1 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 11:00 am August 15, 2021

How are you walking?

AS WE GATHER

Like the Ephesians, we too are tempted every day by a world rebelling against God’s way. In our struggle against its temptations and in our effort to walk in all the way that the Lord your God commanded you, that you may live (Deut. 5:33); we rely on Christ’s Word and Spirit to lead us, and we feed upon his bread of life to eternally sustain us – as Christ said, “whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me,” (John 6:57). Lord, strengthen me that I may walk in a manner worthy of You.

WELCOME – Pastor Jim Frusti

RINGING OF THE BELL

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Shout to the Lord

My Jesus, my Savior My Jesus, my Savior Lord, there is none like You. Lord, there is none like You. All of my days, I want to praise All of my days, I want to praise The wonders of Your mighty love. The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter, My comfort, my shelter, Tower of refuge and strength. Tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am Let every breath, all that I am Never cease to worship You. Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing sing Power and majesty, praise to the King! Power and majesty, praise to the King! Mountains bow down and the seas will Mountains bow down and the seas will roar roar At the sound of Your name At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands I sing for joy at the work of Your hands Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand; Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand; Nothing compares to the promise I Nothing compares to the promise I have in You have in You

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

3 INVOCATION

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES

Pastor: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. People: Insight is knowing the holy one and seeking justice.

Pastor: The way of the Lord leads to eternal life. People: The way of the world leads only to death.

Pastor: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus opens the way of eternal life. People: Jesus has given us the words of eternal life.

Pastor: Jesus gives us the food of eternal life, His body and blood. People: Come, let us listen to His words, walk His way, and delight in His food.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Pastor: Though Jesus has come down from the heavens as the bread of life for us, we sometimes listen to other people’s words. We sometimes choose to follow those who do not follow Jesus. We sometimes delight in earthly pleasures rather than the daily bread God has given us. Yet, our heavenly Father calls us back to Him, for His way is a way of forgiveness.

Silence for reflection.

Pastor: Heavenly Father, People: we have lived according to our own wisdom and desires. We have ignored Your words and wisdom. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us on the way of resurrection and eternal life, on account of Jesus. Amen. 4

Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die and rise for you. Jesus, the living bread from heaven, has given His body and shed His blood so that you would be forgiven and have eternal life. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. We are forgiven. We have eternal life with Christ. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, You are the living bread come down from heaven to give us life eternal. Strengthen us as we follow Your wisdom, Your way, and Your Word, that we remain steadfast in the true faith until Your glorious return; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING Proverbs 9:1–10 (God’s way of wisdom) Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” 7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

5 EPISTLE Ephesians 5:6–21 (Walking in the way of wisdom and love)

Reader: 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; People: 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Reader: 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, People: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Reader: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, People: but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Reader: 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

6 HOLY GOSPEL John 6:51–69 (Jesus is the living bread from heaven.)

People: 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Reader: 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, People: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Reader: 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, People: “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.”

Reader: (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, People: “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Reader: 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, People: “Do you want to go away as well?” 7

Reader: 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, O Christ.

THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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.

8 We Fall Down

We fall down, At the feet of Jesus. We lay our crowns At the feet of Jesus. The greatness of Mercy and love; The greatness of At the feet of Jesus. Mercy and love; At the feet of Jesus. We cry holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy We cry holy, holy, holy. Is the Lamb We cry holy, holy, holy Is the Lamb We cry holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy. We fall down, We cry holy, holy, holy We lay our crowns Is the Lamb

MESSAGE – Pastor Jim Frusti How are you walking with God and with others? Are you walking carefully or carelessly? Are you walking in harmony or in deliberate disobedience? And what kind of heartburn are you experiencing as you take a walk?

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Lord Jesus Christ, You descend from the heavens to feed Your people with the food of eternal life. As we follow You, help us to feed others both with earthly food and with heavenly food. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

9 Pastor: Lord, we bring before You all those who have stopped following You. We pray that You would soften their hearts and give us wisdom to share Your words of eternal life so that they might follow You again. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

Pastor: Lord, Your ways are not our ways. Your thoughts are not our thoughts. Help us not to seek our own way but to seek Your way and Your wisdom. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

Pastor: Lord, You have borne our griefs and shared in our sorrows. Bring Your comfort to all those who are suffering in grief, [especially . . .]. Point them to the hope of the resurrection to eternal life with Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

Pastor: Lord, strengthen all those who struggle with addictions. Break their bondage and lead them to get the help they need. Lord Jesus Christ, life- giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

Pastor: Lord, aid all pastors, teachers, church planters, missionaries, musicians, and servants in Your Church. Embolden them as they bring Your Word to Your people so that more and more people follow Your way. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

Pastor: Lord, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering, [especially . . .]. Have mercy upon them and restore them to health according to Your wisdom. Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, People: let me with holy food be fed.

