St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1201 Main Street, Onalaska

608.783.2552 stpaulsonalaska.org

August 9, 2020

2

St. Paul’s

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

St Paul’s Mission Statement: "St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church exists to support each other with God's Word and sacraments, share Christ with our community and the world, and serve others in Christian love."

Welcome to worship at St. Paul’s! Welcome! Thank you for joining us for worship today. In our service we gather before our almighty God to receive his gifts and to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves through the study of God’s holy and powerful Word. Our summer worship series is entitled “The Heroes of Faith.” Hebrews 11 provides us with many examples of how God’s chosen people were blessed by the Holy Spirit with a strong saving faith. Their faith was evident in the way they lived their lives. During these summer months we’ll be encouraged as we remember that “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) The most powerful army in the world at the time, with its trained soldiers and chariots was in pursuit of a large group of slaves. It seemed as if they would be overrun. But the Lord told them, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Today we are going to consider our God who fights for us and guides us through difficult times so that we don't have to worry. We only need to be still.

Heroes of Faith: Faith at the Red Sea

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Preacher: Pastor Dan Olson Sunday Musicians: Amy Zietlow, Tricia Bain, Lori Ehlke, Lisa Loersch, April Lombard, Andy Wehausen Cover Art: Lori Ehlke

© 2008 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Lyrics and music printed in today’s service folder and viewed on the screens are used by permission through CCLI #1906774 and OneLicense A-715642. “My Worth is Not in What I Own” Keith Getty, Fernando Ortega.

3

Morning Praise

BELLS AND WELCOME

OPENING HYMN: CW 422, verses 1, 2, and 4 “Jesus, Lead Us On”

Jesus, lead us on, till our rest is won; And although the way be cheerless, We will follow, calm and fearless.

Guide us by your hand to our fatherland.

If the way be drear, if the foe be near, Let not faithless fears o’ertake us; Let not faith and hope forsake us,

For through many a woe to our home we go.

Jesus, still lead on till our rest is won. Heav’nly Leader, still direct us;

Still support, console, protect us Till we safely stand in our fatherland.

STAND

4

COME, OH, COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD (Venite)

Refrain: Sung first by the choir, then repeated after the first refrain and after every verse by the congregation.

Verses: sung by the choir

5

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who led your people Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Enlighten our darkness by the light of your Christ. May his Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for you are merciful, and you love your whole creation. Send Your Spirit to convict us of our sin through Your Holy Law, and lest we despair in our grief, comfort us with forgiveness through Your Holy Gospel, so that we will be bold proclaimers of Your truth in this world of darkness. We, your creatures, glorify you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Congregation: (spoken) Amen.

BE SEATED

The Word FIRST LESSON: Exodus 13:17-14:31

The account of the crossing of the Red Sea on dry land. This account reminds us that our Lord controls the natural world and delivers us from the hands of all our enemies.

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the

people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said,

“God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could

travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and

the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will

pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.

6

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” 6 So he had his

chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he

pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth,

opposite Baal Zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in

Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and

stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through

Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when

I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The

pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near

the other all night long.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry

ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army

and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea

went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites

into the sea. Not one of them survived.

7

29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the

shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

GOSPEL LESSON: Mark 4:35-41

Jesus calms the storm. Jesus’ power over nature gives us the faith to know that he will be with us when we face the storms of life.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall

came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

HYMN OF THE DAY: CW 517, verses 1-3 “Almighty Father, Strong to Save”

Almighty Father, strong to save, Whose arm has bound the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep: Oh, hear our earnest, humble plea For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain O’er which our traffic runs amain

By mountain pass or valley low; Wherever, Lord, your people go, Protect them by your guarding hand From ev’ry peril on the land.

O Spirit, whom the Father sent To spread abroad the firmament;

O Wind of heaven, by your might Save all who dare the eagle’s flight, And keep them by your watchful care From ev’ry peril in the air.

SERMON LESSON: Hebrews 11:1-2, 29 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients

were commended for.

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

8

SERMON: Heroes of Faith: Faith at the Red Sea

“You Need Only to Be Still”

YOU ARE GOD; WE PRAISE YOU (Te Deum)

The refrain is sung first by the choir and then repeated by the congregation. Please sing wherever congregation is indicated by bold type.

9

GATHER THE THANKOFFERING If you would like to make an electronic gift, these options are available for your convenience:

1. Online giving – visit our website, www.stpaulsonalaska.org and click “Give.” 2. Text giving – text the amount you wish to give starting with the dollar sign to 608-371-6891. 3. If you prefer to mail your offering envelope, please send to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, P.O

Box 128, Onalaska, WI 54650

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

STAND

LORD’S PRAYER

C: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR GRACE

P: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to this new day. Defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we neither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger; and in all we do, direct us to what is right in your sight, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

10

BLESSING

11

CLOSING HYMN: “My Worth is Not in What I Own”

Singers only: My worth is not in what I own,

Not in the strength of flesh and bone, But in the costly wounds of love

At the cross.

My worth is not in skill or name In win or lose, in pride or shame,

But in the blood of Christ that flowed At the cross.

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest Treasure, Wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other. My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

Singers and Congregation:

As summer flowers we fade and die; Fame, youth and beauty hurry by,

But life eternal calls to us At the cross.

I will not boast in wealth or might Or human wisdom's fleeting light, But I will boast in knowing Christ

At the cross.

I rejoice in my Redeemer Greatest Treasure,

Wellspring of my soul I will trust in Him, no other.

