Bulletin June 21st

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 4th Sunday after Pentecost June 21, 2026

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Red Book p. 94
Please Stand
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.

GATHERING HYMN We Will Glorify
We will glorify the King of kings, We will glorify the Lamb;
We will glorify the Lord of lords, Who is the great I AM.

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty, We will bow before the throne;
We will worship him in righteousness, We will worship him alone.

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, He is Lord of all who live;
He is Lord above the universe, All praise to him we give.

Hallelujah to the King of kings, Hallelujah to the Lamb;
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords, Who is the great I AM.
CCLI 931594 Worship & Praise

PSALM 84
GLORIA PATRI
P: 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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
Red Book # 667
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 our comfort and joy, by your mercy you welcome all people into your saving grace. Guide your church to be a place of welcome for all people. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We pray for all fathers, and all who provide fatherly care. Grant them wisdom and grace, that they may be instruments and models of your perfect love. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: O God our hope, we lift to you our homeland. Speak peace into the hearts of those who would cause disharmony; turn back those who plan any evil, and rescue them from their sin. Speak courage to those who seek to protect others. Speak wisdom into the minds of our elected leaders, that the people of our land may live in peace and harmony. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: O God our strength, we pray for those whose bodies, minds and spirits are weary and in pain, especially… and others dear to us, whom we name before you… Heal and restore them, and surround them with your love. Bless those around them who provide care and attend to their needs. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.:

P: God of mercy, we lift to you 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 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…God, our Creator, at this table you have satisfied us with the good things of your grace. Fix our hearts on your mercy and truth, that our lives may reflect your love for all, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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 This Little Light of Mine Red Book # 677

POSTLUDE

ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God by Nicholas, Kelley and Elliott Ahlersmeyer.

TODAY’S SERVERS
Pianist: Catherine Ji Liturgist: Max Meyer
Communion Assistants: Jeff & Mindy Meyer
Ushers: Brady & Stephannie Edwards
Altar Guild: Rosemary Henderson

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.

STRAWBERRY AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL - JUNE 28: Join us after the service in the Bethany Room for sloppy joes and ice cream with strawberries. There is a sign up sheet for those who are willing to help. Please see Sue Bernard.

WOMEN’S SUMMER FUN OUTING: St. Matthew’s Women’s
Ministry invites you to come along on Tuesday, July 14, for lunch at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury and viewing of the many quilt gardens and murals in Middlebury and Shipshewana. See details on the bulletin board, and sign up by July 7th.

A BABY’S CLOSET - St. Matthew’s Women’s Ministry invites you to please see the special display table in the Bethany Room and pick up a mini-baby bottle to fill with cash, coins, or checks for A Baby’s Closet–a ministry of Associated Churches. ABC assists families experiencing hardship in Fort Wayne by providing essential items for infants. Checks may be made payable to St. Matthew’s with “baby bottle” on the memo line. Please return your bottle with your contribution to the baby doll bed on the display table by Father’s Day, June 21.

SHOE COLLECTION: During the entire month of June, St. Matthew’s will be partnering with Changing Footprints to change the world two feet at a time. Shoe collection bins will be located in the Bethany Room, in the entrance to the food bank, and in Matthew’s House. Shoes of any kind, any size, and any condition may be donated. Even damaged shoes are used to make playground surface material.

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, please speak with Richard Kunkel.

WE WILL BE HOSTING THE FRANCINE’S FRIENDS MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT on Wednesday, July 22. Six volunteers will be needed to serve in 2 ¼ 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.

UPCOMING PROJECTS: Back to School Supplies (July)
NALC Disaster Response/personal care kits and flood buckets (early fall). Watch for details soon on both projects.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:. Carol Skinner, Ken Gumbert, Larry Campbell, Dean Drews, Steve Tapp, Lynn Jones, Crystal Huth and family (friend of Doug & Candy Wellman), Mike Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), the family of Talen Nicola, Pastor Art Klausmeier, 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.)