God is Everywhere – August 31, 2018

“Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20

God is Everywhere


Daily Devotion – August 31, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 18:20

See series: Devotions

I know that God is everywhere. When I have done something wrong, I know I cannot hide from him, even though I feel like trying. No matter where I go, no matter how I try to avoid what I did, God is still there, and he knows the truth.

But I would like God to be present with me in a soothing way, not in a condemning way. I want his presence in a way that goes beyond his just being there. I want it to be something special, something good.

Jesus tells me how God achieves this special, soothing presence. Jesus invites me to come together with other people in his name.

What does it mean to come together in the name of Jesus?

The name of Jesus is his titles and everything else he has revealed to us about himself in the Bible. To come together in his name is to join with other people in listening to what God says about himself in the Bible. The good news about Jesus, the gospel, is how Jesus presents himself, with the name, “Savior.”

With these words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is talking about church! Where the gospel is proclaimed in Word and sacrament, Jesus is present in a special way. That way is especially helpful when I have done something wrong, because the gospel tells me that Jesus has taken the punishment for my sin, and I have forgiveness through faith in him.

That way of Jesus being present is especially helpful when I am feeling lonely, because the gospel tells me that God will never leave me or forsake me. Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Because Jesus was doing that for me, God promises that he will never forsake me like that. Instead he will be with me my entire life, all the way to heaven.

I may not always feel like gathering with other people for worship in church, but I know it’s worthwhile, because Jesus promises his special presence there, and I do want to be with Jesus.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 533:1)
I love your kingdom, Lord, the place of your abode, the Church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood. 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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The Kingdom of God is In Your Midst – August 30, 2018

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (NIV 2011)
Luke 17:20-21

The Kingdom of God is In Your Midst


Daily Devotion – August 30, 2018

Devotion based on Luke 17:20-21

See series: Devotions

Things are not always as they seem. An old, beat-up pair of shoes is the most comfortable pair in the closet. A restaurant that looks like a dive serves amazing food.

When the long-awaited Savior finally arrived, many who saw him weren’t impressed. He was from a poor family. He was too ordinary. Sure, there had been miracles. But if he was the promised Savior, when was he going to establish his reign? When was he going to usher in a new golden age for the people of Israel? In today’s reading, some religious leaders called Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come.

Things were not as they seemed. Jesus was not running for office; he was heading for the cross to pay for the sins of all. He was not raising an army; he was inviting people to repent and believe in him. And wherever people heard the Savior’s words and believed, there was the kingdom of God. So, when Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would come, he said, “The kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Things are still not as they seem. When we read a devotion like this one, when we bow our heads and pray, when we go to church and worship, it all looks and feels so ordinary. We might wonder if it’s worth our time and effort to commit ourselves to such things. We might be tempted to focus on other things instead. Let Jesus’ words in today’s reading put any doubts to rest. Where the words of Jesus are heard and believed, there the kingdom of God is in your midst.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you have paid for all my sins. Keep me close to your Word. Reign as king in my heart. 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- THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

EMMANUEL AND ST. JOHN’S

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Mecan and Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\heart_17687c.jpg

THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 2, 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!

PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP O Lord Jesus Christ, preserve your family of believers with your never-failing mercy. Help us avoid whatever is wicked and harmful. Help us grow in your Word, obey your will, and with the Spirit’s help, fight the good fight of faith. Through your Word and Spirit, forgive our sins, strengthen our faith, give joy to our hearts, and meaning to our lives. Bless our worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Jesus Shows the Cause and Measure of Evil – The psalmist wrote, “Oh, how I love your law!” (Psalm 119:97). The three scripture readings give us good reasons to love God’s law. That law shows us how to thank the God who redeemed us from sin, death, and the devil. It guides us in every situation. It identifies the beginning of evil—our own hearts.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

“Common Service” (hymnal page 15)

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 303 “With Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 15, read and sung responsively)

PRAYER OF THE DAY (pastor reads)

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

OLD TESTAMENT: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8

Obey God’s commands

Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

PSALM 119c (hymnal page 111, all read verses, all sing refrains and Gloria)

EPISTLE: EPHESIANS 6:10-20

“Be strong in the Lord…put on the full armor of God”

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

VERSE OF THE DAY (pastor reads)

Alleluia. “Your words became a joy to me, and the delight of my heart.” Alleluia. (Jeremiah 15:15)

LITURGY (hymnal page 18, all sing)

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

(Please stand)

After the announcement of the Gospel, all sing:

“Glory be to you, O Lord!”

