You Will Suffer – October 31, 2019

Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:8,9

You Will Suffer


Daily Devotion – October 31, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:8,9

See series: Devotions

It’s Reformation Day! Other holidays are being celebrated today around the world, but for the next few moments, we will concentrate on Reformation Day.

October 31st is the day over 500 years ago when a German man named Martin Luther nailed a sheet of paper to a church door in the city of Wittenberg. The piece of paper invited people to debate what the Bible said about a number of religious topics.

Some of the positions that Martin Luther took in that invitation to debate were not real popular. He talked about repentance and forgiveness through faith in Jesus rather than through traditions of the church. He noted that some religious leaders of his day offered a false peace, while real peace was found only through Jesus. He said that God saved us because of grace, not because of our own good works. He insisted that God wants us to live holy everyday lives, and we don’t need to have a special position in the church to do that.

Holding to those truths of the Bible got Martin Luther excommunicated from his church and declared an outlaw by his government. But he was not ashamed of the gospel. He continued to teach and preach what the Bible said, and people around the world called for reform of the church. That’s why it’s Reformation Day!

Will you suffer today if you insist that Jesus is the only way to heaven? People are going to call you intolerant. Will you suffer if you insist that holiness comes through faith in Jesus and not through the traditions of a church? There are people injured and dying today somewhere in the world because they dare to confess that.

Do not be ashamed of those who suffer. Join with them in confessing the truth. You’ll suffer, but God will provide his power, and it will be worth it.

Prayer:
Lord God, be my mighty fortress when I suffer for speaking your truth. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Keep on Forgiving – October 30, 2019

[Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Luke 17:3,4

Keep on Forgiving


Daily Devotion – October 30, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 17:3,4

See series: Devotions

The key to a Christian life is so simple and yet so difficult. People are going to sin against you. They are going to treat you poorly, they are going to think of themselves before you, and they will be oblivious that they have done anything wrong. What do you do then? Jesus says to lovingly rebuke them.

You are going to treat others poorly—sometimes obliviously, and sometimes, you have to admit, on purpose—because you are thinking of yourself. What do you do when they call you out? Repent. Tell them that you are sorry for what you have done.

When you rebuke people—calling them out—and they respond by saying, “I’m sorry” or “I repent,” what is your next step? Forgive them! It’s so hard. You want to teach them a lesson, and you don’t want to get hurt again, but Jesus is very clear here. “Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

How do you forgive them when it gets difficult? Think about how God has forgiven you even when you don’t deserve it. God does that because of what Jesus Christ has done, and that’s the same place you get your strength. Think about what Jesus Christ has done—for you and the other person—and forgive that person because of Jesus.

It’s so simple! It’s so difficult. But it is the key to living a Christian life. God bless your efforts to forgive others as you have been forgiven.

Prayer:
Dear Father, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Revealed by the Resurrection – October 29, 2019

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9,10

Revealed by the Resurrection


Daily Devotion – October 29, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:9,10

See series: Devotions

God always planned to love us even when we didn’t deserve it. He called that “grace,” and even before he created the world, he knew how he was going to square that grace with his perfect justice. He was going to do that through the work of Christ Jesus.

Jesus lived an absolutely perfect life, which no other human being had been able to do. But instead of taking the heaven that he deserved, he took the death and hell that we deserve. He gave eternal life in heaven to everyone who believes in him, plain and simple. We call that grace because we don’t deserve it.

God told his people about this grace for thousands of years after the creation of the world. But it was not until Jesus’ appeared that God’s plan was fully revealed. Jesus destroyed death by coming back from it, and he promises that everyone who believes in him will do the same. The good news that we will not stay dead, but instead will rise again, body and soul, is called the gospel.

Anyone can make promises, but by rising from the dead, Jesus showed that God could deliver on his promise. Now you can be confident that you will rise too. It’s not a mystery any more what happens after death. The truth has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior.

Prayer:
Lord God, we praise you for your grace, given us in Christ Jesus. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Really No Choice at All – October 28, 2019

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Really No Choice at All


Daily Devotion – October 28, 2019

Devotion based on Romans 6:23

See series: Devotions

Let’s say your employer gives you a choice. At the end of the week, you can receive what you have earned, or you can receive something that your employer has chosen as a gift instead. Which do you choose?

