Church Bulletin

Weekly 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 7th Sunday after Pentecost July 12, 2026

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

PREPARATION (Confession & Forgiveness) Red Book p. 94
Please Stand
MORNING PRAYER
P: We are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
P: Give glory to God, our light and our life:
C: Oh come, let us worship Him..
Psalm 63:1-8
L: O God, you are my God; eagerly will I seek you;
C: My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
L: Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place,
C: That I might behold your power and your glory.
L: For your lovingkindness is better than life itself;
C: My lips shall give you praise.
L: So will I bless you as long as I live
C: and lift up my hands in your name.
L: My soul is content as with marrow and fatness.
C: and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
L: When I remember you upon my bed,
C: and meditate on you in the night watches.
L: For you have been my helper,
C: and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
L: My soul clings to you;
C: your right hand holds me fast.
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.

HYMN OF PRAISE Praise the Lord! O Heavens Red Book p. 823

PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
Red Book # 533 V. 1, 3, 5
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED Red Book p. 105

THE PRAYERS
P: 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)
God of life, send your Word to dwell in our hearts, and give the people of your church compassion and eagerness to carry your Word to those who long for hope and peace. Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: Send your peace to reign over the nations, and let your peace fill our own land. Grant wisdom and compassion to our elected leaders. Let our communities be safe, protect those who are vulnerable from injury or harm, and teach us to live with one another in harmony and mutual support. Lord, in your mercy, C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: Send your grace to those who suffer with pain or illness. We lift up before you … and others dear to us, whom we now name before you … Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: O God, our eternal home, you broke the bonds of death through the resurrection of Christ our Lord. Remind us each day of the free gift that you offer us--the gift of eternal life in Him. Lord, in your mercy,
C: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
P: God of mercy, we lift to you all 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
(Benevolent offering for the month of July: Bright Point)
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
P: Merciful Father:
C: You open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set a feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION Setting Four Red Book p. 152

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… Lord Jesus, you have not only given us this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of mercy, and may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. C: Amen.
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 I Believe in Jesus
I believe in Jesus. I believe He is the Son of God.
I believe He died and rose again.
I believe He paid for us all.
And I believe that He’s here now, standing in our midst,
Here with the power to heal now,
And the strength to forgive.

I believe in You, Lord. I believe You are the Son of God.
  I believe You died and rose again.
    I believe You paid for us all.
And I believe that You’re here now, standing in our midst,
  Here with the power to heal now,
    And the strength to forgive.
		CCLI License # 931594 Worship & Praise

POSTLUDE

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God.

TODAY’S SERVERS Pianist: Catherine Ji
Liturgist: Max Meyer Ushers: Todd and Vicki Campbell
Communion Assistants: Jeff & Mindy Meyer
Altar Guild: Heidi Rudolph, Holly Webb

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.

CHURCH COUNCIL meets tomorrow, July 13, at 7:00 PM.

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.

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.

SPECIAL BENEVOLENT OFFERING for July goes to Bright Point, which stands ready to assist members of our congregation in times of need. If offering toward this partner in ministry, please write “Bright Point” on the memo line of your check or place it in the blue bucket on the table in the Narthex.

PLANNING FOR FALL FUN FEST - A committee is being formed to make plans for this year’s Fall Fun Fest. If you would like to be part of the planning, please see Todd or Vicki Campbell.

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, speak with Richard Kunkel.

ALSO COMING UP:
Back to School Supplies (July)
NALC Disaster Response/personal care kits and flood buckets (early fall). Watch for details soon on both.
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: Henry Volz (8 year-old great nephew of Cindy Beard), the family of Carol Skinner, Sue Blauvelt, Ken Gumbert, Dean Drews, Steve Tapp, Lynn Jones, 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.)

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

PREPARATION (Confession & Forgiveness) Red Book p. 94

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 Jesus, You Are My Life
You are my life...Oh, precious Christ,
You are to me...the pearl of greatest price.
My love for You...will never die.
Jesus, You are my life.
I come to You, I run to You,
There’s no greater joy than knowing You.

Oh, holy fire, Love’s purest light,
  Burn all desires till You are my one delight.  
My love for You...will never die.
   Jesus, You are my life.
I come to You, I run to You,
  There’s no greater joy than knowing You.

Oh, conquering King...conquer my heart,
  And make of me...a pleasing gift to God.
My love for You...will never die.
   Jesus, You are my life.
   	I come to You, I run to You,
  There’s no greater joy than knowing You.
My love for You will never die. Jesus, You are my life.

CCLI 931594 Maranatha IV
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
Please be seated.
THE READINGS
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Break Now the Bread of Life Red Book # 515
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. Grant wisdom to our elected leaders, peace to our communities, safety to those who protect us, and grace to all the people. 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
(Noisy offering for the month of July: Bright Point)
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

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 O Beautiful for Spacious Skies Red Book # 888

POSTLUDE

ALTAR FLOWERS are dedicated to the glory of God by Jess King, in celebration of Hailie’s 21st birthday.

TODAY’S SERVERS Organist: Nicole Busarow
Liturgist: Ed Stange Ushers: Debra Kiefer, Anthony Kiefer
Altar Guild: Heidi Rudolph, Holly Webb

WINE OR GRAPE JUICE Glasses in the center ring of each communion tray contain white grape juice. Glasses in the outer rings contain wine.

SPECIAL BENEVOLENT (BUCKET) OFFERING: On the first Sunday of each month we give a special offering for one of our partners in ministry. July’s offering will go to Bright Point, which stands ready to assist members of our congregation in times of need.

PLANNING FOR FALL FUN FEST - A committee is being formed to make plans for this year’s Fall Fun Fest. If you would like to be part of the planning, please see Todd or Vicki Campbell.

SHOE COLLECTION: Thanks to all who brought in shoes for “Changing Footprints”. We collected a total of 175 pairs of shoes. Thanks to all for changing lives two-feet-at-a-time.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:. the family of Carol Skinner, Sue Blauvelt, Ken Gumbert, Dean Drews, Steve Tapp, Lynn Jones, the family of Crystal Huth (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.)