Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
August 3, 2025
Scripture Texts: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14, 2:18–26; Psalm 100:1–5; Colossians 3:1–11; Luke 12:13–21
Sermon: Riches in Christ
Join us Sunday at 10:30am for worship featuring sacred music, readings from the four major sections of the Holy Bible, the Lord's Supper, a chat with our children and Pastor Lord, and a message from Pastor Ryman about what possesses us.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Order of Worship
Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more.
Let us pray for the whole people of God, in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, you call us to be vigilant against all greed. Create in us pure hearts and help us desire to be filled with the divine inheritance you offer, which is eternal life. Help us see with clarity all the riches we have in your son and the mercy he offers us daily. Fill your church with a fervent faith that comes to you daily with gladness, because Jesus has made us his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, strengthen your church on earth. Fill the people of this congregation with your wisdom and humility that we may share these gifts with others, that their hearts might repent and turn to you. Make this sanctuary and its people a stronghold for those oppressed by the enemy of your church and give us courage and opportunity to proclaim your word with all thanksgiving and praise to our neighbors. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal Father, we lift our mission partners both here and around the world. Keep them safely in your care and bless their faithful witness as they preach your gospel as you have commanded, to all creation. Help us to endure with them. Help us discern any missional callings you have for this church that we may draw from the spiritual and material wealth you have established among us, that we might use them to glorify you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy and gracious Lord, you have claimed us as your own through Jesus. Help us to guard against covetousness, greed, and desires that cause us to prioritize earthly riches over heavenly ones. Make our pursuits focused on things that are eternal and heavenly, not temporary. Fill us with your Holy Spirit; guide us with wisdom and discernment so we can walk in your will, sharing your word, the promise, and the hope we have in Christ with everyone we meet. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Visitor Info
If you live in the area or are passing through, please worship with us in-person. For those outside our locale, we do livestream our services into this page, as well as to YouTube and Facebook.
Expect traditional worship with liturgy and Holy Communion each Sunday and a message grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the Lutheran Confessions — all in a friendly, multigenerational environment.
We welcome and encourage children to worship with us. Just before the sermon, our children take up a spare change offering for mission. Then they join one of our pastors on the chancel steps for a chat about today's Scriptures. We think you will love this part of the service.
Announcements
Please consult the bulletin and the current "Epistle" where you will find complete announcements.
• Rally Sunday, Sunday, August 24, 10:30am
• Ice Cream Social, Sunday, August 24, 5:30pm, shelter
• Fish Fry, Saturday, September 20, 6pm, shelter
• Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 11, 5–7pm, shelter
• Old Timey Stew, Saturday, November 1, 4pm, shelter
Giving
You may give an offering online to the General Fund and to some specific funds, using this secure link. If you do not have an account with Tithely, it will only take a few minutes to set that up. If you need help, please call the church office at 704-633-0922. Please note that a small, typical percentage is retained by Tithely.
You may also mail offerings to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
205 St. Paul's Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
Vespers Tonight

The readings for discussion this evening are 1 Samuel 14:36–45; Romans 5:1–11; Matthew 22:1–14. We begin with fellowship and finger food at 6pm in the parsonage across the street from the church. Evening Prayer begins at 6:30. Come to both for a blessed time.
Morning Prayer This Week
Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:30am, where we read and discuss Scripture and pray together. Our readings for the week of the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost are:
Monday: 1 Samuel 15:1–3, 7–23; Acts 9:19–31; Luke 23:44–56
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 15:24–35; Acts 9:32–43; Luke 23:56–24:11
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; Acts 10:1–16; Luke 24:12–35
Thursday: 1 Samuel 16:14–17:11; Acts 10:17–33; Luke 24:36–53
Friday: 1 Samuel 17:17–30; Acts 10:34–48; Mark 1:1–13
Saturday: 1 Samuel 17:31–49; Acts 11:1–18; Mark 1:14–28
* We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays.
License
Streaming License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 URL: stpaulslutheran.church GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC),as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.
Performance License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play and perform in any of the Licensee’s facilities within the United States any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS PERFORMmusic License Terms and Conditions.
CCLI License # 11395633