You might be tempted to take what you earned. After all, you have earned it. But then you remember that your employer told you to get a project done, and you aren’t even close to finished. Suddenly you’re not so sure that it’s smart to take what you have earned.

But will your employer’s gift be any better? It depends on who your employer is, doesn’t it? If you trust that the gift will be something good because your employer is good, you’re more likely to go that direction. If you’re not sure you can trust your employer, you will be suspicious of the gift.

God says that without him at the end of life you will be paid for what you have done, and since you have sinned, the wage you receive will be death. When God mentions death, he’s not just talking about the separation of soul and body. He’s talking about eternal separation from him.

But God has a gift for you. That gift is eternal life with him in heaven. You have that gift only through Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus earned that gift for you by living a perfect life—without sin—and then taking the punishment for your sin when he died. Through faith in Jesus, you have his perfect life credited to your account. It’s a gift, and it comes with the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life in heaven.

Thank God he has promised not to give us what our sins have earned. Thank him that he has chosen instead to give us the gift of eternal life.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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BULLETIN- 10/27/19


EMMANUEL & ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH
 October 27, 2019
Emmanuel & St. John’s
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
 

Welcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. In our service we gather before our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves   through the study of God’s holy and powerful Word.

Restrooms are located in the link way (through the Information Room and down the stairs) at   St. John’s and lower level at Emmanuel.

Nursery In the lower level of both churches, the service is available to watch on TV and children have space for their needs. At St. John’s exiting church, it is located down the stairs to the left, to the link way, and down the stairs again to the left. At Emmanuel exiting church, it is located down the hallway to the right.

Welcome Home!
Our Need for Christian Community
The Lost Are Now Found
You Are Free to Be Yourself
You Are Perfectly Safe Here
You Have an Everlasting Family
You are Part of Christ’s Glorious Kingdom

The Reformation On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses—statements for debate—on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, beginning a spiritual and historical movement known as the Reformation. The Reformation did not just change the face of Europe; it restored the gospel to the church. It gave God’s Word to the people. As we celebrate the Reformation, we are not honoring the man for whom our church body is named. We are thanking God for his grace which he has demonstrated through the generations—preserving the church and setting us free.

Our Theme for Today We continue our Welcome Home sermon series. One of the joys of being home is you need not put on airs. Out in the world, we do all we can to hide our faults and failings. You might be afraid if your boss knew your secrets, he’d give you your walking papers. You might be afraid that if neighbors knew your personal issues, they might consider moving. But we know that in a healthy family, people will love us in spite of our faults.

As a young man, Martin Luther thought of himself as God’s slave. Thus, he was terrified of God. Luther believed God was a terrifying taskmaster, looking for every possible reason to punish him. But as Martin Luther studied God’s Word, he realized that was not the case at all. God is a loving Father. He does not pretend we have no brokenness or sin, but he paid for it all by the death and resurrection of Christ. Scripture says that through faith in Christ, we are completely forgiven. We are part of God’s own family—a family where we are loved in spite of our faults.

God’s grace not only frees us from the fear of condemnation and punishment, it frees us to live a better, more grace-filled life. We want to live as God’s children. We want to love and bear with one another—our brothers and sisters—just as our Father loves and bears with us.

This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word which God himself preserved through the Reformation of the Church.  
THE FESTIVAL OF THE REFORMATION  
608.297.2866 www.stjohnsmontello.org Like us on Facebook

X  Gathering  X

AT ST. JOHN’S, SUNDAY SCHOOL SINGS                                 

Come Bless the Lord

Come bless the Lord,

All ye servants of the Lord,

Who standby night,

In the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands,

In the holy place,

And bless the Lord,

And bless the Lord

Make Me a Servant

Make me a servant, humble and meek,

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be:

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

Make me a servant, joyful and true,

Sharing with others all that You do.

And may the prayer of my heart always be:

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

Please stand

INVOCATION & OPENING DIALOGUE

M:       In the name of the Father,

            and of the U Son,

            and of the Holy Spirit.

