Welcome to our Church! We welcome you in our Risen and Living Savior, Jesus!
A Morning Prayer Draw me to yourself, and silence the discords of my wasteful life. Your greatness is beyond my highest praise. Take me out of the loneliness of self, and fill me with the fullness of your peace. Lift me up as I hear your promise of forgiveness, and give me strength to live a life pleasing to you. Amen
Sunday School & Bible Class continues this week with adults meeting in the church basement and children in the school at 9:10am. Join us for a great opportunity to review the basic Bible stories and see their applications to our lives of faith. This week’s story is: The fish-and-bread sign- Jesus feeds five thousand. Next Sunday’s story: A hearing aide – Jesus heals a deaf man Please make plans to join us!
Coffee Fellowship next weekend!
Monday/Wednesday Bible Class will be meeting this week and continue with the study from Luther’s Catechism – The Lord’s Prayer. Please make plans to join us!
Radio Service: 9:30am on WBEV 95.3 FM
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Sermon: How to Respond to Those Who Cause Hurt
Hymns: 623, 729, 740, 733
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Sermon: The Needed Glimpse of Jesus’ Glory
Hymns: 389, 390, 388, 522
Serving the Lord and Us this Week:
Preacher: Pastor Stratman
Organist: Kristie Estervig
Altar Care: Colleen Foster & Jeanie Korth
Worship Service Attendants:
Thursday 6:30pm Gary Tietz/Rick Nedow
Sunday 8:00am Mike Schultz/Chuck Staab
Sunday 10:00am Gene Nimmer/ Marty Lauth
PERSONAL PRAYERS are on p. 255-258 in the Hymnal. CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS for PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION begin on p. 295.
733 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
Order of Service: The Service, Setting Two, Hymnal p. 172
First Option for Confession and Forgiveness
Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, keep your family continually in true faith, so that those who rely only on the hope of your heavenly grace may be protected by your mighty power; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
First Reading Genesis 45:3–15
3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?”
His brothers could not answer him, because they were terrified by his presence. 4Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me, please.”
They came closer. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5Now do not be upset or angry with yourselves for selling me to this place, since God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6For two years now the famine has been in the land, and there are still five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as survivors on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great act of deliverance. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord over his entire household, and ruler over the whole land of Egypt. 9Hurry, go up to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Do not delay. 10You shall live in the land of Goshen, where you will be close to me—you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11I will take care of you here, for there are still five years of famine. Otherwise you will come to ruin, you, and your household, and all that you have.”’ 12Pay attention. Your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13You shall tell my father all about my position of honor in Egypt and about everything that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”
14He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. 15He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 103 The LORD Is Kind and Merciful
Praise the Lord, / my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his / holy name—
who forgives / all your sins
and heals all your dis- / eases,
who redeems your life / from the pit
and crowns you with love and com- / passion,
who satisfies your desires / with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the / eagle’s. Refrain
The Lord is compassionate and / gracious,
slow to anger, abound- / ing in love.
He does not treat us as our / sins deserve
or repay us according to our in- / iquities.
For as high as the heavens are a- / bove the earth,
so great is his love for those who / fear him;
as far as the east is / from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions / from us.
Glory be to the Father and / to the Son
and to the Holy / Spirit,
as it was in the be- / ginning,
is now, and will be forever. / Amen. Refrain
Text: Lectionary for Mass Tune: Paul Tate, alt. Setting: Paul Tate, alt.
Text: © 1969, 1981, 1997 ICEL (refrain). Used by permission: OneLicense no. 712959
Music: © 2013 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 712959
Second Reading Romans 12:14–21
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; weep with those who are weeping. 16Have the same respect for one another. Do not be arrogant, but associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves.
17Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20But:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Stand
Gospel Acclamation CW 179
Tune: © 1984, 1985 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 712959
Gospel (Sermon) Luke 6:27–38
27“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes away your things, do not demand them back.
31“Treat others just as you would want them to treat you. 32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? To be sure, even the sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing. 34If you lend to those from whom you expect to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners lend to sinners in order to be paid back in full. 35Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. In fact, the measure with which you measure will be measured back to you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ!
Be seated
729 Son of God, Eternal Savior
Sermon Another ‘Upside-Down’ Revelation: Love Your Enemies.
Nicene Creed, Hymnal, p. 180
Prayer of the Church
Gracious God, forgiving Father, you do not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Move us to imitate your love that we overcome our selfishness and fear of others, love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
As you empower us with your love, equip us also with your gospel, that our deeds of kindness may give witness to the hope we have and make opportunities for us to share the Savior.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
In your love, watch over those who selflessly give themselves and their time to protect, serve and help those in need: police, fire and first responders. Uphold and protect them as they uphold and protect us.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Give strength, boldness and faithfulness for those who stand up for the truth of your Word. Sustain them with the power of your Word that their witness bears much fruit to your glory.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
You are the Father of compassion and God of all comfort. Comfort us in our troubles so that we can comfort others with the comfort we have received from you. We pray especially for all who suffer pain, illness or distress [especially…]. Give them health and recovery according to your gracious will.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer.
