☀️ HE IS RISEN, COME AND SEE! ☀️
The tomb is empty! He has risen indeed! Alleluia! (Luke 24)
“Come and see!” exclaims our live reporter, who interviews all those involved on that miracle day!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12_iyrfhdesJatxRvjjp3Y-xD8sFeZ0SZ/view?usp=sharing
🎤 A REPORT ON THE EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK 🎥
Our witnesses and reporters (grades 3-5) give a live report on their sightings from this week!
✝️ Be sure to check our website (www.stjohnsmontello.org) and Facebook page for our daily Holy Week videos created by our very own church and school members. ✝️
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KF9zfljk882HjNc6jc4OsQNLyF5DDSmv/view?usp=sharing
“Don’t be alarmed,” the angel said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Mark 16:6,7
Devotion based on Mark 16:6,7
See series: Devotions
How did the apostle Peter feel on Good Friday? Just watching Jesus go through all his suffering must have been bad enough, but to know that he had denied knowing Jesus had to make him feel awful. Even worse, he had denied Jesus three times. More than that, Jesus had warned him plainly in advance that he was going to do it! How did Peter feel? So horrible that he wept bitterly.
Then on Easter Sunday, the women who arrived at Jesus’ empty tomb were given a clear instruction by the angel. “Go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘Jesus is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Tell Peter. Tell Peter specifically. Why? Because Peter really needed to hear it! Peter really needed to hear that his sins were forgiven, that he had a risen Savior who still loved him and who always would love him.
You and I are no different. We’re sinful human beings, just like he was. We’ve denied Jesus in our own ways, whether by blatant statements (like Peter), or not letting our light of faith shine, or failing to trust God fully, or neglecting God’s Word, or other actions sinful before God and offensive to people. We’ve failed. We’ve sinned. We are “Peter.”
Jesus’ resurrection is God’s good news for you. You have a risen Savior! Jesus died and rose again from the dead to assure you that your sins are all forgiven. You have a living Savior who loves you specially.
Prayer:
Risen Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the peace of the forgiveness of sins accomplished by your death and guaranteed by your resurrection from the dead. Assure me of your special love to take away my doubts and fears. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Powered by WPeMatico
| EASTER SUNDAY St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches – Montello & Mecan, WI |
| April 4, 2021 8:00a.m. Pastor John Dolan 10:00a.m. Pastor Peter Zietlow |
| WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! We extend a warm welcome to everyone worshiping with us today! We ask God that he fill our hearts with peace, joy and understanding as we praise Him together during this Easter season. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES † Sunday: 8:00a.m. at Emmanuel, 10:00a.m. at St. John’s † Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s Each worship service is posted to our website. If you don’t have internet access or are unable to attend today’s service, DVDs, sermons and the bulletin are available for your use at home. You may pick them up in the office or request them to be mailed. Please contact our secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or Pastor Zietlow. HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays before those Sundays. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or a church Elder at your home. Please call Pastor or the church office to schedule private communion. GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: Easter Sunday – He Has Risen! Alleluia! – What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for us? It means that just as he lives, we also will live—bodily, eternally. Through faith in Jesus, we have the victory of death and the devil. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have a place in God’s heavenly banquet where there will be no more sorrow, suffering, or death. |
†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.
Please stand
OPENING HYMN CW143, “He’s Risen! He’s Risen”
†S E R V I C E O F T H E W O R D †
P: The grace of our Lord † Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
CONFESSION OF SINS
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his
law, and we plead for his mercy.
P: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
P: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS
The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.
P: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
HYMN CW162, “He Is Arisen! Glorious Word”
*In place of Oh, Taste and See.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in the newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be dominion and praise now and forever.
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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
HYMN CW152 v1,2, “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head!
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
PSALM 118
* Sing refrain, read verses in unison.
The LORD is my strength and my song;*
he has become my salvation.
The LORD’S right hand is lifted high;*
the LORD’S right hand has done mighty things!
I will not die but live,*
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
Refrain
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;*
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;*
the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;*
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
HYMN CW152 v3,4, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives“
3 He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
HYMN CW152 v5,6, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives“
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
VERSE OF THE DAY Psalm 118:24
P: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.