C:        Amen.

After a brief musical introduction, the congregation sings the following.

Please note that with subsequent verses there will be NO musical introduction.

ALL (sung):  All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall;

                        Bring forth the royal diadem And crown him Lord of all.

                        Bring forth the royal diadem And crown him Lord of all.

                        Hail him, ye heirs of David’s line, Whom David Lord did call,

                        The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown him Lord of all.

                        The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown him Lord of all.

M:       Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto the One who sits on the throne,

C:        And to the Lamb, forever and ever.

M:       His blood sets us free to be the people of God.

ALL (sung):  Sinners whose love can ne’er forget The wormwood and the gall,

                        Go, spread your trophies at his feet And crown him Lord of all.

                        Go, spread your trophies at his feet And crown him Lord of all.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M:  Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

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.

M: Jesus’ death paid for the guilt of your sins and the sins of the whole world.

      He said to his people, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.”

      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!

ALL (sung):  Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe On this terrestrial ball

                        To him all majesty ascribe And crown him Lord of all.

                        To him all majesty ascribe And crown him Lord of all.

M: Fight the good fight of faith!

C: For the Lord, the righteous Judge, has laid up for us a crown of life.

M: For us, and for all who await his appearing.

ALL (sung): Oh, that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall!

                        We’ll join the everlasting song And crown him Lord of all.

                        We’ll join the everlasting song And crown him Lord of all.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength,

      pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people.

      Keep them steadfast in your Word,

      protect and comfort them in all temptations,

      defend them against all their enemies,

      and bestow on the Church your saving peace;

      through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,

      who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

      one God now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated

X  The Word  X

FIRST LESSON                                                                                  Jeremiah 31:31-34

Through Jeremiah, the Lord describes the new covenant established by the promised Messiah. He will  forgive sins and write the promise of grace on the hearts of his people, setting them free.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 46                                                                         hymnal page 84

Sung in unison.

SECOND LESSON                                                                                  Romans 3:19-28

We are justified by God’s grace, set free from sin’s curse and condemnation

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

VERSE OF THE DAY                                                                                   John 8:31,32

M: Alleluia. If you continue in my Word, then you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Alleluia.


After a musical introduction, the congregation sings…

Please stand

GOSPEL                                                                                                         John 8:31-36

Within true discipleship comes the understanding and knowledge of the true mystery of Christ. With this knowledge comes freedom.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

M: This is the Gospel of our Lord.

C:  Praise be to you, O Christ!

Please be seated

HYMN OF THE DAY — 201                                            A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Verse 1: all sing    Verse 2: men sing    Verse 3: women sing    Verse 4: all sing

SERMON                                                                  “You Are Free to Be Who You Are”

Please stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH                                                                        Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please be seated

X  Offering & Prayers  X

OFFERING

Members of this congregation have joined together in love and faith to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. Please greet one another and sign the pew registers.

Please stand

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Prayer of the Church and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list on bulletin page 14.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Based on Luther’s prayer at the Diet of Worms (1521) as he faced the papal and imperial authorities

M: Almighty, eternal God, out of the depths we call to you. The world opens its mouth to swallow your church, and our faith in you is too small to confront its lures and attractions!

C:  We confess the weakness of our sinful flesh. Satan deceives us daily. If we are to depend upon any strength from ourselves, all is lost. Help us, we beg, to withstand the ungodly way of life that the world has to offer.

M: The work is not ours, O God, but yours. O Sovereign Lord and Creator, we have no way to satisfy your righteousness, nothing to contest the Deceiver’s earthly power, nothing to mute its false attractions, nothing to uproot the rule of our sinful flesh.

C:  We would gladly pass our days in happiness and peace in an age awash with iniquity. Hear us, heavenly Father, for the cause is yours. Yes, Creator of all that is, your cause is righteous and everlasting. Vindicate your name among the nations!

M: O all-seeing Lord, have mercy on your church. You understand our plight. We thank you for sending a messenger of peace to correct the times between life and death. This One is your Son, Jesus the Christ, the incarnate Savior, who saves us from calamities that plague your church.

