Faith Is Not Selfish – September 18, 2018

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? … If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. … What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
James 2:1-5,8-10,14-18

Faith Is Not Selfish


Daily Devotion – September 18, 2018

Devotion based on James 2:1-5,8-10,14-18

See series: Devotions

Our sinful human nature has an inborn tendency which James illustrates for us today: selfishness can raise its ugly head even among brothers and sisters in Christ. Interestingly, the two illustrations James uses have to do with how we interact with others who have much, or those who have little or nothing.

Selfish. Isn’t that what showing favoritism to the wealthy amounts to? Why would I show special attention to a man wearing fine clothes and a gold ring? It could be out of respect for the gifts and skills he has developed, for his hard work, and for a job well done. More likely, however, this special attention is sinful favoritism which is angling toward something for me. What can I get? How can I benefit? How can this work—or how can I work this—to my advantage? Such favoritism is selfish.

The same is true of empty words. Why would I tell people without clothes and food to be warm and well fed, but do nothing to address their physical needs? It could be because some circumstance got in the way, making it impossible to carry out what I fully intended to do. More likely, however, it is my sinful concern for my own comfort and ease—not wanting to be inconvenienced or have my routine disrupted. That too is selfish.

Both situations betray a sinful focus on me, and James calls me out on both accounts: “If you show favoritism, you sin …” and “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

The answer to a sinful focus on self is to look to our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. He is glorious because he was and is perfectly unselfish—in his coming, in his interaction with those who had much and those who had little or nothing, in his sacrifice of himself, and in his ongoing work as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus is gloriously, unselfishly perfect.

As you navigate life’s opportunities and challenges, remember that God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him. Then say thank you; show your faith by deeds that are rich in love toward others.

Prayer:
O Lord, forgive my sinful selfishness. Help me overcome the temptations to show favoritism or speak empty words. Enable me, in Christ, to be rich in love toward all. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

More than a Man – September 17, 2018

“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (NIV 2011)

Mark 8:29-33

More than a Man


Daily Devotion – September 17, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 8:29-33

See series: Devotions

“Who is Jesus?” and “What was his purpose?” are two key questions a reader of the Bible must be able to answer. Opinions on these questions vary widely. There are some who might say that Jesus did not exist but was merely the subject of historical fiction by some Jewish authors. Others might say he was a wise teacher of morality. Others might say he was one prophet among others like Muhammed or Buddha.

Jesus had asked his disciples who people thought he was. They reported that some thought he was just a man. Others thought he was an important prophet. But the disciples recognized there was something different about Jesus in what he was doing and how he taught. They confessed, “You are the one sent by God. You are the Lord’s anointed.”

They recognized who Jesus was, but it was that second question of what he came to do that was difficult for them to answer, and one we can struggle with too. If we just think that Jesus came to give us a set of morals to live by, to help us lead our best life now, to teach us how to raise our children, balance our bank account, or fix our marriage, then we miss the true purpose for his coming.

It is best to let Jesus describe why he came. Jesus says that he came to be rejected by the religious leaders of his day, that he be killed, and after three days rise again from the dead.

Jesus’ death and resurrection sets him apart from any individual or religious leader who came before him or who comes after him. His death and his return from death show us that he is more than a man. His death and his return from death show us that his death counted for something. Of course, when Jesus’ purpose doesn’t match up with our purpose for him, much like Peter, conflict in our hearts can arise.

Yet again, Jesus gives us an answer, “These are the concerns of God, not merely human concerns.” These are the concerns of God because he was concerned with the salvation of your soul, not just your physical life now. These are the concerns of God because he was concerned with your physical death and eternal life. These are the concerns of God because he sent his Son to die and rise again for you so that you too may rise from death and live with him forever.

Jesus is just who his Father intended him to be—more than a man. He is the Savior of our souls.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing us you are more than a man. Thank you for having in mind the concerns of God as you carried out your purpose. Keep us focused on you as our Savior from sin. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

Lord Make Me Forgiving – September 16, 2018

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22

Lord, Make Me Forgiving


Daily Devotion – September 16, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 18:21-22

See series: Devotions

Peter didn’t understand forgiveness. He thought he should follow the prescribed tradition and forgive someone only seven times. Jesus corrected him by explaining forgiveness had to be more than that.