Please stand
EASTER GOSPEL LESSON John 20:1-23 (today’s sermon text underlined)
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
HYMN CW152 v7,8, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Please be seated.
SERMON John 20:19-23 “Life-giving Hands of the Passion” (Jesus)
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
All: 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.
†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
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. The plate is located in the church entry way.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Easter Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list.
Please stand.
LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Please be seated.
HYMN CW153, “Alleluia! Jesus Lives”
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
P: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
BLESSING
P: 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.
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN CW149, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
| Songs are reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-722228. Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® (NIV ®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. |
† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †
April 4 – April 10
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel & St. John’s Worship |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | |
| Mon. | Easter Monday – No School | |
| 5:30p.m. | Hand In Prayer meeting at St. John’s | |
| 6:30p.m. | Choir resumes at St. John’s | |
| Tues. | 8:00a.m. | School Chapel |
| 9:00 a.m. | Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s | |
| Wed. | 11:40 a.m. | Early School Release |
| Thurs. | 8:00 a.m. | St. John’s Teen Confirmation |
| 6:00 p.m. | Griefshare at St. John’s | |
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion |
| Next week’s theme:- April 11, 2021 The Risen Lord Commissions His Followers | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel with communion | |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion |
He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!!
Ultimate Love put Jesus on the cross and kept him there.
His death paid the spiritual debt for every person, ever. You, too.
His rising demonstrates that he is true to his word and is the Son of God.
I pray the truth of Christ’s resurrection fills your heart, mind, and life this Easter and throughout your life. God gave us new life to live for him.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
It has not been easy. Being deprived of the blessing of gathering with fellow Christians in church for worship has been a serious burden for us to carry. We hunger for the face-to-face fellowship with other Christians, and we long for the day when we can be together for worship again.
In the meantime, congregations in many places around our synod have found ways to continue the proclamation of the saving message of Jesus to their members. I commend pastors and congregational leaders for their faithful efforts to serve people with the Word.
In spite of our inability to be with each other in person, all members of the synod are joined together in a wonderful fellowship of faith. To help bring us together in spirit and to testify to that bond of faith we share, a special synodwide virtual worship service was held on Easter Sunday evening. The service, with the theme “Together at the Empty Tomb,” was streamed from the chapel of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.
Thank you to Seminary President Rev. Earle Treptow, who delivered the sermon brimming with Easter comfort; to the Trinitas worship ensemble from Trinity, Waukesha, Wis., who provided the instrumental and vocal music; to Rev. Bryan Gerlach, director of WELS Commission on Worship, for arranging the order of service; and to Rev. Jon Hein, coordinator for WELS Congregational Services, for coordinating this effort and for hosting the live Q&A that took place after the service.
More than 20,000 people tuned in for the synodwide virtual Easter service. If you missed it—or if you loved it and want to see it again—you can watch the archived service online.
Also, due to popular demand, a video is available of the service’s Hymn of the Day, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” featuring WELS members from around the country singing at home. View the hymn.
The good news of a risen Savior continues to be preached and proclaimed no matter what the circumstances. It’s likely an Easter celebration that we will never forget.