O God, out of your great love for this world you reconciled earth to heaven through your only Son. By the darkness of our sins we often fail to love our neighbors. Let your light shine in our souls and fill us with your own love, that we embrace our friends in you and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offering Prayer
Blessed are you, God of all creation; through your goodness we have these gifts to share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Sacrament, Hymnal, p. 183
Distribution Hymns Stanzas as needed
767 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
624 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Thanksgiving and Blessing, Hymnal, p. 187
928 May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2017 Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Liturgical and musical settings of Scripture based on text from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.
Funeral Harvey Steinbach was called home to heaven on February 12th, age 90. A graveside service for Harvey will take place at a later date in April at Highland Memory Gardens, town of Trenton.
Memorials In memory of George Stegner, a gift has been given to the Digital Sign fund by his wife, Donna. In memory of Keith & Judy Miller, a gift has been given to the Restoration fund by friends. In memory of Lois Hughes, a gift has been given to the Radio fund by friends.
“Reflections on Repentance” is the theme of our midweek worship for the 2025 Lenten Season. Scripture’s call to repentance is intended as a way of life. Using David’s great penitential Psalm 51, this series of Lenten reflections explores the depths of our sinful depravity, the brokenness of our relationship with God, our dire need for rescue, and the good news of forgiveness, cleansing, and rejoicing in our restored relationship with God and the promise of eternal life through Jesus our Savior.
Weekly Wednesday Lenten Worship services will be at 3:45pm and 6:30pm.
Holy Communion will be served at all Ash Wednesday service.
| Ash Wednesday, March 5th | Realizing Our Need for Repentance-Stratman |
| Wednesday, March 12th | Remembering God’s Perfect Demands-Stratman |
| Wednesday, March 19th | Revealing Our Sinful Nature-Reichert-Good Shepherd |
| Wednesday, March 26th | Removing Our Guilt- Prell-Fox Lake |
| Wednesday, April 2nd | Relying on God’s Grace- Mount-Juneau |
| Wednesday, April 9th | Recognizing Against Whom We Sin- Heyer |
Calls Accepted and Returned With thanks to our God we rejoice as Pastor Matthew and Katrina Reis have accepted our calls to serve as Pastor and as 3rd Grade Teacher. Since she currently teaches in a sister WELS school, they will not move to Beaver Dam until June. We also rejoice as Mrs. Trimmer has declined the call to teach at St. John’s of Goodhue, MN. and will remain our 1st Grade Teacher.
Accreditation News: Thank you to all who participated in the Accreditation process. This process will continue throughout the next 5-6 years as we work on the recommendations of the visiting team. We have been Accredited with Conditions. There are a few items to fix within 6 months to gain full accreditation. We met 89% of the standards that were presented to the site team. According to Captain Ben Rank, “This is a good score for a first-time accreditation visit.” Well done St. Stephen’s Church and School. The Lord has truly blessed us and will continue to bless us as we move forward.
Luther Preparatory School Sacred Spring Concert will be Sunday, March 9th at 2:00pm in the Luther Prep gymnasium.
Fun Run & Walk to Benefit School Playground On Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00am to 11:00am, the PTS group will be hosting a Fun Run & Walk to benefit the school playground. All church members are encouraged to join in this fun activity. Please fill out the participation form located in the entrances of church to determine how many volunteers and refreshments will be needed. Any questions, please contact Emily McFarlane @ 920-344-0774 or the office.
Outdoor Digital Sign Fund Update: The Digital Sign Fund was started in Oct 2022 with a large donation from members who wanted to continue improving our communication with our community by means of a sign similar to Good Shepherd’s. Here is an update based on the top 2 questions received about the project and fund.
How much money is yet needed to start the project? We are at about 50%. We have about $11,000 and need at least $20,000 to complete the project. “Project Manager” David Schumann is working with Able Sign for an updated design and quote since our situation has changed a little. Placing a new sign in the existing stone structure, as originally anticipated, is not wise since the foundation has settled over the years and is not level. If we can get to $20,000 and get the current structure removed, we would be ready to move forward.
When can it be expected? “Demolition” of the current structure wouldn’t be able to take place until decent weather in the Spring, according to a member who would do the masonry work for us. If enough funds are available at that time, we could then contact the supplier and make a down payment. Lead time on installation is 8-12 weeks.
Our Response to God’s Grace in Christ: Worship Participation:
Thursday, February 13: 98 Friday, February 14: 38
Sunday, February 16: 68 + 118 = 186 Total: 322
Sunday, February 23
8:00am & 10:00am – Communion Worship
9:10am – Bible Study & Sunday School
9:30am – Radio Service, WBEV 95.3
Monday, February 24
7:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, February 25
6:00pm – Good Shepherd Preschool Open House
6:00pm – Finance Committee Meeting
7:00pm – Radio Taping
Wednesday, February 26
11:00am – Bible Class
2:00pm – Hillside Manor
3:30pm – Public School Catechism
7:15pm – Handbells
Thursday, February 27
6:30pm –Worship
7:30pm – Senior Choir
Friday, February 28
1:30pm –Worship
Sunday, March 2
8:00am & 10:00am –Worship
9:10am – Bible Study & Sunday School
9:30am – Radio Service, WBEV 95.3
