March 2018 – Page 3 – St. John's Evangelical

Look to Jesus – March 14, 2018

March 14, 2018 Kerry

The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Numbers 21:8-9

Look to Jesus

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2018

Devotion based on Numbers 21:8-9

See series: Devotions

The last time you were traveling down the road and a sign read, “Detour Ahead,” did you say, “Wonderful! I love detours”? If you didn’t react that way, neither did the Israelites in the account recorded in Numbers chapter 21. Their already long journey from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan was about to get longer. As a result, they impatiently grumbled against God.

God dealt with the people by sending venomous snakes among them. The snakes bit and many people died. The Israelites went to Moses and said, “We sinned. Pray that God will take the snakes away.” So Moses prayed and God instructed him to make a bronze snake, put it up on a pole, and tell the people that anyone bitten could look at that bronze snake and live.

Imagine how they might have wanted to react to God’s instruction. “What? How is looking at a bronze snake going to help us?” But that was the point. This wasn’t a lesson in logic or on how to properly treat a snakebite; this was a lesson in trust. The Lord promised to save the people from death when they trusted his word and looked at the snake he commanded Moses to display. And true to his word, when those bitten looked at the bronze snake, God saved them from death. He rescued the people from the judgment of death that they deserved for their sins.

The wages of sin is death for all of us. But God comes to rescue us. However, instead of directing our sinful hearts to a snake on a pole, God directs our hearts to a Savior on the cross. Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Jesus rescued us from the sting of sin and the fear of death, when he took our sin to the cross and paid for it in full by his death.

Are you feeling down today? Then look up to Jesus and his great love for you on the cross! Tired of life and its detours? Find rest in Jesus! Wounded by sin? Find healing in his wounds! Look to Jesus. He is your Savior from sin and death.

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, lift my eyes and heart to trust in you and your great love for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Smile – March 13, 2018

March 13, 2018 Kerry

God raised us up with Christ.
Ephesians 2:6

Smile

Daily Devotion – March 13, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:6

See series: Devotions

Essie Dunbar was a popular figure in her small town of Blackville, South Carolina. Essie had a delightful smile and she had a family who dearly loved her. She died in 1962 at the age of 70 years. Her death notice, however, said something unusual. It read, “Essie Dunbar. Died at age 70, 47 years after her first funeral.” Here is Essie’s story.

The year was 1915. Essie was a cheerful young woman. She did, however, suffer from periodic seizures. One day she underwent a seizure so severe that she appeared to be dead. A doctor examined her body, saw no signs of life, and concluded that she had, indeed, died. Dark grief smothered everyone who adored Essie and her shining smile. The family arranged for her funeral and her burial. At the conclusion of her committal service at the cemetery, loving hands carefully lowered her casket into the grave.

Just then, a late-coming relative arrived. She was so distraught at having missed the funeral that she asked if they could lift Essie’s casket back out and open it, so she could see her one last time. The family agreed to do so.

As it turns out, the timing could not have been better. At the precise moment the casket was re-opened, Essie Dunbar opened her eyes, sat up and gave everyone there her big, wonderful smile. Needless to say, no one living around Blackville, South Carolina would ever forget the story of Essie Dunbar.

As thrilling as her story is, however, even Essie’s experience is no match for what the Lord has done for you and me. In a spiritual sense, you and I were dead and buried—dead and buried under the crushing weight of our own sins. But then, Jesus arrived. He lived a holy life on our behalf. He suffered and died for our every failure. Then he rose from the grave.

And now, through faith in Christ, God has raised us up. He has given us life—a life that pulsates with joy, hope, light, and peace in Jesus. It is now our privilege to smile on others, as the Lord has smiled upon us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for raising me up. Thank you for smiling upon me and giving me life in Jesus. Empower me by your Spirit to smile on others. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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Look Up! – March 12, 2018

March 12, 2018 Kerry

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
John 3:14-15

Look Up!

Daily Devotion – March 12, 2018

Devotion based on John 3:14-15

See series: Devotions

Look up! Time after time God has given people this invitation. Look up from your failure and disappointment. Look up from your guilt and shame. Look up and see the rescue I have provided.

