June 2018 – Page 2 – St. John's Evangelical

The Holy Spirit has Called me by the Gospel – June 22, 2018

June 22, 2018 Kerry

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

The Holy Spirit has Called me by the Gospel

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

See series: Devotions

There are a number of things about the work of God the Holy Spirit that are difficult, if not impossible, to grasp. In fact, in John chapter 3 Jesus compares the work of the Holy Spirit to the wind. Where does it come from? Where is it going? How exactly does it work? We see evidence of its activity, but there is so much we don’t understand. In the same way, we don’t understand exactly how God saves us through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Although there are things about the Spirit’s work that remain beyond human understanding, there is one thing concerning his work about which God wants you to be crystal clear. God the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel. The fact that you are a brother or sister in faith is not due to your ethnic or social status. It is not the result of a fortunate set of circumstances or an accumulation of admirable accomplishments. You are a brother or sister in faith, you are a child of God, because the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart and life through the truth of the gospel.

This truth has implications for your ongoing sanctification under the influence of the Spirit. If you don’t want your faith to grow; if, in fact, you want your faith to suffer; if you want your faith to weaken and shrivel; if you want your faith to die—then reduce your exposure to or separate yourself from the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Separate yourself from the gospel in Word and Sacrament. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely does your neglect of the gospel cause great harm to your faith.

If, however, you don’t want your faith to shrivel and die; if, in fact, you want your faith to grow; if you want your faith to be strengthened and thrive; if you want your faith to be living and active—then stay in touch with the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Seek and seize opportunities to be immersed in and washed over by the gospel. Stay connected to God’s Word. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely will your engagement with the gospel bring great blessings to your faith.

Indeed, this is why God chose you—that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, even as you have called me to faith through the truth of the gospel, continue to strengthen me by that same gospel, that I might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.

He Knows What He’s Doing – June 21, 2018

June 21, 2018 Kerry

He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27

He Knows What He’s Doing

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:27

See series: Devotions

People who don’t have much experience or know-how when it comes to home maintenance issues, occasionally speak, plan, and promise as if they did. While sometimes they figure things out and even do an adequate job, often they end up calling in a professional because they need help from somebody who knows what he is doing.

When it comes to spiritual life, we think we can handle it on our own. We think we can come up with the right answers and the best strategies; and often we are sorely disappointed. We think we can know the mind, heart, and will of God simply because we think he is probably a lot like us. And then we find things not going as we thought they should. Maybe we even find ourselves confused or bitter and angry as a result. When it comes to knowing God and interacting with him, we need somebody who knows what he is doing.

And we have him—the Holy Spirit. He is the one who knows all involved intimately and well. He searches hearts. He knows the mind and will of God. He intercedes for us; he goes as our representative to the very heart of God. He does it in a way that is perfect and deeply interested in our welfare. We don’t always know what is best for us. We don’t always know how or what we should pray. We sometimes lose track of the things that a good and gracious Father says are most important. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t. He knows that our greatest needs and the best free gifts from God are spiritual ones—forgiveness, peace, joy, hope. These he gives to us through Jesus and his Word. He knows our need for spiritual resiliency and strength, which he graciously gives us by connecting us to the truth in Christ. He knows our weaknesses and readily comes to our aid.

The Holy Spirit does his work “in accordance with the will of God.” We will begin to better understand those prayer thoughts when we look for God and his will in his Word. We get a good idea of the Holy Spirit’s interceding as we learn the meaning of and pray for ourselves the Lord’s Prayer. He wants every lasting and gracious spiritual blessing for us in Christ.

If you struggle with your thoughts and prayers, take comfort in knowing that at your side and before the Father’s face is one who knows what he is doing and he does it for you!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, we thank you for the way you intercede with our Father on our behalf. Help us to find confidence, joy, and peace in knowing that you do this precious work for our welfare. In Jesus’ name. 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.

God is the Lord, the Faithful One – June 20, 2018

June 20, 2018 Kerry

“I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it!”
Ezekiel 17:24c

God is the Lord, the Faithful One

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2018

Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:24c

See series: Devotions

This is the end of a challenging chapter of the Bible. God is speaking in picture language. Even though God explains some of it, it’s still somewhat difficult to understand.

