Are you ready to be judged? – May 31, 2018

For [God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to men by raising him from the dead.
Acts 17:31
“From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.” (from The Apostles’ Creed)

Are you ready to be judged?


Daily Devotion – May 31, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 17:31

See series: Devotions

I recently attended a children’s art fair. Hundreds of pieces representing countless hours of work hung on the walls. The art was judged. White, red, blue, and “judges’ choice” ribbons were attached to some of the pieces. A majority of the art, though, did not receive a ribbon. I would not want my artwork to be judged.

Most people don’t like to be judged. They don’t look forward to job reviews, physical checkups, and relationship quizzes. What will their boss, doctor, or people close to them say? How will they be judged?

One day we will all be judged. In his Word, God says that he has set a day when Jesus will judge the world—every single one of us. Our Judge demands that we be perfect. Our sinful hearts, lying, cursing, hatred, and all of our sins testify against us. We are far from perfect.

Why does God tell us this? God does not want us to falsely hope in ourselves. He tells us this “so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” On our own, we are without excuse or defense. We cannot “try” our way out from under his judgment. “No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law” (Romans 3).

Is all hope lost? If it were up to us, yes. But, thank God. In grace, God intervened on our behalf and provides what we could not. God gives us his righteousness. For us, Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. In Christ, God declares us not guilty. Sinners like you and me are forgiven. Jesus has bought our freedom. God smiles on us. By faith in Jesus, he gives us heaven as our eternal home.

Through Jesus, you are ready to be judged. Jesus stands at your side. He points to his perfect life, his death in your place, and his resurrection. Then he points ahead as he leads you to your heavenly home with him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, one day I will be judged. In humble repentance and confident joy, let me look forward to that great day. Sustain and increase my trust in you and all that you’ve done for my salvation. Until that day, let everything I say and do loudly shout that I love and trust in you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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One with the Holy One – May 30, 2018

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” … “your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:3,7,8

One with the Holy One


Daily Devotion – May 30, 2018

Devotion based on Isaiah 6:3,7,8

See series: Devotions

Relationships are rewarding. No relationship is more meaningful and important than the one I have with the Lord. My present and eternal life depend on that relationship.

Yet how can I be certain that such a relationship exists? And if it exists, how can I be sure it will endure? I can’t help but recognize the vast gulf between my nature and his. He is absolute perfection while my life reveals countless imperfections.

Before him the heavenly angels shield their faces and feet with their wings. They cry out in reverent awe, “Holy, holy, holy.” The holy Lord demands and deserves such holiness from me. Like Isaiah I humbly confess my own brokenness and inability to secure and sustain a relationship with the high and holy Lord.

Yet the Lord of matchless majesty is also the Lord of matchless mercy. He bridges the divide between his holiness and my sinfulness. The bridge he provides is Jesus. He takes my sins and bears them all upon the cross. My guilt is completely taken away, and in its place, he freely gives me his grace. Before the holy God I am holy, for Jesus’ holiness is mine.

The bond of the Savior’s love also spans the great gap between the holy God and an unholy world. The whole earth is full of his glory for Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Through unbelief and rejection of God’s promise this gift is lost. However, through faith worked by the Holy Spirit, this gift is secure. We have peace with God and the promise of an everlasting relationship with him.

In the freedom of God’s forgiveness, Isaiah confidently received God’s invitation to be his prophet. He boldly answered God’s call, “Here am I. Send me!” The Lord still sends out messengers to fearlessly confess his saving name with faith-driven courage. Our holy and gracious God draws even more people into a relationship with him as his saving word is proclaimed.

Prayer:
O heavenly Father, you are truly loving and holy. Through your holy Son you have provided healing and forgiveness to an unholy world. Send the Holy Spirit to create faith in you through your Holy Word. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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Fight Temptation – May 29, 2018

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14-17

Fight Temptation


Daily Devotion – May 29, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:14-17

See series: Devotions

Do you ever feel the temptation to do something that you know is wrong? How do you fight it?

One way to fight temptation is to remember who you are. By baptism, you are a member of God’s family. He has put the family name on you, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” the name of the only true God. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, you call God your Father in heaven, and that is exactly right. You are not a slave to your passions and fears. You have been brought out of slavery into being a member of the family.

Another way to fight temptation is to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to you in the Word of God. You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Honor God with your body. The Spirit prompts you to repentance and faith, encouraging you with the promises of God when you fall. He renews your faith as you go through daily struggles.

