FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 6, 2026

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 (#493) “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”

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 Jesus Christ, preserve the congregation of believers with your never-failing mercy. Help us avoid whatever is wicked and harmful, and guide us in the way that leads to our salvation; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:     (Sung) Amen.

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Ezekiel 33:7-11

⁷ But I have appointed you, son of man, to be a watchman for the house of Israel. So whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you are to warn them from me. ⁸ When I say to a wicked man, “Wicked man, you shall surely die,” if you do not speak to warn the wicked man against his way, that wicked man will die because of his guilt, but I will also hold you responsible for his blood. ⁹ But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he will die because of his guilt, but you will have saved your life.

¹⁰ So you, son of man, say the following to the house of Israel. This is what you people are saying: “Certainly our rebellion and our sins weigh us down, and because of them we are rotting away. How then can we live?” ¹¹ Say to them, “As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from their way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?”             (EHV) 

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 32 (page 78)

SECOND LESSON Galatians 2:11-16

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly wrong. ¹² For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when those people came, he drew back and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision group. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were not acting according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all of them, “If you, a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?”

¹⁵ “We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners. ¹⁶ We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law.          (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Alleluia. (1 Timothy 2:4)

C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matthew 18:15-20

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

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

¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his sin just 

between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And, if he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as an unbeliever or a tax collector. ¹⁸ Amen I tell you: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Amen I tell you again: If two of you on earth agree to ask for anything, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. ²⁰ In fact where two or three have gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”              (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.               

BE SEATED

HYMN (#304) “Jesus Sinners Does Receive”

SERMON TEXT Galatians 2:11-16

SERMON THEME “Love Confronts Sin”

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.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the house of the Lord, that it may be a house of prayer and we a people of prayer, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the Church, that she may steadfastly proclaim the irrevocable gifts and calling of God, that the disobedient may receive mercy, and that those who hear may become branches grafted onto the true vine, Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all honest work and occupations and our good use of the fruits of our labors; for generosity toward those in need; and for the tithes and offerings that accompany our sacrifice of praise, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the government and those who protect us, that they may keep justice and do righteousness, carrying out their duties in accord with God’s will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and afflicted, those beset with grief and sorrow, pain and any trouble, that the Lord would be pleased to answer their cries for the sake of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who are about to receive Christ’s body and blood from this altar, that these gifts may strengthen us in faith and love, united with God and neighbor, 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.

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 (#393) “If Your Beloved Son, O God” (#288) “The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace”

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: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of 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 (#490) “Love in Christ Is Strong and Living”

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 6, 2026

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
​

​THE SCHEDULE  

Fri., Sept. 11 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Immanuel Volunteer Day at Wise Penny—work as much as you’d like

Next Sun., Sept. 13: Greeters: Paul Johnson

Shut-In Visitors for September: Lucy Bechtold, 

Lorraine Roush and Karen Davis

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

MISSION FESTIVAL:   This year’s Mission Festival will be September 13 with the Rev. Larry Schlomer joining us. He is WELS Administrator for World Missions. The service will be followed by a presentation by Pastor Schlomer and then our grilled pork chop luncheon with potluck sides and desserts.

SUNDAY SCHOOL/CATECHISM/ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Sunday School and Adult Bible Study will begin on Sept. 20 with the first Catechism Class at 6:30 p.m. on the Wednesday before, Sept. 16. 

HELP WANTED: The Wise Penny Thrift Shoppe has an immediate opening for a paid part-time store cashier for up to 15 hours per week.  Duties include cashiering, providing exceptional customer service, and assisting in pricing donated items. A full job description and application is available at www.thewisepenny.com/aboutus.html.  For more information, please contact Brittany McFadden, Wise Penny store manager, at (763) 682-4178 or wisepennythrift@outlook.com. See details on the poster on the west bulletin board.

CRADLE ROLL: Immanuel’s Cradle Roll program provides materials connecting new families and infants with spiritual support from birth through the start of Sunday School. Emily Kleist has graciously handled these mailings for a number of years but we are now looking for a new volunteer to do so. If you have a spare few minutes each month to do this, please contact Emily or Julie Gutknecht.

MEN OF HIS WORD CONFERENCE: Registration is open for the 2026 Men of His Word Conference, “Courage Under Fire,” on Oct. 24 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Men of His Word exists to equip Christian men to take a leadership role within their family, congregation and community, while providing opportunities and resources for men to grow spiritually. See the west bulletin board for details.

MEN’s RETREAT:  The 18^th annual Men’s Retreat at Camp Croix in Wisconsin will be Sept. 18-20. This year’s theme is “Here I Stand: Lutherans find their voice in Christian apologetics (defense).” This presentation will be led by well-known speaker Professor Mark Paustian. See blue/black poster with registration information on the west bulletin board or at mensretreat.org.

AT-HOME-in-the-WORD CONFERENCE:  God teaches us to pass on His truths to the next generation, but parents often feel uncertain about how to incorporate faith into daily home life. Whether you are raising toddlers or teenagers, or are first-time parents or grandparents, please join Redeeming Grace Lutheran Church for a morning of practical tips to help you confidently engage your children in the Christian faith at home. See more information on the west bulletin including their QR code for this free conference. Child care will be provided. 

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE: 

Sunday, Aug. 30 62

FOR THE LORD’S WORK:  Aug. 30: General Fund-$885, West-$100. Missions: Aug. 30-$310. (Missions YTD-$14,327).