Kind of like life, right? So often things which we think ought to happen, don’t; and things we think should not happen, do. Hard to understand!

Perhaps that is why God ends this segment as he does, with clarity and grace. Ultimately, the ruling of the earth and his own people is HIS job. He has made promises; he will do what he has promised to do.

So, we can rest on this truth: God is the Lord, the Faithful One. He has promised to rule all things for the good of his people. He spoke it; he will do it.

And he will do it whether we understand … or not. Thank God!

Prayer:
Faithful Lord, remind me of the wonderful promises you have made, then remind me that you will keep every one of those promises. In your name I pray. 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.

This Body is a Tent – June 19, 2018

June 19, 2018 Kerry

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:4-8

This Body is a Tent

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:4-8

See series: Devotions

Today I sit in the monochrome waiting room of the specialist doctor’s office to which I was referred. Last night I went to the funeral home full of bright flower arrangements to attend the visitation for a man loved by many, now departed from this life. Last week I spoke with an adolescent young man who has an appointment scheduled to scan his body for any cancerous cells left following surgery. Tomorrow there is a good chance I will be very sore after my morning workout. If you’ve lived, you have had similar experiences. You know one day your body will give out and give up.

There is a reason you sit in medical building waiting rooms and why your loved ones will one day gather for a visitation when you have passed. The bodies we have are tents for our souls. Tents are temporary dwellings, made from canvass, plastic, or fabric. They are set up for now, but soon they will be taken down. They rip and tear, and we groan through it.

Even if you groan, you can have confidence always. The God who has created you has also created a new dwelling place for you. He has created a heavenly dwelling—a permanent home. It is yours to occupy, because of Jesus.

Our current bodies struggle and fail, because our lives are filled with disobedience to our creator. If we were to stand before his judgment seat on our own, such disobedience would merit his disownment. Yet, God sent his Son, Jesus, to dwell in the earthly tent of a human body for a time. His death came before his body naturally gave out. His death was brought by the cross.

Jesus willingly gave his life up to death to be disowned by God in your place. He did this, so you could one day be at home with the Lord, with a perfect body that will never give out or give up. Trusting in Jesus as your Savior, that is your confidence.

Prayer:
Lord God, when I groan over the temporary nature of my earthly body, remind me that I can have complete confidence in the permanent home you have for me in heaven through Jesus Christ. 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.

Is the Word working? – June 18, 2018

June 18, 2018 Kerry

[Jesus] also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:26-34

Is the Word working?

Daily Devotion – June 18, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-34

See series: Devotions

The Word of God is certainly ink blotches laid down on a page. It is sound waves coming from ear buds or a voice. It is pixels on a screen of a device. Sometimes, though, God’s Word can seem like only that. At times, God’s Word may seem to be even less than that as it can look and sound like empty words.

Those Words may have seemed like mere words if we had been witnesses of Jesus’ ministry. His teaching made his own family think he was out of his mind. The Jewish religious elite thought he was demon-possessed. Was the Word working?

We also can find evidence of the Word seeming to be mere words in the present day. Though there are some churches which are large and attract many, there are many more which are small, seemingly insignificant, and on the verge of closing. Is the Word working? There are people who acknowledge the Word but live contrary to it. Is the Word working? What about in your own life? Have you seen a marked change in yourself from day to day?

In these two parables, however, Jesus helps us see what we cannot see with our eyes and hear what we cannot hear with our ears. Just as a seed is planted in the ground and we cannot see what is happing under the ground, so also is God’s Word. We cannot always see its power at work, yet it is at work to provide a rich harvest.

If we try to use our eyes and ears, the working of the Word might just look weak, insignificant, and ineffective—much like a small insignificant seed. But the Word has power to grow, much like that small seed grows into the mightiest of plants.

The Word of God is powerful, and it is at work among us today. It expands God’s kingdom around the world. It turns the rebellious into children of God. It renews you. It strengthens you. It is growing you into a mighty harvest which finally Jesus will come to gather to himself.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, give me eyes and ears of faith to trust that your Word is at work creating a harvest for 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.

