The 6th Sunday of Easter
Mother’s Day – Love One Another
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
May 8, 2021
4:30p.m. St. John’s
May 9, 2021
8:00a.m. Emmanuel
10:00a.m. St. John’s
† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
OPENING HYMN CW 377:1-5, “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice“
1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice, With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done, How his right arm the vict’ry won.
How dearly it has cost him!
2 Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay; Death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day; In sin my mother bore me.
Yet deep and deeper still I fell; Life had become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.
3 My own good works availed me naught, No merit they attaining;
My will against God’s judgment fought, No hope for me remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair Left naught but death to be my share
And hell to be my sentence.
4 But God beheld my wretched state Before the world’s foundation,
And, mindful of his mercies great, He planned my soul’s salvation.
A Father’s heart he turned to me, Sought my redemption fervently;
He gave his dearest treasure.
5 He spoke to his beloved Son: “’Tis time to have compassion.
Then go, bright Jewel of my crown, And bring mankind salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free; Slay bitter death for them that they
May live with you forever.”
† T H E C O M M O N S E R V I C E †
Please stand.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
M: Beloved in the Lord; let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
Kyrie
C: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
GLORY BE TO GOD
Gloria in Excelsis
C: Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
We praise you, we bless you, we worship you,
we glorify you, we give thanks to you, your great glory,
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.
For you only are holy; you only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Let us pray.
Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes from you. Inspire us to think those things that are true and long for those things that are good, that we may always make our petitions according to your gracious will; through you Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings.
† T H E W O R D †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
FIRST LESSON Acts 11:19-26 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: Barnabas encourages believers in Antioch to remain true to the Lord
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL CHIMES
*At Sunday St. John’s service only & in place of the Psalm.
PSALM 98
* At. Saturday St. John’s & Sunday Emmanuel services.
Refrain: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
Sing to the LORD a new song,*
for he has done marvelous things.
The LORD has made his salvation known*
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love and his faithfulness
to the house of Israel;*
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Refrain
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,*
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the LORD with the harp,*
with the harp and the sound of singing.
Shout for joy before the LORD, the King.*
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
EPISTLE LESSON 1 John 4:1-11
Summary: Test the spirits to remain faithful in love to the Lord and eachother
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
VERSE OF THE DAY John 14:23
M: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Alleluia.
C: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Please stand.
C: Glory be to you, O Lord!
GOSPEL LESSON John 15:9-17
Summary: Jesus says, “Remain in My love”
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
C: Praise be to you, O Christ!
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CW 377:6-10, “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”
6 The Son obeyed his Father’s will, Was born of virgin mother,
And, God’s good pleasure to fulfill, He came to be my brother.
No garb of pomp or pow’r he wore; A servant’s form like mine he bore
To lead the devil captive.
7 To me he spoke, “Hold fast to me—I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be; For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, your friend divine, And evermore you shall be mine;
The foe shall not divide us.
8 “The foe shall shed my precious blood, Me of my life bereaving.
All this I suffer for your good; Be steadfast and believing.
Life shall from death the vict’ry win; My innocence shall bear your sin,
And you are blest forever.
9 “Now to my Father I depart, The Holy Spirit sending
And, heav’nly wisdom to impart, My help to you extending.
He will a source of comfort be, Teach you to know and follow me,
And in all truth will guide you.
10 “What I on earth have lived and taught Be all your life and teaching;
So shall my kingdom’s work be wrought And honored in your preaching.
Take care that no one’s man-made laws Should e’er destroy the gospel’s cause.
This final word I leave you.”
SERMON Acts 11:19-30
“The Church in Antioch-A Model Church”
- A church with good news for all (19-21)
- A church with a ministry for all (22-26)
- A church with a heart for all (27-30)
Please stand.
C: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.
Please be seated.
† O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S †
THE OFFERING
Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. The plate is located in the church entryway.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Easter Season Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcement details of today’s Intercessory Prayers.
Please stand.
LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
† H O L Y C O M M U N I O N †
PREFACE
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up unto the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
C: It is good and right so to do.
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who by his sacrifice took away the sins of the world and by his resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Sanctus
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts: heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: Amen.
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
Agnus Dei
C: O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace. Amen.
Be seated.
DISTRIBUTION
During the distribution the congregation may sing one or more hymns.
At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice close Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN CW 309, “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord”
1 Draw near and take the body of the Lord,
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Offered was he for greatest and for least,
Himself the victim and himself the priest.
2 He that his saints in this world rules and shields
To all believers life eternal yields,
With heav’nly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsty soul.