GOSPEL: Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 (today’s sermon text)

Jesus teaches true obedience

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’”

For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”

After the reading of the Gospel, all sing:

“Praise be to you, O Christ”

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

(Please be seated)

SERMON HYMN 459 “O God, My Faithful God”

SERMON: MARK 7:1-8, 14,15, 20-23

“Only Jesus Can Clean the Soul

1. The crud

2. The Cleaner

(Please stand after the sermon)

LITURGY (hymnal page 20a, all sing)

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER

PRAYER FOR “BEFRIEND A MISSION” MONTH–SEPTEMBER (read by pastor)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Marilyn Bredeson (Karin’s Stellick’s mother), David Broderick, Mike Brown, 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, Ron Fuerstenau (Bill’s grandfather), Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), RaeLynn Hodgkins (Beth Johnson’s daughter), Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Wayne Riemer, Frankie Russell, Mark Russell (Elsa’s son), Bob Schrank, Joan Schmitz (Lisa Ollendorf’s mother), Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Jennifer Strauss, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Blake Walker, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Raymond Zacharrias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: )

– For those who labor (Labor Day 9/3)

– For St. John’s Lutheran School K3-8th grade (begins 9/4) & St. John’s Sunday School (begins 9/9)

– For our communicants at Emmanuel

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

NOTE: AT EMMANUEL, THE SERVICE CONTINUES WITH…

(Please stand)

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

(Please be seated for holy communion)

At Emmanuel & St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Churches we practice closed Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 377 “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(After the distribution, please stand)

SONG OF SIMEON, CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING (hymnal page 24, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 323 “Almighty Father, Bless the Word” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

NOTE: AT ST JOHN’S, THE SERVICE CONTINUES WITH…

LITURGY (hymnal page 25)

HYMN 377:1-4 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING (hymnal page 25b)

CLOSING HYMN 377:5-7 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Note: As you leave today’s service please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THEME FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

Joy & Praise to the Savior for his Healing Power

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 2-SEPTEMBER 8
Sun. 8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship
Mon. LABOR DAY
Tues. 8:00 A.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs begins
8:15 A.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs Opening Service (all school families are invited to church! Muffins and coffee served.)
6:00 P.M. Hands In Prayer begins in St. John’s lower level
Wed. 1:40 P.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs early release
6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship
Thurs. 12:00 P.M. St. John’s Ladies Aid lunch & meeting in lower level
Fri.
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

Joy & Praise to the Savior for his Healing Power

8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School begins
9:00 A.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study begins
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship with communion

VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT EMMANUEL Emmanuel Lutheran Church is in recruiting mode for 2 (or more) volunteers to assist with the following positions. All expenses are reimbursed by the Church.

1) Sunday School Teacher : This individual will help further the Christian up-bringing of parish and non-parish children between the ages of 6 and 10, by managing the weekly Sunday School sessions held in the Emmanuel Parish Hall, during the sermon segment of the service.

2) Sun Shine Position : Thank you, Sue Tutaj, for agreeing to serve. Based on weekly emails from Pastor Zietlow, this individual will manage the mailing of get-well, sympathy cards, etc. to church members and their families.

If you are interested in serving the Lord with your time and talents by assisting with these important activities, please contact Darrell Buchholz or Pastor Zietlow.

https://download.churchart.com/artlinelibrary/c/ch/choir_12710c.jpgVOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Do you love to sing? Do you enjoy music? Do you love to praise the Lord? Are you looking for an excuse to get out of the house? Would you like to come and hang out with a bunch of great people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please come and give choir a try. We meet on Monday nights from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Our first practice for the fall season will be Sept . 10. We would love to see you. If you have any questions, please contact Karin Stellick, 920-342-3689.

SCHOOL HOT LUNCH–HELP WANTED Contact Heather Schwochert at 608-369-1084

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Thanks to the men who were able to attend the Bible classes the past Tuesdays. A total of 16 St. John’s and Emmanuel men were able to make at least one of the nights! Watch the announcements for a new study coming in September – a 7 week long study of part of the book of Revelation – “Let’s Talk Turkey.”

ST. JOHN’S A/V ROOM–HELP WANTED Our current audio/visual crew (Tracy Hoffman & Aaron Wachholz) welcomes more members to learn what they do to create and show PowerPoint services on the big screen, record services to create DVD’s and upload to our church website, operate the sound system, etc. “Many hands make light work.”

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor):  “Some people are kind, polite, and thoughtful…until you try to sit in their pew.”

CARDS The cards have been restocked! They are located in the lower level of St. John’s. Come check them out and see what’s new!

See the source imageALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altar last Sunday were placed by Kathy North in memory of her husband Don. Friday, August 24th, would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.

“THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER.” (2 Samuel 22:2), our 2018-2019 School Year Theme

Below is our Sep-May 2018-2019 Christian Education, Group Meeting Schedule at Emmanuel and St. John’s–Montello

– 9/4 – Monday-Friday – 8am–3pm – SJ School classrooms (SJS-CR): St. John’s Lutheran School K3-8th grade classes begin (Note: every Wednesday early release at 1:40pm)

– 9/4 – Tuesday – 6pm – SJ-LL – Hands In Prayer group begins (monthly–1st Monday of the month)

– 9/6 – Thursday – 12/1pm – SJ-Lower Level (SJ-LL): Ladies Aid Lunch, Bible Study “Women of the Bible”, and meeting begins (monthly, 1st Thursday)

– TBD – Sunday – ? at E Parish Hall (PH): Sunday School TBD begins (weekly?)