When God Chose to Love Us – June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018 Kerry

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

When God Chose to Love Us

Daily Devotion – June 17, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 5:8

See series: Devotions

Some years ago, actor Harrison Ford starred in a motion picture entitled, “Regarding Henry.” Ford portrays a man by the name of Henry Turner. Henry is a successful Manhattan lawyer. He is also callous, cruel, adulterous, unethical, and self-absorbed. His toxic personality made life miserable for his wife and daughter. The family is on the verge of collapse.

Then, something happens. Henry walks into a convenience store just as a robbery is about to take place. Bullets fly. Henry gets shot in the head. The trauma he sustains is severe. He nearly dies.

Many months pass. After much rehabilitation, Henry is able to walk, and talk, and function as before. But his memory of life before the shooting is still unclear. As he works to fit back into his old life, he slowly learns from others what kind of a man he had once been. The Henry who exists after the shooting discovers that he wants nothing to do with the Henry who existed before the shooting. He becomes a devoted husband, a caring father, a principled lawyer, a faithful friend.

Here’s a question: For which man would you rather die to save…the Henry who existed before the shooting, or the Henry who exists after the shooting?

Today’s Bible verse tells us that Christ died for us “while we were still sinners.” At a time when hearts of people contained nothing but the bitter bile of sin, at a time when we were all about us and wanted nothing to do with God—at that time God chose to become one of us, to take on himself the punishment for our toxic lives, to die on the cross to wash us clean.

That’s the kind of love God has for you in Jesus. It doesn’t depend on what you do for him. It doesn’t depend on what you did for him. God’s love for you in Jesus flows from himself.

That simple truth makes me want to be like the Henry who exists after the shooting. No doubt that simple truth makes you want to do the same.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, at a time when I was nothing but sin, you died for me. Now I’m yours by faith alone. Move me by your Spirit to live my life for 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.

Live for the Lord – June 16, 2018

June 16, 2018 Kerry

After the Israelites set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.”
Exodus 19:2-8a

Live for the Lord

Daily Devotion – June 16, 2018

Devotion based on Exodus 19:2-8a

See series: Devotions

One way to define the word “hypocrite” is to say one thing and then do another. Accordingly, we all have to admit that we are hypocrites because we have not fully followed through on every word we’ve spoken.

In the same way, we could call the Israelites hypocrites. They had just received God’s Word through Moses from the top of Mount Sinai. Just months earlier God had delivered them from the hand of Pharaoh as they passed safely through the Red Sea. They were ready to do whatever the Lord their God said. Their hearts of faith were burning in love, fear, and awe for the Lord. The Lord rescued them from slavery in Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land! Yet, so many times thereafter they showed themselves to be unfaithful to the Lord. They said one thing, but did another.

Like the Israelites, I know the Lord. I know the wonderful, gracious, merciful things God has done for me by sending his Son Jesus to be my Savior. I certainly don’t deserve such compassion through Jesus who has freed me from slavery to sin, death, and the devil. On top of that he has given me the sure hope of the heavenly, eternal Promised Land. My heart of faith can’t help but respond: “I will live for and serve my God! I will do whatever he tells me in his Word!”

The reality for you and for me is that while we are on this side of heaven, we all have a sinful selfish nature that seeks not what God wants, but what WE want. This sinful nature, this old evil self, is why we continue to fall into sin, even when we’ve told God that we won’t do that anymore. We must recognize this enemy within us so that we learn there is only one source of help and rescue: God our Savior.

In humility we daily return to the Lord, the God of free and faithful grace, and confess our many sins. We confidently trust Jesus whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We gladly listen to God who holds open the door to the Promised Land of heaven. Then we rightly respond and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, strive daily to live according to his Word.

Prayer:
Lord, you alone know my many faults, sins, and shortcomings. Forgive me, O Lord, and renew my spirit each day that I may live for you more and more. 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.

BULLETIN JUNE 17, 2018 – THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

June 15, 2018 Kerry

ST. JOHN’S & EMMANUEL

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

$C:\Users\secretary.STJOHN\Downloads\godsword_80c.jpg$

THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

FATHER’S DAY

JUNE 17, 2018

PLEASE WELCOME today’s worship leader Pastor Tim Dolan, Dean of Students at Luther Preparatory School–Watertown

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 Don’t Underestimate Jesus and His People! On Independence Days people celebrate the growth and power of the nation. Yet there is a more powerful kingdom that has grown up from humble beginnings. It is the kingdom of God, which often makes unnoticeable progress in conquering hearts for Christ. Yet stepping back to look at it you can see its tremendous growth. Those who are part of it will be longing for the final outcome when they are “clothed” with immortal life away from the struggles of the world.

A PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP All-merciful Father in heaven: In love you sent your Son Jesus to suffer, die on the cross and rise from the grave to save us. In love you send the Holy Spirit through the gospel in Word and Sacrament to call us to repentance, faith, and discipleship. Inspire and empower us to CLING TO THE VINE AND PRODUCE FRUITS OF FAITH. Bless our lip worship today and our life worship tomorrow. Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

Service of the Word (hymnal page 38)

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 221 “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”

(printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 38, read & sung responsively)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

LITURGY (hymnal page 39b, all sing)

“Amen.”

(Please be seated for the Scripture readings)

THE DAY’S BIBLE READING THEME

Father’s Day–The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: The Growth of God’s Kingdom

FIRST LESSON Ezekiel 17:22-24

The Lord builds His Kingdom from the Messianic shoot

“`This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.’”

“`I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.'”

PSALM 92 (hymnal page 101, sung in unison)

EPISTLE LESSON 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Kingdom living – by faith not by sight

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

VERSE OF THE DAY Alleluia. May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy. Alleluia. (Psalm 132:9)

LITURGY (hymnal page 40, all sing)

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

(Please stand)

GOSPEL Mark 4:26-34 (today’s sermon text)

Internal and external growth of God’s Kingdom

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain– first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

LITURGY (hymnal page 40b, all sing)

“Praise be to you, O Christ”

(Please be seated)

SERMON HYMN 568 “Good News of God Above” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMON Mark 4:26-34 “God’s Kingdom is Growing”

(Please stand after the sermon)

THE APOSTLES’ CREED (hymnal page 41, all read)

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER

PRAYER FOR THE SUCCESS OF GOD’S WORD (read by pastor, CWAB p 219)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, 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, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), Steve Parrish, Wayne Riemer, Wilma Rudolph, Frankie Russell, Bob Schrank, Bill Schroeder (Ashley’s father-in-law), Carol Schumann, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Raymond Zacharias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: Frankie Russell)

– For Isla Grace Starr (Pastor & Lauren’s granddaughter), the daughter of Pastor David & Anne Starr, whose 5/27 private baptism at the hospital will be affirmed today (6/17) at St. Paul’s–New Ulm

– For Luther Preparatory School

– For Fathers

LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 43, all read)

HYMN 324:1-3 “Almighty God, Your Word is Cast” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal pages 43b-44)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 324:4 “Almighty God, Your Word is Cast” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Theme for next Sunday, June 24, 2018

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: God Governs Creation

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

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK JUNE 17-JUNE 23
Sun.			FATHER’S DAY
	8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship
Thurs.	6:00 P.M.		St. John’s School Board/Staff meeting
	7:00 P.M.		St. John’s Council meeting
Fri.
Sat.

SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: God Governs Creation
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship with communion
11:15 A.M.		St. John’s Voters meeting
12:30 P.M.		Kinsley Barker private baptism at St. John’s

FREE THRIVENT T-SHIRTS Extra T-shirts from past Thrivent Action Team events are displayed in the linkway at St. John’s. They are FREE to good homes. Adult sizes are clearly marked on the collar tags or the red cardboard tags attached to each shirt.

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

OFFICE SUMMER HOURS Mondays 8:00am-4:00pm, Tuesdays 8:00am-4:00pm, and Thursdays 8:00am-12:00pm.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “God loves everyone, but probably prefers ‘fruits of the spirit’ over ‘religious nuts!'”

NEW TEACHER FURNITURE SHOWER Our new Kindergarten & 1st grade teacher, Rachel Naumann, is moving to Montello this weekend. After living in dormitories for 10 years, she’s moving into her rented home at 55 Church Street. I asked if she needed any furniture, and she answered: “Oh yes, actually! I’m needing any couches or chairs for a living room, any coffee tables also for a living room, and maybe a small dresser or nightstand for the small spare bedroom. And any deck furniture, as the house as a smaller deck out back! Anything extra from anyone would be fantastic!” Please phone, text, or e-mail Rachel with items that you could donate. (847-913-2135 & rachnau94@gmail.com) Photos of items would be appreciated. Free pick up is available.

