We welcome Pastor Dirk Stadtlander, pastor of the FreeIndeed Prison Congregation in the Anamosa State Penitentiary as our guest preacher for today! Pastor Dirk has a uniquely “inside” perspective on what it means for persons to be isolated, lonely and bound up in today’s world. We look forward to hearing how God’s Word relates!
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
Psalm 26:1-8
Give judgment for me, O Lord, for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. I have not sat witih the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful. I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down wiith the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, that I may go in procession round your altar, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds. Lord, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides.
Praise the Lord and pray for the needs of God’s people.
Responding with Praise – Please listen to and sing with: “Lord, I Need You”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE
Hearing God’s Word
Matthew 16:21-28
From that time on [after Peter confesed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Watch Sermon from Pastor Dirk Stadtlander: “LOVE: A Life Sentence”
Responding in Faith – Please listen and sing along with: “Lord, You Have Come Up To the Lakeshore”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdsab4mm4nI&list=RDKdsab4mm4nI&index=1
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 this song of blessing:
“Benediction” (As You Go) – Selah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWIv_grvCG8
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: StPaulLutheranChurch@hotmail.com
Pastoral Emergencies: Pastors Kevin & Sue Blader
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-468-1941