Jesus reminded Nicodemus of the history which prompted this invitation. God’s people were in the wilderness. They felt their wants and desires were not being sufficiently met. So they grumbled, complained, and eventually rebelled against the Lord. In response to their open rejection, God sent venomous snakes. As the death toll mounted, people realized their sin and repented. The Lord promptly showed mercy and commanded Moses to make a bronze snake, lift it up on his staff, and offer the invitation to look up! Those who looked up were rescued from the Lord’s just judgment.

Jesus used this account to teach a precious lesson. The value of this lesson is seen in what Jesus adds, “so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” It is a lesson we need to learn well and cherish.

Like God’s Old Testament people, it is easy for us to complain, get frustrated with God, and even turn away from him. With our rejection we soon recognize the burden that our action carries. It separates us from his love. It places us under his just judgment. It soon makes us desperate to find help.

This is when we rejoice to hear those precious words, look up! When we look up, we see Jesus lifted up on the cross. Yes, he was crucified and his life ended brutally. Yet, in his perfect and willing sacrifice, our guilt, punishment, and sentence of death were taken away. Through faith in Jesus we are rescued from God’s just judgment.

Look up! These are words we need to hear, long to hear, and rejoice to hear.

Prayer:[Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 111] Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, which before the cross we spend,
Life and health and peace possessing from the sinner’s dying Friend.
Lord, in loving contemplation fix our hearts and eyes on you
Till we taste your full salvation and your unveiled glory view.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Humility – March 11, 2018

March 11, 2018 Kerry

Jesus called [his disciples] together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28

Humility

Daily Devotion – March 11, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 20:25-28

See series: Devotions

With great power comes great … privilege? That’s what the disciples James and John thought. They believed that following Jesus entitled them to great privilege. They wanted first dibs on the seats of honor next to Jesus in his kingdom. They knew that Jesus was going to be a great king, but they didn’t understand how Jesus would establish his kingdom.

Jesus reached glory through humility. His glory is his humble service. In greatest humility God stepped down from his throne in heaven to lie in a manger. He demanded no service from anyone but spent every moment of his life in service to us. The One who demands perfection from us became the One who lived perfectly for us. The eternal God exchanged the voice of angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy!” for the cries of an angry mob yelling, “Crucify, crucify, crucify!”

Jesus took the blame for what we did wrong so that we might receive the credit for all that he did well—and he did everything well. He suffered our hell so that he could give us a seat at his table in heaven. By his resurrection from the dead, Jesus has given his followers power over death too.

With great power comes great responsibility. Power over death doesn’t give us license to lord ourselves over others. We don’t think we are better than we really are. We put the needs of others before our own. We live to serve. And in doing so, we bring glory not to ourselves, but to him who served us by giving his life as a ransom for our sins.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to suffer and die for my sins. I don’t deserve the new life that I have in you. Help me to put aside my selfishness and to imitate your selflessness with a life of service and sacrifice. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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Condemned No More – March 10, 2018

March 10, 2018 Kerry

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

Condemned No More

Daily Devotion – March 10, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:1

See series: Devotions

In Rawlins, Wyoming, something unusual is waiting for you. What awaits is a guided tour of an old prison that closed in 1981. The entire tour is riveting. Anyone who has taken the tour, however, will tell you that your heart begins to beat a little faster when you climb the steps of a specific, small building. This is the death house.

As you enter the second floor, you see a short row of small cells. Beyond the row of small cells is a door. The tour guide opens the door. You walk through. And there it stands, right in front of you. There stands the gas chamber.

Then the tour guide tells a story. She explains that, before each execution, it was standard procedure to test the gas chamber with a live pig. The technicians would bring the animal into the death house, up the stairs to the second floor and into the gas chamber. They would close the chamber door. Then they would drop cyanide pellets into an acid bath to fill the chamber with lethal gas. And the animal would die.

