The Lord Builds the House

We confess that our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Through a miracle of God's gracious power, the eternal Son took on human flesh. But Mary did not raise Jesus alone; God provided Joseph as a faithful guardian for his beloved Son. Trusting in God's word that the child conceived in Mary was the Son of God, Joseph took her as his wife (Matthew 1:18–25). Joseph carried out God's commands regarding the child in the law of Moses (Luke 2:21–40). In obedience to God's commands, Joseph protected the child Jesus and his mother Mary from danger and provided a faithful home in which the Savior of the world would be raised (today's Gospel).

We praise and thank our God today for the faithfulness of Joseph. We also praise and thank our God for the blessings of Christian homes and Christian education today. The home and learning go together; our homes are our first schools, and our parents our first teachers—in many ways, the most influential teachers we will ever have. Blessed is the home where God's Word fills every room and every heart. May God grant this blessing to us as he continues to provide faithful guardians for his children, heirs with Christ of the eternal, heavenly home.

This Week in Worship

Gospel—Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23

First Reading—2 Samuel 7:4, 8–16

Second Reading—Romans 4:13–18

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 127

Gospel Acclamation—Matthew 1:24

Hymn of the Day—Our Father, by Whose Name (CW 761)

Sermon

Romans 4:13–18

The Foundation of a Faithful Family

• Pastor Snyder, who is recovering from pneumonia.
• Bill Steckel, who remains hospitalized with ongoing complications.
• Val Hagemann, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• John Honer, who is recovering from surgery.
• Our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and the Concord Evangelical Lutheran Church (Russia), our brothers and sisters in Burma, and all others affected by war and rumors of war around the world. Pray for peace among nations and for protection over God's people as they proclaim the true, eternal peace we have in Christ.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

Lenten Midweek Worship Schedule

The theme for the 2023 Lenten sermons is “His Final Steps.” The series explores Jesus’ final days before, during, and after his crucifixion. Beginning next week, the services will all take place in Hillsboro. Fellowship suppers are in between services.

March 22—Pastor Zuehlke "His final steps led to some Greeks."

March 29—Pastor Waldschmidt "His final steps led to his enemies."

Services will be at 3:30 & 6:30 pm with a meal in between.

Fish Fry

The last fellowship supper on March 29, will feature a 2-piece fish dinner (deep fried or baked) with sides of fries or baked potato and coleslaw, dessert and beverage. Dinners must be pre-ordered. Order forms are in the bulletin today, (hand them to an usher) or you can go to the website link and order online.  Deadline for order is March 26. Thank you.

Bible Study

Join us for our current Bible study, titled In Season and Out of Season. This Bible Study seeks to encourage and equip God’s people to share the Gospel in any and every situation with those who desperately need to hear it. Bible study takes place each Sunday at 9:15am at both campuses.

SCRIP Cards

We now have SCRIP cards available for immediate purchase or you may order in advance. We have Kwik Trip gas and gift cards or Kwik Trip grocery only cards on hand that may be picked up after church on Sunday or at the office during the week. You can order many other options. Please contact Brooks Mitchell (608-479-2860) or Bev Ward (608-548-3641) with questions or to order cards.

Easter Lily Orders

We have received information regarding Easter flowers from Blossoms and Bouquets in Wonewoc. You can pick up the info and order forms on the table in back. Blossoms and Bouquets offers a discount if you order before March 24. You can return them in the offering plate and we will get them to Blossoms. If you wish to purchase flowers elsewhere, and would like a memorial in the bulletin, please let Jan Fick know by calling 464-3212 or email office@stpaulhw.com by April 3.

Holy Week/Easter Worship Schedule

Maundy Thursday Worship – 6:30pm @ Wonewoc Campus

Good Friday Worship – 1:00pm @ Hillsboro Campus

Easter Dawn – 6:00am @ Wonewoc Campus

Easter Breakfast – 7:00am @ Wonewoc Campus

Easter Festival Worship – 8:30am @ Wonewoc Campus & 10:30am @ Hillsboro Campus

(There is a sign-up sheet in back if anyone would like to bring something for the 7:00am Easter breakfast in Wonewoc).