Forgiveness is not something which is counted or numbered. Neither do conditions apply which must be met before it can be offered. Nor should someone have to manifest a sufficient degree of sorrow before they can be forgiven. Forgiveness can only be understood by looking at the way Jesus has forgiven me.

Every time I come to Jesus’ cross it is with a heavy heart and the burden of guilt weighing me down. I know I have sinned and I know the sentence with which God punishes the sinner. My only hope is to plead for mercy. In an amazing display of love Jesus never turns me away. Nor does he ever tell me I have exceeded my limit of forgiveness. Neither does he demand to see some positive improvements before he can assure me my sins are removed. I come with filthy hands, a blackened heart and a desperate plea for mercy, and Jesus purifies me from all my sins. It sets my heart soaring to know I can stand before him deserving only judgment but receiving only mercy.

It is the way Jesus deals with me which motivates me to deal with others in the same way. Certainly, my sin-weakened flesh will make me reluctant to forgive someone. The world will try to convince me I need proof of genuine sincerity. Even the devil will prompt me to withhold forgiveness unless the person is completely humiliated. But this is not how Jesus dealt with me.

His undeserved love, his never-failing compassion, his dearest desire for my rescue invites me to come just as I am. It is this grace, secured by his precious work, which assures me I am forgiven. What a blessing this is for me, and what a comfort for those around me. I can respond with the same compassion, mercy, and love toward others with which Jesus dealt with me. This is why I need to pray daily and sincerely, “Lord make me forgiving as you have forgiven me.”

Prayer:
O precious Savior, not only do I need your forgiveness to comfort my aching heart, I need your forgiveness to forgive those who sin against me. Fill me with your love. Strengthen me through your death and resurrection. Make me forgiving, just as I have been forgiven. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

Forgiveness – September 15, 2018

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:15-21

Forgiveness


Daily Devotion – September 15, 2018

Devotion based on Genesis 50:15-21

See series: Devotions

“I will never forgive him!” “What do you think, am I just going to forgive you?”

If anyone had reason not to forgive, it was Joseph. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery and years of difficulty and personal pain followed. (Read: Genesis chapters 37–50.)

However, by the time he is reunited with his brothers, he has become the “Prime Minister” of Egypt. He is in charge of the great warehouses of grain which he saved in advance of a terrible drought and famine. He has the motive, the means and the opportunity to let his brothers have it.

It is stunning to see what happens next. There is no grudge and no payback. Instead, there is gracious welcome and generous hospitality. How can this be? Joseph tells us: “Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”

The desire for revenge and failure to forgive are common human responses to sin, but they are not responses according to God’s love and in keeping with God’s will. God is a God of forgiveness. Through the death of Christ, he sends our sins away never to be found on our record again. He holds no grudges; he seeks to save and not to harm.

Filled with great appreciation for the forgiveness that God has freely given to me through Jesus, I am moved to forgive others. The forgiveness that I give to others frees me from anger and pain and frees those I forgive from guilt and shame. God intends forgiveness for good, and the ultimate good is heaven.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your forgiveness of my sins. Lead me daily to forgive others even as I have been forgiven. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

What We Need – September 14, 2018

The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4

What We Need


Daily Devotion – September 14, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:3-4

See series: Devotions

I know I should exercise, but it makes me sore and tired. I know I should eat a balanced diet, but donuts and cake taste better to me. I know that surgery will help me get back to full strength, but I’m scared to go under the knife and face painful rehab.

In daily life, our needs—things that are necessary and beneficial for a healthy and happy life—are often at odds with our wants—things that are optional and, sometimes, only superficially satisfying. But in the end, the truly wise and healthy person learns to seek, do, and even appreciate and long for the needed things.

The same holds true for our spiritual life. Our hearts are naturally tuned in to messages that are unhealthy and ultimately only superficially satisfying. So, our ears will naturally seek out messages that agree with our distorted heart’s desire. I want to hear that I am worthwhile and good. I want to hear that I can do things by my own determination and grit. I want to hear that I’m okay with God because I am a good (or at least pretty good) person. I want to hear that God is satisfied with good intentions, blessing me now and granting me a place in heaven as a result of my best efforts.

But that is not what I need to hear. I need to hear that I was born in sin and show it with thoughts that are impure, words that are unloving, and actions that are incomplete at best. I need to hear that my sinfulness separates me from a holy God. I need to hear that sinners like me deserve nothing from God but his punishment. I need to hear that, but I don’t want to…at first.