3 Come forward, then, with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the pledges of salvation here.
Before your altar, Lord, your servants bow;
In this your feast of love be with us now.
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL & LITTLE LAMBS “God Is the Strength of My Heart”
*At Sunday St. John’s only.
Please stand.
SONG OF SIMEON
Nunc Dimittis
C: Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C; And his mercy endures forever.
M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
M: 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.
C: Amen. Amen. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN CW 506, “Oh, Blest the House, Whate’er Befall”
1 Oh, blest the house, whate’er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
A home that is not wholly his—
How sad and poor and dark it is!
2 Oh, blest that house where faith you find
And all within have set their mind
To trust their God and serve him still
And do in all his holy will.
3 Oh, blest the parents who give heed
Unto their children’s foremost need
And weary not of care or cost.
May none to them and heav’n be lost!
4 Blest such a house; it prospers well.
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lives is shown
How richly God can bless his own.
5 Then here will I and mine today
A solemn promise make and say:
Though all the world forsake his Word,
I and my house will serve the Lord!
Mothers, please accept a carnation as you exit church. Happy Mother’s Day! ♥
† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †
May 9 – May 15
| Sun. | Mother’s Day | ||
| 8:00a.m. | Emmanuel Worship with communion | ||
| 10:00a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion | ||
| Mon. | 9:00a.m. | Pastors’ Study Club-Green Lake | |
| 6:30p.m. | NO Choir due to Council meeting | ||
| 6:30p.m. | Joint Council at St. John’s | ||
| Tues. | 8:00a.m. | School Chapel | |
| 6:00p.m. | School Board meeting at St. John’s | ||
| Wed. | 10:00a.m. | Montello Care Center Devotion with communion | |
| 11:40a.m. | Early School Release | ||
| 6:30p.m. | St. John’s Ascension Eve Worship | ||
| Thurs. | 9:00a.m. | Emmanuel Ascension Day Worship | |
| Fri. | |||
| Sat. | Armed Forces Day | ||
| 4:30p.m. | St. John’s Worship | ||
| Next week’s theme- May 16, 2021 The 7th Sunday of Easter : Mother’s Day The Ascended Lord, Our Great High Priest, Prepares His Church for Its Work | |||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship | ||
| 9:00a.m. | Emmanuel Congregational meeting | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | ||
Love One Another
Sixth Sunday of Easter – B
God’s Word for Today
What one word summarizes all of God’s commands? Love. Luke tells us that the early Christians showed love for God and for others by preaching the Gospel boldly even in the face of persecution. The Apostle John teaches us that love for God and his Word compels us to carefully examine all teachings and churches in the light of Scripture. Jesus himself commands us to love one another as he has loved us.
First Lesson (Acts 11:19-26)
1. According to verse 21, what happened to the church despite persecution?
2. Believers were called Christians first at Antioch. What is the significance of being called Christians?
Second Lesson (1 John 4:1-11)
3. What are the “spirits” of which John speaks here?
4. Evaluate the following statement. “If we do not always show true love for others, that means that we are not true believers.”
Gospel (John 15:9-17)
5. The world often portrays true love as weak and God’s commands as burdensome. According to verse 11, why did Jesus command us to show love?
6. What is love?
Answers:
1. Because of the persecution of the Jews, many Christians were scattered and the Wordof God spread to other regions. In Antioch, many non-Jews heard the Gospel and came to believe.
2. By bearing the name “Christians” we give testimony to the fact that we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Savior of the world. We bear the name proudly. We also recognize that the life we live reflects upon him whose name we bear.
3. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we confess and teach God’s Word in truth and purity. Those who do not are led by deceitful spirits, i.e., the devil and his angels. When John tells us to test the spirits he encourages us to test teachers and churches according to the truth of Scripture. If they go against Scripture – if they deny that Jesus is the Christ – then they are not from God.
4. If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we will produce fruits of love. Being sinners, however, we will not always show perfect love. The fact that we don’t always show love doesn’t mean that we aren’t believers; it just means that our faith still needs to grow. As believers, we won’t use that fact as an excuse to not show love, but rather as a reason to grow in our faith through the use of the Gospel.
5. So that we might have his joy and that our joy may be complete. God does not give us his commandments to make our lives boring or more difficult, but rather because he knows that it is for our good. Following his commandments makes our lives happier.
6. Love is self-sacrifice in attitude and action. Love is the opposite of selfishness. Love does everything for the other person. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of love in verse 13: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 5-1 | 10 | |
| 5-2 | 35 | 104 |
| St. John’s Altar Committee for May 2021: Kay Maass & Jennie Utke |