Church Bulletin

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 of Easter May 3, 2026

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS Red Book p, 94

Please Stand
GATHERING SONG 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
P: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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.

PSALM 31:1-5, 15-16
L: In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
C: Deliver me in your righteousness.
L: Incline your ear to me:
C: Make haste to deliver me.
L: Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold:
C: For the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.
L: Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,
C: For you are my tower of strength.
L: Into your hands I commend my spirit,
C: For you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.
L: My times are in your hand:
C: Rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
L: Let your face shine upon your servant:
C: Save me in your steadfast love.
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: Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

Please be seated.
THE READINGS
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Red Book p. 142
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia! Alleluia!
SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY You are the Way Red Book # 758

Please stand
HOLY BAPTISM Red Book p. 227
Drema Pressler

THE PRAYERS
L: Trusting in the promise of new life in Jesus Christ, let us pray for the witness of the church, the wholeness of creation, and all who are in need. (A brief silence)
L: Almighty God, Father of all mercies, send your Holy Spirit upon your church. Awaken in us a renewed commitment to our baptismal promises: to build up the body of Christ, to worship together, to share our faith, to serve others, and to work for justice and peace. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: Call all nations to the repentance that leads to life. Empower legislators to craft laws that reflect your commandment to love one another. Bless police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and first responders who put themselves at risk to care for others. Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: God of mercy, we pray for those who seek healing, comfort and strength. Hear our prayers for those who call upon you in their need, especially… and all others whom we name ... Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
L: We thank you for our congregation–for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Keep us ever in fellowship with one another in Christ, the way, the truth, the life. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
(Here other prayers may be offered.)
P: Trusting in your mercy, O God, we lift our prayers to you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: AMEN.

Please be seated
OFFERING (Special basket offering for NALC Disaster Response)
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 Three Red Book p. 144

DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
COMMUNION SONG (Choir) In Remembrance of Me

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: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another, for the sake of Jesus Christ our 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 is peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

PARTING HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory Red Book # 705

POSTLUDE

ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Aaron & Debbie Sorg in celebration of their wedding anniversary.

TODAY’S SERVERS
Organist: Nicole Busarow
Liturgist: Ed Stange
Ushers: Stephannie & Brady Edwards
Altar Guild: Mercy Joshua

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.

LADIES: Last call for this Sunday’s afternoon event with the Ladies of St. John’s Lutheran Church-Lake Township. We are invited to their spring event featuring Christian writer Gloria Doty, Sunday, May 3, 12 noon to 2:30 PM. Lunch is provided. Cost is $5. Meet Debbie Sorg after the service in the Bethany Room.

Next Deborah Esther circle meeting is Tuesday, May 12. Lunch at Country Heritage Winery, then on to visit Dana at Lutheran Life Village, Kendallville.

TODAY’S SPECIAL OFFERING: On the first Sunday of each month we give a special basket offering to one of our partners in ministry. This month’s offering will go to the North American Lutheran Church Disaster Response fund to assist victims of natural disasters, such as floods, storms, etc.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:. Rich Kunkel, Phil Monahan, Cora Fisher, Lynn Jones, Crystal Huth and family (friend of Doug & Candy Wellman), Mike Volz (brother of Cindy Beard), Pastor Art Klausmeier, the family of Rita Lauer, and all 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.)