Month: May 2019

The 3^rd Sunday of Easter

Teen Confirmation

May 5, 2019

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church

Montello, WI

✠P R E P A R A T I O N   F O R W O R S H I P ✠

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.

OPENING HYMN 160                                     This Joyful Eastertide

Please stand

CONFESSION OF SINS                               hymnal page 38

We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his

law, and we plead for his mercy.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS                       hymnal page 38

The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.

OH TASTE AND SEE                                                            hymnal page 39

This paraphrase of Psalm 34:8 reminds us of how sweet the good news of salvation is for Christians. Those who take refuge in Jesus, our Good Shepherd, are blessed.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world from the despair of death. By his resurrection to life, grant your faithful people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever.

C: ♫ Amen.

Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings

✠T H E   W O R D ✠

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

FIRST LESSON                                                                                  Acts 9:1-19a

Summary: Saul’s conversion

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

PSALM 67                                                                                      hymnal page 91

The congregation sings the refrains, verses and Gloria.

SECOND LESSON                                                        Revelation 5:11-14 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: John’s vison of the heavenly chorus

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

VERSE OF THE DAY                                                              Luke 24: 32

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Our hearts were burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us. Alleluia.

C: ♫ 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 LESSON                                          John 21:1-14

Summary: The risen Lord’s appearance in Galilee

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

C: ♫ Praise be to you, O Christ!                             

Please be seated

HYMN OF THE DAY 141                At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

SERMON                                                                                                        Revelation 5:11-14

“Behold the Lamb in Glory!”

1. Slain for all
2. Supreme over all

Please stand

APOSTLES’ CREED                                                             hymnal page 41

Please be seated

✠ O F F E R I N G S   O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S ✠

THE OFFERING & WELS CONNECTION DVD                              

The ushers now gather the “Thank-Offering.”  Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord.  Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. Please also sign our Friendship Registers and greet one another.

RITE OF TEEN CONFIRMATION

The congregation receives our confirmands into communicant membership through the Rite of Confirmation and prays for their eternal blessing.

SOLO                       A Confirmation Prayer sung by James Wachholz, accompanied by Lauren Zietlow

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Easter Season Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list.

Please stand

LORD’S PRAYER                                                                  hymnal page 43

Please be seated

HYMN 426:1-3                                                Yours Forever, God of Love

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING                                  hymnal page 43, 44

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN 426:4-5                                           Yours Forever, God of Love

As you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor.

✠Announcements ✠

Activities for the week of May 5-May 11
Sun.	TEEN CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Congregational meeting
10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship
11:15 A.M.	Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Mon.	6:00 P.M.	Hands In Prayer at St. John’s
7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.	9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Elders meeting
6:30 P.M.	Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s
7:00 P.M.	Councilmen’s Conference-Princeton
Wed.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Chapel
10:00 A.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
3:45 P.M.	Public School Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s
6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Worship
Thurs.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Teen Confirmation
10:00 A.M.	Montello Care Center Devotion
Fri.
Sat.	St. John’s Softball WALL Tournament
Theme for Next Sunday May 12, 2019 Mother’s Day Easter 4: “The Risen Lord Is Our Good Shepherd”
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
11:15 A.M.	St. John’s Voters meeting
No Bible Information Class

Brianna Daniels  

~ St. John’s ~  

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Madeline Kraus  

~ St. John’s ~  

“The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9

Lilly Mann  

~ St. John’s ~   

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

Joshua Schwochert  

~ Emmanuel ~   

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Ron Blada, Pat Bornick, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Jerre Duerr, Reinold Eckelberg, Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Earl Ewert, Marjorie Fabian, Harold Fandrey, Mike Farrell, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Del Henke, Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), Xzander Jahr, Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Arden “Bill” Klimke, Linda Krause, Pete Laun, Jean Muhlenbeck (WELS member at Zion–Bristol, St. John’s visitor), Debbie Parrish, LuAnn Reber, Mark & Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son & daughter in-law), Carol Schumann, Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Amanda Stalker, Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Heidi Weishaar (Dennis & Sharon Kekow’s daughter), Karl Whitrock, Millie Wildt (John’s wife) – (added this week: Ron Blada)

– For the family of Bernice Barrows, our former St. John’s members, age 96, called to her eternal home on 4/26

– For the family of Larry Wegner, Bob’s brother, age 66, called to his eternal home on 4/29

– For today’s teen confirmands: Brianna Daniels-SJ, Madeline Kraus-SJ, Lilly Mann-SJ & Joshua Schwochert-E

VOTERS MEETING The next St. John’s Voters meeting will be held next Sunday, May 12^th following the 10:00am worship service. Informational packets for next week’s meeting are available for pickup in St. John’s Information Room. Plan to attend!

