Bulletin July 26th
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 9th Sunday after Pentecost July 26, 2026
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
PREPARATION (Confession & Forgiveness) Red Book p. 94
Please Stand
GATHERING HYMN Seek Ye First
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you--
Allelu, alleluia.
Man shall not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God--
Allelu, alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you--
Allelu, alleluia.
CCLI 931594 Maranatha IV
MORNING PRAYER
L: O Lord, open thou my lips,
C: And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
L: Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
C: Make haste to help me, O Lord.
L: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;.
C: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.
L: Give glory to God, our light and our life.
C: O come, let us worship him.
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth; the heights of the hills are also his. The sea is his, for he made it; and his hands have molded the dry land.
O come, let us bow down and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord, our maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. 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: Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY Be Thou My Vision Red Book # 793
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)
Almighty God, guide your church to proclaim the coming of your kingdom, so that all might seek the true treasure of the Life that is ours in Christ Jesus. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: Merciful God, grant to the leaders of the nations the wisdom of Solomon, and let your blessing rest upon the leaders of our own land. Let our communities be safe for those who live and work in them, protect those who are vulnerable from injury or harm, and teach us to live with one another in harmony and mutual support. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: Compassionate Lord, we lift to you those who are struggling with anxiety, grief, or sickness, especially… and those dear to us whom we name before you… Be with those to whom death draws near and receive them into your eternal joy. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: Almighty God, give to those assembled here the confidence to know that nothing can separate us from your love. 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: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us: our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION Setting Ten Red Book p. 206
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 Thine the Amen Red Book # 826 v. 1, 3, 5
POSTLUDE
Please join us in the Bethany Room
for our Midsummer Corn Roast.
ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God in honor of Duane & Tony Kiwefer’s birthdays.
TODAY’S SERVERS Pianist: Catherine Ji
Liturgist: Ian Webb Ushers: Lesley Fitzgerald, Dean Drews
Communion Assistants: Kris Carter, Rich Kunkel
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.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Deborah Esther Circle will meet Tuesday, August 11 at noon in Bethany Hall. Bring your lunch, and dessert and beverage will be provided. This month’s activity is creating artist kits for the Matthew’s House Preschool class.
The ladies luncheon outing to Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury was temporarily postponed due to the severely high temperatures followed by the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Watch for an announcement. Perhaps you can join us on the rescheduled date.
Donations through our baby bottle program for Associated Churches A Baby’s C ministry totaled $595. 29. Thank you to our wonderfully supportive congregation. This will bless many families in our area.
NEXT WEEK’S NOISY OFFERING: Lutheran Social Services
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 items 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), Tracey Gross, Sue Blauvelt, Ken Gumbert, Jan Diller, 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), Robert Davis (father of Tracey Gross), Theresa Huth (friend of the Wellman Family}, 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.)
