Bulletin October 11th

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
2305 Goshen Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Telephone: (260) 483-9312
Email: office@stmatthewslutheran.com
Website: http://www.stmatthewsfw.org

Ministers: The People Pastor: Dale Henderson
Music Director: Tracy Meihls Sexton: Brock Snyder
20th Sunday after Pentecost October 11, 2026
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Brother James’ Air ~Gilbert M. Martin
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Z: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.
C: Amen.
Z: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of
our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Z: Most Merciful God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you
and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry
and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things we have done and things we
have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by
your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of
life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Z: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead
in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. In the mercy of
almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his
sake may God forgive us all our sins. Almighty God strengthen
us with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in
our hearts through faith.
C: Amen.
Please stand
GATHERING Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty ELW 533
All vs. 1,2,4,5
Choir v. 3
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.
KYRIE
L: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to
the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the
Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship
and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples
and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your
banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure,
and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated
THE READINGS
Isaiah 25:1-9
L: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
HYMN The Lord’s My Shepherd ELW 778
Philippians 4:1-9
L: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand
Z: The Holy Gospel from the 22nd Chapter of Matthew.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Holy Gospel- Matthew 22:1-14
Z: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
Please be seated
MESSAGE ~Mercy Joshua
HYMN OF THE DAY As We Gather at Your Table ELW 522
Please stand
APOSTLES CREED ELW p. 105
THE PRAYERS

L: Seeking the Spirit of God who makes all things new, we pray
for the church, the world, and all people in need.
(A brief silence is kept for personal reflection.)
L: Holy God, we remember your promise of unity on your holy
mountain. Empower the World Council of Churches and all
those working across religious differences, that the world may
know your undivided love. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We remember your promise of green pastures and quiet
waters. Preserve all places of natural beauty and restore our
relationship with the land. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We remember your promise to not abandon us amid storm
and disaster. Renew all communities facing disasters and give
your courage to those leading relief efforts. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We remember your promise to wipe away every tear. Heal
and console all who are sick or suffering (especially), and
others we name before you…(brief silence).Hear us, O God,
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We remember your promise of a banquet open to all people.
Challenge this congregation to open wide our doors and
welcome everyone to the table. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We remember your promise to swallow up death forever. We
give thanks for those who have gone before us. Hear us, O
God.
C: Your mercy is great.

L: Trusting in your boundless grace, O God, we lift up these
spoken prayers and those in our hearts; through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
L: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray,
C: Our Father…
Please be seated
OFFERING Andantino ~ Charles Tournemire
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
P: Gracious God,
C: As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread,
assist those who set forth to share your word and sacrament
with those who are sick, homebound, and imprisoned. In
your love and care, nourish and strengthen those who will
receive this sacrament, and give us all the comfort of your
abiding presence through the body and blood of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
BLESSING
Z: Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us now and
forever.
C: Amen.
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PARTING HYMN Sent Forth by God's Blessing ELW 547
POSTLUDE Sent Forth By God’s Blessing ~Lloyd Larson

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Deb Henschen in loving memory of
Mary Klein.
TODAY’S SERVERS
Organist: Irene Ator
Liturgist: Ian Webb
Acolyte: Emmaline Webb
Altar Guild: Debra Kiefer
Ushers: Vicki & Todd Campbell
FRIENDSHIP PADS & COMMUNION
Welcome! We are so glad you are worshiping with us today. Please
take a moment to complete the Friendship Pad located at the end of
your pew. If you are participating in Holy Communion today, please
be sure to mark that on the pad as well. Thank you for helping us stay
connected!
OCTOBER NOISY OFFERING Cross Connections- is a professional
Christ-centered counseling service that partners with pastors and
churches in helping provide care for their members.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Deborah-Esther Circle meets on TUE, Oct. 13, 12n-230pm in Bethany
Hall for our 2nd CROCKTOBERFEST. Bring an entree, side or dessert,
cooked in your slow cooker, to share a smorgasbord luncheon with
others at the meeting. Please bring your recipe too, so we can include
it in an upcoming cookbook project.
Thank you to our St. Matthew's family for your generous memorials
honoring past members Carol Skinner and Kay Alterkuse. Due to your
generosity, the Circle ladies voted to opt out of a Noisy Offering this
fall. We plan to use some of the memorial funds for updates to the
ladies' restroom. In addition, we will purchase feminine hygiene items
that are desperately needed to re-stock the NALC Disaster Response
district warehouse in Noblesville. If anyone wants to help with this

project, there will be a collection bin in the ladies' restroom through
October.
Our church's mission project of assembling personal care kits and
flood/cleaning buckets for NALC Disaster Response was postponed
from late summer 2026 until early winter 2027. Collection of items
will begin in late January with assembly after worship on SUN, Feb.
14. Watch for details later this year. In the meantime, the source for
inexpensive 5-gallon buckets from which we were going to purchase
no longer offers buckets. If any cat owners use Tidy Cat litter in the
35-pound pail (sample under the bulletin board), those can be used in
place of 5-gallon buckets. Bring empty pails to church; we will store
them in the basement until needed for the project.
UPCOMING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES
Reformation Meal On October 18, to celebrate Reformation, we will
be having our traditional Brats & Beer Fellowship Meal. Signup sheets
available 10/4 & 10/11.
Franke Park Conferences We will support the staff with a baked
potato bar. Sign up sheet on October18--their conferences are on
October 29.
Fall Fun Fest October 24th - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm This event has been
enjoyed by Matthew's House families along with church families. This
year we are asking for additional help with donations due to the rising
cost of groceries. There is a sign up sheet for ingredients along with
sign up sheets for trunkers, workers and if you are attending the
event. These are located in the Bethany Room with other information
about the event. If you have any questions, 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.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Family of Pastor Dale Henderson,
Dan Sobieski (Deb Kiefer’s Brother), Josh Merrill (Friend of Ian Webb
involved in a farming accident), Waneta Linton (Lori Powelson’s
grandmother), Danica Winters (Kelley Ahlersmeyer’s sister), Richard
Kunkel, Carolyn Drews (Dean Drew's sister), Larry Campbell, Candy,
Wellman, Jamie Sue Becker (4 yr. old daughter of Karlin & Ellie
Becker), Henry Volz (8 year-old great nephew of Cindy Beard), Mike
Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), Pastor Art Klausmeier, 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.)