how to value and enjoy the beauty of your creation
with humility and to set aside selfish ambitions in how we share its resources, Hear us, O God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: Refresh the people of all nations with your compassion and love and give us the same mind in Christ, living in peace with loving hearts. Hear us, O God, C: Your mercy is great.
L: Rush to the aid of those who wait for you, (especially...), and others we name before you…(brief silence). Heal their pain, mend their brokenness, take away their sorrow, lift them out of their troubles, and relieve their burdens. Hear us, O God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: Encourage us in our lives together. Lead us in your path and
teach us to care for the needs of the poor, the exploited, and
the outcast. Hear us, O God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: Make our joy complete in the knowledge of the good news of
the resurrection. Console those who mourn and give us the
assurance of your presence in this life and the next. Hear us, O
God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: Trusting in your mercy and goodness, we bring before you
these prayers and whatever else you see that we need, in the
name of the one who sets us free, Jesus Christ, our Savior,
C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Please be seated
OFFERING
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Z: God of mercy and grace,
C: the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
Z: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen.
L: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God!
PARTING HYMN Let it Be Said of Us
Verse 1
Let it be said of us
That the Lord was our passion
That with gladness we bore
Ev'ry cross we were given
That we fought the good fight
That we finished the course
Knowing within us
The pow'r of the risen Lord
Chorus
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song
By mercy made holy
By the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song
'Til the likeness of Jesus
Be through us made known
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song
Verse 2
Let it be said of us
We were marked by forgiveness
We were known by our love
And delighted in meekness
We were ruled by His peace
Heeding unity's call
Joined as one body
That Christ would be seen by all chorus
Steve Fry
CCLI Song #1855882
© 1994, 1999 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing; Curb Word Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #931594
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Dean Drews in celebration of Rhonda’s birthday.
TODAY’S SERVERS
Organist: Nicole Busarow
Liturgist: Zach Zipf
Acolyte: Khale Rudolph
Altar Guild: Tracey Gross
Ushers: Leslie Fitzgerald, Dean Drews
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
TODAY, immediately following the service, will be a special congregational meeting to prayerfully discuss the congregation’s relationship with our ELCA Synod, including the process of disaffiliation.
The congregation will also consider and vote on a benevolence gift to Rosemary Henderson for our late Pastor Dale Henderson, as an expression of our Christian love, gratitude, and support for her and her family.
We encourage all voting members to attend and participate in this important meeting. May our conversation and decisions be guided by prayer, Scripture, Christian love, and a spirit of unity, trusting in God’s continued guidance for our congregation.
No Noisy Offering this month.
Sept 27- Due to the Congregational meeting, the Chili Bar lunch for today has been cancelled.
FALL FUN FEST: October 24th - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm will be the Fall Fun Fest. This event has been enjoyed by Matthew's House families along with church families. This year we are asking for additional help with donations due to the rising cost of groceries. There is a sign up sheet for ingredients along with sign up sheets for trunkers, workers and if you are attending the event. These are located in the Bethany Room with other information about the event. If you have any questions, please see Todd or Vicki Campbell.
KINDNESS KITS:
On the doughnut table in the Bethany Room you will find special “Kindness Bags” assembled by the ladies of the Deborah Esther Circle. Please take one to give to someone who needs a bit of encouragement or cheer.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Family of Pastor Dale Henderson, Ricard Kunkel, Carolyn Drews (Dean Drews sister), Larry Campbell, Candy, Wellman, Jamie Sue Becker (4 yr. old daughter of Karlin & Ellie Becker), Henry Volz (8 year-old great nephew of Cindy Beard),
Jan Diller, Mike Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), Pastor Art Klausmeier, Theresa Huth (friend of the Wellman Family}, Bob Powelson (Matt’s father), Stacey Goodman (Friend of Don & Sue Bernard) and our homebound members.(Names normally remain on the prayer list for 6 weeks.)