C:  You have chosen us to do your work. Therefore, O God, accomplish it by your will. Stand by your church each day in the name of Jesus, who is our shelter and shield, our mighty fortress. Through the strength of the Holy Spirit, such faith works joy and peace and willingness to serve a world in need.

M: We are even ready to lay down our life for this cause, as were your servants Martin Luther and his fellow Reformers and Confessors, who forcefully stormed the kingdom of heaven to restore the gospel of your righteousness to its central place in Christian life.

C:  For the cause is holy. Though this world is filled with devils and though our bodies perish in persecution, your Word and your Spirit still remain. The church always needs reform as its message encounters the false and frivolous. But the Word of God stands firm forever.

M: In the confidence of this faith, gracious Lord, bless our efforts to spread the gospel of the glory and grace of God throughout the world to the joy and edifying of all who hear and believe and for your glory and our good.

C:  Amen.

         Special prayers and intercessions may follow

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

      Silent prayer

LORD’S PRAYER

M: We pray in Jesus’ name and as he taught.

C:  Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

Amen.

At Emmanuel, the service continues with…

BLESSING               

M:       Brothers and sisters, go in peace.

            Live in harmony with one another.

            Serve the Lord with gladness.

            The Lord bless you and keep you.

            The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

            The Lord look on you with favor and give  you peace.

C:        Amen.

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN — 203                                    Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word

At St. John’s, the service continues with…

X  Holy Communion  X

At St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church 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.

WORD AND SACRAMENT                                                            hymnal pages 33-35

Please be seated

DISTRIBUTION HYMN — 377                         Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

Please stand

THANKSGIVING PRAYER & BLESSING                                  hymnal pages 36-37

M:       Brothers and sisters, go in peace.

            Live in harmony with one another.

            Serve the Lord with gladness.

            The Lord bless you and keep you.

            The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

            The Lord look on you with favor and give  you peace.

C:        Amen.

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN — 203                                    Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word

Following today’s service, please give your completed pew register page to pastor or an usher.

Hymn Appreciation: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word was written by Dr. Martin Luther in 1541 because of a grave and growing threat. Militant Islam was on the move. Seeking to conquer the West and force conversion, the armies of Islam conquered much of the Mediterranean world. They conquered right up to Vienna, the gateway to Europe. A service of prayer for the safety of Christendom was held in 1541, and Luther wrote this hymn for the boys’ choir. It is a prayer that God preserve his people regardless of the evil aims of this world.

XAnnouncements X

Activities for the week of October 27 – November 2

    WELCOME HOME SUNDAY3
Sun. 8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
  8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School 
  9:00 A.M. Emmanuel New Member Fellowship 
  9:00 A.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study
  10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
  1:30 P.M. Reformation Service at St. Peter’s – Fond du Lac
Mon. 6:30 P.M. Choir at St. John’s 
  7:30 P.M. Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues. 6:30 P.M. Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s 
Wed. 8:00 A.M. St. John’s School Chapel 
  10:00 A.M. Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
  1:40 P.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs Early Release
  2:15 P.M. Public School Teen Confirmation Class
  4:00 P.M. Trunk or Treat at St. John’s
  6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
  7:30 P.M. Bible Information Class at St. John’s  
Thurs.   REFORMATION DAY
  8:00 A.M. St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class
  6:00 P.M. Griefshare at St. John’s lower level (8 of 13 weeks)
Fri.   ALL SAINTS DAY
Sat.   DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Theme for Next Sunday November 3 , 2019 “It Is the Gift of God–Celebrate Reformation Sunday”
8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship with communion
8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M. Emmanuel Council meeting
9:00 A.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Ron Blada, Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Reinold Eckelberg, Harold Fandrey, Lilah Farrell, Xzander Jahr, Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Shirley Krueger, Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt, Mark and Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son and daughter in-law), Katie Segrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, John Smith (Kenon’s father), Jennifer Strauss, Shirley Wilkens – (added this week: )

– For Wyatt Joseph Beahm born on 10/17 to William and Alyssa Beahm

– For Don & Doris Smith who celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on 10/10

– For our communicants at St. John’s

EMMANUEL NEW MEMBER FELLOWSHIP TODAY 10/27, following the 8:00am service in the parish hall, please take some time to meet our newest members and enjoy donuts, juice and coffee.