Human beings can only begin to hear and accept that difficult message when we come to know that it is not the end, or even the most important part, of what God knows our ears and hearts need to hear. I need to hear of God’s undeserved love—his amazing grace—towards sinners. I need to hear of a Savior who was sent to pay for and do away with human sin, even mine. I need to hear of a God who loves me and values me because of what his Son has done for me and the price he’s paid for me. I need to hear of a heavenly Father who promises to be with me in this life and take me to heaven when I die, because he has adopted me as his own dear child in Jesus Christ.

Tune your ears to that message. Find a church that faithfully teaches it. And you will be truly healthy and happy in your spiritual life!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, there are so many attractive and appealing messages in my world. Help me to tune my ears to your Word of Truth. In Jesus’ 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

BULLETIN- THE 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

EMMANUEL & ST. JOHN’S

Ev. Lutheran Churches

Mecan & Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\harvest_7182c.jpg

THE 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH! We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. Restrooms and nursery area are located the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and “link-way” at St. John’s. It’s nice to have you visit today. May God bless our worship together!

THEME FOR TODAY’S SERVICE The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Discipleship Includes the Willingness to Suffer – Sermon: Stewardship 2

ORDER OF SERVICE

Morning Praise (hymnal page 45)

PASTOR’S GREETING

(Please stand)

OPENING HYMN “Morning Hymn”(hymnal page 45a, all sing)

LITURGY (hymnal page 45b, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated)

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY

Preaching the Truth Always Makes Enemies – There are two kinds of preachers. One pushes worldly glory. The other pushes the ugly cross where Christ was crucified for us, alone in the darkness. The former touts worldly success. The latter knows that those who speak God’s truth will always make enemies. “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” the Bible says. So men who preach God’s full truth are bound to experience failure and disappointment. Following our suffering Savior, though, Christians even sing, “Go, then earthly fame and treasure. Come disaster, scorn and pain.” We even pray to God, “In your service, pain is pleasure. In your favor, loss is gain.”

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 50:4-10

The prophet Isaiah foretells our Savior’s willing obedience and suffering

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

PSALM 116 (hymnal page 107, men sing first line, women sing second line, all sing refrains and Gloria)

EPISTLE: James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18

Disciples of Jesus willingly show their faith to God and to others

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

(Please stand)

GOSPEL: Mark 8:27-35

Following Christ means confessing who Jesus us and what He did, and being willing to “take up the cross”

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

(Please be seated)

SERMON HYMN 453 “Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spoke” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMON Luke 10:1-23

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

“He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he

who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to

us in your name.”

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you,

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

“Don’t Overpack!”

  1. Recognize the mission
  2. Reassess your physical resources
  3. Realize your spiritual resources

HYMN 770: 1-2 (printed below, sing in place of Te Deum)

1 O Christ, who called the Twelve To rise and follow you,

Forsaking old, familiar ways For ventures bold and new:

Grant us to hear your call To risk security

And, bound in heart and will to you, Find perfect liberty.

2 O Christ, who taught the Twelve The truth for ages sealed,

Whose words and works awakened faith, The ways of God revealed:

Instruct us now, we pray, By your empow’ring Word.

True teacher, be for all who seek Their light, their life, their Lord.

OFFERING, GREETINGS, FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS, & WELS CONNECTION DVD

OFFERING PRAYER

LITURGY (hymnal page 50, read & sung responsively)

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

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor)

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Natalie Allison (Isaac Emond’s friend), Marilyn Bredeson (Karin’s Stellick’s mother), David Broderick, Mike Brown, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Caleb & Emery Degenstein (Mark Emond’s friends), Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Ron Fuerstenau (Bill’s grandfather), Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), RaeLynn Hodgkins (Beth Johnson’s daughter), Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), LuAnn Reber, Wayne Riemer, Frankie Russell, Mark Russell (Elsa’s son), Bob Schrank, Joan Schmitz (Lisa Ollendorf’s mother), Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Jennifer Strauss, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Blake Walker, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Millie Wildt (John’s wife), Raymond Zacharrias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: Natalie Allison, Isaac Emond’s friend – Harley Crown & son Terry – Millie Wildt, John’s wife)

– For Christian Stewardship (today is the second of three Stewardship Sunday sermons)

– In the Time of Temptation

– For Missions

(Please stand)

LORD’S PRAYER & LITURGY (hymnal page 50-51, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 770:1-2, 3-4 “O Christ, Who Called the Twelve” (printed in below, all sing)

3 O Christ, who sent the Twelve On roads they’d never trod

To serve, to suffer, teach, proclaim The nearer reign of God:

Send us on ways where faith Transcends timidity,

Where love informs and hope sustains Both life and ministry.