Serving you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
| Church News INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Eleanor Kendall, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Kathy Ninneman, Kathy North, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Ramona Wacholtz (Dennis’ wife), Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week:) – For our communicants EASTER CROSSES Located in the link way of St. John’s and parish hall of Emmanuel are interactive wooden Easter crosses made by our Emmanuel member Gene Crook. Thank you, Gene! If you would like one to take home, please help yourself. A variety of church year season “scarves” and descriptive cards will be available for pickup soon. We would also like to thank LuAnn Zieman, our St. John’s member, and a few other ladies who took the time to put these crosses together. Easter blessings! COVID PLAN FOR WORSHIP UPDATE On Monday 3/8, the Joint Council met to discuss the 2/25 Joint Worship Committee’s proposals regarding the next phase of our COVID worship guidelines. Beginning on Easter Sunday 4/4, the JC approved returning to the pre-COVID common forms of liturgy with full congregational singing, masks and social distancing for the Sunday services. The Saturday service music, however, would continue to be led by a soloist. The JC decided to replace the 6am Easter Sunrise Service at St. John’s to a 8am Easter Worship at St. John’s. The JC also approved the Joint Worship Committee’s proposal to resume choir practice and school singing after Easter. Finally, the JC also approved the change in the wording of the COVID plan to encourage in-person worship. We are concerned that some are staying away from in-person worship because the policy states that if a person can watch the service online, he or she is asked to do so. We feel it is very important for our members to get back to in-person worship when they feel comfortable to do so. – Pastor Z JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR Emmanuel and St. John’s joint choir will resume tomorrow, April 5 @6:30pm at St John’s. All Emmanuel and St. John’s members are invited to join. We will wear masks and socially distance for the time being. All members high school and older are invited to join as they feel comfortable. Please contact Lynn Sellnow @ lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or phone 616-826-0816 if you have questions. It is good to praise the Lord! SEMINARY FOOD PANTRY At St. John’s, monetary gifts are being collected for the Seminary Food Pantry TODAY, Easter Sunday, and NEXT SUNDAY only. Our seminarians and their families appreciate this help! You are invited to participate in this collection, sponsored by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Thank you for supporting our future pastors!! |
| School news LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION OPEN We are currently accepting registrations for St. John’s Little Lambs 2021-2022. Forms are available from the school office or from Lynn Sellnow. There will be an open house on Saturday, April 24, from 8:00 – noon by appointment only. Please contact Lynn at lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or by phone at 616-826-0816. Please share this info with anyone who might be interested in a Christian preschool. Thank you! ORDER YOUR ART FOR DINNER COOKBOOK NOW! If you would like to order a cookbook, please call Ciara at the office 608-297-2866. The deadline to order is April 23. The price per book is $20. Books are made by order so Megan or Ciara will contact you when they are ready for pickup (you may submit your payment then). Checks may be made out to St. John’s. Thank you for your support! FREE MEAL SIGNUP FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES ONLY Hello School Families! Please find the link on our school Facebook page to sign up for free meals. Breakfast and lunch included! The offer is good until May. Meals will be dropped off on Wednesdays at St. John’s. LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to make a donation and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s Church and School that you can choose from: Church General School General House/Parking Lot Family Easter Festival Sunday School Vacation Bible School School Technology Church Video/Audio System Security System Tuition Assistance Athletic Fund Outreach Events School Server Upgrade School HVAC/Purifying System |
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 3-27 | 19 | |
| 3-28 | 52 | 91 |
| 4-1 MT | 46 | |
| St. John’s Altar Committee for April 2021: Lucy Laun & Kathy North |
| ●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website: 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. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●● |
† WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN FOR US? †
The empty cross symbolizes Jesus’ execution and His painful suffering and death for all sinners. It tells His story and symbolizes the burden and pain that a follower of Jesus must be prepared to take on. The horizontal bar symbolizes divine and eternal. The vertical bar symbolizes all things earthly, human and temporary. It symbolizes heaven and earth, victory of life over death and the miracle of resurrection.
The crucifix cross comes from the Latin word “cruci fixus” meaning “one fixed to a cross“. It represents Jesus’ body and how his sacrifice brought salvation to the world.
✝️ Be sure to check our website (www.stjohnsmontello.org) and Facebook page for our daily Holy Week videos created by our very own church and school members. ✝️
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EYhMwGo3rteMx3ApBnnlwG5M7smKNZja/view?usp=sharing
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6
Devotion based on Isaiah 53:4-6
See series: Devotions
Why would God strike his own Son? Did he deserve it? Human fathers have sometimes used corporal punishment to discipline their disobedient children. But Jesus Christ, the holy Son of God, was the only son on earth who never once stepped out of line. In fact, his Father publicly declared that he was “well pleased” with his beloved Son. And yet, at his crucifixion, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And seven centuries earlier, the prophet Isaiah foretold how the sinless Son of God, the perfect Servant of the Lord, would be punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. He would be pierced and crushed and wounded. And the pain of punishment would not subside until the last breath of life escaped his lips—which even then still spoke only words of trust in the Father who had scourged him for sins he did not himself commit.
