December 2019 – Page 4 – St. John's Evangelical

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. . . . He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.”
Isaiah 2:3-5

Peace that Prevails

Daily Devotion – December 2, 2019

Devotion based on Isaiah 2:3-5

See series: Devotions

In 2008, Mexico City native Pedro Reyes melted down 1,527 weapons to make the same number of shovels to be used for planting trees in the community. The guns Reyes used represent a fraction of the weapons Mexican authorities seize every day. He called his project, “Palas por Pistolas,” or “Pistols to Shovels.”

Twenty-seven hundred years ago, the prophet Isaiah foresaw the day when nations “will beat their swords into plowshares.” Sadly, in spite of efforts such as “Pistols to shovels,” this day has not yet come. We still have no peace and little patience with one another. Despite our best efforts and intentions, we just can’t manufacture the peace we dream of. Sin in the world and our hearts make peace impossible for us.

But not for God. He set up a peace that prevails when he climbed Mount Calvary to hang on a cross. Jesus endured the injustice of people so he could justify people before God. All who trust in him have forgiveness for all their sins, peace with God, and the promise of an eternal end to all their earthly suffering.

When Jesus comes again, he will set right, once and forever, all that is broken. Everyone who believes in him will see this peace realized. He will remove all sin and hatred from our hearts and clothe us in his glorious goodness.

Do you want this lasting peace? Do you want a peace that quiets every guilty conscience? Then climb Mount Calvary by faith and find refuge under the cross. Do you want a peace that no diagnosis, disaster, or death can dissolve? Then walk in the light of the Lord, and he will direct your eyes to the day when he will craft the weapons of death into instruments of life.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am anxious about anything, guard my heart and mind with your peace in every way. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The 1^st Sunday of Adven

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December 1, 2019

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church

Montello, WI

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✠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.

CHOIR SINGS Lead Us To Your Light

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES

One Advent candle is lit.

OPENING HYMN 1 The Advent of Our King

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: Almighty God, your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at your right hand. Through your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know him and faith to follow where he has gone; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one 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 Isaiah 2:1-5

Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

PSALM 18 hymnal page 69

The lectern side sings line one, the pulpit side sings line 2, everyone sings the refrains and Gloria.

SECOND LESSON Romans 13:11-14

Wake up and walk in the light of the Lord

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

VERSE OF THE DAY Revelation 22:20

Alleluia. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 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 Matthew 24:37-44 (today’s sermon text)

Be ready for Christ’s second coming

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

C: ♫ Praise be to you, O Christ!

Please be seated

HYMN OF THE DAY 2 Savior of the Nations, Come

SERMON Matthew 24:37-44

“Keep Your Eyes Wide Open!”

Watch out for… 1. Indifference 2. Unbelief 3. Carelessness

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

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.

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Advent Season Prayer (hymnal page 123, read responsively) 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 207 The Day Is Surely Drawing Near

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING hymnal page 43, 44

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN 610 Thank We All Our God

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

Announcements

Activities for the week of December 1 – December 7

Sun.	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
	10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship
11:15 A.M.	St. John’s Christmas Tree set up & decorating
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.	Thai Village Craft Sale in St. John’s link way (final day)
Mon.	6:30 P.M.	Choir at St. John’s
7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.	9:00 A.M.	Elders meeting at St. John’s
6:00 P.M.	Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
6:30 P.M.	Evangelism Committee meeting 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 at St. John’s
3:30 P.M.	Emmanuel Advent Devotion
6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Advent Devotion
7:30 P.M.	Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Teen Confirmation
5:30 P.M.	Christmas Dinner at St. John’s
Fri.
Sat.
*Theme for Next Sunday December 8 , 2019*Advent 2: “The Blessings of Christ’s Advent”
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
4:30 P.M.	Advent by Candlelight at Emmanuel

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Wyatt Beahm (William and Alyssa Beahm’s infant son), Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Harold Fandrey, Lilah Farrell, Xzander Jahr, Melvin Johnson (Beth’s son), Oliver Knoch (Kenon & Mary Smith’s grandson), 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, Jennifer Strauss – (added this week: )

– For James Plocher from Vassar, MI who accepted the Lord’s Call to serve as pastor of St. John’s–Pardeeville

– For our communicants at Emmanuel

ST. JOHN’S CHRISTMAS TREE SET UP AND DECORATING Everyone is welcome to stay after the 10:00am St. John’s service and help set the Christmas tree up. The more hands, the merrier! Thank you in advance.

ADVENT BEGINS TODAY, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1! It’s the season that anticipates the coming of the Savior. We prepare for this coming in many ways. But one way is by decorating and beautifying our homes and churches. We use a circle of artificial greens around our Advent candles in the front of the church, with each candle lit in order on Sundays in Advent, and each candle symbolizing an important event on the way to the Savior’s birth—the last candle is the Christ Candle. But another way is to hang Christmas wreaths on the church doors as a sign of welcome. Once again—anyone interested in donating toward the purchase of wreaths for the front doors at St. John’s is encouraged to contact LuAnn Zieman at 608-297-2422 or email zieman@bugnet.net or by mail at W1440 State Rd 23, Montello, WI 53949.