– 9/9 – Sunday – 8:30am – SJS-CR: Sunday School (children age 4–8th grade) begins (weekly)

– 9/9 – Sunday – 9:00am – SJ Sanctuary: ABS “19-Minute Bible Studies: Great Chapters of the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism begins (weekly)

– 9/10 – Monday – 7:30pm – SJ-Conference Room (CR): Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Matthew & DVD: Chapter 15+” begins (weekly)

– 9/12 –  Wednesday – 2:15pm – SJ-Conference Room (SJ-CR): Montello Public School Teen Confirmation Class “Luther’s Small Catechism & workbook” begins (weekly)

– 9/12 – Wednesday – 10am – SJ-Conference Room (CR): Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Matthew & DVD: Chapter 15+” begins (weekly)

– 9/12 – Wednesday – 7:30pm at SJ-CR: Bible Information Class (leads to church membership) “New Life In Christ” begins (weekly–Note: additional class times & places may be scheduled)

– 9/13 – Thursday – 8am – SJ-Miss Naumann’s classroom: 5-8th grade Teen Confirmation Class “Luther’s Small Catechism & workbook” begins (weekly)

– 9/16 – Sunday – 9:00am – E PH: Adult Bible Study (ABS) begins (future classes: 10/14,28 & 11/11 & 12/16)

– TBD – Monday – 3-5pm – SJ-LL – Youth Group Gatherings

– TBD – Thursday (13 weeks) – TBD – SJ-LL – Grief Share Support Group

– TBD – Tuesday – 6:30pm – SJ-LL – Men’s Bible Study begins:

“Talking Turkey About the Future–Revelation”

“LET US HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.  AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.  LET US NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER, AS SOME ARE IN THE HABIT OF DOING, BUT LET US ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER–AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.”

(Hebrews 10:23-25)

Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
8-26 8-29 77 129
St. John’s Altar Committee:

September 2018

Diane Eisermann

&

Delores Cotte

St. John’s Greeter Schedule
September 2 James & Linda Wachholz
September 9 Scott & Debbie Ritz
September 16 Karl Whitrock & Elsa Russell
September 23 Harold & Judy Fandrey
Usher Schedule
September 2

SJ

(with comm) E

Cal Kapp; Chief, Ken Borzick, Ben Emond, Tyler Emond, Thomas Wojatalewicz

DuWayne Sommerfeld, Bob Ferber, Paul Dahlke, Darrell Buchholz

September 9

(with comm) SJ

E

James Wachholz; Chief, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf

Darrell Buchholz, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller

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

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Teacher Rachel Naumann (847) 913-2135

Teacher Cassie Doering (920) 723-8986

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

Lord of My Heart and Home – August 29, 2018

“…as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15

Lord of My Heart and Home


Daily Devotion – August 29, 2018

Devotion based on Joshua 24:15

See series: Devotions

God’s service to his people is ever-faithful! He served the children of Israel through his almighty Word as he promised to give them a home of their own in Canaan. He also served them through the work of his almighty hand as their faith-filled hope of a promised home was finally fulfilled. Buoyed by a bold faith in God’s promises, Joshua passionately pledged to serve the Lord.

Such a desire to selflessly serve the Lord does not come naturally. The human heart instinctively seeks to serve the sinful self. Earthly idols abound all around us in the riches and pleasures that appear so attractive. The devil seduces the human heart and enslaves it into serving what is appealing to the eye rather than what is appealing to God. How disquieting it is when we repentantly recognize the countless occasions we have not lived up to the perfect service standards that God deserves and demands!

The Lord heals the haughty heart as he holds out his helping hand of grace to the helpless sinner. Just as he served Joshua and the Israelites through his faithful promises, he speaks to us of his promise to revive the brokenhearted with his free gift of forgiveness. In absolute selfless service to sinners, God sent his dearly loved Son, Jesus, who came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus teaches us that real freedom is found in serving him with all our heart. Like the lifeless idols of Joshua’s day, the modern gods that lead the heart to lust after them are helpless to liberate the sinner. They eventually lead to disappointment and eternal destruction. Only in Jesus does the empty heart find everlasting joy and peace. Our Servant-Savior once said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Through God’s life-giving Word he grants us freedom to serve him gladly and willingly.

Out of heart-felt thanks for our Savior’s service to us, we serve Jesus by sharing the Lord’s promises with our families. Not only did Joshua commit himself to serving the Lord, he committed his household to the Lord’s service too. God’s work in the hearts of sinners begins as babies are brought to be baptized. God’s service continues in the hearts of his children as parents and guardians share the life-giving Word of God through family devotions.

The Lord kept his promise to give the Israelites a home in Canaan. The Lord has graciously given us the infinitely greater promise of a home with him in heaven. Inspired by his promise of life eternal, we live to serve him with all our heart!

