SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY February 23, 2025
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Synod
Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827
Organist Karen Davis, Mindy Kane, Church Telephone 763-682-4573
Lorraine Roush Email pastor@myimmanuel.org
WELCOME, VISITORS: We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our “Welcome” card found in the pew holders or sign the guest book in the narthex/entry.
Prayer Before Worship
O Lord, my creator, redeemer and comforter, as I come to worship you in spirit and in truth, I humbly pray that you would open my heart to the preaching of your Word so that I may repent of my sins, believe in Jesus Christ as my only Savior and grow in grace and holiness. Hear me for the sake of His name. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Beginning on Page 38 in the Hymnal.
HYMN (#295, v. 1-4) “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here”
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ gave his Church the command to baptize when he said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Scripture makes plain the universal need for Baptism. As children of Adam, we belong to a fallen race. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature and would be lost forever unless delivered by our Lord Jesus Christ. He willingly took on himself the curse of sin and by his death on the cross redeemed us and all people.
Christ’s almighty Word gives Baptism its power to save. The apostle Peter declares, “Baptism now saves you.” Scripture also clearly teaches that the power and promise of Baptism is
intended for young and old alike. On the day of Pentecost the apostle testified, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” By water and the Spirit, we are born again and united with Christ and his people as members of the Church.
In bringing Boden to Baptism, you are doing what is
God-pleasing. Jesus himself invited little children to become a part of his kingdom when he said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart † to mark you as a redeemed child of Christ.
prayer
M: Let us pray.
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father, through your stern judgment the unbelieving world was destroyed by the flood, but
according to your great mercy, you saved Noah and his family. You engulfed stubborn Pharaoh and his army in the waters of the
Red Sea but led your people through those same waters to safety on dry land. In the waters of the Jordan your own Son was baptized and anointed with the Spirit. By these signs you foreshadowed the precious, cleansing bath which you give us in Holy Baptism.
Clinging to your command and promise, we ask that you would look with favor on Boden. Through this water of Baptism, drown in him all sin inherited from Adam and any other evil he may do. Set him apart from the unbelieving world and hold him safe and secure in the holy ark of the Church. Keep him always fervent in spirit and joyful in hope so that he may honor your holy name and at last receive, together with all your people, the promised inheritance of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The minister applies water to the one being baptized as he says:
M: Boden Gray Simat, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has forgiven all your sins. By your baptism, you are born again and made a dear child of your Father in heaven.
May God strengthen you to live in your baptismal grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.
prayer
M: Let us pray.
Merciful Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of Baptism by which you wash away sin and give us a new and eternal life. Help us each day to remember that through Baptism you clothe us with Christ that we may stand holy and righteous before you. Look with favor on Boden that he may be kept safe by the gift of your Spirit, grow daily in your grace, and live forever by the power of the risen Christ. Make us willing to carry out our responsibilities to all the baptized, so that all may finally come to the blessed joys of heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord † Jesus Christ, strengthen you by his Spirit, that Christ, dwelling in your hearts by faith, may fill you with all spiritual blessings.
Go in peace.
HYMN (#295, v. 5) “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray: Heavenly Father, keep your family continually in true faith, so that those who rely only on the hope of your heavenly grace may be protected by your mighty power; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Genesis 45:3-15
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
(NIV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 32 (page 78)
SECOND LESSON Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(NIV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Alleluia. (Matthew 5:44-45)
C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
These words are written that we may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 6:27-38
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!
HYMN OF THE DAY (#492) “Son of God, Eternal Savior”
SERMON TEXT Luke 6:27-38
SERMON THEME “Love Your Enemies”
1) The Sharpest Message of the Law
2) The Sweetest Promise of the Gospel
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
THANKSGIVING
OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.
HYMN (#493) “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
M: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary’s son, in the fullness of
time you came into our world to save us from sin and death:
C: You ushered in the day of grace so long foretold.
M: Beloved Son of the Father, revered by the Magi, baptized by John,
you came preaching and teaching, healing and comforting,
forgiving and encouraging:
C: You brought the light of life to those walking in darkness, and
the joy of salvation to those doomed to death.
M: Prince of Peace, shine like a beacon for us and the people of our world. Let the good news of salvation be heard in the remotest corners of the earth. Open our own lips to speak your name to those around us who still live without faith or hope:
C: Arouse us and our missionaries to flood the world with the light of your gospel.