Your baptism has connected you to the sufferings of Christ. He suffered for you, taking the punishment for your sins. God wants you to know that he has compassion on you because he sacrificed his one and only Son. He wants you to gain confidence in your everyday life from knowing and believing what he has done for you.

You are not alone. Your fellow Christian family members also struggle with temptation. They can be very helpful to you when you are struggling.

Your Savior, Jesus, was tempted in every way, just as you are, and yet was without sin. You can always approach him with confidence and ask for help. Because the perfect life of Jesus counts for you, you don’t have to worry that God the Father will give up on you. You will share in his glory.

Prayer:
Jesus, my sins alarm me, and my conscience grieves me. Let your cross disarm my fear and give me peace. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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Back to Basics – May 28, 2018

“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.”
John 3:14-17

Back to Basics


Daily Devotion – May 28, 2018

Devotion based on John 3:14-17

See series: Devotions

The candlelight flickered with the slight night breeze. A man named Nicodemus had come to speak with Jesus privately to learn more about him. Nicodemus had been raised in the school of work-righteousness—the belief that people earn favor and blessing from God by what they do. We can relate to that. Like Nicodemus, each of us has a voice inside of us which insists that if we are going to be right with God, we ourselves need to make that happen. To our natural selves, it only makes sense. So like Nicodemus, we need Jesus to take us back to the basics.

Jesus used a story Nicodemus knew. There was a time in the Old Testament when the Israelites rebelled against God. Because of that rebellion, the Israelites faced death at the fangs of venomous snakes God had sent. The wages of their sin was death. Yet God also instructed Moses to make a snake of bronze and put it up on a pole with the promise that all who looked to it would not die. God’s people sinned. They deserved death. He gave them life. With faith kindled by God’s promise, they trusted and lived.

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.” We all have the venom of sin coursing through us, and it kills both body and soul. The wages of our sin is death. Yet God has given us all the antidote: not a bronze snake lifted up on a pole, but his Son lifted up on a cross to pay for the sins of the world. The good news Jesus gave to Nicodemus is the same news given to us in likely the most famous passage of the Bible: John 3:16, “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.”

Jesus takes us back to the basics. We are sinful. We face death. Jesus paid for our sins. Through faith in him, we have life. So, when you are weighed down by your guilt or start to think that you have to earn your way into God’s good graces, listen to the lesson Jesus gave Nicodemus. Go back to the basics. In Jesus, you have life now and forever.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 304:5)
I, a sinner, come to you with a penitent confession. Savior, show me mercy, too; grant for all my sins remission. Let these words my soul relieve—Jesus sinners does receive. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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Our Triune God Blesses Us – May 27, 2018

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

Our Triune God Blesses Us


Daily Devotion – May 27, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 13:14

See series: Devotions

As remarkable as the description of our Triune God is (he is three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and yet one undivided God), the blessings that we receive through our Triune God are perhaps even more remarkable. We see these blessings summarized so simply in this final verse of the apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Our Triune God blesses us with: His grace. His love. His fellowship.

First, his grace. God’s grace, by its very definition, is a gift—something that he gives us even though we do not deserve it. What is that gift of God’s grace? It is himself! God himself took on flesh and came into our world to live the perfect life that we could not and then died the innocent death that we deserved to die because of our sins. Both Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death were done in our place in order to win for us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is what saves us. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is the reason those who believe in him will rejoice in heaven one day rather than suffer in hell.

Next, his love. God’s love is what drove him, what motivated him, what moved him to give us such a gift of his grace. If God did not love us, he would have left us to suffer for what our sins deserved. “Every man for himself!” would have been the cry from a God who did not love. But God did love, because God is love. His love moved him to send his Son to save us from eternal death in hell and give us life with him forever.

Finally, his fellowship. Fellowship with God is what we now have because of his grace and love. People who have fellowship are united. They share all good things with each other. No barriers separate them. How amazing it is to think that unholy sinners like we are could ever have fellowship with a holy God! But we do! And now we enjoy all the blessings of his fellowship: a new life in Christ, answered prayers, unity with fellow believers, the comfort of sins forgiven and life that will never end. We have fellowship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, both now and forever. We have fellowship with God because of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was driven by the love of God.

The grace, the love, the fellowship. This is who our God is. This is how our God blesses us. This is why we are saved. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Prayer:
O Triune God, we praise you for the remarkable blessings you have given to us—your grace, your love, your fellowship. Keep us in them always. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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Everything We Need to Know – May 26, 2018

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:7-8

Everything We Need to Know


Daily Devotion – May 26, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 1:7-8

See series: Devotions

How long do you think the line would be if God came down to earth to answer questions for a day? Maybe you’ve had a question someone couldn’t answer so they said, “You’ll have to ask God when you get to heaven.”