During the tour guide’s talk, it doesn’t take much imagination to picture the prisoner in one of the small cells behind you. There he is, listening. He hears the staff struggling to bring their test subject inside. He hears the pig’s angry grunts. Then he hears its frightened squeals. He hears the large metal door close. Finally, the prisoner hears silence.

To take such a tour and to stand in such a place can at least give you a small taste of what the word, “condemned,” really means.

You and I once sat condemned. There we were, waiting for the inevitable. There we were, waiting to die. What we awaited, however, was not some quick physical death in a gas chamber. Because of our sin, you and I were facing the pit of outer darkness, the abyss of eternal death.

But Jesus changed all that. He became one of us. On our behalf he lived the holy life we could not live. Then he put himself on death row in our place. He died as our substitute. He paid our penalty in full.

And now he lives. And because he does, you and I stand condemned no more. All is forgiven. Eternal death no longer awaits. What lies ahead now is eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Savior, because of you, only the joys of heaven await. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you! Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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BULLETIN- THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 11, 2018

March 9, 2018 Kerry

EMMANUEL AND ST. JOHN’S

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Mecan and Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

MARCH 11, 2018

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH! We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and “link-way” at St. John’s. It’s nice to have you visit today. May God bless our worship together!

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY A Gracious Disposition – It has been noted that a drowning man will not complain about the size of the boat that comes to rescue him. Yet today’s first lesson alerts us to illegitimate complaining as God rescued his people from slavery. In each lesson God shows his merciful disposition of grace–undeserved love that rescues sinners.

A PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP Dear Heavenly Father: I come to your house today to worship you, to give you the praise you deserve and the prayers and hymns you desire. Through your Word and Sacrament, come to me. Take me by the hand and lead me to the cross where your Son offered sin’s sacrifice once and for all. Forgive my sins, strengthen my faith, assure me of my salvation, and inspire and empower me to do good works. Teach me today to look up to Jesus and live by faith. Bless my worship. Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

“Gathering Rite on the Word of God” (see below)

PASTOR’S GREETING

(Please stand)

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: (spoken) Amen.

OPENING HYMN 221: 1,2,3,4 “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word” (printed below, sing accordingly)

Blessed Jesus, at your Word
We are gathered all to hear you.
Let our hearts and souls be stirred
Now to seek and love and fear you,
By your teachings, sweet and holy,
Drawn from earth to love you solely.

M: Oh, how I love your law!

C: I meditate on it all day long.

M: Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

C: for they are ever with me.

M: I have more insight than all my teachers,

C: for I meditate on your statutes.

M: How sweet are your words to my taste,

C: sweeter than honey to my mouth!

2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight
Lie in deepest darkness shrouded
Till your Spirit breaks our night
With the beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God can win us;
You must work all good within us.

M: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

C: so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

M: Yet so often we have despised God’s Word and failed to gladly hear and learn it. For this and all our sins, we bow before God and humbly ask his 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.

3 Gracious Savior, good and kind,
Light from Light, from God proceeding,
Open now our heart and mind;
Help us by your Spirit’s pleading.
Hear the cry your people raises;
Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

M: God gave his Word so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”. The Scriptures testify about Jesus, who lived a perfect life for you, died on the cross to pay for all your sins, and rose again to assure you of your salvation. 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: (spoken) Amen.

4 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praise to you and adoration!
Grant that we your Word may trust,
Confident of our salvation,
While we here below must wander,
Till we sing your praises yonder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (read by pastor)

M: Let us pray.

C: (spoken) Amen.

(Please be seated)

THE DAY’S BIBLE READING THEME

The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Faith Looks to Jesus

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Numbers 21:4-9

The bronze snake–a picture of Jesus

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

PSALM 38 (hymnal page 81, cantor sings the first line, congregation sings the second line, all sing refrains and Gloria)

EPISTLE Ephesians 2:4-10

By grace you have been saved through faith

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

VERSE OF THE DAY (read by pastor)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

(Please stand)

After the announcement of the Gospel, all sing:

“Glory be to you, O Lord!”

GOSPEL John 3:14-21 (today’s sermon text)

Believe in the one who was lifted up

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

After the Gospel, all sing:

“Praise be to you, O Christ!”