Prayer:
Almighty Lord, reign unrivaled in my heart through your powerful Word so that I selflessly and ceaselessly serve 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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Beautiful – August 28, 2018

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Ephesians 5:22-31

Beautiful


Daily Devotion – August 28, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 5:22-31

See series: Devotions

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” The English poet John Keats began one of his poems with that observation. You have perhaps observed the same thing—in a beautiful painting, home, or sunset.

In Ephesians chapter 5, God paints a beautiful picture for us—the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. Jesus loves and serves the Church. He sacrifices himself for her. He leads the Church. The Church loves, serves, respects, and follows Jesus. It’s a beautiful picture of a beautiful relationship.

God tells husbands and wives to imitate this beautiful relationship. The husband should love, serve, lead, and sacrifice for his wife. The wife should love, serve, and respect her husband. A marriage where that happens is a beautiful marriage.

Marriage often doesn’t look beautiful. Why? Marriage always joins together two sinners. Sinners, selfish by nature, find all sorts of excuses to not love and serve their spouse. Things like pride, self-centeredness, laziness, and anger wedge their way into marriages and between spouses. Too often sin multiplies as the offended person retaliates and becomes an offender too.

When sin gets unleashed inside a marriage, it’s not a pretty picture. Whether it’s your marriage or someone else’s marriage, that’s ugly. If sinners like us can see that as ugly, how do you think our holy God sees it?

God’s Word tells us that Christ loved the Church. Jesus “gave himself up for her [for the Church].” Jesus lived a perfect life in our place and died on the cross to cancel the debt of all our ugly sins. In baptism, the “washing with water through the Word,” Jesus washes all that ugly sin off. Jesus makes sinners holy and blameless. We are now beautiful in God’s eyes.

Are you in a marriage that’s so infused with sin that it feels hopeless? Do you doubt that marriage can be beautiful? Start painting. I have children who are better artists than I am. How did they achieve this? They had great teachers who have shown and modeled good technique for them. They have practiced, a lot. When a picture didn’t turn out how they wanted, they tried again and again.

Are you married? See the beautiful picture that Jesus and the Church paint. You are forgiven and loved. You have a perfect example to follow. Start painting. Love and serve. Repent and forgive. Love and serve some more.

By God’s grace, as they reflect the beautiful picture of Christ and his Church, husbands and wives honor God and paint their marriage beautiful.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, sin stains and corrupts marriage. Forgive the sins of husbands and wives. Forgive all my sins. Strengthen and empower husbands and wives to love and serve each other and 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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You Have a Place to Go – August 27, 2018

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:66-68

You Have a Place to Go


Daily Devotion – August 27, 2018

Devotion based on John 6:66-68

See series: Devotions

A woman was expecting twin girls. During the pregnancy it was discovered that their bodies were conjoined in the womb. They were joined at the chest, stomach, and hips, and they shared their liver and intestines. This happens roughly once in every 200,000 births. There’s only a 35 percent chance that both babies in this situation will survive even a single day after they’re born. The mother eventually went in for a c-section. The doctors worked on the twins for 5 hours. One died. The other survived but was in critical condition.

Sometimes difficult situations like this compel people to do what many disciples did in today’s verse. They turned away from Jesus and no longer followed him. “If Jesus is so loving,” someone might ask, “why would he allow a baby in the womb to die?” “Why would he allow a mother to suffer in that way?”  “Why does God allow certain bad things to happen?”

Often, from our limited perspective in life, we don’t have clear answers to these heartfelt questions. We often don’t know why God allows some babies to die so young but allows thousands of other births to happen without any complications or problems.

But we do know that God understands how difficult moments like these are. God also knows how it feels to be crammed in a womb with very little chance that he’s going to live; not because he was conjoined with a twin, but because he chose to conjoin himself with a world of sin. He knew that countless men and women would walk away from him, doubt and question him, when all he was guilty of was keeping his Word that nothing would stop him from saving us.

Do we understand how hard that was for him, to be born knowing that his flesh would one day be torn and bloodied? We don’t need to; we only need to see that it happened. When we look at Jesus and his cross, we don’t see or understand everything, but what we do see at the cross is that God really will stand by our side through anything. He really can make the best kind of good come from this world’s greatest pain, and that not even our worst moments of doubt, weakness, confusion, and sin can keep us from one day seeing and understanding exactly what God has prepared for us in heaven.

That’s why Peter answered the way he did when Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave him too. “To whom shall we go?” he said. “You have the words of eternal life.”

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for giving us a place to go in our pain. Fix our eyes on the cross of our Savior, Jesus so that we never fail to see the eternal love God has for us all. 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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How Do You View Jesus – August 26, 2018

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16

How do you view Jesus?


Daily Devotion – August 26, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 16:13-16

See series: Devotions

More books have been written about Jesus Christ than about any other individual in history. One website estimates the number in the tens of thousands. As one might imagine, these books contain just about every opinion imaginable. Some view Jesus as God in human flesh. Others view him as a great human teacher. And some even claim that Jesus never existed at all.