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS AT ST. JOHN’S are given by Don & Doris Smith in celebration for their 66th wedding anniversary on 10/10. Refreshments are also being served in the link-way before and after today’s (10/27) 10am worship service at St. John’s.  God bless you Don & Doris!

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: RUTH “A short story masterpiece that showcases steadfast love and the kind of selfless humility that God rewards.” ~People’s Bible

All women are invited to come to our new Women’s Bible Study for fellowship, fun, and growing in God’s Word!  We will be starting a four-week study of the book of Ruth on Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30pm in St. John’s church basement.  Come learn about God-inspired devotion, love, and most importantly, how the Savior ties into the whole thing!  Please contact Rachel Naumann at rnaumann@stjohnsmontello.org or 847.913.2135 with any questions.

TRUNK OR TREAT AT ST. JOHN’S: OCTOBER 30TH 4:00PM – 6:00PM

Come join us for this year’s Trunk or Treat at St. John’s! Pick a theme, any theme, and decorate your trunk. Parking spots will be in the back parking lot of the school.
There will be many other fun things to do! Chili cook off contest, kid’s pumpkin carving/decorating contest, trunk and costume contest, games, prizes and more!
If you wish to enter any or all of the contests and/or reserve your parking spot, please call the office 608-297-2866. Bring a friend and come enjoy an evening of spooky fun, food and fellowship.

DONATIONS FOR MARQUETTE COUNTY CARE & SHARE FOOD BANK  St. John’s members are invited to share in the Sunday School’s October service project:  collecting 1) non-perishable food items/paper products (Please be kind and watch expiration dates!)  and 2) new & gently used winter accessories: hats/caps/gloves/mittens/scarves/neckgaiters/etc. Collection containers in the linkway.  Deadline:  End of October.

UPDATE on CARDS FOR PRISON MINISTRY Thanks to all who picked up packs of cards to write for the prison ministry.  All the cards are out.  Please return completed cards by Thanksgiving Day, November 28, to the collection box in the linkway or to the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY A “Sneak Peek at the Gospel” for the day is the topic of the Sunday morning Bible study every week. It’s from 9:00-9:45am – come anytime. We meet in the church. All are welcomed. All are encouraged to attend.

ACTS–ACTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE GOSPEL IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Adult Bible Study meets Monday at 7:30pm & Wednesday at 10am in the St. John’s conference room.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Bible Information Class (leads to membership) is at 7:30pm in the St. John’s conference room (alternate times may also be scheduled).

GRIEFSHARE The 13-week session of Griefshare has begun. Sessions are held at 6:00p.m. in the lower level of St. John’s. Join us for week #7, October 17. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.

ACH What is ACH? Automated Clearing House. Interested in having your church offering automatically deposited? Stop by the office or Information Room and fill out your application today.

MEDITATIONS New “Meditations” WELS daily devotional booklets are available in the church entry (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “He who angers you, controls you!”

SCHOLASTIC BOOKFAIR St. John’s is looking for an individual(s) who would want to run the Scholastic Book Fair. This has been a big success for our school and students in the past and we would love to continue this. Call the office if you or someone you know is interested!

BAPTISM

A Spiritual D-Day

Most Americans still recognize the significance of a day called D-Day. On that day thousands of Allied soldiers began the invasion of occupied Europe. It was a day of horrendous death and destruction. But that day also marked the beginning of deliverance from tyranny.                                                                                                            

In one sense, the day of your baptism was a spiritual D-Day. On that day the Lord God initiated an invasion through water and Word. That day was also marked by death and deliverance. But that deliverance didn’t take place gradually. On that day you were rescued from hellish tyranny.

