BULLETIN- September 27, 2020

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost

September 26, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor

September 27, 2020

8am Emmanuel

10am 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 thankfulness of praise.

Please note: Worship Service Restart Plans (Bulletin pages  14,15) Worship f.) Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose.  Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

OPENING HYMN 399                                     To God Be the Glory

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.                                                          

Please stand. 

INVOCATION            

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION                                                                   

M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt. 

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.  

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Be seated. 

T H E   W O R D

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON            Genesis 50:15-21 NIV (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Joseph assured his brothers of forgiveness

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”  So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: `This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’  Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.”  When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.  “We are your slaves,” they said.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.   So then, don’t be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children.”  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

PSALM OF THE DAY 103

*For your personal devotion at home. 

Refrain

I will hear what the Lord proclaims: peace to his people.

Praise the LORD, O my soul;*

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

He forgives all your sins*

and heals all your diseases;

he redeems your life from the grave*

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Refrain

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,*

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He does not treat us as our sins deserve*

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above 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.

Refrain

As a father has compassion on his children,*

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,*

he remembers that we are dust.

Our days are like grass, like a flower of the field;*

the wind blows over it and it is gone.

But the LORD’S love is with those who fear him*

from everlasting to everlasting.

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

SECOND LESSON                   Romans 14:5-9 NIV

Summary: We who are forgiven honor God not ourselves

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

VERSE OF THE DAY            Romans 15: 4 NIV

M: Alleluia. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Alleluia. 

Please stand. 

GOSPEL LESSON             Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

Summary: Forgive from the heart

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.  Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him.  `Be patient with me,’ he begged, `and I will pay back everything.’  The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.  He grabbed him and began to choke him.  `Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, `Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.  When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in.  `You wicked servant,’ he said, `I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Please be seated. 

HYMN 493                                                                              Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive 

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation. 

SERMONETTE                                                                                                    Genesis 50:15-21 NIV

 “Forgiveness Is Our Way Of Life”

  1. It reflects God’s love to us
  2. It results in God’s blessings for us

Please stand. 

APOSTLES’ CREED    

*For your personal devotion at home. 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

BEFRIEND A MISSION PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS         

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation. 

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.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor. 

Please be seated for the distribution. 

At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice closed 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. See page 13 for communion schedule and distribution information.

Be seated. 

CLOSING PRAYER 

M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

BLESSING                                                                                                            

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. 

Amen. 

Be seated. 

CLOSING HYMN 326           May the Grace of Christ Our Savior 

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation. 

Announcements

September 27 – October 3

Sun.8:00 a.m.Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon. 
Tues.6:30 p.m.Bible Study at Emmanuel 
Wed.
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.4:30 p.m.St. John’s Outdoor Worship

Next week’s theme:- October 4, 2020 18th Sunday after Pentecost“God Acts in His Own Way, According to His Nature (Not Ours) By Grace” (Note: Pastor Dolan will lead services.) 
8:00 a.m.    Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.St. John’s Worship

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St. John’s Lutheran Church Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mecan

Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19

July 30, 2020

When will we worship?  An outdoor Saturday service is being added to help members worship in a safe environment. This service will replace the Wednesday evening service.

  • Saturdays @ 4:30 pm  (Any St. John’s or Emmanuel members)-Beginning Saturday, August 15
  • Sunday @ 8:00 am  Emmanuel  (Emmanuel members)
  • Sunday @ 10:00 am  St. John’s (St. John’s members 55 and older)
  • Online worship services continue found at  stjohnsmontello.org 

Where will we worship? Groups should be 50 or less indoors. To provide safe worship experiences, the new Saturday worship service will be held outdoors when weather permits. 

  • Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary. 
  • Sunday @ 8:00 am at Emmanuel in the sanctuary
  • Sunday @ 10:00 am at St. John’s in the sanctuary

How will we worship? Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued and new ones enacted immediately:

  • Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
  • Masks will currently be optional at all services (see below**) Masks will be available.
  • Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
  • Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service. Some seating and a canopy may be available. 
  • The congregation is asked to not sing for the time being.
  • Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes. 
  • A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
  • Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Saturday before the 2nd and 4th Sundays will also include communion. Family units are encouraged to commune together. 
  • The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them. 
  • The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
  • **We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies

As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word. 

Question or Concerns?  Contact your Elders or pastor

Emmanuel Elders: Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 369-1790 

St. John’s Elders: Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171, James Wachholz (608) 369-4006 – Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830
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Christians – Models of Forgiveness

Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

One timeless truth that we review Sunday after Sunday is this: God, in his boundless grace and mercy, has forgiven me, a poor, miserable sinner.  One of the special blessings of having Christian friends is that they, too, forgive.  Today, in His Word God speaks to us about the correlation between being forgiven and being forgiving

First Lesson (Genesis 50: 15-21)

1. Joseph wept as his brothers spoke to him.  Were these tears of sorrow or tears of joy?

2. What comfort does the Christian find in verse 20?

Second Lesson (Romans 14: 5-9)

3. What advice does Paul give for the maintenance of  Christian harmony and charity in the church?

4. “Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (v. 8b).  Apply these words to your life.

Gospel (Matthew 18: 21-35)

5. Put into practical terms the meaning of Jesus’ command to forgive “not seven times, but seventy- seven times.”

6. What makes the first servant’s lack of mercy so revolting?

7. Paraphrase the parable’s application as found in verse 35.

Answers:

1. Likely, both.  There were tears of sorrow as it grieved Joseph to think that his brothers believed him capable of such retaliation.  Also, his eyes welled with tears of joy over the evidence of his brothers’ complete repentance.

2. God, in His love and providence, frustrates the evil intent of those who oppose us and turns the intended evil to work good in our lives, in this case, for the salvation of many.

3. Let him that eats not despise him that doesn’t eat, thus looking down with contempt on the weaker brother and his scruples with regard to food.  On the other hand, the one that refuses to partake of meat should not condemn him that eats, as though he were less spiritual.  Thus, the warning against judging is substantiated in this, that God has accepted him.  Do not pass judgment on a brother who is Christ’s own.

4. The mind of the Christian, whether he partakes of certain foods or not, whether he observes certain days or not, is always directed to the Lord, because the whole life of the Christian, as well as his death, is devoted and consecrated to the Lord.  Since his soul and body, thoughts and acts, are dedicated to the Lord, the believer will naturally think of His honor first in all things. 

5. Christ’s answer is staggering!  Jesus did not begin with an insignificant number, nor would he be tied down to any definite sum.  No number can begin to show the greatness of forgiving love that is found in the hearts of Christians.  There is no set number of times that we should forgive an erring brother and reinstate him in our good graces.  Love and forgiveness go beyond petty calculations.

6. Moments after receiving an immeasurable present of mercy from the king, the servant hunted down, seized by the throat, and choked a fellow-servant who owed him an insignificant sum, then wreaked his vengeance upon him by casting him into prison.

7. Ignorance and forgetfulness of our own guilt leave us harsh and unforgiving toward others.  But remember, God will be merciless to the merciless.  Without exception, He wants us to be ready at all times to forgive from the heart, just as He in mercy has forgiven our enormous debt.

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AttendanceEmmanuelSt. John’s
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St. John’s Altar CommitteeSeptember 2020 Diane EisermannDelores Cotte