What about you? What do YOU believe about Jesus? That was the question Jesus asked his closest followers one day. There were all kinds of rumors floating around about this amazing Rabbi named Jesus. Although there were differences of opinion, everyone agreed that there was nothing ordinary about him. In fact, Jesus’ words and miracles were so amazing that many people thought he must be one of the prophets of old who had come back to life.

Peter, one of the men who knew Jesus best, understood why Jesus was so amazing. Jesus was none other than God himself who came to earth in human flesh. Jesus was the One God had been promising since Adam and Eve had first rebelled against him. Jesus was the One who would repair the relationship between God and his rebellious children. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

He still is. Jesus is not simply a great human teacher. He is not just an interesting historical figure. He is not one religious leader among many. And he most certainly exists. He is your God. He is your Savior. He is your hope for a life beyond this one and your hope for a life of meaning and purpose here and now.

Finally, it doesn’t really matter what a website says about Jesus. What matters is what YOU say about Jesus. Who do you say he is? Say he is your Lord and life and love…because he is.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to me as my God and my Savior from sin. May this belief be reflected in everything I do and say. 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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Questions – August 25, 2018

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36

Questions


Daily Devotion – August 25, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 11:33-36

See series: Devotions

What will be the first question you ask God when you get to heaven? Maybe you will want to ask about something that happened in the Bible: “Lord, what really happened to the Ark of the Covenant?” Or maybe you will want to ask about something from history: “Lord, why did you allow those planes to crash into the Twin Towers?” Perhaps your question for the Lord will be on a more personal level: “Lord, why didn’t you give Grandpa more years with us on earth before taking him home?”

Like so many other passages in Scripture, these words from Romans remind us that God knows infinitely more than we ever will. Thankfully, our God is many times smarter and more knowledgeable than we are. He sees the whole picture while we often are left to wonder why he did this or allowed that. Often, we sinfully doubt God or question his will. We get frustrated and demand to know why he is doing what he is doing. As Christians we do well to simply trust him and know that his will in the end is always so much better than we could ever have thought or imagined.

That is certainly the case with God’s plan of salvation. From the beginning, God had a plan to save us from sin, death, and hell. It’s a plan we maybe haven’t always understood fully, but what a wonderful plan it was! In a nutshell, the plan was to send his only Son into this world and to sacrifice him for a world full of sinners. That’s not what we would have come up with. Our plan might have involved some way to try to earn our own way to heaven; a plan that could only end in failure and eternal condemnation. God’s ways are so much higher than ours! He sent Jesus to be our Savior from sin and promised that through faith in him we will receive eternal life in heaven. “To him be the glory forever!”

We will always have lots of questions in this life. We may at times wonder why God does what he does. One thing we need never question is God’s love for us. He has proved it in sending Jesus. With hearts full of love for our Savior, we trust God to continue to do what he knows to be best for us.

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, I am often full of questions. Thank you for planning my salvation through Jesus. Help me to trust in you and your will and to know that your plan is always good. 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 Flock – August 24, 2018

[Jesus said], “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10:16

Jesus Flock


Daily Devotion – August 24

Devotion based on John 10:16

See series: Devotions

The people who gathered to listen to Jesus preach thought they could look around and see what good church people should look like. They were mostly the same ethnic group, came from mostly the same socio-economic class, and spoke mostly the same language. The people around them, people just like them, were the best candidates to become followers of Jesus—or so they thought.

Jesus simply stunned them. He said that other sheep would be following him, and his meaning was clear. He was talking about people who were not present, especially people who did not look and sound like the crowds listening to him at that time.

His words divided the people who were there. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” (John 10:20).

Jesus went out and did what he said he must do. He laid down his life to pay for the sins of the world, and he called his sheep, his followers, from around the world. He taught that forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation through faith in him were gifts for people of all ages, all ethnic groups, all situations in life. He declared that everyone who believes in him would join his one flock with one shepherd.

Do you look different from other people following Jesus where you live? Do you struggle with the language they use to worship? Take heart! You are one of Jesus’ little lambs just like they are. You deserve to be in Jesus’ sheep pen just as much as they do—which is to say, not at all, because every member of Jesus’ flock is in it by grace.

Do not rule anyone out of the sheep pen because they are from a different ethnic group, live in a different way, or speak a different language. The voice of Jesus is powerful, and he calls people from every walk of life to follow him.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 263:3)
O Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, the heavenly Father, you did for all our sins atone, and your lost sheep you gather. O Lamb of God, to you on high from depths of woe we sinners cry. Have mercy on us, Jesus.

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- RUSSIA MISSION FESTIVAL AUGUST 26, 2018

EMMANUEL AND ST. JOHN’S

Ev. Lutheran Churches

Mecan and Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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RUSSIA MISSION FESTIVAL

AUGUST 26, 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!

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

THEME Russia Mission Festival-Sermontation by Pastor Luke Wolfgramm

PASTOR’S GREETING

CHOIR SINGS “This Is My Word” (in place of opening hymn)

(by Pepper Choplin)

As the snow falls from heaven,

As it comes in swirling showers from the sky,

So is my Word.

As the rains bring the water to the earth that is thirsty and dry,

So is my Word.

