Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 24, 2025
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 66:18–23; Psalm 50:1–15; Hebrews 12:4–29; Luke 13:22–30
Sermon: The Sign of the Cross
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 by Pastor Ryman about the sign that directs us to God's kingdom.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
If you have trouble watching the video on this webpage, try the below link:Eleventh 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.
Gracious Lord, you gather us together from all places that we may serve and worship you under the sign of your cross. Grant your church courage, strength, and endurance to proclaim your word with fidelity and reverence to all people and at all times. Fill pastors, missionaries, and Sunday school teachers with the guidance of your Holy Spirit, that they may educate all you have entrusted to their care in your word, equipping them for all good works. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father, guide us to approach you always with joy and gratitude, whether we're experiencing good times or challenging ones. We understand that as Christians, we are not exempt from hardships, and when they come, help us to seek your mercy and help so we can stay strong in faith. When our hearts feel heavy, help remind us to call on your name for guidance and deliverance. During moments when our minds are anxious and we are distressed, speak to us through your word and help us to hear you, so that we may repent and receive mercy through your grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father we humbly ask you to bring comfort and peace to those suffering from disasters, persecution, illness, and anxious thoughts. Send missionaries to help and be with them, equipping them with your words and faith to share, shining light in dark times. Grant understanding of your son's promise, salvation, and teach all to cling to your word for hope. We pray especially for those who are homebound or in nursing homes. Make your church faithful in sharing your word to the most vulnerable among us so they may hear and believe in the nearness of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy and gracious Lord, lead us all to the narrow door which is you. Send out your word into all the world, where ears who have not heard the gospel may hear it, repent and be saved. Send your Holy Spirit to the hard-hearted that they might be given hearts of flesh and new life in faith. Help us to lift our hands always to you father, that we might be strengthened, find help and be close to you always. 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
Teaching
Feel free to open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson.
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 2 Samuel 1:17–27; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 25:31–46. 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. We'll be looking for you.
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 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost are:
Monday: 2 Samuel 2:1–11; Acts 15:36–16:5; Mark 6:14–29
Tuesday: 2 Samuel 3:6–21; Acts 16:6–15; Mark 6:30–46
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 3:22–39; Acts 16:16–24; Mark 6:47–56
Thursday: 2 Samuel 4:1–12; Acts 16:25–40; Mark 7:1–23
Friday: 2 Samuel 5:1–12; Acts 17:1–15; Mark 7:24–37
Saturday: 2 Samuel 5:22–6:11; Acts 17:16–34; Mark 8:1–10
* 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