APOSTLES’ CREED (hymnal page 19b, all read)

(Please be seated)

At Emmanuel, all children ages 2-6 are invited to Nursery Sunday School in the parish hall.

SERMON HYMN 391 “God Loved the World So that He Gave”

SERMON John 3:14-21 The Light Has Come

Look to God’s Son
Lean on God’s love
Live by God’s truth

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 20, all sing)

“Create in me a clean heart…”

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, GREETINGS, AND FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER

(Please stand)

PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF LENT (hymnal page 125, read responsively)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Chuck Boetcher, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brian & Bonnie Harmon (Linda Lou Wacholtz’ sister & brother-in-law), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Laurana Hoffman (Tim’s daughter), Drake Hunter (Bill & Cally’s grandson), Mary Isberner, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), David & Janette Mottis (Ed & Marlene Buchholz’ niece and husband), Steve Parrish, Wilma Rudolph, Bob Schrank, Bill Schroeder (Ashley’s father-in-law), Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother) – (added this week: Mike Farrell, Lily Mann )
– For teachers called by the Lord through his Church at our 3/4 St. John’s voters meeting to serve at St. John’s Lutheran School: Corin Einhardt from St. Luke’s–Vassar, MI to serve as K-1 teacher and Daniel Kasten from Bethlehem–Hortonville to serve as 5-8 teacher and principal
– For our communicants at St. John’s

THE LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 20b, all read)

NOTE: At Emmanuel…

LITURGY (hymnal, page 25)

(Please be seated)

HYMN 343:1-2 “Christ is the World’s Light” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 25, read & sung responsively)

CLOSING HYMN 343:3-4 “Christ is the World’s Light” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

NOTE: At St. John’s…

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY (hymnal page 21, read & sung responsively)

(Please be seated for Holy Communion)

The Bible tells us that those who take Communion together are to:

Recognize that Christ’s true body and blood are present in the Sacrament (1 Cor. 10:17).
Examine themselves (1 Cor. 11:28), and
Be united in faith with the congregation with which they commune (1 Cor. 10:17).

For these reasons, it is our practice that only those who are members of our congregation or a congregation of the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod (WELS) join us for Holy Communion. If you are interested in learning more about becoming part of our fellowship, please speak to the pastor after the service.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 384 “By Grace I’m Saved”, 343:1-2 “Christ is the World’s Light” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

SONG OF SIMEON, CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 24-25a, read & sung responsively)

CLOSING HYMN 343:3-4 “Christ is the World’s Light” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Theme for next Sunday (3/18):

The Fifth Sunday in Lent: The New Covenant Was Established By Jesus, Our High Priest

Note: Please give your completed friendship register page to an usher or pastor as you leave today’s service.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK MARCH 11-MARCH 17
Sun.	8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship
	8:20 A.M.	Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School
	8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
	9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
	10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.	6:30 P.M.	Senior Choir at St. John’s
	7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.
Wed.	10:00 A.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	1:40 P.M.	St. John’s School/Little Lambs early dismissal
	2:00 P.M.	St. John’s School staff meeting
	2:15 P.M.	Public School Teen Confirmation class at St. John’s
	3:30 P.M.	Emmanuel Devotion
	4:15 P.M.-6:00P.M.	Lenten Supper at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Devotion
	7:30 P.M.	Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.	12:30 P.M.	SJS/LL EARLY RELEASE (parent/teacher conferences)
		NO GRIEFSHARE
Fri.		NO SCHOOL SJS/LL (parent/teacher conferences)
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018 Theme for next Sunday (3/18): The Fifth Sunday in Lent: The New Covenant Was Established By Jesus, Our High Priest
8:00 A.M.			Emmanuel Worship
8:20 A.M.			Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School
8:30 A.M.			St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.			Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.			St. John’s Worship

See the source image

MEMORIAL In loving memory of Mavis DeWitt, $75.00 has been given to St. John’s by Karen (niece) and Donald Pieper. Thank you for your gift. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11

ST. JOHN’S ALTAR FLOWERS Thank you Malsack family for today’s altar flowers given in loving memory of Linda.

