Bulletin July 19th
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 8th Sunday after Pentecost July 19, 2026
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
PREPARATION (Confession & Forgiveness) Red Book p. 94
Please Stand
GATHERING HYMN God is Here Red Book # 526
MORNING PRAYER
P: Give glory to God, our light and our life:
C: Oh come, let us worship Him..
Psalm 86:11-13,15
L: Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth:
C: Give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
L: I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
C: and glorify your name forevermore.
L: For great is your love toward me;
C: You have delivered me from the pit of death.
L: You, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,
C: slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Ye Faithful People, Come
Red Book # 693
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)
Blessed Lord, you speak to us through the Holy Scriptures. Grant that we may hear, read, respect, learn, and make them our own in such a way that the guidance and comfort of the Word will help us hold fast to the blessed hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: By our baptism, you turn us from the old life of sin to new life in Christ Grant that we who are born anew in him may live in righteousness and holiness all our days. Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: You see our children growing up in an uncertain and confusing world. Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Give them strength to hold their faith in you and to keep alive their joy in your good creation. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We lift our land to you, Lord God, that all its citizens may flourish. Grant wisdom to our elected leaders, and watch over those who watch over us. Lord, in your mercy,
C. HEAR OUR PRAYER
L: Send your grace to those who are troubled or lonely, and come to the aid of all who suffer with illness, pain or loss. `` We lift up before you … and others dear to us, whom we name before you … Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: God of mercy, we lift to you all our prayers, those spoken and those in our hearts, confident that all things are in your hands. In Jesus’ name we pray. C: AMEN.
Please be seated
OFFERING
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
P: Merciful Father:
C: You open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set a feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION Bread of Life Setting Blue Book p. 36
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… Lord Jesus, you have not only given us this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of mercy, and may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. 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 Shine On Us
Lord let Your light, Light of Your face, shine on us
Lord let Your light, Light of Your face, shine on us
That we may be saved, That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night. Let Your light shine on us
Lord let Your grace, Grace from Your hand, fall on us
Lord let Your grace, Grace from Your hand fall on us
That we may be saved, That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night. Let Your grace fall on us
Lord let Your love, Love with no end come over us
Lord let Your love, Love with no end come over us
That we may be saved, That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night, Let Your love come over us
Let Your light shine on us
CCLI Song # 1754646
Deborah D. Smith | Michael W. Smith
© 1996 Deer Valley Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Sony/ATV Milene Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 931594
POSTLUDE
ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God by the Ahlersmeyer family.
TODAY’S SERVERS Pianist: Catherine Ji
Liturgist: Zachary Zipf Ushers: Brady & Stephannie Edwards
Communion Assistants: Timothy & Kristen Kiefer
Altar Guild: Heidi Rudolph, Holly Webb
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.
CORN ROAST NEXT WEEK: Plan to stay after the service next Sunday as we enjoy our annual mid-summer corn roast. If you would like to help in any way, please sign up on the clip board.
WE WILL BE HOSTING THE FRANCINE’S FRIENDS MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT on Wednesday, July 22. Six volunteers will be needed to serve in 2¼ hour shifts as monitors in the Bethany Room in the event that someone needs to use the rest room. See the bulletin board for more information or to sign up to help.
PLANNING FOR FALL FUN FEST - A committee is being formed to make plans for this year’s Fall Fun Fest. If you would like to be part of the planning, please see Todd or Vicki Campbell.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Our annual back to school drive is now under way. Please see the back to school display for school items needed. Also, sanitizing wipes and (flat) boxes of tissue are always needed.
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.
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: Henry Volz (8 year-old great nephew of Cindy Beard), Sue Blauvelt, Ken Gumbert, Dean Drews, the family of Steve Tapp, Lynn Jones, Mike Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), Pastor Art Klausmeier, John and Sandi Slough (Duane Kiefer’s sister), Jim Martin (friend and past member of St. Matthew’s), Jim Dowling (friend of St. Matthew’s), 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.)