We all have questions. We question why things happened the way they did. We question why God didn’t tell us this or that; why didn’t he let us in on the secret. The disciples asked him one of those questions. And Jesus said, “It’s not for you to know…” Why Jesus wouldn’t answer the question we don’t know. We just know that there are some things that aren’t for us to know.

But there’s plenty that we do know. We know that we’re sinful and need a Savior. We know that God sent Jesus to be our Savior. We know that God sent Jesus to be born as a man, to stand in our place, to fulfill all of God’s Law perfectly. We know that God sent Jesus to endure the punishment we deserved by suffering and dying on the cross. We know that Jesus did exactly as God planned, and he rose from the dead on Easter Sunday to prove it. Everything Jesus did was just as God planned, just as God wanted, and just what we needed to be saved.

Everything we need to know for life with God, God has given us in his Word. And now that we know it, he wants us to share it. He wants us to start at home and work our way out—to our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, even to the ends of the earth. We don’t need to know the answers to all of life’s questions. What we know about God from his Word is all we need to know!

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, we thank you for telling us all we need to know for salvation. Help us to share that good news of Jesus’ living, dying, and rising with all those we know. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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Jesus Will Return and Judge All – May 25, 2018

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”
Matthew 25:31-33

Jesus Will Return and Judge All


Daily Devotion – May 25, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 25:31-33

See series: Devotions

We all take different paths throughout life. After high school, one person chooses to go to college, another joins the military, another gets a job, and another lands in prison. We wear different clothes, love different music and movies, live in different places, and choose different paths.

No matter the vivid or boring details on our varied trips through life, every single person’s path will lead to the exact same place. We will all stand before one judge: Jesus.

Jesus lived a perfect life. He died on the cross and rose on the third day. After spending 40 days with his disciples, our risen Savior ascended into heaven. On the last day, this world as we know it will come to a sudden and dramatic end. Jesus will return and will judge all. Every single person—every young and old person, every Christian and non-Christian, all the living and the dead—will stand before Jesus.

When Jesus judges all, he will use fairly simple criteria. Do you believe in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do you trust in Jesus as your Savior from sin and death? Jesus said it like this: “Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).

Are you ready for that day? A mound of good deeds will not get you into heaven. Only faith in Jesus and his perfect work, sacrifice, and resurrection permit you to enter heaven. A mound of bad deeds will not keep you out of heaven. Faith in Jesus and Jesus’ perfect work, sacrifice, and resurrection declare you forgiven with heaven as your eternal home.

Trust in Jesus. He is your Savior and your judge.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, one day I will stand before you, face to face. Send your Spirit through your Word to work in my heart a deep and lasting trust in you. Let everything I say and do loudly shout that I love and trust in you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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BULLETIN – HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY MAY 27, 2018

ST. JOHN’S

Ev. Lutheran Church

Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

MAY 27, 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!

THEME FOR THIS SUNDAY The Festival of the Holy Trinity

A PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP Lord O Triune God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Today, Trinity Sunday, we give you praise as the only true God who made us and cares for us. We bow our heads in shame, confessing our sinfulness as we enter your holy presence. You are not only the Triune God; you are also our heavenly Father. Through your Son’s work of saving us and through the Spirit’s work of sanctifying us, you have adopted as your own dear children, forgiven, redeemed, and heaven-bound. Bless us, leading us to repent, believe, obey, and depend on you. Bless our worship. Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

“Service of Word and Sacrament” (hymnal page 26)

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 239 “Glory Be to God the Father” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 26, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated for the day’s Bible readings)

THEME FOR THIS SUNDAY The Festival of the Holy Trinity

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 6:1-8

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty”

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

PSALM 150 (hymnal page 122, lectern side sings the first line, pulpit side sings the second line, all sing refrains and Gloria)

EPISTLE Romans 8:14-17 (today’s sermon text)

The Spirit makes us God’s children and co-heirs with Christ

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs– heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

VERSE OF THE DAY Alleluia. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Alleluia. (Isaiah 6:3b)

All sing: “Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written…” (hymnal page 30a)

(Please stand)

GOSPEL John 3:1-17

The Father gave us his Son and gives us the Spirit that we might have life

After Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven– the Son of Man. 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.”

