Homecoming
September 14, 2025
Scripture Texts: Ezekiel 34:11–24; Psalm 119:169–176; 1 Timothy 1:5–17; Luke 15:1–10
Sermon: Rescue for Sinners
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 a message about how God seeks and saves lost sinners.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
Homecoming
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.
Holy and gracious Lord, we lift to you all those who are affected and hurt by acts of violence, extremism, and war all over the world. Comfort and still them in your presence during their time of grief. Send your mighty hand to embrace them and remind them of your eternal salvation. Breathe your holy scriptures into the brokenhearted, that they would be comforted by the light of your salvation amid the darkest of circumstances. Heavenly Father, we ask you to be a shield of protection for all first responders and public servants. Bless and keep close to you those whom you have called to protect us. Guide them in your wisdom and mercy that in all their doings, they may glorify you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, make us good stewards of your church on earth. Grant us an earnest desire to follow you faithfully. Send your Holy Spirit to those who may be discerning lay service within the church, seminary, or the pastoral office. Grant them mentors and teachers who will help and equip them in your word so that they may serve you in any capacity with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father, we pray for your servants who suffer in body, mind, and spirit. In the hour of their distress, descend upon them, and bring healing to all who cry out to you. Bind up the wounded, and strengthen the weak, according to your Holy and divine will. Be with all from this church who are homebound, in nursing homes, and in hospital facilities everywhere. Send them visitors with your word and sacrament that they would praise your name and know the good news of the nearness of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy and gracious Lord, seek out those who are wayward and bring them back to the safety of your fold. Send your Holy Spirit into their hearts so they may remember your word and return to your merciful embrace. Shepherd and protect us from dark forces and all snares of the devil. Keep us in genuine faith, that we fervently seek your hand; that we may be fed with your life-giving word, the true bread, and cup of your salvation. 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
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.
Announcements
Please consult the bulletin and the current "Epistle" where you will find complete announcements.
• Fish Fry, Saturday, September 20, 6pm, shelter
• Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 11, 5–7pm, shelter
• Trunk ‘r Treat, Saturday, October 25, 6:30–8pm
• Old Timey Stew, Saturday, November 1, 4pm, shelter
Vespers Tonight

The readings for discussion this evening are 2 Samuel 17:1–23; Galatians 3:6–14; John 5:30–47. 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 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost are:
Monday: 2 Samuel 17:24–18:8; Acts 22:30–23:11; Mark 11:12–26
Tuesday: 2 Samuel 18:9–18; Acts 23:12–24; Mark 11:27–12:12
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 18:19–23; Acts 23:23–35; Mark 12:13–27
Thursday: 2 Samuel 19:1–23; Acts 24:1–23; Mark 12:28–34
Friday: 2 Samuel 19:24–43; Acts 24:24–25:12; Mark 12:35–44
Saturday: 2 Samuel 23:1–17, 13–17; Acts 25:13–27; Mark 13:1–13
* We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays.
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.
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
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