Why would God strike his own Son instead of us? Didn’t we deserve it? The prophet tells us plainly: Jesus willingly suffered on account of and in payment for our sins. Although we were the ones who wandered away from God like wayward sheep, our Good Shepherd took up our sin and laid down his life for us because he loves you. Pure, unmerited grace motivated him to do the unthinkable—accepting the punishment that we had earned for ourselves.
Why would God strike his own Son? For what purpose: To bring peace and healing through the forgiveness of our sins. When we view the nail-pierced and bloody body of Christ on the cross, we should see in his wounds our reconciliation with God. We should see in his suffering the cause of our joy. And in his death and resurrection, the sure hope of our own eternal life.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 114)
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, dearest Jesus, unto thee! Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.Powered by WPeMatico
Good Friday – April 2, 2021
St. John’s Lutheran Church – Montello, Wisconsin
Pastor John Dolan
All of human history hinges on this day. Humbling himself before the will of the Father and the blood-thirst of men, the Son of God is crucified. The Father must reject his own Son since he bears the sin of the world. But all this served God’s saving purpose, and so we call this Friday…Good.
The bell is tolled seven times to begin the service.
Hand Chimes – “Amazing Grace”
Invocation and Prayer
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: God Most Holy, look with mercy on this your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, be given over into the hands of the wicked, and suffer death upon the cross. Keep us always faithful to him, our only Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Hymn, CW119, Were You There – Sung by soloist
The Hands of the Passion Devotion – Nail-Pierced Hands (Jesus) – Luke 23:32-34
2Two other men, who were criminals, were led away with Jesus to be executed.
33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.
34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Hymn, CW140, God Was There on Calvary – Sung by soloist
Please stand.
Confession and Absolution
M: Let us confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness.
C: Almighty God, merciful Father,
I confess to you that I have not loved you with all my heart.
In what I have done and left undone,
I have pursued my ways instead of your ways.
I have not loved my brothers and sisters as myself.
For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity.
I am truly sorry for my sins.
I repent of them.
I beg for your mercy, O Lord.
Silence for meditation
M: Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us.
C: Cleanse me from my sins.
Release me from my guilt.
Grant me your Holy Spirit to amend my sinful life.
M: The almighty God has been merciful to us and has sent his Son to die for all. For his sake, God forgives our sins and calls us from darkness to his marvelous light.
Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Exhortation
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us and reconciled us to God and has promised us the power to forgive and love each other. Relying on his promise, therefore, be reconciled with one another.
M and C: Brothers and sisters, may the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, in our words, and in our actions.
Be seated.
Scripture Reading – Isaiah 53:1-5
M: Who has believed our message?
C: And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
M: He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
C: Like a root out of dry ground.
M: He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
C: Nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
M: He was despised and rejected by men,
C: A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
M: Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
C: And we esteemed him not.
M: Surely, he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
C: Yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
M: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.
C: The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
† T H E S E V E N W O R D S F R O M T H E C R O S S †
The First Word – Luke 23:32-34 (The Good Friday Gospel)
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
M: O Lord Jesus Christ touch us with your hands which the sins of the world pierced with nails, and forgive our ignorance, for Lord, we knew not, indeed we know not what we did in sinning against you. Forgive and bless us, O Lord, for your endless mercy’s sake.
C: Jesus, in your dying woes, Even while your lifeblood flows,
Craving pardon for your foes: Hear us, holy Jesus! (CW 139)
The Second Word – Luke 23:38-43
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, look upon us with your eyes as you looked upon the thief on the cross, that with him we may confess our sins and ask humbly, “Lord, remember us when you come into your kingdom,” and by your same voice be comforted, for your endless mercy’s sake.
C: Jesus, pitying the sighs of the thief who near you dies,
Promising him paradise: Hear us, holy Jesus!
The Third Word – John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with your love, as in your pain you comforted your mother and provided for her need and gave her both home and son. To such love without compare, without limit, lead us, O Lord, now and forever.