GIFTS TO MISSIONS Three gifts have been made to WELS Mission projects: 1) St. John’s School & Little Lambs gave $644.36 to this year LWMS sponsored Kids C.A.R.E. mission project, Feeding Jesus’ Lambs in Nepal. This will be presented at the LWMS Convention in Green Bay, June 21-24. 2) St. John’s Sunday School gave $488.49 to their 2017-2018 mission project, India Children’s Homes & School. 3) St. John’s freewill offering for Cameroon from Mission Festival Sunday 5/20 was $364.00. Emmanuel’s freewill offering was $125 plus a special $1000 gift from one member. Total gift for Cameroon: $1,489.00. Thank you, God, for these blessings to missions!!

2018 MINISTRATIONS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

– 6/24 11:15am at SJ: Voters’ meeting

– 6/24 12:30pm at SJ: Private infant baptism of Kinsley Brenda Barker, the daughter of Logan Barker and Deandra Kendall

– 6/26-29 at Bowling Green State University: WELS International Youth Rally

– 7/6-7 at Marquette County Fair–Westfield: SJ info booth Fri pm and Sat all day

– 7/8 8am at E: Infant baptism of William David Krueger, son of Jonathan & Emily Krueger

– 7/15 10am at SJ: Rachel Naumann teacher installation/refreshments

– 7/22 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Pastor John Dolan leads services (Zietlow’s in Milwaukee for niece’s wedding)

– 8/3 7:10pm at Miller Park–Milwaukee: WELS night–Brewers vs Rockies

– 8/5 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Pastor Gary Johnson leads services (Zietlow’s at Faith–Anchorage, AK: Pastor Z preaches for 50th anniversary)

– 8/6–10 9am–4pm at SJ: Vacation Bible School led by Camp Philip Staff

– 8/18 12pm at Montello: Father Marquette Days SJ parade float, walkers

– 8/26 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Sunday Mission Festival: Missionary Luke Wolfgramm from Russia to preach and lecture with lunch at SJ

– 9/4 8am at SJS: Classes begin

– 9/9 Sunday & midweek education program resumes

– 10/16-17 at Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake: Joint Pastoral Conference

– 10/21or28 8am at E, 10am at SJ: WELS Mission & Ministry Sunday w/ DVD service “To the Ends of the Earth” & C18 prep

– 11/5 9am at Grace–Pickett: Winnebago Pastoral Conference

2019

– Synod Convention at MLC 7/29–8/2 (SJ lay delegate, E alternate)

Dear Members and Families of St. Johns,

As the school year has ended and another year of ministry and activity at St. John’s has come to an end, it’s time to take a little break for the summer and get ready for the fall. It is also the time when the church financial/budget year will be closing as well. The church and school leadership wanted to say thank you for supporting the ministry here at St. Johns Church, School and various other WELS ministry fields. Thank you for bringing your family and friends to church.

With the beginning of summer for the students, staff and the multitudes of various activities and sports, comes vacations and family activities, and unfortunately what most churches refer to as the summer slump. The summer slump is where we get too busy doing all the other activities that require our time that regular church attendance takes a back seat. Its where we find ourselves on Sunday morning saying, “I am just going to miss this Sunday to do other (insert your own activity here)” and next thing we know it’s been three months since we set foot in church or into Gods Word. We just want to inform you of various other ways you can stay connected to God and his Word. There are many ways to do this whether you attend Church on Sunday or our Wednesday night service. You also can use technology to your advantage and watch a sermon on line or keep up with your daily devotion through the church website or Time of Grace daily devotions. If you are going on vacation you can use the WELS website to look and see if there is a WELS church near where you are vacationing. You are never far away from Gods word if you don’t want to be. Just ask – there are many options that we can suggest for you.

Enjoy your summer time with family and friends. Bring them to church with you. Stay in God’s Word. Make it a part of your summer routine. There is much to be thankful for this last year! Let’s give ourselves one more blessing and avoid the summer slump. It’s that simple and easy. And God promises to bless our efforts in his name.

