SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 10, 2026
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
I was glad when they said to me: “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1) The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silent before Him. (Hab. 2:20) Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them. And they shall be His people and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. (Rev. 21:3)
SERVICE OF THE WORD
HYMN (#395) “Seek Where You May to Find a Way”
M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
CONFESSION OF SINS
M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth.
In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away
my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
C: (Sung) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are they who take refuge in him.
Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues forever.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are they who take refuge in him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: O God, you are the giver of everything good. Inspire us, your humble servants, to long for what is right and, through your gracious guidance, accomplish it to your glory; 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 Acts 17:22-31
22 Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an unknown god.’ Now what you worship as unknown—this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made with hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives all people life and breath and everything they have. 26 From one man, he made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth. He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live. 27 He did this so they would seek God and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘Indeed, we are also his offspring.’ 29 “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and planning. 30 Although God overlooked the times of ignorance, he is now commanding all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he appointed. He provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 66 (page 90)
SECOND LESSON 1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear, and do not be troubled. 15 But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers. 17 Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18 because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in flesh but was made alive in spirit, 19 in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20 These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you.” Alleluia. (John 14:15,16)
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 John 14:15-21
15 “If you love me, hold on to my commands. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and show myself to him.” (EHV)
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!
HYMN OF THE DAY (#377 v. 1-5) “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”
SERMON TEXT Acts 17:22-31
SERMON THEME “Making Known the Unknown”
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 (#377 v. 6-10) “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that the Lord would bless and protect His people in a world where many false gods, known and unknown, are worshiped; and that He would give His saints a clear and bold proclamation of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For patience and endurance in Christ, that we may have the privilege not only of believing in Him but also of suffering for His sake, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For this congregation and its catechism students, who have received the Spirit of truth in Holy Baptism, that they may not slip into sin and unbelief but always praise God before the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the leaders of all nations, that those who seek peace and serve justice would be sustained in their service; and that all who cause evil, violence or oppression would be frustrated, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the gift of mothers who raise their children in all things good, a mirror of God’s love, that they may be strengthened in their calling and sustained through weary and difficult times, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the lonely, the destitute and the homeless, that they would rejoice in the presence of the Lord and trust Him for their daily bread; and that the Lord, who has promised not to abandon nor leave them as orphans, would make us messengers of His mercy to reach out to those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the needy, the sick and those who have requested our prayers, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
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.
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 (#169) “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 10, 2026
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
THE SCHEDULE
Thurs., May 14 7 p.m., Area Ascension Service at Salem-Loretto
Next Sun., May 17: Greeters: Peters/Clarken Family
Shut-In Visitors for May: Sharon Liefert &
Lolene Liefert-Trulson
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
SUNDAY SCHOOL THANK YOU: Today is the final Sunday School before summer break. As a congregation we thank all those families who faithfully sent their young people and we also extend a special thank you to those teachers and substitutes who willingly served this year: Monica Kowalke, Emily Kleist, Megan Peters, Mark and Linda Hoffmann, Tabitha and Elizabeth Mineheine, Vanessa Dehn, Lolene Liefert-Trulson and Julie Gutknecht.
MOTHER’S DAY: The congregation’s young people, Fishers, would like to invite you to refreshments in the basement after church this morning.
Happy Mother’s Day!
May the Lord Bless all mothers!
We thank and praise the Lord for Christian mothers. The Lord blesses and bestows upon mothers an awesome and amazing role to bring life into the world and then to nurture and to care for that life. God Himself compares His love and care for us with the love and care a mother has for her children. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
PASTOR’S VACATION: Pastor will be on vacation from May 12-21. In case of emergency, if spiritual care is needed, please reach out to Pastor Paul Schuler at 920-284-0172 or Pastor Dave Russow at 763-923-4749.
MAY FUND-RAISER: During the month of May, Ladies Fellowship will be sponsoring a fund-raiser for the New Day Pregnancy and Resource Center. The “Blessed Bassinet” is set up in the upper narthex to collect baby items and/or cash for this cause.
MEMORIAL DAY AMMO-CAN: The ammo box will be available May 24 & 31 for donations to benefit the Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG)—a group working to grow awareness of and bring Christian support to military members and their families.
ASCENSION DAY SERVICE: Mark your calendar for the 2026 Special Ascension Day Service on Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at Salem-Loretto which will be hosted by the pastors of the circuit. Pastor Flunker will be the speaker.
MEDITATIONS entitled “Great Gain!” have arrived with daily devotions for May 31 through Aug. 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.
WEST SPRING CONCERT AND ART SHOW: Mark your calendars for the West Showcase (Spring Concert and Art Show) coming up on Sunday, May 17th @ 2 p.m. at West Lutheran High School in Plymouth.
YOUTH NERF GAMES: Redeeming Grace-Rogers will be hosting a spring nerf event on May 16. Details are on the poster on the west bulletin board or check with Pastor.
ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE:
Sunday, May 3 62
FOR THE LORD’S WORK: May 3: General Fund-$1,925, West-$15, Salem-$19. Fishers-$5, MLC-$5; Missions–$300 (2026 Mission Goal-$18,000; YTD-
Verse of the Day
During this week memorize and think about this verse of the day:
“If you love me, keep my commands.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you.”
(John 14:15,16)
Growing in Grace
To help apply the sermon text for today, ask yourself these questions:
~ What is the main thing that God teaches me in this passage?
~ What sin does God lead me to confess?
~ For what does God prompt me to give thanks?
~ What action does God want me to take?
