Bulletin August 16th
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
2305 Goshen Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Telephone: (260) 483-9312
Email: pastordale@stmatthewslutheran.com
Website: http://www.stmatthewsfw.org
Ministers: The People Pastor: Dale Henderson
Music Director: Tracy Meihls Sexton: Brock Snyder 12th Sunday after Pentecost August 16, 2026
PRELUDE
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Red Book p. 94
Please Stand
GATHERING DIALOGUE Psalm 67
P: We are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
L: May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us.
C: Let your way be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations.
L: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
C: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations on earth.
L: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
C: The earth has brought forth its increase; God, our own God, has blessed us. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
Red Book # 864
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: God of all people, your arms reach out to embrace all who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with genuine compassion, that by our witness your name may be known throughout the earth, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS
SERMON
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
HYMN OF THE DAY Great Is Thy Faithfulness Red Book # 733
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED Red Book p. 105
THE PRAYERS
L: Strengthened by the Spirit who gives us words to speak and hearts that care, let us bring our hopes and needs to God who listens. (A brief silence)
O God, your people gather to worship and praise you. Make us to be obedient and joyful servants of our risen Redeemer in word and in deed. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: You give mercy to all who call on your name. Grant courage and discernment of your will to all in authority, so they may reflect your goodness in all that they do. Lord, in
your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: O God, you created us in your image, giving us the ability to reason and to learn. Bless students and teachers as they return to school. Let your holy angels keep watch over them, guarding them from any harm. Be in their minds, in their words, and in their learning as they strive for greater understanding of your creation. We especially pray for the students in our church’s Rising Stars school, Franke Park Elementary, and for the children of Matthew’s House and their families. Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: Lord of Love, you care for the poor, the orphaned, the unemployed and the homeless. By your grace, help us to share in your love for them, that we may be for them your instruments of mercy. Grant strength and health to those who are sick, and comfort those to whom death draws near. We lift to you…and others whom we name before you...Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
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P: You gather to yourself the faithful of all the ages. Abide with us as we anticipate with joy the heavenly feast that awaits us in your kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: Receive these our prayers, as well as those which we carry in our hearts, in the wonderful and precious name of Jesus, our Lord and our Redeemer. C: AMEN.
Please be seated
OFFERING
Please stand.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
P: Merciful Father:
C: O Lord, our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION Bread of Life Setting Blue Book p. 36
THE DISTRIBUTION
Please stand.
POST COMMUNION
P: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his most precious blood, strengthen and preserve you in true faith unto everlasting life. C: Amen.
L: Let us pray… Almighty God, you provide the true bread from heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that we who have received the Sacrament of his body and blood may abide in him and he in us, that we may be filled with the power of his endless life, now and forever.
C: Amen.
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to 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 Jesus Shall Reign Red Book # 434 v. 1, 4, 5
ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by James LaVorgna in memory of his beloved wife Cheryl.
TODAY’S SERVERS Organist: Nicole Busarow
Liturgist: Todd Campbell Altar Guild: Sarah Hoffman
Communion Assistants: Timothy & Kristen Kiefer
Ushers: Brady & Stephannie Edwards
HOLY COMMUNION: All Christian believers are welcome at our Table. We believe and teach that the body and blood of Christ are truly present under the forms of bread and wine. Come, believing the words of Jesus himself: “This is my body given for you…this is my blood shed for you.”
Children who have not received instruction and others who do not wish to receive the sacrament, but who wish to receive a blessing, may indicate so by folding their hands over their heart.
WINE OR GRAPE JUICE Glasses in the center ring of each communion tray contain white grape juice. Glasses in the outer rings contain wine.
COOKING FOR 1 OR 2: Everyone is invited–women, men, singles, students–to an informative presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1:15-2:30 in Bethany Hall. See the bulletin board for details and sign up.
PLANNING FOR FALL FUN FEST - A committee is being formed to make plans for this year’s Fall Fun Fest, Oct. 24. If you would like to be part of the planning, 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.
MILESTONES SERVICE will be next Sunday, August 23rd. All two-year-olds will receive their prayer pillows and 3-5’s who have not already received their Spark Bible story books will receive one.
PULLED BARBECUED CHICKEN DINNER - Hope you can join us after the service on August 30th for a fellowship lunch. Please sign on the clipboard if you would like to help.
GRIEFSHARE is a 13 week, Christ-centered support program designed to help individuals grieving the loss of a loved one.
Pastor Dale is considering leading a series if there are members interested in participating. Please let Pastor know of your interest. If you would like to hear more about Griefshare from someone who has personally experienced it, speak with Richard Kunkel.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: 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, John and Sandi Slough (Duane Kiefer’s sister), Theresa Huth (friend of the Wellman Family}, Bob Powelson (Matt’s father), and our homebound members.
(Names normally remain on the prayer list for 6 weeks.
If you would like to add or remove a name.
please speak with Pastor Dale.)