My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

Two wonders here that I confess: My worth and my unworthiness, My value fixed - my ransom paid

At the cross.

I rejoice in my Redeemer Greatest Treasure,

Wellspring of my soul I will trust in Him, no other.

My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

12

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest Treasure, Wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other. My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

MINISTRY UPDATE

13

This Week at St. Paul’s: August 9, 2020

Church News

St. Paul’s Ministry Update

Paskes arrival: Help us welcome our new 8th grade teacher, Corey Paske, and his wife Erin (who will be teaching at Christ-St. John’s). A card box will be available in the entryway at church. Installation is currently planned for August 16.

Ministry Update & Annual Voters’ Meeting: Our annual voters’ meeting was held Sunday, July 26. Go to these links to view the pastors’ report and treasurer’s

report.

Worship: We continue to offer in-person worship services Thursdays at 6:30 pm, Saturdays at 5:00 pm, and Sundays at 8:00 am, 9:15 am (gym), and 10:30 am. We are asking people to sign-up so we are able to keep our sanctuary at 25% capacity. You can sign-up by going to our website: www.stpaulsonalaska.org/>. You will also be able to see how

many people have signed up for the service. The 8:00 am typically is full (115 sign ups). All the other services have plenty of room.

Masks and Love: Last week was the first weekend in church after the Gov. Evers issued a mask mandate. The 4th commandment

urges us to honor and respect our governing authorities. Therefore, we will follow that mask mandate in our church for worship and any other indoor church activities. At the same time, realize that there may be some people either in our church or other indoor places in our communities who may not be wearing mask for various reasons. There

are a number of exceptions to this mask mandate. If a person is not wearing a mask, don’t ask and don’t judge. There are a number of reasons that a person may not be able to wear a mask at all or for an extended

period of time. If you are a person who is not able to wear a mask for whatever reason, know that you are welcome in our worship services.

In Our Prayers: Birth of Jensen Dean Krajewski, son of Jim and Heather Krajewski, grandson of Juice and Kathy Terminal Cancer—Ethan Bryant’s grandmother 40th Wedding Anniversary—Kevin and Jan Westerman (8/9) A Reminder God is in control Prayer of Wisdom—for leaders of schools

14

Online Worship Options: We will continue to Livestream our 8:00 am worship services on our website. You can also access our Livestream

through our Youtube channel. Services are always archived on both our website and our YouTube channel.

A Ministry Plan for September-December 2020 What will our gospel ministry look like this fall and early winter at St. Paul’s during these uncertain times of

pandemic? Our pastors have put together a plan which has been approved by our church council. It outlines the opportunities we’ll have to “let the Word of Christ dwell in (us) richly” (Colossians 3:16) as we cope with COVID-

19. Please follow this link to learn more:

Fall Bible Class Options: If you read our Fall plans for ministry, you saw that we’ll be continuing offering five weekly worship services and will be conducting our large group Bible studies through zoom. We will for sure offer one zoom option on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm but are exploring offering a second class. If you are interested in a second option, head to our

website and fill out a brief survey: www.stpaulsonalaska.org. Please respond by August 15. Let Pastor Ehlke know if you have any questions: behlke@stpaulsonalaska.org.

St. Paul's Lutheran School Update: Currently, our school plans to open on its regularly scheduled dates offering both in-person and synchronous virtual instruction. Our leaders continue to review the situation in our county and country. Mr. Bain sent this message to

parents late Saturday night.

SANDY HUNDER FUNERAL Sandra Hunder's funeral will be held at the Roth Family Cremation Center in Viroqua on Friday, August 28th at 11:00 am. Sandy was a member here at St. Paul’s.

TECH VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED We're looking for several volunteers who would be willing to help out on our sound board and live stream teams. Training will be provided! If you would be interested in this, please contact Wendy Schibbelhut at wschibbelhut@stpaulsonalaska.org.

SCRIP ORDERING If you would like to purchase SCRIP cards you can email Katy Miller at kmiller@stpaulsonalaska.org to place an order. Orders can be picked up in the Church office Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 2 pm.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Luther High School is looking to hire an office assistant for the Mission Advancement Office and custodian. Additional information is available at this link.

SUPPORT LUTHER HIGH ATHLETICS Join others in supporting Luther High athletics with a “signature ad” in the 2020-2021. These ads help fund the general operation of all sports. Your name will be printed in each game program. Be sure to include exactly how the name should be printed. Signature ads are accepted throughout the fall and winter sport seasons. Forms are available at www.lutherhigh.org (athletic page) or send your donation to LHS, Attn: Athletic Department, 1501 Wilson St., Onalaska, WI 54650. Thank you for your support.

15

FREE A larger wooden desk is available to anyone who has need for it. Please contact custodian, Brenda Mendell, for more information bmendell@stpaulsonalaska.org.

Mike Murry has a wheel chair ramp if anyone is in need. Mike can be reached at mkmurry@charter.net.

Worship with Our Care of God’s Wealth: Thankoffering given last week: $28,403 ($23,004 needed to meet weekly budget) Blessings Received by Offerings to Date: $132,453 8/2/2020 Anticipated Financial (offering needed for ministry): $115,021 PASTORAL CONTACTS: Pastor Brett Ehlke (608) 799.2717 behlke@stpaulsonalaska.org Pastor Shane Krause (608) 217.5660 skrause@stpaulsonalaska.org Pastor Dan Olson (608) 797.5793 dolson@stpaulsonalaska.org