C: Jesus, loving to the end Her whose heart your sorrows rend,
And your dearest human friend: Hear us, holy Jesus!
The Fourth Word – Matthew 27:45-49
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with your faith, since in your last agony you cried to your Father, “My God, my God!” that no suffering, no shadow of doubt, may darken our trust in God nor separate us from your Father and ours, now or ever.
C: Jesus, plunged in depths unknown with our evil foe alone,
While no light from heav’n is shown: Hear us, holy Jesus!
The Fifth Word – John 19:28-29
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, lead us to see your thirst as you suffered in your humanity, that we might drink from you and never thirst again, but live in your Father’s house forever, for your tender mercy’s sake.
C: Jesus, in your thirst and pain, While your wounds the lifeblood drain,
Thus, fulfilling Scripture’s plan: Hear us, holy Jesus!
The Sixth Word – John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, give us your strength, as you resolved to do your Father’s work and finish it, that morning and evening we live in hope, knowing that your great work for us is completed, to the glory of your holy name.
C: Jesus, all our ransom paid, All your Father’s will obeyed,
By your suff’rings perfect made: Hear us, holy Jesus!
The Seventh Word – Luke 23:44-46
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
M: O Lord Jesus Christ, give us your trust—unquestioning and complete—as on the cross you committed your spirit to your Father, that whatever may happen we rest in the same everlasting arms, for your endless mercy’s sake.
C: Jesus, all your labor vast, All your woe and conflict past,
Yielding up your soul at last: Hear us, holy Jesus!
Prayer of the Church for Good Friday and Lord’s Prayer
M: Heavenly Father, you are a just God who accepts nothing less than perfection. We fall short and our sins condemn us. Lead us to recognize the seriousness of our sinfulness. Lead us also to admit our inability to make things right with you. Teach us to look to you as the only one who can make us just and right. Today we are reminded not only of your justice but also of your love. You did not spare your own Son but gave him as a ransom for each one of us. Comfort us with the knowledge of this great love and peace in the forgiveness of our sins. For being our perfect substitute, we thank you, Lord Jesus. The cross was once an instrument of death. It is now a sign of life. Dear Savior, we humbly kneel at the cross in awe of your power and your love. Amen,
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
† T H E S A C R A M E N T †
Personal preparation for Holy Communion listed on page 10.
Hymn of Preparation, CW127 v1,2, Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted – Sung by soloist
Please stand.
Preface
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up unto the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
C: It is good and right so to do.
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who brought the gift of salvation to all people by his death on the tree of the cross, so that the devil, who overcame us by a tree would in turn by a tree be overcome. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
Holy, Holy, Holy – Sanctus
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts: heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
M: 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.”
M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: Amen.
O Christ, Lamb of God – Angus Dei
C: O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace. Amen.
Distribution of the Lord’s Supper
Prayer of Thanksgiving
M: We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Benediction
M: 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
Closing Hymn – CWS 748, Lamb of God – v1 school children, v2,3 children and congregation
Q: What does God tell me about myself in his holy Word?
A: He says that I am a sinner and deserve only his punishment.
Q: What should I do if I am not aware of my sins or am not troubled by them?
A: I should examine myself according to the Ten Commandments and ask how well I have carried out my responsibilities as a husband or wife or single person, as a parent or child, an employer or employee, a teacher or student. Have I loved God with all my heart, gladly heard his Word, and patiently endured affliction? Have I been disobedient, proud, or unforgiving? Have I been selfish, lazy, envious, or quarrelsome? Have I lied or deceived, taken something not mine, or given anyone a bad name? Have I abused my body or permitted indecent thoughts to linger in my mind? Have I failed to do what is right and good?
Q: When I realize that I have sinned against God and deserve his punishment, what should I do?
A: I will confess before God all my sins, those which I remember as well as those of which I am unaware. I will pray to God for his mercy and forgiveness.
Q: How do I receive his gracious forgiveness?