4 O Christ, th’apostles’ Lord, The martyrs’ strength and song,

The crucified and risen King To whom the saints belong:

Though generations pass, Our tribute still we bring,

Our hymns a sacrifice of praise, Our lives an offering.

(Note: Please sign and give your friendship registers, located at the end of each pew, to an usher after today’s service.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THEME FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

God Tests the Heart – Stewardship 3

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 16-SEPTEMBER 22
Sun. 8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M. Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship
11:30 A.M. Tanzania Presentation & lite lunch
Mon.
3:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. St. John’s Youth Group
6:30 P.M. St. John’s Choir
7:30 P.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study
Tues. 6:30 P.M. Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s begins with stew supper
Wed. 8:00 A.M. St. John’s School Chapel
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study
1:40 P.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs early release
2:15 P.M. Public School Teen Confirmation at St. John’s
6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship
6:30 P.M. St. John’s Council meeting
7:30 P.M. St. John’s Bible Information Class
Thurs. 8:00 A.M. St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class begins
6:00 P.M. Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
Fri. 8:00 A.M. 8th Grade Visitation Day
9:00 A.M. Pastor Study Club in Princeton
6:30 P.M. Riendeau/Wachholz rehearsal at Wachholz farm
Sat. 2:00 P.M. Riendeau/Wachholz wedding at Wachholz farm
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

God Tests the Heart – Stewardship 3

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

C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\Copy of Concert On The Ball Diamond.png

COME SHARE OUR JOY & CELEBRATE WITH US!  Aaron Wachholz & Victoria Riendeau cordially invite St. John’s/Emmanuel members to their marriage celebration.  Saturday, September 22, 8 p.m. at the Wachholz Family Farm.

TANZANIA PRESENTATION A year ago I was able to go to Tanzania as a part of my work with UW-Extension. My work in Tanzania was working with Caritas staff, community volunteers, and meeting with farmer groups. I also was able to spend a few days on safari.

Come to this presentation, TODAY at 11:30a.m. for a lite lunch and presentation, to see and hear all about my trip, working in the remote villages, going on safari, and what is happening as a result of this trip. –Christa Van Treeck

MECAN CHURCH HISTORY PRESENTATION On Sunday, October 14, at 9:00AM (following worship), Pastor Dolan will be presenting the story of the pioneer history  of Emmanuel Mecan, and the beginnings of Lutheranism in Marquette County. “The Little Church Called Big Mecan” is the story of the years before any congregations were organized in the county (1852-1867). Anyone interested is invited to attend.

SEPTEMBER IS BEFRIEND A MISSION MONTH AT ST. JOHN’S. WHAT’S THAT? The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society supports WELS missions in 3 ways: prayer, encouragement, & giving. Missions & missionaries are assigned to our St. John’s & Emmanuel LWMS groups biannually. Although our support of these missions continues for 2 years, our Beaver Dam Circuit also assigns each church in the circuit a “Befriend A Mission Month.” Our task is to create a shower of support during that month by increasing our prayers, sending a few more notes & emails, & giving a little extra for missions. LWMS also uses the month to increase awareness of WELS missions among ALL church members–our Little Lambs, our day school & SS children, our teens & young adults, our adults, & even our older adults in care facilities. Prayer, encouragement, & giving are tasks which have no age-limitations! We can ALL be a friend! So when we ask YOU to join us by sending a note or signing a card, by saying a prayer, or by giving a little something extra to missions, we hope you will! Supporting mission & missionaries and getting to know some of them personally are joy-filled opportunities!

