Church Bulletin 10.18.26

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
21st Sunday after Pentecost October 18, 2026
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
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: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and
just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
Z: Most merciful God,

C: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free
ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and
deed, by what we have done and by what we have left
undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we
have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of
your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew
us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk
in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen
Z: In his great mercy, almighty God gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to
die for us, forgiving all our sins for his sake. May he strengthen
us with power through the Holy Spirit, so that Christ may live
in our hearts through faith.
C: Amen
Please stand
GATHERING Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ELW 858
GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with us 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: Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by
you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for
your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated
THE READINGS
Isaiah 45:1-7
L: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
We will read responsively Psalm 96:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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 22:15-22
Z: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
Please be seated
MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY Great Is Thy Faithfulness ELW 733

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 and the world.
(A brief silence is kept for personal reflection.)
L: Living and true God, you inspire us to share the message of
the gospel. Give your spirit of love to seminarians and those
beginning their lives in ordained ministry. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We give you thanks for the majesty of our oceans. Protect the
abundant life within them and sustain all those who work to
preserve them. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We seek your wisdom in all things. Direct all who hold
positions of authority around the world, that they act with
compassion, seeking the good of all. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We pray for all people who work in dangerous or degrading
environments. Grant them safety and courage, and heal all
those who are injured, sick, or suffering (especially…), and
others we name before you…(brief silence). Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
L: We ask your blessing on those who do the quiet, unseen work
of the church. Encourage them in their work of faith and labor
of love. 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
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Z: Blessed are you,
C: O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness
you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer
ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care
and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of
him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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 Be Thou My Vision ELW 793
POSTLUDE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Matt and Lori Powelson in celebration
of their 8th wedding anniversary.
TODAY’S SERVERS
Organist: Nicole Busarow
Liturgist: Max Meyer
Altar Guild: Debra Kiefer
Ushers: Stephannie & Brady Edwards
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
Women's Ministry is purchasing 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 TODAY after the service, to celebrate
Reformation, we will be having our traditional Brats & Beer
Fellowship Meal.
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), 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