Bulletin June 28th
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 5th Sunday after Pentecost June 28, 2026
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
PREPARATION (Confession & Forgiveness)
P: We are gathered in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
P: In the presence of God, who sees our hearts and our minds, let us confess our sin and our need for God’s saving grace.
(a moment of silence for reflection)
God our strength,
C: we confess that we are captive to the power of sin that dwells within us, and we sin against you in many ways, not only by outward transgressions, but also by secret thoughts and desires which we do not fully understand, but which are all known by you. Forgive us, Father, for Jesus’ sake, and raise us up to newness of life in Christ, in whose precious name we pray. Amen.
P: Brothers and sisters, all have fallen short of the glory of God; therefore we are justified by God’s grace as a gift. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in +Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have forgiveness, life and salvation.
C: All thanks and praise to God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Amen.
Please Stand
MORNING PRAYER The Venite (Psalm 95)
P: O Lord, open Thou my lips,
C: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
L: Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
C: Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to the Lord with psalms.
L: For you, O Lord, are a great God, and a great ruler above all gods.
C: In your hand are the caverns of the earth; the heights of the hills are also yours. The sea is yours, for you made it; and your hands have molded the dry land.
L: Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
C: For the Lord 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. Alleluia.
HYMN OF PRAISE Praise the Lord, O Heavens Red Book # 823
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
Red Book # 712
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED Red Book p. 105
THE PRAYERS
L: Gathered 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)
Dear God, our comfort and our help, we pray for the Church throughout the world; especially for exiled Christians, oppressed churches, and all who suffer persecution for their faith. Give them courage, freedom, and a full share of your strength. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We lift our land to you, O Lord, as we celebrate the founding of our nation. By your grace, grant your people wisdom to select responsible leaders who will serve with courage and integrity, in accordance with your will. that all our citizens may flourish. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We pray for those in need, for those who seek employment, shelter, food, health, and love; for dear ones known to us, especially… and others whom we name before you… Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We thank you for this congregation, our spiritual home; for our pastor, our leaders, and all who surround us and make your presence known. Keep us in your love, until that day when, together, we shall feast at your heavenly table. 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 Setting Ten Blue 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. Loving God, by your Spirit we are born anew, and you nourish us like newborns with this holy food, by which we grow into salvation. Give us grace to live as your children, until you gather us all to the heavenly table, where Christ reigns in glory 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 God Be With You Till We Meet Again
Red Book # 536
POSTLUDE
Please join us as we gather in the Bethany Room after the service for our Strawberry and Ice Cream Social.
ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God by Jeff & Becky Gongwer, celebrating their 30th Anniversary.
TODAY’S SERVERS
Pianist: Catherine Ji Liturgist: Zachary Zipf
Communion Assistants: Matt & Lori Powelson
Ushers: Lesley Fitzgerald, Dean Drews
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.
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.
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 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.
COMING UP:
Back to School Supplies (July)
NALC Disaster Response/personal care kits and flood buckets (early fall). Watch for details soon on both projects.
Memorial Service for Kay Altekruse - Saturday, July 18, at D.O.McComb & Sons, Lakeside, 11:00-12:30 visitation, 12:30 service.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:. Carol Skinner and family, Sue Blauvelt, Ken Gumbert, Dean Drews, Steve Tapp, Lynn Jones, Crystal Huth and family (friend of Doug & Candy Wellman), Mike Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), 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.)