Both Peter and Paul invoke this imagery of death yet deliverance in connection with Baptism. The context of Peter’s declaration that “baptism . . . now saves you also” (1 Peter 3:21) is a reference to the universal flood. The flood waters destroyed a world characterized by rampant wickedness. Yet that same water lifted the ark and carried eight people to safety. That water safeguarded the promise first enunciated in the Garden of Eden. Something just as extraordinary happens in the flood at the font. “In [the ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20,21). Luther captures the idea well. “Now baptism is by far a greater flood than was that of Noah. For that flood drowned men during no more than one year, but baptism drowns all sorts of men throughout the world, from the birth of Christ even till the day of judgment” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 35, page 32).                                           

Paul also invokes an Old Testament allusion that most believers will recognize. “I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1,2). The mighty waters of the Red Sea destroyed the enemies of God’s people. Those same waters brought freedom and deliverance to the Israelites.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

We can’t miss the evidence of God’s steady hand of grace. At the font the old Adam is drowned and God delivers us from a death that we inherited at birth. Destruction yet deliverance—the font is a flood that achieves both through the power and Word of the living Lord. Mark the date of your baptism, and each year celebrate that anniversary. On that day God initiated an invasion in order to destroy sin and to deliver you through the blood of Jesus.

What Is Holy, Holy, Holy?

 The word “holy” means different things. It can refer to something that has many holes in it, such as a strainer someone dumps spaghetti noodles into. It can refer to a sacred religious artifact such as the holy grail or the Holy Bible. However, when the Bible uses the word “holy” it refers to someone who is sinless. For example, the Triune God is holy because he does not and cannot sin. Since God is holy, he demands human beings must be holy or sinless to enter heaven. Unfortunately, we are not. We break the Ten Commandments and sin against God every day. This is why God sent Jesus to be our Savior. Jesus lived a holy life and then went to the cross where he took our sins upon himself and suffered and died for them. Through his innocent suffering and death, God the Father forgave our sins. Everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is holy in God’s sight and will go to heaven where they will live holy lives forever. As believers in Jesus we eagerly look forward to the day when we will be in heaven singing our praises to God for making us holy so we can live there with him. However, in a basic liturgical worship we already praise God for this now. In this column entitled, “Questions About Christianity”, we are looking at the different parts of a basic Christian liturgical worship service. This month we will learn about the song Holy, Holy, Holy by answering this question, “What is Holy, Holy, Holy?”

Holy, Holy, Holy is often referred to by its Latin name Sanctus (Sanctus means holy). The Holy, Holy, Holy or Sanctus is a liturgical song that closes the Preface. Clement of Rome reported using this song in his worship services as early as 104 A.D. Over the years, different versions of the Holy, Holy, Holy developed. The song became widely used during the service of Holy Communion throughout most of Christianity by the fourteenth century.

The words of Holy, Holy, Holy come from two main Biblical texts. The first is from Isaiah 6. In this chapter the Lord allowed the prophet Isaiah to see a glimpse of heaven. As the Lord sat on his throne, he was surrounded by seraphs with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. As they were flying, they praised the Lord saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The second Biblical text is from Matthew 21:1-11. In these verses Jesus is riding on a colt into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday surrounded by many people who are putting their coats and cut palm branches on the ground as they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Holy, Holy, Holy is a very fitting song for Christians to sing right before they receive Holy Communion. The word holy is said three times to depict that each person of the Triune God is holy. When Christians sing this song, they humbly admit the Triune God is holy and they are not. But they rejoice because God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to forgive them of their sins and make them holy in God’s sight through faith in Jesus as their Savior. Through Holy Communion, Christians once again are forgiven of their sins and assured they will go to heaven where they will live in God’s holy presence forever because they themselves will be holy.

Emm/Usher Schedule

October 27    

   Emm                                     Lucas Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

   SJ (comm)                           Jack Yates; Chief, Kevin Kaul, Corey Kaul, Ken Borzick,

James Henke

November 3  

   Emm (comm)                       Don Stelter, Paul Wuerch, Gary Weger,

comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

   SJ                                         Don Smith; Chief, Paul Van Treeck, Haiden Van Treeck,

Nolan Van Treeck, Matt Borzick

November 10

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Glenn Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

   SJ (comm)                           Kenon Smith; Chief, Martin Schmanke, Aaron Kendall,

            Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann

November 17

   Emm                                     DuWayne Sommerfeld, Warren Buchholz, Don Stelter

   SJ                                         Cal Kapp; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Joe Zauner Sr.,

Joe Zauner Jr.