After the Gospel, all sing: “Praise be to you, O Christ!” (hymnal page 30b)

(Please be seated)

SERMON HYMN 241 “Alleluia! Let Praises Ring” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMON Romans 8: 14-17

“How Can I Be Sure?”

  1. Because the Spirit leads you
  2. Because the Father adopted you
  3. Because the Son suffered for you

(Please stand)

THE APOSTLES’ CREED (sung to tune of CW 486 “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us”, see below)

I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’n and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son of human birth.

Virgin-born, the Lord incarnate, whom the Spirit did conceive;

Suffered under Pontius Pilate; he’s the God whom I believe.

Crucified, was dead and buried, down to hell in victory,

From the dead he rose the third day; up to heav’n triumphantly.

There at God’s right hand he’s ruling, by his will the world is led.

He will come to judge the nations, both the living and the dead.

I believe in God the Spirit, in his Church, his chosen band.

They are joined in sweet communion, holy in his sight they stand.

I believe in sins forgiven; I believe I’ll rise again;

I believe in life eternal.  Amen, Amen, Amen.

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, GREETINGS AND FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER

(Please stand)

TRINITY SUNDAY PRAYER (read by pastor)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Clemens Bredeson (Karin’s Stellick’s father), Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, Caleb & Emery Degenstein (Mark Emond’s friends), 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, Mary Isberner, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), Steve Parrish, Wayne Riemer, Wilma Rudolph, Bob Schrank, Bill Schroeder (Ashley’s father-in-law), Carol Schumann, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon – (added this week:)

– For those affected by the 5/18 Texas high school shooting

– For Scott Schomberg, principal & upper grades teacher at St. Matthew’s–Winona, MN who at our 5/20 St. John’s Voter’s meeting was extended the Call to serve the Lord as principal and upper grades teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School–Montello

– For Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduates, pastors and vicars who were assigned on 5/24 to serve the Lord in WELS churches, schools and mission fields

– For our St. John’s School School, high school and college graduates

– For our communicants at St. John’s

THE LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 32, all read)

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY (hymnal page 33, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated for Holy Communion)

Our of love for God’s Word and people’s souls, we offer the Lord’s Supper only to communicant members of Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church or other congregations of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod (WELS) (1Corinthians 10:17; 11:26-29). Visitors who are not yet communicant members of our church are respectfully asked to refrain from communing today, but are encouraged to speak with the pastor after the service about how to become communicant members.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 309 “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord”, 391 “God Loved the World So that He Gave” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

THANK THE LORD, CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 36-37)

CLOSING HYMN 334 “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Theme for Next Sunday, June 3, 2018:

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost: Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath

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

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK MAY 27-JUNE 2
Sun. 8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon. MEMORIAL DAY
Tues.
Wed. 6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost: Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath

8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship

NEW MEDITATIONS AND MISSION FORWARD IN CHRIST Please pick yours up in the link way at St. John’s or the entry way at Emmanuel.

PICK UP YOUR SPRING LWMS NEWSLETTER  St. John’s Ladies, the newsletter just arrived and there are copies available at the mission display and also at the voting station in the linkway.

THIS YEAR’S HIGHSCHOOL GRADUATION Abel Bain (Martin Luther Preparatory), Seryna Jungenberg, Corey Kaul (WLA), Jonathan Lambrecht, Jasmine Lange (Montello), Morgan Marceau (Portage), Leah Wachholz (Montello) (Please give the church office a call with any updates.)

See the source imageLIFETOUCH PHOTOS If you were unable to schedule a photo session through Lifetouch for our new church directory and would still like to be in it in order to receive your copy FREE, please send your photo to Pastor Pete or Ciara BY JUNE 14TH. You may also schedule Ciara to take your picture 608-297-2866. Thank you.

OFFICE SUMMER HOURS Starting JUNE 4TH, I will be in the office Mondays 8:00am-4:00pm, Tuesdays 8:00am-4:00pm, and Thursdays 8:00am-12:00pm. -Ciara

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.”

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY FOR THE FREEWILL OFFERING FOR CAMEROON Your prayer and monetary support is vital. Cameroon currently operates on project funds rather than being part of the WELS budget. See collection jars in entry ways at both churches.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

On this day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please hold our servicemen and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and your presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops. We ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes, and we pray your peace, provision, hope and strength will fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be supplied with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord’s mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray,

Amen.