And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty:

It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.

This is my Word.

As the rain brings renewal

And the tender buds begin to come alive,

So is my Word.

Giving seed to the sower,

And the bread to the hungry ’til they thrive,

So is my Word.

And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty;

It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.

This is my Word.

O Lord, when I am weary,

When I fell the days I’m living are in vain,

My God, help me be faithful to the Word You have given to proclaim.

Proclaim the Word, and you will go out in joy,

And be led forth in peace,

And the hills will break before you into song.

So be faithful, brave and true,

For I will go before you,

And when your earthly journey here is done.

I’ll say well done, I’ll say well done!

I’ll say well done, well done!

As the snow falls from heaven,

And the rain comes in showers from the sky,

This is my Word.

(Please stand)

PRIVATE CONFESSION

Luther writes in the Large Catechism: “Christ himself entrusted absolution to his Church and commanded us to absolve one another from sins. So if there is a heart that feels its sin and desires consolation, it has here a sure refuge when it hears in God’s Word that through a fellow human being, God absolves a person from sin.”

The following order may be used when someone seeks the ministry of a pastor or other fellow Christian to make personal confession.

P: In the name of our God, to whom all hearts are open and from whom no secrets are hidden. Amen.

C: O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy,

and in your faithfulness, come to my relief.

Do not bring your servant into judgment,

for no one living is righteous before you.

Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me, for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

C: Almighty God, merciful Father, I, a troubled and repentant sinner, confess that I have sinned against you in my thoughts, my words, and my actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I am distressed by the sins that trouble me and am deeply sorry for them.

P: Jesus says to his people: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” His death paid for the guilt of your sins and the sins of the whole world. Do you believe this?

C: Yes, I believe.

P: Because of the promise of our Savior Jesus, I forgive you all your sins. Be assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of eternal life.

C: O Lord, my God, I called to you for help, and you answered me. I thank you for the love you have shown me in Jesus Christ, my Savior. Through him you have rescued me from the guilt of my sin and given me the peace of forgiveness. Help me fight against temptation, correct whatever wrongs I can, and serve you and those around me with love and good works. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

P: Go in peace. The Lord be with you.

(Please stand)

PRAYER OF THE DAY (ready by pastor)

(Please be seated)

HYMN 538:1-3 “The Church’s One Foundation” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMONTATION: 1 SAMUEL (selected verses)

1. Treasure God’s Gift

2. Work and Pray

3. Get Others to Help

SERMONTATION: PART #1 (Treasure God’s Gift)

(Please stand)

HYMN 283:1-3 “Speak, O Savior” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please be seated)

SERMONTATION: PART #2 (Work and Pray)

(Please stand)

HYMN 557:1, 4, 5 “On Galilee’s High Mountain” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please be seated)

SERMONTATION: PART #3 (Get Others to Help)

(Please stand)

HYMN 543: 1-5 “God of the Prophets” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER (read by pastor)

MISSION OF THE CHURCH (spoken responsively)

P: Eternal God and Father, we give you thanks for the blessings we share as members of your holy Church, for your gracious Word and sacraments, for opportunities to worship and to grow in faith and knowledge, for occasions to serve and be served, for fellowship with believers in our congregation and in our synod.

C: Help us to rejoice in these blessings, dear Lord, and to use them faithfully.

P: Jesus Christ, Lord of the Church, you give grace to your people by calling us to be your witnesses in the world. Open our eyes to see the great and noble mission that lies before us. In the hurting eyes of the lonely, in the pained eyes of the sick, and in the searching eyes of the lost, help us to see your face, O Jesus, and to serve others as we would serve you.

C: Awaken us to the opportunities you give to proclaim your message of love.

P: Holy Spirit, giver of life, through Word and sacrament bestow on us the wisdom and power we need to witness clearly and to act boldly. Help us to speak the truth in love, to give the reason for the hope we have, and to conduct ourselves with gentleness and respect.

C: Set our hearts on fire as we work and witness for Christ.

P: Hear us, Lord, as we pray for a family member, an acquaintance, a neighbor, or a friend who does not believe in you, or whose faith is weak or troubled.

Silent prayer.

P: Bless the Church with men and women who are willing to proclaim your Word in places where we cannot go. Keep them and their loved ones in your care, and let nothing hinder their work. By the power of the gospel, restore their spirits each day, so that they do not lose heart as they serve us and others.

C: Move us to support them with our sincere prayers and generous offerings.

P: Wherever your Word is proclaimed, O Lord, grant it success. Let your kingdom come to us and others, so that we and many more might join the assembly of saints and angels to sing your praise forever.

C: Savior of all, hear our prayer and help us in our mission. Amen.

