The 6th Sunday after the Epiphany
February 16, 2020
Emmanuel & St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Mecan & Montello, WI
| St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church 313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949 Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949 |
| Pastor John Dolan |
| 608.297.2866 www.stjohnsmontello.org Like us on Facebook |
| W E L C O M E T O O U R C H U R C H 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. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located in 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. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Welcome to God’s house! May God bless our worship together. |
| XW E L C O M E G U E S T P A S T O R Pastor John Dolan |
| G O D ’ S W O R D F O R T O D A Y Jesus Reveals His Perfect Word and Will – People love to judge themselves—especially when it comes to moral issues—because they naturally come out looking rather good. They might be willing to admit that they’re not perfect, but they quickly add: “Nobody’s perfect!” Of course, that’s not true. Our God is perfect, holy, and just. He never sins, and in his holy Word, God makes it clear that he holds us to the same perfect standard, even as his perfect will also saves us from our sin through the gospel of his “secret wisdom.” In the gospel and lessons, we see how Jesus reveals his perfect Word and will. |
XP R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P X
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
OPENING HYMN 283 Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening
Please stand
CONFESSION OF SINS hymnal page 38
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS hymnal page 38
The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.
OH TASTE AND SEE hymnal page 39
This paraphrase of Psalm 34:8 reminds us of how sweet the good news of salvation is for Christians. Those who take refuge in Jesus, our Good Shepherd, are blessed.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Lord God, in mercy receive the prayers of your people. Grant them the wisdom to know the things that please you and the grace and power always to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: ♫ Amen.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings
XT H E W O R D X
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Summary: Keeping God’s commands
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
PSALM 78 hymnal page 95
Sung in unison.
EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 2:6-13
Summary: The Spirit reveals true wisdom
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”–but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
VERSE OF THE DAY John 6: 68
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
C: ♫ Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 5:21-37
Summary: Jesus teaches God’s will
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
C: ♫ Praise be to you, O Christ!
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY 506 Oh, Blest the House, Whate’er Befall
SERMON by Pastor Dolan Deuteronomy 6: 1-9
“Christian Education Begins At Home”
Moses spoke as follows:
Now this is the body of commands, and these are the statutes and the ordinances that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, so you may carry them out in the land to which you are crossing over to receive as a possession, so that you may fear the Lord your God by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding to you, as well as to your children and grandchildren, all the days of your life, and so that your days may be long.
Listen, O Israel, and be conscientious about doing those things, so it may go well for you and so you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God. The Lord is one! Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. Teach them diligently to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as a sign on your wrists, and they will serve as symbols on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED hymnal page 41
Please be seated
X O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S X
THE OFFERING
The ushers now gather the “Thank-Offering.” Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. Please also sign our Friendship Registers and greet one another.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Christian Education Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list.
Please stand
LORD’S PRAYER hymnal page 43
Please be seated
HYMN 515 Shepherd of Tender Youth
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING hymnal page 43, 44
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN 510 I Pray You, Dear Lord Jesus
As you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor.