FALL MISSION OFFERINGS will be collected by LWMS during September at both churches. Please use the collection container at the church where you are a member–In the church entrance both at Emmanuel and at St. John’s. WELS mission projects that will benefit from your gift are these Beaver Dam Circuit projects: Home Mission—Campus Ministry New Start and World Mission: Haiti. Other projects to be decided at next summer’s LWMS convention are posted by the collection container. These offerings are important to many missions and are welcome from everyone with a heart for missions!

FALL SERVICE PROJECT FOR NEW BEGINNINGS HOME FOR MOTHERS where single mothers can come to experience a safe place and have a new beginning in caring for their children. The women of the LWMS invite our church families to help us collect general household and personal need items listed on a wish list available at the collection box at each church. Please one up in the Info Room or linkway at St. John’s or in the parish hall at Emmanuel. Monetary donations or listed gift cards are all being accepted and should be given to your church’s LWMS reporter (Helen Stelter at Emmanuel; Linda Wachholz at St. John’s). Your help is appreciated! We will collect through Sunday, October 14.

PLEASE VISIT THE BEFRIEND A MISSION MONTH DISPLAY in the linkway at St. John’s. Highlighted are the current Befriended missions of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) and 2018-2019 school & Sunday school mission projects—Saviour of the Nations-Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Immanuel Hmong-St. Paul-Minnesota; THAILAND; Kids C.A.R.E.-Kids Summer Bible Camps; Camp Phillip-Wautoma. Also displays from our May & August Mission Festivals—Cameroon & Russia. Be sure to enter our “Fun Quiz” Contest to win a prize. Visit our Be A Friend Tree and write an encouraging note to one our mission families!

F:\Linda Wachholz LWMS\2017-2018 BAM ASSIGNMENTS\MOUA - ST PAUL MINNESOTA\Picture Pastor & Mrs. Moua.jpgBE A FRIEND! God tells us in Proverbs 17:17a that “A friend loves at all times.” This week would YOU be a friend and share God’s love & encouragement by sending a card/note/email to these WELS missionaries. It would mean a great deal to:

Pastor Pheng & Chao Moua & Family

2633 Eldridge Avenue East

North St. Paul, MN 55109

Email: immhmonglutheran@msn.com

See the source imageSCRIP What is Scrip? Using the Scrip program, you can raise money without devoting your time to selling products, asking for donations, or planning events. Earn money every day on the purchases you’re already making just by paying with a gift card you ordered from ShopWithScrip. Use your fundraised money where you want…church, school, your child’s tuition, etc. Check out the Scrip display in the link way, contact our Scrip coordinator Joe Zauner (608) 697-8533, or go online at ShopWithScrip.com-Fundraising While You Shop for more details.

GRIEFSHARE I will be starting the next GriefShare 13-week session on September 27 in the lower level at St. John’s. We start at 6:00p.m.  please place in next possible bulletin and on calendar as you see fit. You can give my cell phone out to anyone having questions. It is (608) 697-1600. Please let them know if I don’t answer to leave a message and I’ll return the call as soon as I am able. I will ensure it is placed in the Marquette County Tribune. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.  –Mark Emond

VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT EMMANUEL Emmanuel Lutheran Church is still recruiting 1 (or more) volunteers to assist with the following position; all expenses are reimbursed by Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

1) Sunday School Teacher: This individual will help further the Christian up-bringing of parish and non-parish children, historically between the ages of 2 and 6, by managing the weekly Sunday School sessions held in the Emmanuel Parish Hall. The timing of the class and age group preference is flexible.

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

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor):  “It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.”

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

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Men of Emmanuel and St. Johns

The Tuesday night Men’s Bible Class will kick off again on September 18th at 6:30PM in the church basement. This first session will be a Stew ‘n’ Study Supper night. While we enjoy the food and fellowship, we will begin to chew on the topic for this session. It’s called “Let’s Talk Turkey” – the 1st Vision of the Book of Revelation. What does the future hold? God’s Word answers that question for us. Plan on this, men!

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

Luther Prep Presents Romeo and Juliet TOGETHER (and alive!) AT LAST A comedy sure to please all! Saturday October 20, 7pm* Sunday, October 21, 2:30pm Luther Prep Auditorium 1300 Western Ave Watertown, WI *Saturday also has Dining option at 5:30pm. Must RSVP by Oct 5 online: lps.wels.net/page/performing-arts/ fall-play or by calling Sue at 920-262-8104 Seats are $6 general admission-no RSVP (free ages

St. John’s Greeter Schedule
September 16 Karl Whitrock & Elsa Russell
September 23 Harold & Judy Fandrey
September 30 Kenon & Mary Smith

6 and under).

Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
9-9 9-12 54 91 6
St. John’s Altar Committee:

September 2018

Diane Eisermann

&

Delores Cotte

Usher Schedule
September 16

SJ

E

Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Ken Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann, Corey Kaul

Wayne Stelter, Noah Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld

September 23

(with comm) SJ

E

Jack Yates; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Del Henke, Joe Zauner

Lucas Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Brian Ninnemann

September 30

SJ

E

Don Smith; Chief, Gordon Krause, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon

Don Stelter, Paul Wuerch, Paul Dahlke

C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\Surfin' on the Mount.jpg

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website & Facebook link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-107160252675/

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowpl6@hotmail.com

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Teacher Rachel Naumann (847) 913-2135

Teacher Cassie Doering (920) 723-8986

Parish/School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser (608) 297-2866

Altar Ladies Elaine Kelm (920) 344-0025 &

Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036

Mail to: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949

OR scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Winnebago Lutheran Academy

Principal Mr. David Schroeder/WLA office (920) 921-4930

WLA website: www.wlavikings.org

Stick to the Playbook – September 13, 2018

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
John 8:31

Stick to the Playbook


Daily Devotion – September 13, 2018

Devotion based on John 8:31

See series: Devotions

Training camps are complete. Pre-season action is over. In the United States, a sport returns that captivates millions each weekend. College student athletes and professionals alike will step out onto the gridiron—the football field.

Are you a fan of American football? Even if you aren’t, you can understand that in football, as in any team sport, the coach has a playbook. The playbook guides players to take the right number of steps, make the right cuts, throw the right passes, attack the right angles, all to defeat their opponent and win the game. Training camps and practice after practice drill those plays into the athletes, so they become second nature during the game. Imagine the disappointment of the coach when his players don’t follow the playbook!

Imagine the disappointment of God when his people don’t follow his Word! Indeed, the Bible is so much more than a playbook. God hasn’t given his Word just to drill into you exactly the right steps to take and tell you the decisions you need to make, but the Bible does present a message of victory for you.

Jesus teaches you of the victory you have in him. Even though you have taken the wrong steps, attacked the wrong angles in your life, and disappointed God, Jesus teaches you that you are forgiven. Jesus teaches you that he is your Savior. He stepped onto the gridiron of this world and faced the fiercest opponent. Jesus faced death itself for you, and he won. He gave up his life on the cross for your forgiveness, but then rose again in victory over the grave.

That’s why his teaching is so important. It’s why he tells you, and all who follow him, to hold on to it with such a grip that no opponent can ever force a fumble out of your hands. As you look around you, there are so many “teams” of Christians. Each seems to wear a different uniform. Which will you choose?

Find a church that’s running the right routes, saying the right things, taking the right angles—that is, they hold dearly to Jesus’ teaching. Then you know they will always point you to him as your Savior.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach and strengthen me to hold firmly to your Word of Truth. Help me to boldly live my life as your disciple. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

Your God will Come – September 12, 2018

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
Isaiah 35:4-7

Your God will Come


Daily Devotion – September 12, 2018

Devotion based on Isaiah 35:4-7

See series: Devotions

Jennifer had a fearful heart. She was afraid of failing. Afraid of not being the person, mother, wife, sister, daughter she wanted to be, should be. Afraid of her own weaknesses and sins. Afraid of what God would think of her.

So how does this help? “Be strong, Jennifer. Do not fear; your God will come, with vengeance, with divine retribution.” God is coming? With vengeance and divine retribution? God is coming to pay me back for all my sins and failings? That is enough to make an already fearful heart completely fall apart. Terrifying!

But that’s not what God’s Word is saying in these verses. “Your God will come…to save you!” His vengeance and divine retribution are not against us, not against the repentant sinner with a fearful heart. The vengeance and retribution are reserved for Jennifer’s enemies. “He will come to save you, Jennifer.” God is coming to dish out divine payback to all of Jennifer’s enemies and save her from them.