November 24

   Emm                                     Wayne Stelter, Bob Ferber, Gary Wegner

   SJ (comm)                           James Wachholz; Chief, Jon Vote, Joe Vote,

Jesse Schable, Richard Freitag

November 27 Thanksgiving Eve

  SJ                                          Jack Yates; Chief, Ben Jaster, Jacob Jaster,

Jeff Reimer, Jeremy Breiwa,

November 28 Thanksgiving

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Don Stelter, Gary Wegner

Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
10-20                                  10-23  91                                       148                                      
St. John’s Altar Committee October 2019 Elaine Kelm & Carolyn Rosenthal 
Save the Date for our Thanksgiving Services! November 27                6:30pm Thanksgiving Eve at St. John’s           November 28                 9:00am Thanksgiving at Emmanuel
●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Please Sign Our Guest Register Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link:  www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830 E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Rachel Naumann: (847) 913-2135 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:  616-822-6689 Church & School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 & Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●

 

The Lord is Near – October 27, 2019

The LORD is my light and salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

The Lord is Near


Daily Devotion -October 27, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 27:1

See series: Devotions

A man was walking down a very dark and unfamiliar road late at night. His car had broken down and he decided that he would go for help. Clouds blocked any light from the sky. It was pitch black.

As he walked, he gingerly took each step hoping to stay on the road. Suddenly, he slipped off the edge and found himself falling. Certain that he was falling to his death somewhere below, he desperately reached out for something to break his fall. His hand found a bush growing from the side the hill and he hung on for dear life.

His calls for help were in vain. His arms grew weaker by the moment. He was tired and afraid. As his grasp slipped and he began to fall, he thought he was going to die. A moment later, however, his feet landed on the soft grass below. Safety had been only inches away. If only he had let go sooner! He could have avoided all that effort, stress, and fear.

As we face the troubles and dangers of life, we often forget that help is close by. But “the LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Worried about your sins? Afraid of death? Concerned about the future? Don’t be. Your Lord and Savior is always there for you. Don’t be afraid! Just let go! Put your trust in the Lord!

Prayer:
In this world, I am constantly surrounded by dangers. But with you at my side, Lord, I need never be afraid. Teach me to turn my troubles and cares over to you. You are my help and my salvation. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Contentment – October 26, 2019

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:8

Contentment


Daily Devotion – October 26, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Timothy 6:8

See series: Devotions

There’s an old story from India about a man by the name of Ali. Ali had a huge acreage full of orchards and crops. He was deeply satisfied and content with his farm. That all changed, however, when the possibility of owning a diamond mine overpowered him. Ali sold his farm and used the money to explore areas considered to have great potential for diamonds. Eventually, he spent himself into poverty, and in despair, he took his own life.

Years later, the new owner of Ali’s former farm was leading an animal to the farm’s brook for a drink. As he stood there, he saw something shimmering in the water. Diamonds. The man had just discovered what came to be known as the diamond mine of Golcanda, one of the most famous diamond mines in history.

The tentacles of our sinful nature can often get us to think and act like Ali. We don’t know the treasure we already possess. We search elsewhere. But our searching only leads us away from the one place we never should have left.

Thank God that our treasure is not some shiny rock in a stream. Thank God that our treasure is our living and active Savior from sin—someone who pursues us when we stray, brings us to repentance, washes us clean, and takes us home.

Some food, some clothing, and the treasure of Jesus Christ. What else do we need?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my treasure. You are my life. Forgive my sins of dissatisfaction. Fill me to the brim with contentment. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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An Amazing Message – October 25, 2019

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets.’”
Luke 16:29

An Amazing Message


Daily Devotion – October 25, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 16:29

See series: Devotions

Richard was homeless. He would stand on the side of the street holding a sign that said: “Laid off 2 long, anything helps.” One day, a woman named Kenyada stopped to talk with Richard. He told her that he lost his job and would just like enough money to get his phone turned back on so places he had applied for a job would have a way of reaching him. Kenyada drove him to the store and paid his cell phone bill for the next two months. When Richard’s phone was charged and turned on, he saw that he had a message. It was a job offer. It was a wonderful day for Richard. And the message that made it so wonderful was there the whole time, just waiting for him to discover it.