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Usher Schedule
May 27

SJ

(with comm)

E

Don Smith; Chief, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf, Aaron Kendall

Darrell Buchholz, Bob Ferber, Paul Dahlke

St. John’s Greeter Schedule
May 27 Dixie Wagner & Bernice Wegner
Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
5-20 5-23 96 205 2
St. John’s Altar Committee

May 2018

Jennie Utke

&

Susan Brown

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

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Be Certain – May 24, 2018

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18

Be Certain


Daily Devotion – May 24, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:18

See series: Devotions

How bad does life need to get before your certainty in God’s Word and his love is gone? Imagine that you are in prison. Not the county jail, but a Roman dungeon. Your sentence is not months or years—you are on death row. And the reason you are on death row is because you are a Christian.

That was the exact situation the apostle Paul was in when he wrote 2 Timothy. He was sitting in a dungeon, about to die for preaching Christ. If it were you, would you doubt? Would you start to think, “How can God’s Word be right when so many people tell me it’s wrong? How can I be certain of God’s love when I’m here?”

Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been using doubt to kill certainty in Christ’s followers. He may never get you imprisoned for your faith, but he will remind you that many people think differently about God than you do. Saying that faith in Jesus is the only way to be right with God is unpopular. Telling people that their good works won’t get them to heaven is considered to be rude. So how can you be so certain when so many say that you are wrong?

Don’t let Satan kill your certainty in God’s Word and his love. Look to Jesus for building it up. That is how Paul handled his imprisonment. He knew that the Lord would rescue him from that evil attack. And when he died, the Lord would bring him to heaven.

So when you are uncertain, look to the Lord Jesus. If you just look at your life—the suffering, the loss, the pain—you will never be certain. But with the Lord Jesus is certain rescue. He was nailed to a cross, so he can tell you, “Look at my pierced hands. I do love you. Your sins are forgiven.” He rose from the dead and says, “See my empty tomb. Your tomb will be empty too. Your heavenly home is waiting.”

Because of Jesus, you can be certain that you will be in his heavenly kingdom. Heaven is being with God. Heaven is being free from death, mourning, crying, and pain. The Lord will rescue you and take you there. Be certain!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, destroy our doubts and give us certainty that you will keep your promises. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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These Bones Live! – May 23, 2018

Then [the LORD] said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. … I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
Ezekiel 37:11,12,14

These Bones Live!


Daily Devotion – May 23, 2018

Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:11,12,14

See series: Devotions

How strange the landscape was as Ezekiel looked around! He was standing in the middle of a valley, and everywhere he looked he saw nothing but scattered human bones. There were skulls, femurs, vertebrae, and every other bone that makes up the human skeleton. It was obvious from how dry these bones were that the people they once belonged to had died a long time ago. There was no way that these bones could ever come to life on their own. Yet, the Lord asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel, knowing the power of the Lord, answered, “Only you know.”

So, the Lord told Ezekiel to preach to the bones. “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord,” Ezekiel was to say. Ezekiel preached to the bones, as the Lord had commanded. Suddenly he began to hear a strange rattling sound. He looked around and saw all those dead, dry bones starting to come together into intact skeletons. Tendons and sinews appeared on the bones and joined them together. Skin covered them so that they looked like people again.

Then the Lord told Ezekiel to call to the breath and command it to come into the bodies of the people, who now were lying on the valley floor. The breath came and those people, who just a few minutes ago had been nothing but scattered dry bones, came alive and stood up. This was the Lord’s answer to his initial question to Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Yes, they could live—but not on their own. They could live only because the Lord, by the power of his Spirit, gave them life.

This may seem like a scene out of a modern horror movie, but it’s not. It is a beautiful picture of what God has done, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for each of us who believe in him.

All of us, when we were born, were spiritually dead just like those bones Ezekiel saw on the valley floor. Those dead, dry bones never could have assembled themselves and come to life on their own. In the same way, our spiritually dead souls never could have come to believe in Jesus on their own. Spiritually, we were dead. And dead things do not come to life all by themselves.

But then the Holy Spirit performed a miracle just as amazing as what Ezekiel witnessed in the valley of dry bones. He entered our spiritually dead souls, just as the breath entered the bodies that Ezekiel saw, and the Spirit gave us spiritual life. Through the power of the good news of Jesus, the Holy Spirit enabled us to believe in Jesus as our Savior, and receive from him the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that he won for us on the cross. And the Holy Spirit continues to give us spiritual life as he continues to sustain our faith in Jesus.

Can these bones live? Can our souls live? Yes, they can—but not on their own. We live spiritually, now and forever, because the Holy Spirit has given us life.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, all praise to you for bringing life to my spiritually dead soul and leading me to believe in Jesus as my Savior. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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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