The Christian is planted by the Word, produces fruit & longs for heaven! St. Peter Worship at Key to Life Saturday, August 2nd

Welcome to St. Peter! Our summer worship series, “The Christian Faith, One Word at a Time” continues this week. Our focus today is how God’s redeemed children long for heaven and look forward to the perfect life that is yet to come. May the gospel’s seed be planted in our hearts so we are truly “heavenly- minded”, but also be “earthly good” as we wait patiently.

Welcome to St. Peter! There are friendship registers at the end of each row of chairs. Please take a moment to give us your information so that we have a record of your time with us today. Thank you!

For Our Guests If you have questions, let us try to help. Speak with an usher, greeter, or the person next to you. If you’d like to learn more about St. Peter and its ministry, please talk to a pastor or member after the service.

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Prayer before Worship Lord Jesus, help me remember that my true and lasting home is not here on earth, but rather it’s up in heaven. When I’m tired and discouraged, lift my eyes heavenward to see what you have prepared for me and all your followers. Amen.

Please be courteous and silence all pagers and cell phones. Thank you

Slam the Summer Slump! Place service folders from other WELS congregations you visit this summer on the bulletin board in the church entry

Koiné in Concert 400 Block in Wausau August 15 at 6:30 This event is free and open to the public.

Annual Church Picnic Sunday August 17 th Potluck Luncheon Served beginning immediately after Outdoor Service

2014 – 2015 School Registration When:Wednesday, August 6 th Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Call for additional information

The Christian is planted by the Word, produces fruit & longs for heaven! St. Peter Worship at Key to Life Saturday, August 2nd

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty CW #255 Verses 1- 5 Text: Benjamin Schmolck, Setting: UNSER HERRSCHER Tune: Joachim Neander, , alt.

Verse 1: Open now thy gates of beauty; Zion let me enter there, Where my soul in joyful duty Waits for him who answers prayer. Oh, how blessed is this place, Filled with solace, light, and grace!

Verse 2: Gracious God, I come before thee; Come thou also unto me. Where we find thee and adore thee, There a heav'n on earth must be. To my heart, oh, enter thou; Let it be thy temple now!

Verse 3: Here thy praise is gladly chanted; Here thy seed is duly sown. Let my soul, where it is planted, Bring forth precious sheaves alone, So that all I hear may be Fruitful unto life in me.

Verse 4: Thou my faith increase and quicken; Let me keep thy gift divine, Howsoe'er temptations thicken; May thy Word still o'er me shine As my guiding star through life, As my comfort in all strife.

Verse 5 (Please Stand): Speak, O God, and I will hear thee; Let thy will be done indeed. May I undisturbed draw near thee While thou dost thy people feed. Here of life the fountain flows; Here is balm for all our woes.

Opening Verses Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. All: And also with you.

Confession of Sin Pastor: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and to 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.

Confession of Sin All: 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.

Confession of Sin All: 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.

(Pastor announces our forgiveness) All: Amen.

Pastor: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

Oh, Taste and See All (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.

Oh, Taste and See All: 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 Pastor: Let us pray. (The pastor says the Prayer of the Day.) All (Sung): Amen.

God’s Word to His People Isaiah 55:10-11 God’s Word accomplishes what He desires

Psalm #65 All ♫ Refrain:

M:Praise awaits you, O God, you call forth songs of joy. C:You care for the land and water it; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. Verses Spoken:

Psalm #65 All ♫ Refrain:

M: The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain. C: You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Verses Spoken:

Psalm #65 All ♫ Refrain:

M: The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. C:The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Verses Spoken:

Psalm #65 All ♫ Refrain:

God’s Word to His People Romans 8:18-25 We long for future glory

All (Sung): Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Verse of the Day (Please stand)

God’s Word to His People Matthew 13:1-9, The parable of the sower (Please be seated)

Children’s Message

Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast CW #324 Verses 1- 4 Text: John Cawood, Setting: DUNDEE Tune: The CL Psalms of David, Edinburgh, 1615

Verse 1: Almighty God, your Word is cast Like seed into the ground; Now let the dew of heav'n descend And righteous fruits abound.

Verse 2: Let not the foe of Christ and man This holy seed remove, But give it root in ev'ry heart To bring forth fruits of love.

Verse 3: Let not the world's deceitful cares The rising plant destroy, But let it yield a hundredfold The fruits of peace and joy.

Verse 4: Whene'er the precious seed is sown, Life-giving grace bestow That all whose souls the truth receive Its saving pow'r may know.

The Christian Faith – One Word At A Time: LONGING (for heaven)

Apostles’ Creed All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

Apostles’ Creed All: 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.

Apostles’ Creed All: 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.

Apostles’ Creed All: 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.

In thankfulness for our salvation, we support God’s work with our offerings.

Prayer of the Church Pastor: … Lord, in your mercy: All: Hear our prayer.

Lord’s Prayer All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Lord’s Prayer All: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Lord’s Prayer All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen

I'm But a Stranger Here CW #417 Verses 1- 4 Text: Thomas R. Taylor, Setting: HEAVEN IS MY HOME Tune: Arthur S. Sullivan,

Verse 1: I'm but a stranger here; Heav'n is my home. Earth is a desert drear; Heav'n is my home. Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev'ry hand. Heav'n is my fatherland; Heav'n is my home.

Verse 2: What though the tempest rage, Heav'n is my home. Short is my pilgrimage; Heav'n is my home. And time's wild, wintry blast Soon shall be overpast; I shall reach home at last; Heav'n is my home.

Verse 3: There at my Savior's side-- Heav'n is my home-- I shall be glorified; Heav'n is my home. There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best, And there I, too, shall rest; Heav'n is my home.

Verse 4: Therefore I murmur not; Heav'n is my home. Whate'er my earthly lot, Heav'n is my home. And I shall surely stand There at my Lord's right hand. Heav'n is my fatherland; Heav'n is my home.

Pastor: Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen.

God’s Blessing Pastor: 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. All (Sung): Amen. Amen. Amen.

Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes CW #9 Verses 1 & 5 Text: William H. Bathurst, Setting: O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT Tune: Andächtige Hans-Kirche, Nürnberg, 1676, alt. Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes CW #9 Verses 1 & 5 Text: William H. Bathurst, Setting: O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT Tune: Andächtige Hans-Kirche, Nürnberg, 1676, alt.

Verse 1: Jesus your Church with longing eyes For your expected coming waits. When will the promised light arise And glory beam from heaven's gates?

Verse 5: Teach us in watchfulness and prayer To wait for your appointed hour, And fit us by your grace to share The triumphs of your conqu'ring pow'r.

Silent Prayer