GRIEFSHARE There will be no Griefshare this Thursday, March 15. See you next week!

ST. JOHN’S OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN-UP The signup sheet is located in the church link way. Please sign up if you wish to have a copy of your 2017 offering statement.

CHURCH PHOTOGRAPHY SIGN-UP If you would like to be put on a sign-up list for your photography session for our new church directory, please fill out some information on the sign-up sheet located in the church link way. Ciara will sign you up and give you a confirmation call with your date and time of session. We will also have some volunteers in the office for online sign-up on Sunday, March 11, from 9:00am to 10:00am and then after church, 11:00am to 12:00pm. Stop on by!

EASTER FLOWER ORDER There will be a sign-up in the church link way for those who would like to order Easter flowers this year. The deadline is March 18.

EASTER BREAKFAST AT EMMANUEL April 1 following the 8:00 AM Easter Service. Everyone is invited (members, friends and guests) for pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, cheese, and fruit. A freewill offering will be taken for Emmanuel’s Education Fund. The breakfast is supported by a Thrivent Action Team Project. Join us for food and fellowship in the Parish Hall.

LENTEN SUPPERS March 14, 4:15p.m. – 6:00p.m.

Hosted by ST. JOHN’S GRADES 5-8! A free will offering will be taken.

What’s on the Menu? Chicken alfredo, spaghetti, garlic bread, veggies, desserts and drinks. See you there!

See the source image HELP WANTED! St. John’s is in need of some volunteers to help clean the church. Let’s do our part and take care of God’s house that he has blessed us with! If you are interested, please contact the office.

$E:\Linda Wachholz LWMS\CLIPART - old\PIGGY & LAMB.jpg$ WANTED: BABY ANIMALS for a PETTING ZOO

Part of this spring’s Easter for Kids will be a baby animal petting zoo. The event is Saturday, March 24. Would you have any of the following baby animals on that day that you would allow us to borrow? OR do you have leads and contact numbers of someone who might? Kittens, puppies, bunnies, chicks, ducklings, lamb, kids (goats), piglets—we are also open to suggestions. We already have some of the babies lined up, but we would like backup! Please contact Linda Wachholz at 608 369-2635 or lwmsreporter@stjohnsmontello.org

EASTER FOR KIDS DONATIONS APPRECIATED Planning for 75 children on Saturday, March 24. Monetary gifts help the most—used for advertising, mailings, crafts, baskets, anything & everything for the event. We appreciate donations of home-crafted items for the baskets. Volunteers are still needed to bake for the baskets & make jello jigglers for the lunch. Volunteers to help the day of the event are also welcome. Please contact Linda Wachholz 608-369-2635 to donate or volunteer.

Still collecting plain print-free ice cream pails (ValuTime brand at Frietags or others) for coming years. Donation box located in linkway.

See the source image CONTEST! Box Tops, Kwik Trip, and Tyson a+ contest has started and ends on APRIL 13th! Each classroom will compete to see which room can collect the most items and the winning class room will win a “Taco Boat” party. Box Tops do have expiration dates, so if everyone could please turn in what you currently have AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, it would be much appreciated! Thank you to everyone for supporting your school and have fun collecting! Remember that family and friends are happy to help! Good luck!

kids colorful word PRE-REGISTER FOR EASTER FOR KIDS Any child, age 3 through Grade 6, is welcome to attend Easter for Kids at St. John’s on Saturday, March 24. This is an outreach program–it would be great if St. John’s & Emmanuel kids who attend would invite a non-member or unchurched friend! Register online www.stjohnsmontello.org Get registration forms at both churches, in Monday Magazine, on church & school Facebook, & on public bulletin boards around Montello. This year’s theme is “Jesus—Giver of New Life.” Storytime, singing, crafts, baby animal petting zoo, egg hunt, & more bring the true meaning of Easter to the children. Deadline

EASTER FOR

is Friday, March 16.

HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR SPRING MISSION OFFERING? They are being collected by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society through Sunday, March 25. A container is located in the entrance at St. John’s and in the parish hall at Emmanuel—Please give your gift at the church where you are a member. Projects supported by gifts are listed by the container. Gifts are welcome from all who love missions!

SEND ONE SISTER PROGRAM assists women who would like to attend the LWMS Convention as a first-time attendee. This year’s Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Convention will be held June 21-24 in Green Bay, and it’s time to register! Registration materials are available from your reporter (Helen Stelter at Emmanuel; Linda Wachholz at St. John’s). If you have never attended but have thought you might like to attend this mission-packed weekend, you are encouraged to complete a Send One Sister application, also available from your church’s reporter. The Beaver Dam Circuit Board will be holding a Silent Auction at it spring rally to raise SOS funds which will be given to first-time attendees from our circuit to help with their expenses. Why don’t YOU apply!! Deadline: April 15, 2018

YOU ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH A SERVICE PROJECT FOR CAMP PHILLIP-WAUTOMA 1) Donate items on the Camp Wish List (copies at the collection boxes at both churches) and/or 2) Donate monetary gifts towards Camp Phillip’s present $500,000 building project. Please give monetary gifts to the LWMS reporter at your church (Helen Stelter at Emmanuel; Linda Wachholz at St. John’s). Your LWMS sisters thank you for supporting your WELS Lutheran area camp! Collecting through April 15.

WEDNESDAY LENTEN DEVOTIONS “Jesus, Our Great High Priest” (based on the New Testament book of Hebrews) is the theme for this year’s midweek Lenten devotions that began Ash Wednesday, 2/14 3:30 p.m. at Emmanuel and 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s. Supper will be served in the St. John’s lower level from 4:15–6:00 p.m. “Jesus, I will ponder now, on your holy passion.” (Hymn 98)

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the idle of the road, and the back of the church.

LUTHER PREPARATORY SCHOOL SACRED SPRING CONCERT

Is TODAY, March 11^th at 2:00pm in the Luther Prep gym.

THE LUTHERAN GIRL PIONEERS The Lutheran Girl Pioneers invites girls ages 8-15 to join us at the LGP International Camp July 29- August 4, 2018. We have many classes to choose, from canoeing to Zumba, from crocheting to archery. There are also nightly campfires, daily devotions, and so much more!

LGP Camp is located at Camp Bird, Crivitz, Wisconsin.

You don’t have to be a member of Lutheran Girl Pioneers to come! Girls from all over the U.S. and Canada have joined us! Registrations come out in March.

For more information, email LGPcamp@gmail.com.

Lutheran Girl Pioneers serves girls of the WELS and ELS. For more information about LGP, email girlpioneers@gmail.com.

Usher Schedule
March 11 SJ (with comm)	James Wachholz; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Del Henke, Joe Zauner
E	Wayne Stelter, Glenn Buchholz, Jim Stuempges
March 14 E	Don Stelter, Dave Radke
SJ	Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Richard Freitag
March 18 E	Lucas Stelter, Warren Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld
SJ	Jack Yates; Chief, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon, Karl Whitrock, Matt Borzick
March 21 E	Don Stelter, Dave Radke
SJ	Don Smith; Chief, Glen Bubolz

St. John’s Greeter Schedule
March 11	James & Linda Wachholz
March 18	Scott & Debbie Ritz
March 25	Karl Whitrock & Elsa Russell

Attendance

Emmanuel

St. John’s

3-4 3-7

70 51

161 46

St. John’s Altar Committee

March 2018

Diane Eisermann

Delores Cotte

St. John’s & Emmanuel Lent & Holy Week Worship Schedule

See the source image Theme: Jesus Christ is Our High Priest

3/14/18	*Emm* – 3:30p.m. SJ – 6:30p.m.	Midweek 5	Pastor John Stelter St. John’s-Princeton
3/21/18	*Emm* – 3:30p.m. SJ – 6:30p.m.	Midweek 6	Pastor Pete Zietlow
3/29/18	*Emm* – 7:00p.m. (communion)	Maundy Thursday	Pastor John Dolan
3/30/18	SJ – 1:00p.m. (communion)	Good Friday	Pastor Pete Zietlow
4/1/18	SJ – 6:00a.m. & 10:00a.m *Emm* – 8:00a.m.	Easter Sunrise & Easter Service Easter Service	Pastor John Dolan (6am) Pastor Pete Zietlow