In the story Jesus told about a rich man who went to hell and a poor man who went to heaven, Abraham told the rich man where his still-living brothers could find an amazing message—the message of God’s love for them and his will for their lives. It was a message that would tell them how they could avoid ending up in the terrible eternity their brother was experiencing. The message could be found in the words of the Bible.

The poor man in Jesus’ story knew all about that message. Although his life had been filled with suffering and pain, the Bible told him that his Lord promised him an eternal life without any suffering or pain. And that is precisely what the Lord gave him when his life ended.

The Bible has the same message for you. Through faith in Jesus—the one who delivered you from your sins and promises you heaven—you can look forward to an eternity of peace and joy. If you ever find yourself doubting it, go back to the Bible and read his promises once again. The message of his love and forgiveness is always ready and waiting for you there.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for all that you have graciously given me through Jesus. Give me a faith that trusts all that you tell me about him in your word. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Repent – October 24, 2019

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “No, Father Abraham, he said, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”
Luke 16:29,30

Repent


Daily Devotion – October 24, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 16:29,30

See series: Devotions

There is a place in Mexico called the Crystal Cave. It’s an underground cave that has crystals that are up to thirty-six feet long and worth up to twenty-one thousand dollars per pound. This means that this cave is worth more than most countries in the world today. It’s a pretty valuable place. But there’s something you should know about the crystal cave before you decide to walk in. It’s one hundred thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit inside, which means you can die from the heat in as little as fifteen minutes. Once you see the cave, you can’t get too attached to it. You need to turn around and walk away before it’s too late.

In a sense, that cave illustrates what it means to repent. To repent means to turn around and walk away from our sins. Just as it is vital to turn around and walk out of the Crystal Cave before it’s too late, it is vital that we turn and walk away from our sins before it’s too late.

But repentance means more than turning away from our sins. It also means to turn toward our Savior. It means trusting that Jesus has done everything necessary to earn forgiveness for our sins. And it means relying on him for eternal life.

Sadly, the rich man in Jesus’ story failed to repent before his life ended. May the same not be true for us. As we hear and read God’s Word in the Bible, may it help us to see our sins, turn from them, and trust in our Savior so that we might arrive one day in a paradise even more marvelous than a cave full of crystals.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am sorry my heart so often craves earthly treasures that I know I will lose one day. Have mercy on me and help me to treasure the forgiveness you have already given me. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God Is Paying Attention – October 23, 2019

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus.”
Luke 16:19,20

God Is Paying Attention


Daily Devotion – October 23, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 16:19,20

See series: Devotions

A teacher once gave her students the assignment of drawing a picture. “If you could be anything in the world,” she said, “what would you be?” As she was going through the pictures, she came across one that surprised her. One little boy had drawn a picture of a cell phone. She thought that was strange, so she called him to her desk and asked why he wanted to be a cell phone. “Because if I were a cell phone,” he said, “then my mommy and daddy would pay attention to me. They would hold me and talk to me, and they would even be excited if I accidentally interrupted them.” This little boy was feeling overlooked in his own home.

The account of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us that God does not want his redeemed children to feel the same way. We find that reminder when we consider something we know about the beggar and something we don’t know about the rich man.

We know the name of the beggar. His name was Lazarus.

We are never told the name of the rich man. He is simply called the “rich man.” Jesus identified him by how the man chose to identify himself—by his earthly wealth.

But Lazarus found his identity and comfort in something else. While his body was hurting on earth, his soul found rest in his loving God and in the promise that God would not overlook him when it came time to welcome his children home.

Your loving God will not overlook you either. He knows you by name. He proved his love by the sacrifice of his Son for your sins. Because of this, you can trust that when your time in this world comes to an end, he will call you home to heaven.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for seeing my need for a Savior and for meeting that need. May my soul forever find rest in the assurance that you know me by name. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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