We welcome Pastor Paul Ostrem, Assistant to the Bishop of the Southern Iowa Synod of the ELCA, as our guest preacher for today! Pastor Paul worked very closely with our transition process and the Call Committee here at St. Paul Lutheran. We look forward to a good word! We also want to thank our own Feirer family for sharing their music ministry with us today!
Order of Worship
Greetings, St. Paul friends and family, and welcome to Worship! Following is the service for this Lord’s Day.
As we turn to the Lord, let’s take a moment to bow our hearts before Him now.
Confession of Sin & Declaration of Grace
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
Take time to confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness.
Take time to bask in God’s forgiveness and love for you, demonstrated at the Cross.
Scripture & Prayer
Isaiah 51:1-3
Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Praise the Lord and pray for the needs of God’s people.
Responding with Praise – Please listen to “The Rock.”
https://vimeo.com/450080661 (First song on video)
Hearing God’s Word
Matthew 16:13-20
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah..
Watch Sermon from Pastor Paul Ostrem “Off to a Rocky Start”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdoyCbeYiXs&feature=youtu.be
Responding in Faith – Please listen to and sing along with: “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”
https://vimeo.com/450080661 (2:13)
Pray the LORD’S Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.
Benediction (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Ending with Praise – Listen to and sing along with “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock”
https://vimeo.com/450080661 (5:21)
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: StPaulLutheranChurch@hotmail.com
Pastoral Emergencies: Pastor Mark Morehouse
Pastor Mark Morehouse: 660-373-0950