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor)

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Marilyn Bredeson (Karin’s Stellick’s mother), David Broderick, Mike Brown, 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, Ron Fuerstenau (Bill’s grandfather), Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), RaeLynn Hodgkins (Beth Johnson’s daughter), Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Wayne Riemer, Frankie Russell, Mark Russell (Elsa’s son), Bob Schrank, Joan Schmitz (Lisa Ollendorf’s mother), Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Jennifer Strauss, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Dennis & Romana Wacholtz, Blake Walker, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Raymond Zacharrias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: Mike Brown, Mark Russell, Blake Walker)

– For Preston James Jahr, the son of Andrew & Rebecca Jahr, who was baptized yesterday (8/25) at St. John’s

– For Missionary Luke, Jennifer Wolfgramm & family & our WELS mission in Russia

– For our communicants at St. John’s

LORD’S PRAYER (spoken together)

*NOTE: AT ST. JOHN’S…

*HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY(hymnal page 35-37, read and sung responsively)

*DISTRIBUTION HYMN 385 “Chief of Sinners Though I Be” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

BENEDICTION

(Please stand)

CLOSING HYMN 538:4-5 “The Church’s One Foundation” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please be seated)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THEME FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

True Obedience

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

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1
Sun. RUSSIA MISSION FESTIVAL
8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
11:15 A.M. Lunch and Presentation at St. John’s
Mon. 9:00 A.M. St. John’s School staff meeting
Tues. 6:30 P.M. Men’s Bible Study
Wed. 4:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M. St. John’s School Open House
6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

True Obedience

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

TODAY IS MISSIN FESTIVAL WITH MISSIONARIES LUKE & JENNIFER WOLFGRAMM SERVING IN RUSSIA

Thank you to Pastor Wolfgramm for leading morning worship at both churches with his “Sermontation”. You will enjoy his morning sermon combined with a power point presentation about the work of Russia. After the 10 a.m. service, come for a summer “piknik” lunch (Freewill Offering) in the lower level at St. John’s. Then beginning around *12 noon, the Wolfgramms will do a tag-team mission presentation about Russia which will be completely different from the “sermontation”. (*Times are approximate.)

TODAY A FREEWILL OFFERING FOR RUSSIA IS BEING TAKEN AT BOTH CHURCHES Your prayers and monetary support for missions are greatly appreciated!

ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE St. John’s School will have an Open House this Wednesday, August 29th, from 4:00-6:00pm. The students and families can come in, meet their teachers, check out their classrooms and bring/leave any school supplies needed for school. See you then!

SCHOOL HOT LUNCH–HELP WANTED Contact Heather Schwochert at 608-369-1084

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Do you love to sing? Do you enjoy music? Do you love to praise the Lord? Are you looking for an excuse to get out of the house? Would you like to come and hang out with a bunch of great people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please come and give choir a try. We meet on Monday nights from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Our first practice for the fall season will be Sept. 10.

We would love to see you. If you have any questions, please contact Karin Stellick, 920-342-3689.

See the source imageLITTLE LAMBS There are still openings for Little Lambs for the 2018-2019 school year! Call Sara Borck (858) 731-7919 or the office (608) 297-2866 to reserve your spot today!!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT EMMANUEL Emmanuel Lutheran Church is in recruiting mode for 2 (or more) volunteers to assist with the following positions. All expenses are reimbursed by the Church.

1) Sunday School Teacher : This individual will help further the Christian up-bringing of parish and non-parish children between the ages of 6 and 10, by managing the weekly Sunday School sessions held in the Emmanuel Parish Hall, during the sermon segment of the service.

2) Sun Shine Position : Based on weekly emails from Pastor Zietlow, this individual will manage the mailing of get-well, sympathy cards, etc. to church members and their families.

If you are interested in serving the Lord with your time and talents by assisting with these important activities, please contact Darrell Buchholz or Pastor Zietlow.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Thanks to the men who were able to attend the Bible classes the past three Tuesdays. A total of 16 St. John’s and Emanuel men were able to make at least one of the nights! Watch the announcements for a new study coming in September – a 7 week long study of part of the book of Revelation – “Let’s Talk Turkey.”

ST. JOHN’S A/V ROOM–HELP WANTED Our current audio/visual crew (Tracy Hoffman & Aaron Wachholz) welcomes more members to learn what they do to create and show PowerPoint services on the big screen, record services to create DVD’s and upload to our church website, operate the sound system, etc. “Many hands make light work.”

See the source imageST JOHN’S STREAMING ON YOUTUBE Church services are now streaming live to our YouTube channel. To find St. John’s YouTube channel, simply visit our website: www.stjohnsmontello.org/ and click on the VIDEO link in the top menu. Prior videos can be watched on this page or you can click the link to our YouTube channel page where services can be watched live, as they happen.  Be sure to subscribe on Youtube and click the bell icon in the upper right corner of YouTube to get notified of new videos and live streams.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor):  “Don’t let your worries get the best of you; Remember: Moses started out as a basket case”.

CARDS The cards have been restocked! They are located in the lower level of St. John’s. Come check them out and see what’s new!

See the source imageALTAR FLOWERS If you would like to have flowers put on the altar for a special occasion or just to add beauty to St. John’s, please contact our Altar Ladies, Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036 or Elaine Kelm 920-344-0025, and they can have it arranged. Thank you.

“THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER.” (2 Samuel 22:2), our 2018-2019 School Year Theme

Below is our Sep-May 2018-2019 Christian Education, Group Meeting Schedule at Emmanuel and St. John’s–Montello

– 9/4 – Monday-Friday – 8am–3pm – SJ School classrooms (SJS-CR): St. John’s Lutheran School K3-8th grade classes begin (Note: every Wednesday early release at 1:40pm)

– 9/4 – Tuesday – 6pm – SJ-LL – Hands In Prayer group begins (monthly–1st Monday of the month)

– 9/6 – Thursday – 12/1pm – SJ-Lower Level (SJ-LL): Ladies Aid Lunch, Bible Study “Women of the Bible”, and meeting begins (monthly, 1st Thursday)

– TBD – Sunday – ? at E Parish Hall (PH): Sunday School TBD begins (weekly?)

– 9/9 – Sunday – 8:30am – SJS-CR: Sunday School (children age 4–8th grade) begins (weekly)

– TBD – Sunday – 9:00am – E PH/Sanctuary: Adult Bible Study (ABS): TBD begins (weekly?)

– 9/9 – Sunday – 9:00am – SJ Sanctuary: ABS “19-Minute Bible Studdies: Great Chapters of the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism begins (weekly)

– 9/10 – Monday – 7:30pm – SJ-Conference Room (CR): Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Matthew & DVD: Chapter 15+” begins (weekly)

– 9/13 –  Wednesday – 2:15pm – SJ-Conference Room (SJ-CR): Montello Public School Teen Confirmation Class “Luther’s Small Catechism & workbook” begins (weekly)

– 9/13 – Wednesday – 10am – SJ-Conference Room (CR): Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Matthew & DVD: Chapter 15+” begins (weekly)

– 9/13 – Wednesday – 7:30pm at SJ-CR: Bible Information Class (leads to church membership) “New Life In Christ” begins (weekly–Note:additonal classtimes & places may be scheduled)

– 9/15 – Thursday – 8am – SJ-Miss Naumann’s classroom: 5-8th grade Teen Confirmation Class “Luther’s Small Catechism & workbook” begins (weekly)

– TBD – Monday – 3-5pm – SJ-LL – Youth Group Gatherings

– TBD – Thursday (13 weeks) – TBD – SJ-LL – Grief Share Support Group

– TBD – Tuesday – 6:30pm – SJ-LL – Men’s Bible Study begins: “Talking Turkey About the Future–Revelation”

“LET US HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.  AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.  LET US NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER, AS SOME ARE IN THE HABIT OF DOING, BUT LET US ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER–AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.”

(Hebrews 10:23-25)

Back to Sunday school

by Pastor Mark Jeske

As Labor Day approaches, the newsprint advertising supplements are full of “Back to School” sales and coupons. Kids look forward to some new clothes, and parents can go back to their normal schedules. As the lazy days of August fade away, it’s time to go back to class and step up to a grade higher.

People are not born literate and “numerate.” Decoding language symbols and manipulating the decimal number system is learned behavior. It’s hard work—nothing comes automatically. Knowing the ways of God doesn’t come automatically either. It must be patiently taught by the mature to the immature, from the wise to the young.

God’s Word has real answers for the most important questions: where we came from, the meaning of our present existence, and what happens after death. Only Scripture helps people discover their Creator; only Scripture helps people meet their Savior; only Scripture reveals the Spirit’s agenda for our lives. King Solomon tells us that only those who know the Lord are truly wise: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7).

As you see to the schooling of your children and grandchildren, don’t forget Sunday school. The teachers do not replace your own responsibility for discipling the young, but they are priceless partners in that crucially important endeavor.

LUTHERAN LINKS VIA INTERNET

Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
8-12 8-15 71 172 9
St. John’s Altar Committee:

August 2018

Jennie Utke

&

Susan Brown

St. John’s Greeter Schedule
August 26 Wayne & Marilyn Riemer
September 2 James & Linda Wachholz
September 9 Scott & Debbie Ritz
September 16 Karl Whitrock & Elsa Russell
September 23 Harold & Judy Fandrey

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

Monday – 8:00am-4:00pm

Tuesday – 8:00am-4:00pm

Wednesday – 8:00am-4:00pm

Thursday – 8:00am-2:00pm

Usher Schedule
August 26

(with comm) SJ

E

Kenon Smith; Chief, Zeb Zuehls, Mark Emond, Kevin Kaul, Scott Ritz

Brian Ninnemann, Warren Buchholz, Don Stelter

September 2

SJ

(with comm) E

Cal Kapp; Chief, Ken Borzick, Ben Emond, Tyler Emond, Thomas Wojatalewicz

DuWayne Sommerfeld, Bob Ferber, Paul Dahlke, Darrell Buchholz

September 9

(with comm) SJ

E

James Wachholz; Chief, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf

Darrell Buchholz, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller

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

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Teacher Rachel Naumann (847) 913-2135

Teacher Cassie Doering (920) 723-8986

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