M: Lord of the Church, let your peace rule our hearts that we may use our gifts to serve you and each other in willing gratitude and joy. Watch over our loved ones near and far, that they may remember your love and rejoice in your salvation. Strengthen the faith of the sick and the disheartened. Give hope to those in despair and comfort those who mourn:
C: Be gracious to all and lead us to reflect your love in everything we say and do.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow.
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
Silent prayer.
M: Finally, bring us and all your believers to the heavenly home where we will stand in the full light of your glory and with all your saints and angels sing the everlasting song of triumph.
C: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your
saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
HYMN (#490) “Love in Christ Is Strong and Living”
Personal Devotions?
Consider using the prayers and readings from each
Sunday’s worship bulletin during your
daily personal/family devotions—
–“Prayer of the Day”
–“Prayer of the Church”
–Re-read God’s Word and
reflect upon it and how it applies to you.
–Review the sermon theme and text
and its applications for you.
VERSE OF THE DAY:
During the week memorize and think about this verse of the day:
Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children
of your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:44-45)
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY February 23, 2025
THE SCHEDULE
Wed., Feb. 26 6:30 p.m., Catechism Class
Next Sunday, March 2, Greeters: Durr Family
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
THANK YOU to Pastor Paul Marggraf for sharing God’s Word with us this morning and conducting our service. Pastor Oehlke is leading worship at Mt. Olive, Delano.
BAPTISM: Boden Gray Simat, son of Reven and Madi Simat, will be baptized this morning in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word tells us in Galatians 3:27, “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
BOWLING WITH FISHERS: Fishers would like to invite the congregation to some bowling this afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. Be ready to bowl or just join the fun as spectators and cheerleaders. We have 6 lanes reserved at Huikko’s Bowl in Buffalo.
LENTEN SERVICE: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5 and includes Communion. The theme for this year is “Kyrie Eleison.”
The Benzers and Bakkes are again hosting the Soup Suppers from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Consider lending a helping hand with the weekly
clean-ups.
MEDITATIONS entitled “Point Me Heavenward” have arrived with daily devotions for March 2 through May 31. Large print editions are also available. Feel free to take additional copies of either version to share.
THANK YOU: We received a thank you note from WELS Christian Aid and Relief for our gift directed to hurricane and fire relief. It is posted on the west bulletin board.
BLOODMOBILE: Our first Red Cross Bloodmobile will be on March 21, 2025, please spread the word so we can fill all the time slots. A listing is on the island in the narthex with available openings. The date appears on the Red Cross website so you can also register at redcrossblood.org and enter Immanuel Lutheran Church Buffalo to schedule an appointment.
MUSIC AND JESUS (MAJ) is an entertaining opportunity to connect with Christian friends, grow in your faith and perform on stage or in the band. Kids MAJ is a day camp for youth in grades 2-8, and Teen MAJ is an overnight retreat for teens in grades 8-13. The weekend ends with a high-energy performance for family and friends. The retreat also includes team-building activities, faith-deepening devotions and much more. For more information and to register online, visit www.musicandjesus.org. See the West bulletin board for fliers. Contact Julie Gutknecht for Fishers grants to cover the fees for any of our youth participating.
TRAVEL WITH WELS GROUPS: Interested in traveling with other members of our WELS faith family where daily devotion and Christian fellowship are integral parts of the itinerary? The OWLS (WELS Seniors group) is partnering with Father’s World Tours to offer two upcoming trips. Spend time with MLC Professor Emeritus Jim Pope in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, May 10-16. Explore the history of London, Normandy and Paris, June 8 to 25 with MLC professors Pete Baganz, Paul Koelpin, and Keith Wessel. Registration closes March 14. Visit www.fathersworldtours.com or contact Steve Balza (steve@fathersworldtours.com or 507-217-1731) for full details. See West Bulletin board for more information.
LWMS BUS TRIP TO TULSA: The Minnesota Valley LWMS circuit is hosting a bus trip to the Tulsa OK convention in June.
The 5-day trip leaves Minnesota on June 25, returning after the 2025 convention on June 30. See the west bulletin board for details and registration information.
AREA YOUTH GATHERINGS: “My5” is inviting all youth from 8th through 12th grades to fun, opportunities for faith building and fellowship. Mark your calendars for the next three events to meet at Cross Lutheran-Rockford: Feb. 23, March 23 and April 27, all beginning at 6 p.m.
ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE:
Sunday, Feb. 16 67