10 Pastor: Lord Jesus, we commend all these things to Your infinite wisdom and guiding, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS If you brought your offering today, you are welcome to leave it in the offering plates you will find at the front and back of the church. Thank you. St. Paul appreciates the continued support of those worshipping with us online and

in person as we each help in sharing the amazing love of Jesus!

We invite our guests and members to fill out our Friendship Card during worship, which is found on the back of the pew. Please leave your card at the end of the pew near the center aisle as you leave.

 SACRAMENT 

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION Please see our communion policy stated on the inside front cover.

PAX DOMINI Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And also with you.

THE DISTRIBUTION Please see our communion policy stated on the inside front cover.

COMMUNION WINE: For those who may not be able to take regular wine, we offer non-alcoholic wine, which is the light colored wine in the center of the communion tray. ++ We offer Gluten-free wafers upon request. ++ 11

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) Chorus For all Your goodness Bless the Lord, O my soul I will keep on singing O my soul Ten thousand reasons Worship His holy name for my heart to find Sing like never before O my soul Bless the Lord, O my soul Worship Your holy name O my soul Worship His holy name The sun comes up, Sing like never before it's a new day dawning O my soul It's time to sing Your song again Worship Your holy name Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me And on that day when my Let me be singing strength is failing when the evening comes The end draws near and my time has come Bless the Lord, O my soul Still my soul will sing O my soul Your praise unending Worship His holy name Ten thousand years Sing like never before and then forevermore O my soul Worship Your holy name Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul You're rich in love,, Worship His holy name and You're slow to anger Sing like never before Your name is great O my soul and Your heart is kind Worship Your holy name

12 People Get Ready

People get ready There ain't no room There's a train a-coming For the hopeless sinner You don't need no baggage Who would hurt all mankind You just get on board Just to save his own

All you need is faith Have pity on those To hear the diesels humming Whose chances grow thinner Don't need no ticket So there's no hiding place You just thank the Lord Against the kingdom's throne

People get ready People get ready There's a train to Jordan There's a train a-coming Picking up passengers You don't need no baggage From coast to coast You just get on board

Faith is the key All you need is faith Open the doors and board them To hear the diesels humming There's hope for all Don't need no ticket Among those loved the most You just thank the Lord

POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING

Pastor: Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You sent Your Son to be the living bread from heaven. As we have feasted upon His body and blood for our forgiveness, strengthen us to continually follow Him and hear His Word; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

13 BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24–26

Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and  give you peace. People: Amen.

THE INVITATIONS

Majestic

O Lord our Lord So I'll join with the earth How majestic is Your name And I'll give my praise to You In all the earth O Lord our Lord I will worship You How majestic is Your name I will worship You In all the earth We will worship You The heavens declare Your greatness We will worship You The oceans cry out to You The mountains they bow down before The heavens declare Your greatness You The oceans cry out to You So I'll join with the earth The mountains they bow down before And I'll give my praise to You You So I'll join with the earth and I'll sing … O Lord our Lord How majestic is Your name The heavens declare Your greatness In all the earth The oceans cry out to You O Lord our Lord The mountains they bow down before How majestic is Your name You In all the earth So I'll join with the earth And I'll give my praise to You The heavens declare Your greatness The oceans cry out to You So I'll join with the earth The mountains they bow down before And I'll give my praise to You You

May We Help You? Anyone who desires special private prayer with the Pastor may do so by remaining in the sanctuary until all worshippers have departed. At that time, come forward and speak with the Pastor. Hymns Reprinted with permission license #663075 14

WHERE WE SERVE

Preacher/Officiant Pastor Jim Frusti

Guest Music Director David Reinstein

Music Director Paul Ventimiglia

Family Life Director Jeanette Koch

Elder Bob McGuigan

Ushers Craig Miller Chuck Willis

Greeters Ruth Family

Counters Jan Paver Marlene Shoebridge

Tech Team Doug Towner

Welcome Center Marilyn Edick

Altar Society Janet Wisner Mary Lewis Karen Frusti

Attendance Last week : Sunday 8.8.2021 8:30am - 64 11:00am - 57 = 121 Communion - 48 ______Donations needed each week for Church and School – $9,808 Received week of 8.8.2021- for Church (Envelopes plus loose plate*)$5,625.25 *total includes online giving

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Bible Study and Small Group Opportunities – SUNDAYS: Join us for bible study and fellowship @ 9:45am in the church Parish Hall. SATURDAYS: Men’s Bible Study – Every second and fourth Saturday @ 9:30am – Parish Hall Remember Our Shut-Ins Norman Kleiner 16100 N. Haggerty Rd. Plymouth, MI 48170 ______Altar Flowers this week are :

One vase in honor of their wedding anniversary from Mike and Shannon Stewart.

One vase in memory of my husband Othal (Bim) from Bernice Baggett.