Paul Van Treeck

Congregation President

Usher Schedule

June 17

James Wachholz; Chief, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon, Karl Whitrock

Wayne Stelter, Warren Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld

June 24

(with comm)

Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Matt Borzick, Glen Bubolz, Al Rosenthal, Christopher Smith

Lucas Stelter, Bob Ferber, Brian Ninneman

*St. John’s Greeter Schedule*
June 17	James & Linda Wachholz
June 24	Ron & Evie Blada

Attendance

Emmanuel

St. John’s

6-10 6-13

122 9

St. John’s Altar Committee

June 2018

Diane Eisermann

Delores Cotte

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

Placing Labels on People – June 15, 2018

June 15, 2018 Kerry

[God] saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:5

Placing Labels on People

Daily Devotion – June 15, 2018

Devotion based on Titus 3:5

See series: Devotions

Placing labels on people—that’s something the world loves to do. Some labels are encouraging: “You’re a winner…a natural leader…a hero.” Some hurt: “You’re a loser…ignorant…lazy.” In fact, labels can cause all sorts of problems by making some feel arrogant and others feel insecure. But those labels are based on someone else’s opinion, and it’s foolish to let the opinion of others determine how you feel about yourself.

However, when it comes to the opinion of God, that’s different. God our Savior has placed a label on you. “Mine,” he says. That’s not just an opinion, it’s a fact because he has done everything necessary to make it true. He has washed away your sin with his precious blood. He has wrapped you in his righteousness. He not only created you, he purchased and won you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Even the faith you need to believe that saving message is something the Holy Spirit freely provided.

For those times when you wonder, “Could this really be true?” When the devil accuses, and your conscience agrees: “God could never love a sinner like you!” That’s when the Holy Spirit reminds you of a most precious blessing: baptism—the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. By the power of God’s Word, baptism connected you to Christ. God the Holy Spirit placed a “label” on you. “Mine,” he said. “You belong to me.”

Some labels should be ignored, but through baptism, the Holy Spirit has placed a label on you worth pondering every day. You are his own. There is nothing in this world more important and more comforting than knowing that you belong to God your Savior!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank you for the priceless gift of baptism. Through this washing of rebirth and renewal, you have made me your own. Constantly remind me of this glorious truth. 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.

Catching Your Spiritual Breath – June 14, 2018

June 14, 2018 Kerry

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4

Catching Your Spiritual Breath

Daily Devotion – June 14, 2018

Devotion based on Job 33:4

See series: Devotions

Did you ever get the wind knocked out of you? Whether as the result of playing a contact sport or just slipping on some ice and landing on your back, it can be a most anxious feeling. For a few moments you lie there, unable to breathe. Your lungs have been emptied by the jolt, and with your diaphragm temporarily paralyzed, you aren’t able to take in any air. When oxygen is in short supply, panic may set in. Fortunately, it usually isn’t long before your respiratory system begins working again the way it’s supposed to.

God created us in such a way that breathing in and out sustains our life. The Bible specifically records the moment the first human took his first breath. “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).

More than just filling Adam’s lungs with air, God gave him the gift of spiritual life. In the original languages of the Bible, the words for spirit can also be translated as wind or air. What a beautiful reminder that just as the wind is all around us and yet invisible, so is the Holy Spirit of God. Just as the air we breathe keeps our bodies alive, so the Holy Spirit creates and strengthens spiritual life in us. The Spirit does this through the Word of God which he inspired (breathed into) the prophets and apostles to write about God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we can get the spiritual wind knocked out of us. Temptations and troubles, disasters and doubts, can leave us spiritually breathless. When Satan scores a blow to our spiritual breathing, it can unbalance our faith and cause us to become paralyzed with fear. In those moments, ask the Holy Spirit to help you catch your spiritual breath again. Don’t panic but listen as the Spirit points you to your Savior, Jesus who breathed his last on the cross, so that you might live forever with him.

Prayer:
Lord God, you created me through the power of the Holy Spirit. When I become winded in this weary world, send your Holy Spirit to breathe new life into me through the good news of my Savior, Jesus Christ. 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.