EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST August 3, 2025

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Wisconsin Synod

Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827

Organist Mindy Kane, Karen Davis, 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 Communion

Dear Savior, upon your gracious invitation I come to your altar. Let me find favor in your eyes that I may approach your table in true faith and receive the sacrament to the salvation of my soul. Amen.

THE COMMON SERVICE

Beginning on Page 15 in the Hymnal.

HYMN (#421) “All Depends on Our Possessing”

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: (Sung) Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and

actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good.

For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity.

But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior

Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.    

LORD, HAVE MERCY

C: (Sung) Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: (Sung) Amen.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

GLORY BE TO GOD

C: (Sung) Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, 

good will toward men.

We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, 

we glorify you, we give thanks to you, for your great glory,

O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.

You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.

For you only are holy; you only are the Lord.

You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the 

glory of God the Father. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: The Lord be with you.

C: (Sung) And also with you.

M: Let us Pray. O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures you have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of your grace; 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 Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2, 12-14; 2:18-26

1 The words of Ecclesiastes, David’s son, king in Jerusalem. ² “Nothing but vapor,” Ecclesiastes said. “Totally vapor. Everything is just vapor that vanishes.”

¹² I, Ecclesiastes, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ I applied my heart to seek out and explore with wisdom everything done under the sky. (What a burdensome task God has given the children of Adam to keep them busy!) ¹⁴ I have seen all the actions done under the sun, and, look, it is all nothing but vapor. It is all chasing the wind.

¹⁸ I also hated all the results of my hard work, for which I worked so hard under the sun, since I must leave it all to the man who comes after me. ¹⁹ And who knows—will he be wise, or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the results of my hard work, for which I worked so hard and so wisely, under the sun. This too is vapor that vanishes.

²⁰ So I changed my course, and my heart began to despair over all my hard work at which I worked so hard under the sun. ²¹ Sure, there may be a man who has worked hard—wisely, aptly, and skillfully. But he must hand over whatever he accumulated by all his hard work to a man who has not worked hard for it. This too is vapor. It’s so unfair! ²² For what does a man gain through all his hard work, through all the turmoil in his heart, as he works so hard under the sun? ²³ Pain fills all his days. His occupation is frustration. Even at night his heart does not rest. This too is vapor. ²⁴ There is nothing better for a man than to eat and to drink and to find joy in his work. This too, I saw, is from God’s hand. ²⁵ For who can eat or enjoy himself apart from him? ²⁶ Yes, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to the man whom he considers good, but to the person who goes on sinning God gives the task of gathering and collecting, but only so that he can give it all to a person whom God considers good. This too is vapor, nothing but chasing wind.                         (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 90 (page 99)

SECOND LESSON Colossians 3:1-11

3 Therefore, because you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ⁵ So put to death whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ You too once walked in these things, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now, you too are to rid yourselves of all of these: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to each other since you have put off the old self with its practices, ¹⁰ and put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but rather Christ is all and is in all.           (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.   

VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Alleluia.        (Matthew 6:20-21) 

C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 12:13-21

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

C: (Sung) Glory be to you, O Lord!

¹³ Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me to be a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because a man’s life is not measured by how many possessions he has.” ¹⁶ He told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced very well. ¹⁷ He was thinking to himself, ‘What will I do, because I do not have anywhere to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods. ¹⁹ And I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be demanded from you. Now who will get what you have prepared?’

²¹ “That is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”              (EHV)

M: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, 

of all that is, seen and unseen.  

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

and became fully human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who in unity with the Father and the Son 

is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead 

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

HYMN (#441) “Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past”

SERMON TEXT Luke 12:13-21

SERMON tHEME “Rich in Christ”

After the sermon, the congregation stands and sings:

C: (Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.

OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

God, our Creator and Redeemer, You wonderfully created our human nature and yet more wondrously restored it. By the power of Your Spirit, set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated, and renew us more and more in Your image. Lord, in Your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You promise to provide for all our needs of body and soul. Defend our hearts from focusing on worldly wealth and our families from the strife that flows from the love of money. Lead us to trust Your fatherly care in all things. Lord, in Your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

Lord God, be near to the suffering, the dying and the grieving. Sustain them in the truth that their lives are even now hidden with Christ in God, and that when He appears, they will also appear with Him in glory. Give them compassionate and skillful doctors and nurses, that their suffering may be alleviated and their minds and bodies returned to health. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You consecrate the gifts Your people bring and offer for us the very body and blood of Christ for our salvation. Give us hearts to treasure this everlasting gift, and so protect us from the love of fleeting riches. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, give holy wisdom to Your dear children, that they may see through the illusions of this world and, being tempted by no temporary pleasures, arrive at the salvation promised to those who trust in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, because we do not know what we need or how to ask, lead us by Your Spirit to trust in Your wisdom and to have confidence in Your grace, for this life and even forevermore. Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your promises; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 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.

THE SACRAMENT

PREFACE

M: The Lord be with you.

C: (Sung) And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

C: (Sung) It is good and right so to do.

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who promised that wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his flock till he comes again in glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

C: (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts: 

heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he 

who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, 

which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: (Sung) Amen

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

C: (Sung) O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

grant us your peace. Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN (#349) “Jesus, Priceless Treasure” #417) “I’m But a Stranger Here”

STAND

THANKSGIVING

SONG OF SIMEON

C: (Sung) Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. 

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 

C: (Sung) And his mercy endures forever.

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: 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 (#355) “Take the World, but Give Me Jesus”

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST August 3, 2025

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

THE SCHEDULE   

Sun., Aug. 3 10:30 a.m., Endowment Comm.

Mon., Aug. 4 7 p.m., Church Council Meeting

Fri., Aug. 8 9-5 p.m., Immanuel Volunteer Day at Wise Penny— work as much as you’d like

Next Sunday, Aug. 10, Greeters: Dixon Family

Shut-In Visitors for August: Jeanne & David Dixon

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

QUARTERLY VOTERS MEETING is scheduled to follow the worship service on Aug. 10. Men over 18 years of age who are interested in becoming voting members are encouraged to contact Pastor Oehlke or a council member. On the agenda the Cemetery Board is recommending a change to “III. Rules and Regulations” “D. Only one two marker (s) will be allowed to a grave except for the addition of one veteran’s memorial marker.”

SUNDAY SCHOOL/CATECHISM will begin the week of Sept. 7 and we need your help. If you would like to teach or serve as a substitute teacher, please contact Pastor Oehlke or Julie Gutknecht.

MEDITATIONS entitled “Point Me Heavenward” have arrived with daily devotions for Aug. 31 through Nov. 29. Large print editions are also available. Feel free to take additional copies of either version to share. A free-will offering would be gratefully accepted to help defray the costs.

BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE: The family of Terry Weese would like to invite the congregation to an 80^th Open House Birthday Party this afternoon at Bison Creek Event Center (Huikko’s) from 2-5 p.m. (Please, please, NO gifts, only your presence.)

VACATION OPTIONS:   The OWLS (WELS Seniors) is partnering with Father’s World Tours to offer trips across the USA for all ages. Options include a Labor Day to the Ozarks (8/29-9/1); wildlife/waterfall viewing on Minnesota’s North Shore (9/2-5); a New England autumn (9/22-10/4); or a Southern California/Mexican coastal cruise (12/31-1/13). Trips are open to W/ELS members of all ages. See the west bulletin board for more information. Visit www.fathersworldtours.com or contact Steve Balza (steve@fathersworldtours.com or 507-217-1731) to learn more.

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE: 

Sunday, July 27 53

FOR THE LORD’S WORK: July 27: General Fund-$1,351; Salem-$2; Fishers-$10. 

Prayer after Communion

O blessed Savior Jesus Christ, who has given yourself to me in this holy sacrament, keep me in your faith and favor. As you live in me, may I also live in you. May your body and blood preserve me in the true faith to everlasting life. Amen.