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website & Facebook link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-107160252675/

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowpl6@hotmail.com

Principal Tim Hemling (608) 745-2549

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Teacher Sandra Hemling (608) 745-2776

Parish/School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser (608) 297-2866

Altar Ladies Elaine Kelm (920) 344-0025 &

Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036

Mail to: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949

OR scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Winnebago Lutheran Academy

Principal Mr. David Schroeder/WLA office (920) 921-4930

WLA website: www.wlavikings.org

Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest – March 9, 2018

March 9, 2018 Kerry

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Hebrews 7:26-27

Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest

Daily Devotion – March 9, 2018

Devotion based on Hebrews 7:26-27

See series: Devotions

In the fifth chapter of his book, the author to the Hebrews tells us what Old Testament high priests did: “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Hebrews 5:1).

Why do we call Jesus our High Priest? Because he did what the Old Testament high priests did. Just as they represented the people before God, Jesus represents his people before God. Just as the Old Testament priests made sacrifice for sin, Jesus made sacrifice for sin. We rightly call Jesus our High Priest. But there is more.

Why do we call Jesus our perfect High Priest? Because he did not do what the Old Testament high priests did. The verses from Hebrews for today’s devotion make this clear. Jesus did not offer sacrifices day after day. Jesus did not offer sacrifices for his own sin—not even one! Jesus did not repeatedly offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. That’s why Jesus is not just another high priest, but our perfect High Priest.

Jesus sacrificed for sin, once for all, when he offered himself. Why only once? And why did it count for all? Because the one making the sacrifice and the sacrifice being made were one and the same, and that one was perfect—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Such a high priest truly meets your need. Remember that when you have stumbled and fallen, and feel like you can’t get up. Remember that when guilt over sin weighs heavily upon you. Remember that also when your faith needs a boost to take on the challenge or overcome the temptation before you. Remember that when you are rejoicing in blessings you have through Christ. Indeed, remember this not only after a failure, but before a challenge, and through it all thankful for a victorious Christian life: Jesus is your perfect High Priest!

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for doing what the Old Testament priests did, and for not doing what the Old Testament priests did. Thank you for being my perfect High Priest. May I trust you to meet my every need, today and always. Amen.

The devotions in March on Thursday and Friday focus on the office of Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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Amazing! – March 8, 2018

March 8, 2018 Kerry

[Christ] … is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.
Ephesians 4:10-11

Amazing!

Daily Devotion – March 8, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 4:10-11

See series: Devotions

Can you imagine what it was like to see Jesus ascending to heaven? He was standing there, talking with and blessing the disciples when suddenly, he was taken up into the sky! Wow! It must have been amazing!

But it was so much more than what met the eye. He ascended “in order to fill the whole universe.” Wow again! That same Jesus who was standing there talking with his followers face-to-face now fills the entire universe! His ascension proves it! Amazing!

But now here comes, perhaps, the most amazing part of all. How does he use his power? He uses it for the good of his people! Specifically, he raised up apostles and prophets. And now he continues to raise up evangelists, pastors, and teachers. That’s how he chooses to use his power.

Why is this so important? Because ultimately there’s nothing that a prophet could do, which would be more important than making sure that his message is spread! Jesus, THE Prophet, wants people to know that he is the Savior who paid for all sins and won eternal life for us humans. Jesus wants people to come to believe in him so that they can spend eternity with him in heaven.

Yes, that’s what the all-powerful and filler-of-all-things wants! He wants that for you! And so, he makes sure that his message gets out, and that there are messengers to get that message out. Thank God that he does it, because that guarantees that you can keep on hearing that wonderful message of salvation. What a gracious Prophet Jesus is!

Prayer:
O gracious Prophet, keep sending messengers, so that your message might continue to be spread. Amen.