A: His Word assures me that Jesus led a pure and holy life for me and died on the cross for me to pay the full price for all my sins. Through faith in Jesus, I have been clothed in my Savior’s perfect righteousness and holiness.
Q: What further assurance do I have that Jesus is mine and I am his?
A: In Holy Communion he gives me his body and blood together with the bread and wine as a truly life-giving food and drink to unite me with him and my fellow believers. By means of this sacrament, Jesus not only forgives my sins but sweeps away all my doubts about his love for me, gives me his own strength to live a God-pleasing life, and grants me a joyful foretaste of heaven.
Q: How can I be sure that I receive all these blessings in the Lord’s Supper?
A: I have his own word spoken as his last will and testament on the night before he died. There he tells me: “Take and eat; this is my body. Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Q: How will I respond to this priceless gift from Jesus?
A: I will daily thank and praise him for his love to me. With his help I will fight temptation, do my best to correct whatever wrongs I have done, and serve him and those around me with love and good works.
Lord Jesus, with joy and gratitude I now come to your table to receive the precious food of your life-giving body and blood. May it strengthen me to remain in you as you remain in me, so that I bear much fruit in devoted service to you and in acts of kindness to others. Amen.
WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS!
Find & Like us on Facebook
Visit our website: 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. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689,
Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866
Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949
Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
HOLY WEEK ONLINE VIDEOS
This year for Holy Week (Sunday, March 28-Sunday, April 4), we are hosting our online event:
“Palm Branches to the Tomb: Telling HIStory”.
This event entails short, themed videos each day created by our very own church and school members.
Be sure to check our website www.stjohnsmontello.org and follow us on our church Facebook page each day. Feel free to share this information with your family and friends!
COVID PLAN FOR WORSHIP UPDATE
On Monday 3/8, the Joint Council met to discuss the Joint Worship Committee’s proposals regarding the next phase of our COVID worship guidelines. Beginning on Easter Sunday 4/4, the JC approved returning to the pre-COVID common forms of liturgy with full congregational singing, masks and social distancing for the Sunday services. The Saturday service music, however, would continue to be led by a soloist. The JC decided to replace the 6am Easter Sunrise Service at St. John’s to a 8am Easter Worship at St. John’s. The JC also approved the Joint Worship Committee’s proposal to resume choir practice and school singing after Easter. Finally, the JC also approved the change in the wording of the COVID plan to encourage in-person worship. We are concerned that some are staying away from in-person worship because the policy states that if a person can watch the service online, he or she is asked to do so. We feel it is very important for our members to get back to in-person worship when they feel comfortable to do so.
JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR
Emmanuel and St. John’s joint choir will resume on April 5 @6:30pm at St John’s. All Emmanuel and
St. John’s members are invited to join. We will wear masks and socially distance for the time being.
All members high school and older are invited to join as they feel comfortable.
Please contact Lynn Sellnow @ lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or phone 616-826-0816
if you have questions. It is good to praise the Lord!
Maundy Thursday
Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Mecan, WI
April 1, 2021
6:30 p.m.
Pastor Peter Zietlow
† H A N D S O F T H E P A S S I O N †
† H A N D S O F H U M I L I T Y (J E S U S) †
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
P: Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word and Sacrament, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise in your gracious Word and Sacrament. Amen.
HYMN 128 Not All the Blood of Beasts
*Sung by soloist.
Please stand.
P: O Lord, open my lips.
C: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
P: Hasten to save me, O God.
C: O Lord, come quickly to help me.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lord God, you have brought us safely to this hour of evening prayer. We thank you for providing all that we need for body and life. Bless us who have gathered in your name. Forgive our sins. Speak to our hearts. Dispel our sorrows with the comfort of your Word, and receive our hymns of thanks and praise, through Jesus Christ, our living Savior, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Be seated.
† T H E W O R D †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
Exodus 12:1-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb[a] for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
Please stand.
John 13:1-5, 12-17 (today’s sermon text)
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Be seated.
HYMN 136 ‘Twas on that Dark, that Doleful Night
*Sung by soloist.
SERMON John 13:1-5, 12-17
“Hands of Humility – Jesus”
Please stand.
