St. Paul's Weekly Update
Lean on me!
In Bill Withers song, Lean On Me, he sings:
Lean on me when you're not strong
I'll be your friend,
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on...
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand,
We all need somebody to lean on.
Bill Withers is right--we do need somebody to lean on. Every day, we need not just a hand to help us up out of difficult situations, we need someone to save us from sin. We remember that especially this weekend as we celebrate the confirmation of 12 of our young people.
Lord-willing, they have a lot of life ahead of them. They'll have lots of situations where they'll need somebody to lean on. In those situations, they'll probably be told, "Listen to your heart! Trust yourself! You're the best! You can do it!"
That won't work. If you lean on yourself, you're going to fall down!
A common confirmation passage, Proverbs 3:5-6, gives the correct thing to lean on: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight."
Don't lean on yourself, or anybody else for that matter. Lean on the LORD. Trust in him with all your heart. He is the one who levels mountains and raises valleys to make a royal highway in our hearts for Jesus through repentance and faith. He will also make our path straight--a path that works its way through the dangers and difficulties of sin, death, and the devil, and brings us to our eternal home.
So when you need somebody to lean on (and you will!)... Lean on HIM!
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Midweek Bible Studies, Wednesdays at 10am (Proverbs) and 7pm (Luke)
Sunday Worship @ 8 (Livestream) & 10:30am
Monday Night @ 6:30pm
Bible Class and Sunday School @ 9:15 at the School
This Sunday: 2 Corinthians Continues
Bulletins & Calendar
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Thank you from Pastor Buelow to St. Paul's for supporting the mentor program during his first three years of ministry. Part of that cost went to the 3-year pastors and wives retreat (4 years now because it was canceled last year) in San Antonio this Wednesday through Friday. Thank you!
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Prayers:
For the almost-confirmands (Examination April 29th, Confirmation May 1st)
For Pastor Naumann as he deliberates his call to St. Paul, North Mankato, MN
Bring prayers of thanksgiving and intercession to God!
Worship Notes
Easter 3: The Risen One Reinvigorates Us
Imagine someone discovering the cure for cancer yet keeping it private. Impossible! The need is too great; the news is too good. So it is with our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. “We cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard.”
First Reading: Acts 9:1-22
Whom did Jesus say that Paul was persecuting?
Jesus said that Paul was persecuting Jesus himself. What comfort this gives! Jesus so dearly loves those who trust in him that if someone attacks us, he is attacking our Lord.
What was God’s means to convert Paul?
Paul was converted the same way we all came to faith: through the power of God’s Holy Word. The Word came to Paul in two ways—words in his ears and words connected with water in the gift of Holy Baptism.
What kind of future did God promise to Paul?
God did not promise Paul an easy road, any more than he promises any of us a downhill “coast” into God’s eternal kingdom. He told Ananias, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
What great irony does John hear as innumerable angels sing Jesus’ praise?
John hears the angels sing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain …” But Jesus did not die for the angels, he died for us sinners.
How many things do the angels say that Jesus, the Lamb, is worthy to receive?
The Lamb, the angels sing, is worthy to receive seven things: “Power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” Seven, significantly, is the number for completeness in Revelation and many other places in the Bible. That is, Jesus is worthy to receive complete worship from all creation.
Gospel Reading: John 21:1-14
How many times had Jesus appeared to his disciples before this blessed incident along the shore?
John says this was now Jesus’ third appearance. The previous two times were in Jerusalem: Easter evening and the following Sunday evening. (See John 20.)
How many fish did Peter and the others catch?
Peter and the others caught 153 fish. This is not trivia but the mark of an eyewitness account.
What is ironic about Jesus fixing fish over a fire?
The last time Jesus and Peter were involved with an outdoor fire, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. (See John 18:18.) Now Jesus will officially reinstate Peter.
Hymns: 454, 459, 715, 510
Setting: Setting 1, This is the Feast (938) will replace the Gloria in the Sundays after Easter
Some notes from: https://wels.net/worship-help/
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Contact
St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School
Church: 1020 Court St.
School: 2745 W. Genesee Ave.