Please arrange to pick up your flowers after the 11am service.

Church, our summer meal is very much appreciated in Southwest Detroit at Family of God and we serve a faithful God. Our Cheesy Pasta Casserole makers were Pat McGuigan, Julia Smith, Marilyn Breuhan, Janet Kovalak, Ruth Fisher, and Lisa Fairbairn. Sue brought the rolls and pre-buttered them for the team, Marti Gilchrist purchased chips and plates, Kathy and Neal Hoener cut up two watermelons which they really enjoyed (tasted like summer). Chris Henning furnished our beverages and Anne Burgess our pre-packaged plastic ware. Kim Ruth and Carole Crete supplied our desserts. On Sunday we just had Pat going down by herself but our ever faithful Lord provided Kathy Verseman and our good friend from Shadow of the Cross Pat Melton. The girls enjoyed catching up on their journey to and from the mission. Thank you Lord for your great provision and the willingness for those that volunteer. ______

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All-Timers Bible Quizzing Tournament Looking for Bible Quizzers, young and old!

This is a special annual Bible Quizzing tournament where there is no age limit! This means coaches, parents, and everyone else can test their Bible Quizzing skills. This season, the tournament will be Saturday, January 15, 2022 on Romans 8-16! No prior knowledge of the material is required. All ages and experience levels are welcome. The event is hosted by Cross Point Church in Clinton Twp.

For info or to register, visit stpaulnorthville.org/quizzing or talk to Jake Fairbairn .

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Euchre Party for Mission Trip: Saturday, Sept. 18, 6-9 pm. in the SPL Parish Hall. Please support our Mission Trip to Jaurez, Mexico. We will be providing water filters, health and hygiene support to our friends across the border. The cost is $15.00 per person and includes appetizers, beverages and prizes. Prior euchre experience is not necessary. There will be coaches available for those that want to learn the game. All ages of players are welcome. Mark your calendar for an entertaining evening of cards and good fellowship. For more information contact Claudia Williamson at [email protected] ______During August, WIC would like to feature a LWML grant entitled “Growing in Faith Together (GIFT): Women to Women” for $10,000. GIFT will provide a subsidy of $500 for each woman volunteer’s expenses to go with LAMP Ministry to lead and participate in Bible studies, craft and devotion times, and life skills assistance with women in remote northern Canada. These are in locations where women have limited opportunities for worship and Christian support. ______

You're INVITED! August 29, 2021, 10:00am service, come and share as we honor and give praise to the Lord for all He has accomplished through our humble kingdom work over 125 years in Northville and beyond. We welcome you to dress in the appropriate attire for 1896 to take us back in time. This will also be Rally Day for Sunday school, so we have the balloon man coming and special games to play. We will be celebrating our 125th all year long with special banners, keepsake items, music, pictures, articles and stories. If you have something to share, this is not a one day only event, it will last a whole year with special things happening. There are a few pastors from our churches history that may come and preach on a special Sunday and we may have a potluck after, do you enjoy potluck?. Maybe a special Octoberfest celebrating our heritage some polka music. We are also going to have a special mission project for us all to join in and help with, this is our giving back, more to share about that later. Plan to join us and share your stories and ideas, it's a celebration for all to God's Glory. ______

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Looking for a Teacher We recently were notified that our current 6th-8th teacher has found employment closer to her home so we are in need of a teacher in grades 6-8. If you or someone you know has a valid Michigan teaching certificate and would be interested in employment here at St. Paul please call the office or Chris Pifer @ 586-596-1444. This position can be long term or just for one year.

We also have an opening for a part-time teacher aide position in preschool. Approximately 15 hours per week @ $12.00/hour. ______MEXICO MISSION TRIP We are excited to report that preparation has begun for our upcoming mission trip to Mexico from November 1st to 7th. This will be St. Paul’s fifth mission with MOST ministries. Previous St. Paul mission teams have traveled to Nicaragua and Guatemala. This time St. Paul will be sending a team to Mexico to provide water filters, health and hygiene education and home construction assistance for families in two Mexican communities. Our team will be lodged at a Lutheran mission church in El Paso, Texas, and each day the team will be driven over the border to our mission site. This will be an excellent opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our brothers and sisters in Mexico. We are looking not only for “Goers” to join our mission team, but equally important we are looking for “senders” to help out with fundraising, etc. Anyone interested should contact either Team Leader Barbara Hoffmeier [email protected] (248) 756-3035 or Team Liason Chris Burgess [email protected] (734) 765-4782. AUGUST MOVIE NIGHT IT’S FREE SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST @ 5PM

MOVIE TBD

PIZZA, POPCORN & A LOT OF FUN Drop your children off for a fun night with their friends and go enjoy a night out.

Please contact me if you have any questions. Jeanette Koch, Family Life Director 248-349-3140 ext 13 [email protected]