P: Maundy Thursday Prayer
LORD’S PRAYER
C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Please be seated.
† T H E S A C R A M E N T †
THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Personal preparation for Holy Communion listed on page 7.
Invitation
Words of Institution
Distribution
Thanksgiving
At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & 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. See page 13 for communion schedule and distribution information.
SOLOIST Bread of the World
1 Bread of the World in mercy broken,
Wine of the soul in mercy shed,
By whom the words of life were spoken
And in whose death our sins are dead.
2 Look on the heart by sorrow broken,
Look on the tears by sinners shed
And be your feast to us the token
That by your grace our souls are fed.
Please stand.
CLOSING PRAYER
P: Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for nourishing me in this sacrament with your body and blood. You have given me forgiveness, life and salvation. Let me always remain in you as a branch remains in the vine. Send me out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.
O living Bread from heaven, how richly you have fed your guest! The gifts you now have given have filled my heart with joy and rest. Lord, grant me that thus strengthened with heavenly food, while here my course on earth is lengthened, I serve with holy fear. And when you call my spirit to leave this world below, I enter through your merit where joys unmingled flow. Amen.
BLESSING
P: 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.
Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 303 With Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh
*Congregation sings.
Songs are reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-722228.
Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® (NIV ®).
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
© 2017 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission
.
Q: What does God tell me about myself in his holy Word?
A: He says that I am a sinner and deserve only his punishment.
Q: What should I do if I am not aware of my sins or am not troubled by them?
A: I should examine myself according to the Ten Commandments and ask how well I have carried out my responsibilities as a husband or wife or single person, as a parent or child, an employer or employee, a teacher or student. Have I loved God with all my heart, gladly heard his Word, and patiently endured affliction? Have I been disobedient, proud, or unforgiving? Have I been selfish, lazy, envious, or quarrelsome? Have I lied or deceived, taken something not mine, or given anyone a bad name? Have I abused my body or permitted indecent thoughts to linger in my mind? Have I failed to do what is right and good?
Q: When I realize that I have sinned against God and deserve his punishment, what should I do?
A: I will confess before God all my sins, those which I remember as well as those of which I am unaware. I will pray to God for his mercy and forgiveness.
Q: How do I receive his gracious forgiveness?
A: His Word assures me that Jesus led a pure and holy life for me and died on the cross for me to pay the full price for all my sins. Through faith in Jesus, I have been clothed in my Savior’s perfect righteousness and holiness.
Q: What further assurance do I have that Jesus is mine and I am his?
A: In Holy Communion he gives me his body and blood together with the bread and wine as a truly life-giving food and drink to unite me with him and my fellow believers. By means of this sacrament, Jesus not only forgives my sins but sweeps away all my doubts about his love for me, gives me his own strength to live a God-pleasing life, and grants me a joyful foretaste of heaven.
Q: How can I be sure that I receive all these blessings in the Lord’s Supper?
A: I have his own word spoken as his last will and testament on the night before he died. There he tells me: “Take and eat; this is my body. Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Q: How will I respond to this priceless gift from Jesus?
A: I will daily thank and praise him for his love to me. With his help I will fight temptation, do my best to correct whatever wrongs I have done, and serve him and those around me with love and good works.
Lord Jesus, with joy and gratitude I now come to your table to receive the precious food of your life-giving body and blood. May it strengthen me to remain in you as you remain in me, so that I bear much fruit in devoted service to you and in acts of kindness to others. Amen.
| The liturgical color is either scarlet or white. What does the name mean? The term “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum;” it is from a verb that means “to give” or “to order” — command. After Jesus and the disciples finished the Last Supper and walked toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught them a new commandment — “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). The Last Supper On the first Maundy Thursday, after they had eaten, Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood together with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of their sins. Called Holy Communion or the Eucharist, Lutherans believe this to be one of two sacraments — gifts from God. Most worship services focus on the meal and communion as a way to commemorate this day. Foot washing The story of the Last Supper in John’s Gospel records a remarkable event that is not mentioned in the other Gospels — to illustrate humility, Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for one another. Some Lutheran congregations incorporate this act of humility into their Maundy Thursday services. Stripping of the altar After the Eucharist is celebrated it is customary to “strip the altar,” which symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion. It represents the humiliation of Jesus and the consequences of sin as a preparation for the celebration of new life. In many congregations Psalm 22 is read or sung while the paraments are being removed. |
HOLY WEEK ONLINE VIDEOS
This year for Holy Week (Sunday, March 28-Sunday, April 4), we are hosting our online event:
“Palm Branches to the Tomb: Telling HIStory”.