God did come. Jesus arrived on the scene as a human being, God himself in the flesh. He defeated sin and all its consequences. He healed illnesses. He restored sight, hearing, speech, and movement. He drove away sin and death by his death on the cross. When he died and rose again from death, Jesus paid out retribution to sin, death, and the devil, and set his people free. He set Jennifer free. She is completely forgiven of every sin and failing. She is perfectly accepted and approved by God, through the work of Jesus. Instead of fear stalking her through the desert, Jennifer now walks in faith and joy through a vibrant paradise where grace grows.

She still has a fearful heart now and then. But she knows God came for her and died to save her. And he will come for her again to take her to be with him forever.

Prayer:
Dear Father, calm my fearful heart with your salvation. Restore all that sin has ruined in my life. Bring me to the paradise of heaven, through Jesus my Savior. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

Astounding – September 11, 2018

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
Romans 11:33

Astounding


Daily Devotion – September 11, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 11:33

See series: Devotions

Perhaps you enjoy viewing nature programs on public television. Perhaps you don’t. Regardless of your general interest in such programming, however, there is a nature series that towers above the rest. It’s a series of televised nature programs produced by Sir David Attenborough. Attenborough has combined his superb production values with the outstanding camera work of the BBC. Together, they capture moments in nature that are astounding.

If you watch, you will never forget the newborn lizard racing across a beach for its life while being chased by scores of fast-moving snakes (by the way, the lizard wins). If you watch, you will never forget what a father penguin is willing to endure to keep his young safe and warm. If you watch, you will never forget how the Australian lyrebird is able to imitate almost anything—even the intricate sounds of a camera. And if you watch, you will never forget the migration of a single monarch butterfly from Canada to a specific, pre-ordained cluster of trees in Mexico.

The series is not at all religious. Nevertheless, when one views these episodes in light of the reality that God is the Creator of all, the words of the apostle Paul seem to rise up and shout when he declares in pure astonishment: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

As awe-inspiring as God’s creation is, however, Paul is not just speaking about the miraculous creatures that fill this planet. More than all that, Paul is speaking about the gospel.

God became a human being. God became one of us. In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God lived among us. He ate and slept among us. He worked, got tired, and made friends. He wept when a loved one died. He suffered ridicule and rejection. He gave up his life on a cross.

He did all that to wash us clean and to set everything right between God and us. He did all that to ensure that all of our sins, all of our failures, all of our wrongs would never come back to haunt us ever again. And to assure us of this, he raised himself from the dead.

That’s what you and I have through faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have more than an awesome Creator. We have a Savior, Brother, and Friend.

And that is astounding.

Prayer:
Holy God, the wonders of your creation are astounding. Even more so, Lord, is your love for me in Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, keep me close to you. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico

Simply Amazing – September 10, 2018

People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”
Mark 7:37

Simply Amazing


Daily Devotion – September 10, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 7:37

See series: Devotions

There are some things in life which are simply amazing: the glow of a sunrise, the iridescence of a sunset, the reflection of mountains in a calm turquoise lake. These are all amazing. To these, specific events from life can also be added: the birth of a child, the longevity and health of a relative, the unexpected recovery from a life-threatening illness. These too are all amazing.

There is one more area of my life where I never cease to be amazed, and that is with the love of my Savior.

In connection with today’s verse of God’s Word, when I consider his care and compassion for the man who could barely speak and was without the sense of hearing, it is simply amazing. Jesus healed him completely. No recovery needed. No therapy required. No further treatment prescribed. It is the same care and compassion Jesus promises for my life.

While I may not see a miracle such as this man experienced, I do know he promises goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). This is simply amazing that Jesus is so focused on my daily and personal care.

What is even more amazing is the care and compassion Jesus provides for eternal life. I was dead in my transgressions and sin. I was blind to his love and forgiveness. I was an enemy opposed to him at every turn. Yet, Jesus loved me. In that love he did everything to rescue me from my self-inflicted condemnation. He secured new life through his death and resurrection. He opened my eyes through the powerful working of faith. He reconciled me and brought me into his family. I deserved nothing but punishment, but he gave me everything. This is simply amazing.

There is only one response to Jesus’ undeserved love. I love him who loved me first. I also live every day in awe, thanking and praising my Savior for what he did—which is simply amazing.

Prayer:
O precious Savior, truly your love is amazing because it is undeserved. Keep me in your love and your compassionate care until I receive the greater blessing you have prepared for me in heaven. Amen.

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

Powered by WPeMatico