THAI VILLAGE will be open today for the final day at St. John’s. Thai Village will be open today 9:00am-12:00pm. Come check out high quality fair trade goods including jewelry, bags/purse, greeting cards, ornaments, gifts and more! You can check out other items online at https://thaivillage.org/.

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT WOMEN’S PROGRAM hosted by Emmanuel will be held next Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 4:30 at Emmanuel Parish Hall. This year’s program “An Evening With Isaiah” will be part of our inspirational readings and songs of the season. This year along with refreshments and desserts we will be serving appetizers. Signup sheets are out today in St. John’ information room and Emmanuel’s Parish Hall. We hope you can join us. Any questions contact Sue Stelter (608) 297-2761.

CHOIR Are any members of Emmanuel and St. John’s interested in being part of the choir for the Christmas Eve Services? If so, practices will be on Monday evenings in Dec., 6:30pm at St. John’s. Any questions, please call Lynn Sellnow 616-826-0816.

MEMBERS OF ST. JOHNS AND SCHOOL FAMILIES This past summer the St. Johns council authorized the borrowing of $10,000 from the church’s line of credit to replace and refurbish the school boilers. As some may be aware, there have been a number of issues from the last couple years keeping the boilers running and the school heated and it could no longer be repaired. This project was completed late last fall. This also means that the church officially is borrowing money from its line of credit. If you wish to donate to help paying off the loan, please go ahead and do so. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Look to the information room for where this project is at with regards to being paid off and where the other projects on the board are at with funding.

LADIES AID INVITES YOU TO OUR PARISH CHRISTMAS DINNER: DECEMBER 5^TH 5:30pm Punch and Fellowship, 6:00pm Dinner. The cost is $17.65 per person. We have extended the deadline to today, December 1^st. What’s on the menu? roast beef, southern fried chicken, baked Virginian ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed veggies and full salad bar. Please pay either Kay Maass or Bernice Wegner or drop your payment off at the school/church office. Checks should be made out to St. John’s Ladies Aid. Hope to see you there!

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “The will of God never takes you to where the grace of God will not protect you.”

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.

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 & FORWARD IN CHRIST New “Meditations” and “Forward in Christ” WELS daily devotional booklets and WELS monthly devotional magazine are available in the church entry (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)

WELS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LUTHERAN LEADERSHIP WELS Congregational Services will host the first WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 21-23. The conference will have five keynote presentations that deal with major cultural challenges before every WELS congregation. Twenty-five breakout sessions will deal with issues specific to certain congregations, including overcoming a consumer mentality in church, Christian apologetics, increasing volunteerism, retaining and gaining young members, fully utilizing the gifts of women in ministry, equipping members for personal evangelism, having a “high-expectations” church, strategic planning, using social media for outreach, operating a financially sustainable elementary school, and more. Learn more at register at lutheranleadership.com.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “We don’t change the message, the

essage changes us.”

WHAT ARE THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION? When many Christian congregation receive Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper in a worship service, the minister removes the cloth from the Holy Communion items, separates the bread and the wine, and then speaks words similar to these, “Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” These words are called the Words of Institution. 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 Words of Institution by answering this question, “What are the Words of Institution?”

The Words of Institution were first spoken by Jesus in an upper room in Jerusalem on Maundy Thursday while he was eating the Passover meal with his disciples. During this meal Jesus took unleavened bread and wine and gave them to his disciples to eat and to drink. As he did this, he spoke the Words of Institution and instituted Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Since Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 1 Corinthians record slightly different versions of the Words of Institution, the one that is listed above is a compilation of all four of them. It is uncertain when the Words of Institution were first used during a worship service. They seem to have been used as early as the third century, but it is quite possible they were used even earlier.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
11-24 11-28	51	130
St. John’s Altar CommitteeDecember 2019	Diane Eisermann&Delores Cotte

Christian churches differ on why the Words of Institution are important to say during a worship service. Some insist they must be said because it is when the bread and wine also become Jesus’ body and blood. However, the Bible does not make this clear. What it does make clear is when people receive the bread, they are also receiving Jesus’ body and when they receive the wine, they are also receiving Jesus’ blood. In the very least, most Christian churches agree the Words of Institution are a good way to remind those receiving Holy Communion about how Jesus instituted it. It reminds them Jesus is their Savior whom they must believe in because he shed his blood and gave his life into death on the cross to forgive them of their sins. The Words of Institution also remind those receiving Holy Communion when they partake of this Sacrament God forgives their sins, strengthens their faith, gives them power to live a more God-pleasing life, and assures them they will go to heaven one day. Lastly, when the minister speaks the Words of Institution, he is preaching the gospel to everyone in the worship service, which God the Holy Spirit uses to strengthen everyone’s faith and not just those receiving Holy Communion.

Regardless of what you believe or your church teaches about the Words of Institution, it is a part of a basic Christian liturgy and it is something that has great benefit to our faith and our salvation.