This event entails short, themed videos each day created by our very own church and school members. Be sure to check our website www.stjohnsmontello.org and follow us on our church Facebook page each day. Feel free to share this information with your family and friends!
COVID PLAN FOR WORSHIP UPDATE
On Monday 3/8, the Joint Council met to discuss the Joint Worship Committee’s proposals regarding the next phase of our COVID worship guidelines. Beginning on Easter Sunday 4/4, the JC approved returning to the pre-COVID common forms of liturgy with full congregational singing, masks and social distancing for the Sunday services. The Saturday service music, however, would continue to be led by a soloist. The JC decided to replace the 6am Easter Sunrise Service at St. John’s to a 8am Easter Worship at St. John’s. The JC also approved the Joint Worship Committee’s proposal to resume choir practice and school singing after Easter. Finally, the JC also approved the change in the wording of the COVID plan to encourage in-person worship. We are concerned that some are staying away from in-person worship because the policy states that if a person can watch the service online, he or she is asked to do so. We feel it is very important for our members to get back to in-person worship when they feel comfortable to do so.
JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR
Emmanuel and St. John’s joint choir will resume on April 5 @6:30pm at St John’s. All Emmanuel and
St. John’s members are invited to join. We will wear masks and socially distance for the time being.
All members high school and older are invited to join as they feel comfortable.
Please contact Lynn Sellnow @ lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or phone 616-826-0816
if you have questions. It is good to praise the Lord!
Welcome To Our Visitors!
Find & Like us on Facebook
Visit our website: 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. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689,
Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866
Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949
Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
🙏 JESUS PRAYS IN THE GARDEN 🙏
Jesus and his disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was suffering in anticipation of his crucifixion and therefore, seeks support from the disciples and God the Father in heaven. He falls with his face to the ground and prays. (Matthew 26:36-46)
Your prayers are powerful and God hears them. He doesn’t always answer yes, He doesn’t always answer no. It might not be the answer you hoped for and it may not be clear. Just know that God loves us, He listens and He considers.
P raise
R epent
A sk for others
Y ourself
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.
Mark 14:22-24
Devotion based on Mark 14:22-24
See series: Devotions
Immediately following the horror of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there was a great need for blood. And the response to that need was greater still. Donors turned out in such large numbers that, within days, the American Red Cross had received more blood than it needed. People knew that giving blood meant giving a chance for life to someone who might die without it.
This understanding of blood as essential for life was behind the sacrifices of the Old Testament. The shedding of sacrificial blood illustrated to God’s people in a very vivid way that forgiveness of sins and an ongoing relationship with God came with the cost of a life. When the Lord made a covenant with the descendants of Israel, that agreement was sealed in the sprinkling of a young bull. God promised to care for them, to bless, guide, and protect them. In return, the people would obediently follow his commands. The problem was that although the Lord kept his end of the covenant, his chosen people did not keep theirs. They acted as rebellious children, like an unfaithful spouse to the Lord.
A new and better covenant was necessary. It required a new and better sacrifice. You and I have also acted as straying sheep. Just as rebellious and unfaithful as the people of Israel, we, too, deserve to be cut off from God. Happily for us, Jesus Christ, the pure Lamb of God, has been offered up in our place. In a new, one-sided covenant, God has punished his Son for our disobedience, and he credits to our account his perfect Son’s righteousness. Lest we doubt this as too good to be true, Christ gave us his very body and blood to eat and drink in the special meal we now call the Lord’s Supper. In his divine blood, we have eternal life.
Prayer:
I praise you, Lord, for you give me life through your Son’s precious blood. Amen.
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