The devotions in March on Thursday and Friday focus on the office of Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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God’s Words Matter Most – March 7, 2018

March 7, 2018 Kerry

And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God…You shall have no other gods…You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God…Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…Honor your father and your mother…You shall not murder…commit adultery…steal…give false testimony against your neighbor…covet.”
Exodus 20:1-17

God’s Words Matter Most

Daily Devotion – March 7, 2018

Devotion based on Exodus 20:1-17

See series: Devotions

Whose words matter most? The government’s? The scientists’? The experts’? Your loved ones’?
What about your words? Some would say that your words matter most. “Find your voice.” “Speak out.” “It will empower you.”

However, God’s words matter most. Society can say that morality evolves over time. We can tell ourselves that right and wrong are determined by our own feelings in the moment. But God’s words matter most.

God spoke these words: I am the only God. Worship me alone. Trust and honor my name alone. Give credence to my word above all other words. Honor the earthly authorities I have set up, at home, in church, and in government. Respect and preserve the gift of life, regardless of its “quality”. Respect and keep pure the gifts of marriage and sexuality. Respect the possessions God gave others and practice wise stewardship of what God gives you. Keep the good name of others intact. Guard even your thoughts, lest they dishonor God or display lovelessness for others. These are God’s Ten Commandments.

Those are God’s words. They matter most. They determine what is right and wrong, for everyone, no matter what our feelings.

When God speaks, we are silent. We recognize our sin. We admit our faults. We confess that God is right and we are in the wrong.

But God isn’t done speaking. He also speaks his love. His Word became flesh. His Son was born for us. God spoke that we are forgiven when Jesus died in our place. God spoke that we are justified, not guilty, by his Son’s resurrection from death. God speaks to you: I love you. I forgive you. Do not be afraid. I hold you in my hand. By faith in my Son, Jesus, heaven is yours. You are mine.

God’s words about right and wrong, and above all, his words about his love and forgiveness in Jesus, matter most. We would be wise to listen and adhere to them.

Prayer:
Dear Father, everyone wants their say in today’s world. My sinful nature wants to speak up, as well. But when you speak, I see my sin. When you speak, I know your love and forgiveness in Christ. Let your words dwell in my heart. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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Surprise – March 6, 2018

March 6, 2018 Kerry

The weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

Surprise

Daily Devotion – March 6, 2018

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:25

See series: Devotions

One of the big stories coming out of this year’s Winter Olympics is the story of Ester Ledecka. Ester is a champion snowboarder. When it comes to skiing, however, she is not very experienced. So, when she decided also to compete as a downhill skier (on borrowed skis, no less), no one gave her a chance. After all, there were so many other skiers who knew how to attack the hill far better than she did. By the time it was her turn to ski, the TV broadcasters had already moved on to other events.

But then came the big surprise. Ester Ledecka won the Olympic gold medal. As a result, one of the enduring images from these Winter Games is a picture of Ester’s stunned face at the end of her run as she slowly realized what had just happened. Some have theorized that it was Ester’s lack of experience which gave her an edge. It’s possible that her lack of experience caused her to attack the hill in a different way. If so, then Ester’s perceived weakness as a skier, was not a weakness at all.

The image of a man dying by means of crucifixion is not an image that communicates strength. Instead, it communicates weakness, humiliation, defeat, and despair. No one would look at such an image and think it was an answer for anything.

But then comes the big surprise. The perceived weakness of Jesus on a cross is not a weakness at all. As it turns out, the Son of God on a cross is the only thing strong enough to wash clean the collective lifetimes of all of our sinful failures. It is the only thing strong enough to destroy our deepest fears and to carry our greatest hopes. It is the only thing strong enough to change your eternity and mine.

And the surprise continues. Every day the message of Christ crucified continues to create the miracle of faith in Jesus as Savior. Every day it continues to bond us closer to him and his promises. Every day it continues to season our hearts with courage, strength, persistence, and endurance. And every day it continues to season our hearts with the boldness of joy.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, season my heart in the message of the cross. Let the life-changing surprise of your gospel continue to refresh my relationship with you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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