THANK YOU A sincere thank you to so many who remembered us with heartfelt prayers, cards, memorials, and words of Christian comfort for my dad’s victory in heaven. You are a blessing to us! “Weep but briefly for your loved one as they enter into the Kingdom of God, for they now possess a joy and peace that is unattainable on God’s earthly realm. Rather, rejoice in their everlasting and total happiness, for their eyes have seen God.”  In Christian love, Pastor and Lauren Zietlow

MEN’S BIBLE CLASS has resumed at 6:30pm, in St. John’s church basement. “One-Liners from God.” is the topic. We will look for and read some of the powerful and personal truths God shares with us through the Apostle Paul. Men, this would be a well spent hour or so of your busy week.

NEW MEDITATIONS are available in St. John’s Information Room and at Emmanuel. Grab yours today!

SCHOOL FACULTY HOUSING Plans are already being made to prepare the teacherage to welcome our new principal and pre-school teacher, Larry and Lynn Sellnow this summer. Our new lower grade teacher, Michelle Myers has housing arranged. However, our current teacher, Rachel Naumann, will need to re-locate from the teacherage and is looking for housing options. If any members have any leads, please let the church office know.

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL of your fellow worshipers preparing their hearts for worship. If you are visiting with others, please keep your voices down.  Thank you!

USHER AND GREETER SCHEDULE If you are signed up to be a St. John’s usher and/or greeter, please pick up your April-May hard copy in St. John’s Information Room. Schedules will be available for pick up every 2 months.

NEW ACTS BIBLE STUDY After completing our Study of Matthew last week, our Monday 7:30pm & Wednesday 10am Adult Bible Class members & I began our study of the book of Acts making use of the Acts DVD–“the only dramatization using the actual scriptures…word for word from the New International Version.”  Join us in the SJ conference room!  

PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS Please remember that if you plan to be at school or church during school hours, specifically around 7:30-8:00a.m. and 3:00-3:30p.m., to park in the back parking lot. We need to leave room in front of school for the buses to drop off/pick up our children properly. Thanks for understanding.

LITTLE LAMBS PRE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Pick up your 3K/4K registration form in the office today! Please help spread the word!

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED INFORMATION ROOM This room is located at the top of St. John’s link way stairs and the church entry way. Here you will find bulletin boards labeled “Home Missions” and “LWMS”. Home Missions will provide information on what’s going on at St. John’s church and school, events, educational and youth group updates. You will also find informational brochures and magazines, usher and greeter schedules, the church newsletter, children’s coloring sheets and crayons and other miscellaneous information related to our church and school. Please help yourself!

NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASS began on 4/28 11:15am at SJ. Join us in the link-way conference room for an hour or so after the 10am SJ worship service.

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

ST. JOHN’S LADIES, PLEASE VOTE!  All confirmed women are eligible to vote for officers on the International Board of Directors of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) and for mission projects for 2019-2020. A voting station is located in the linkway today.  Voting ends on Sunday, May 19. Results of this voting will be announced at the LWMS Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, June 27-30.  If you have questions, please contact Reporter Linda Wachholz. Your vote is very much appreciated!

ACH What is ACH? Automated Clearing House is an electronic payments network used by individuals, businesses, financial institutions and government organizations. The network functions as an efficient, electronic alternative to paper checks. It allows funds to be electronically debited or credited to a checking account, savings account, financial institution general ledger account or credited to a loan account. In our particular case, we would like to make this an available service as an offering option starting in May. Look for bulletins to come for the ACH Application.  

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
4-28                                  5-1	68
St. John’s Altar CommitteeMay  2019	Jennie Utke &Susan Brown