Online Bulletin

SANCTUARY  |  Church Online

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Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 27, 2026
8:30am 

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Prelude "Earth and All Stars" arr. Alex Guebert
Alex Guebert, organ

 

Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

 

Ringing of the Bell

 

Opening Hymn “Earth and All Stars”
verses 1, 5 and 6
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 817.

Earth and all stars!
Loud rushing planets!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Oh, victory!
Loud shouting army!
Sing to the Lord a new song!

Refrain:
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!

Classrooms and labs!
Loud boiling test tubes!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band!
Loud cheering people!
Sing to the Lord a new song! refrain

Knowledge and truth!
Loud sounding wisdom!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son!
Loud praying members!
Sing to the Lord a new song! refrain

 

Invocation
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.

 

Confession and Absolution
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: 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 on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Pastor: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
People: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. 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.
Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

 
Hymn of Praise “Earth and All Stars”
verse 7

Children of God,
Dying and rising,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Heaven and earth,
Hosts everlasting,

Sing to the Lord a new song! He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!

  

Salutation and Collect of the Day
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32 NIV

18 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

³ “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ⁴ For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

²⁵ “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? ²⁶ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. ²⁷ But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. ²⁸ Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. ²⁹ Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

³⁰ “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹ Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn  “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 655.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

  

Epistle Reading  Philippians 2:1–4, 14–18 NIV

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Anthem "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" William Runyan, arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
Cathedral Bells

 
Holy Gospel Matthew 21:23–27 NIV

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn of the Day “Lamb of God”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 550.

Your only Son, no sin to hide,
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod,
And to become the Lamb of God.

Refrain:
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God!
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Your Gift of love they crucified,
They laughed and scorned Him as He died:
The humble King they named a fraud,
And sacrificed the Lamb of God. refrain

I was so lost, I should have died,
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod,
And to be called a lamb of God. refrain

 

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Message Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

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Apostles’ Creed 
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

  
Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Pastor:  Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.

  

Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings 


Music at the Offering

"Rondo-Passacaglia" Cynthia Dobrinski
Cathedral Bells

     

The Lord's Prayer 
Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: 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
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.

 

Closing Hymn “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 805.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

 

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg
Liturgist: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Organ: Karissa Raebel
Handbell Choir: Cathedral Bells
Handball Choir Director: Alex Guebert
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring (10:30)
Choir: St. John’s Third Grade Choir (10:30)
Choir Director: Audrey Mink
Audio/Visual: Hector Cerda, Mark Todd, and Blaine Currer

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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September 27, 2026

Prayers of the Church
September 20, 2026

Holy Spirit, renew our hearts and minds
to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Give us good courage and ruthless trust to stay confident in the Lord
and to dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Lord, in Your mercy,

Loving God, we thank You that in Baptism, You claim us as Your own,
You wash us from sin, and You set us free from the power of death.

We give You thanks and praise for the Baptisms today of…
Emma Joy Huerta, daughter of Jose and Maren, and
Rylee May Redmond, daughter of Cameron and Chelsee,
granddaughter of Tracee Brewster, great-granddaughter of Ron May.

Keep Emma, Rylee, and all Your baptized children always in Your love,
and guide us as we grow in faith. Lord, in Your mercy,

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the skies.

We give You thanks and praise for 21 years of marriage for David and K.C. Jacobson,
and for 21 years of marriage for Robert and Renee Klein.

By Your Spirit, continue to help them grow closer to each other and to You each day.
Guard their home, grant them Your peace, and give them Your continued blessings.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord, have mercy on all Your servants who are sick, awaiting surgery, and near death; battling depression and loneliness; recovering from falls and injuries.

We pray especially for Betty Ackerman, Randy Bosch, Steve Clark,
those on our printed prayer lists, and those close to us that we name silently now…

Guard them, O Great Physician, and keep their faith strong in You. Lord, in Your mercy,

Lord God of life and death, whether we live or die, we are Yours.

Be with the grieving in our congregation,
especially the family and friends of Annette Birdsell.
Wipe away their tears and encourage them with Your victory over death.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Gracious God, bless our nation and all people in their vocations and callings.

With the gift of Your Spirit, give humility and wisdom to our leaders, our first responders,
and our active and reserve military, that they would serve on behalf of the defenseless.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Lord of the harvest, send workers into Your harvest field and into Your vineyards.

We pray for Your blessing upon our new member class this evening.

Watch over them and their families –
that they find a church home at St. John’s to learn about the grace and truth of Your Word,
to grow in faith, to serve our community, and to worship together.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WALKER HALL  |  Church Online

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Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, September 27, 2026
10:30am

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Welcome Pastor Micah Raebel

Invocation

Confession and Absolution

Worship Set

“Open The Eyes Of My Heart”
“Great Things”
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)”

Sacrament of Baptism

Scripture Readings

Message Pastor Micah Raebel

"What My Father's Like"

Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of the Church

Gathering of the Offering

The Lord’s Prayer

“Nothing But The Blood"

Benediction

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Pastor Micah Raebel
Director of Worship & Music: Alex Guebert

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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September 27, 2026

Prayers of the Church
September 20, 2026

Holy Spirit, renew our hearts and minds
to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Give us good courage and ruthless trust to stay confident in the Lord
and to dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Lord, in Your mercy,

Loving God, we thank You that in Baptism, You claim us as Your own,
You wash us from sin, and You set us free from the power of death.

We give You thanks and praise for the Baptisms today of…
Emma Joy Huerta, daughter of Jose and Maren, and
Rylee May Redmond, daughter of Cameron and Chelsee,
granddaughter of Tracee Brewster, great-granddaughter of Ron May.

Keep Emma, Rylee, and all Your baptized children always in Your love,
and guide us as we grow in faith. Lord, in Your mercy,

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the skies.

We give You thanks and praise for 21 years of marriage for David and K.C. Jacobson,
and for 21 years of marriage for Robert and Renee Klein.

By Your Spirit, continue to help them grow closer to each other and to You each day.
Guard their home, grant them Your peace, and give them Your continued blessings.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord, have mercy on all Your servants who are sick, awaiting surgery, and near death; battling depression and loneliness; recovering from falls and injuries.

We pray especially for Betty Ackerman, Randy Bosch, Steve Clark,
those on our printed prayer lists, and those close to us that we name silently now…

Guard them, O Great Physician, and keep their faith strong in You. Lord, in Your mercy,

Lord God of life and death, whether we live or die, we are Yours.

Be with the grieving in our congregation,
especially the family and friends of Annette Birdsell.
Wipe away their tears and encourage them with Your victory over death.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Gracious God, bless our nation and all people in their vocations and callings.

With the gift of Your Spirit, give humility and wisdom to our leaders, our first responders,
and our active and reserve military, that they would serve on behalf of the defenseless.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Lord of the harvest, send workers into Your harvest field and into Your vineyards.

We pray for Your blessing upon our new member class this evening.

Watch over them and their families –
that they find a church home at St. John’s to learn about the grace and truth of Your Word,
to grow in faith, to serve our community, and to worship together.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.