THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 7, 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
We do not presume to come to your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the Lord who desires always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the body of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.
THE COMMON SERVICE
Beginning on Page 15 in the Hymnal.
HYMN (#463) “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult”
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 merciful Lord, you did not spare your only Son but delivered him up for us all. Grant us courage and strength to take up the cross and follow him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 See now, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. 16 This is what I am commanding you today: Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, and keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and increase in number, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are going to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen, and you are lured away, and you bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 then I declare to you today that you will most certainly perish. You will not live a long life on the land that you are about to enter and possess by crossing over the Jordan. 19 I call the heavens and the earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, a blessing and a curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live 20 by loving the Lord your God, by listening to his voice, and by clinging to him, because that means life for you, and you will live a long life on your land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 1 (page 64)
SECOND LESSON Philemon 1:7-21
7 For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8 For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 I am appealing to you, instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. 11 There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. 15 Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. (John 6:68)
C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 14:25-35
After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
C: (Sung) Glory be to you, O Lord!
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, if he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, everyone who sees it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build, but was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, as he goes out to confront another king in war, will not first sit down and consider if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he is not able, he sends out a delegation and asks for terms of peace while his opponent is still far away. 33 So then, any one of you who does not say farewell to all his own possessions cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? 35 It is not fit for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (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 (#465) “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”
SERMON TEXT Luke 14:25-35
SERMON THEME “The Cost of Being a Disciple of 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
M: Let children hear the mighty deeds which God performed of old.
C: which in our younger years we saw and which our fathers
told.
M: Make unto them his glories known, His words of power and
grace.
C: And we’ll convey his wonders down through every rising race.
M: Our lips shall tell them to our sons and they again to theirs.
C: That generations yet unborn may teach them to their heirs.
M: Oh, teach them with all diligence the truths of God’s own word,
C: To place in him their confidence, to fear and trust their Lord.
M: O ascended Lord, thank you for the gift of pastors and teachers to
feed your flock.
C: We give you praise and thanks.
M: O ascended Lord, enable them, by the power of the Spirit, to stand
firm in the midst of the trials and stresses of this world.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
M: O ascended Lord, give them the courage to speak your Word
faithfully and the grace to reflect your love in their actions.
C: Lord, be with them.
M: Heavenly Father, open the eyes of your children to the beauty of
your created world.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
M: Heavenly Father, stir in them, by the power of the Spirit, a desire
to learn your word as the only true guide for their lives.
C: That they may walk in your truth.
M: Heavenly Father, fill their hearts with a faith that dares to come to
you, trusting only in the love of their Savior Jesus.
C: Answer our prayers. Strengthen us in the knowledge of your
truth and grant us life everlasting. 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 (#304) “Jesus Sinners Does Receive” (#387) “Drawn to the Cross”
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 (#415) “Be Still, My Soul”
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.
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 7, 2025
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
THE SCHEDULE
Tues., Sept. 9 6:30 p.m., Ladies Fellowship
Wed., Sept. 10 6:30 p.m., Catechism
Fri., Sept. 12 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Immanuel Volunteer Day at Wise Penny—work as much as you’d like
Next Sunday, Sept. 14, Greeters: Hoffmann Family
Shut-In Visitors for September:
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
SUNDAY SCHOOL/CATECHISM will begin this week with installation of Sunday School staff.
MISSION FESTIVAL: This year’s Mission Festival will be Sunday, Sept. 28, with MLC Professor Nick Schmoller joining us. A CICR member (Commission on International Church Relations), he is on the Asia Oceania team. The service will again be followed with a delicious grilled pork chop luncheon with potluck sides and desserts.
CALENDAR CHANGE: The Tuesday Bible Study scheduled for Sept. 16 has been canceled with the season opening on the first and third Tuesdays on Oct. 7.
LWMS FALL RALLY: Mark your calendar, Sun., Oct. 5 for this fall LWMS rally at St. Peter’s-Monticello. See insert for details.
CHOIR: Contact Karen Davis if you’d be interested in singing in Immanuel’s adult choir. No experience necessary.
SUNSHINE CLUB: We are continuing work on a new program to start soon at Immanuel for preschoolers and their moms/dads/care-givers. Linda Hoffmann is heading the effort. Questions may be directed to her or Pastor.
MEN-of-HIS-WORD CONFERENCE: This year’s conference will be Oct. 25 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
WELS TRAVEL: See the west bulletin board for updated information and opportunities.
MEN’S RETREAT: The 17th annual Men’s Retreat will take place at Camp Croix on September 19-21. This year’s theme is “Awaiting the Fullness of Time: The Not-So-Silent Years Between the Testaments.” The time between the testaments is ripe with apocalyptic fever, with many, many wild scenarios of the end of the world, from a 96-ft. tall Enoch to a flying Elijah to The War Scroll of Qumran—an actual battle plan for the final war between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness. This presentation will be led by Martin Luther College Prof. Keith Wessel. Sign up now at mensretreat.org.
ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE:
Sunday, Aug. 31 45
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.