Announcements
Activities for the week of February 16 – February 22
| Sun. | Christian Education Week | |
| TBA | WALL B Team Basketball Tournament at WLA, Fond du lac | |
| 8:00 A.M. | Emmanuel Worship | |
| 8:30 A.M. | St. John’s Sunday School | |
| 9:00 A.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Worship | |
| Mon. | 6:30 P.M. | Choir at St. John’s |
| 7:30 P.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| Tues. | 6:30 P.M. | Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s |
| Wed. | No St. John’s School/Little Lambs | |
| Art for Dinner donations due to the office | ||
| 10:00 A.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Faculty meeting | |
| 6:30 P.M. | St. John’s Worship | |
| 6:30 P.M. | Women’s Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| 7:30P.M. | Bible Information Class at St. John’s | |
| Thurs. | 8:00 A.M. | St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class |
| 6:00 P.M. | Griefshare at St. John’s lower level (week 5) | |
| 5:15 P.M. | Council meeting at St. John’s | |
| 6:30 P.M. | St. John’s School grades 1-8 Spelling Bee in St. John’s sactuary | |
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 10:00A.M. – 12:00P.M. | Little Lambs Open House |
| 5:00 P.M. | Art for Dinner at Montello Public School Community Room | |
| Theme for Next Sunday February 23 , 2020 Epiphany 6: “Christian Living Means Keeping God’s Word and Doing God’s Will” | ||
| 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 | |
| Church News INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Wyatt Beahm (William and Alyssa Beahm’s infant son), Gene Crook, Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Diane Eisermann, Lilah Farrell, Roger Hillmer, Xzander Jahr, Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt, Steve Parrish, LuAnn Reber, Harvey Rudolph, Frank Russell, Kathryn Sigrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, Jennifer Strauss, Leevi Walker, Richard Winkler – (added this week: ) – For our 3-5 grade teacher Rachel Naumann who received the Lord’s Call to serve as grade 4-5 teacher and principal at Bethlehem Lutheran School–Hortonville – For Heather Schmidt, currently teaching at St. Paul’s–Franklin, who received the Lord’s Call at our 2/9 St. John’s Voter’s meeting to serve as our 3-5th grade teacher – For Brittany Rose Pick, Lacey Renee Stalker & Zoey Gayle Stalker, Amanda Stalker’s daughters, who were baptized at their home by Pastor Zietlow on Tuesday (2/11) – For the family of Pastor Raymond Cox, Marjorie Fabian’s brother, called to his eternal home in heaven on Tuesday (2/11) – For Frank Russell who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Wednesday (2/12) THANK YOU “I want to thank family and friends for all you have done to help Harold and me in our time of need, especially for your prayers, visits, telephone calls, cards and just being with us. God has truly blessed us with all of you. Thank you.” — Harold & Judy ALTAR FLOWERS Thank you to the Fandrey family for today’s altar flowers at St. John’s. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CARD… At last Sunday’s Voters meeting, St. John’s called grades 3-5 teacher, Heather Schmidt. If you would like to reach out and offer words of encouragement, thoughts, etc. see contact info below. Heather Schmidt 520 W Riverwood Dr. – Apt. 106 Oak Creek, WI 53154-7582 hschmidt@stpaulsfranklin.org OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN UP The sign up for your 2019 offering statement is located in St. John’s link way. Statements are ready for pick up so be sure to check. |
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Church News continued…
2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES If you haven’t done so by
now, please pick up your 2020 offering envelopes in St. John’s link way
today! Don’t have any? Call the office 297-2866 and Ciara will gladly help
you out.
LENT BY CANDLELIGHT Ladies, you won’t want to miss
the 3rd
annual Lent by
Candlelight on Sunday, February 23 at 5:00 PM at
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello, WI. Please plan
to join us for an
evening
of visiting, beautiful music, scrumptious snacks, and reflection on our
Savior’s journey to the cross. All women throughout the community are
invited and are encouraged to invite their friends to prepare their hearts
for Lent. There is no charge for this event. Seating is limited, so RSVP by selecting “going” on this event, emailing christavantreeck@gmail.com, calling St. Johns at 608-297-2866 or signing up in the link way at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello. THRIVENT Look for the Thrivent Choice Dollars postcard in St. John’s link way. Questions? Feel free to contact Pastor Zietlow. MEMBERS OF ST. JOHNS AND SCHOOL FAMILIES St. Johns council authorized the borrowing of $10,000 from the church’s line of credit to replace and refurbish the school boilers. As some may be aware, there have been a number of issues from the last couple years keeping the boilers running and the school heated and it could no longer be repaired. This project was completed late last fall. This also means that the church officially is borrowing money from its line of credit. If you wish to donate to help paying off the loan, please go ahead and do so. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Look to the information room for where this project is at with regards to being paid off and where the other projects on the board are at with funding. (Many thanks to our generous members for donating!) MEDITATIONS & FORWARD IN CHRIST New “Meditations” and “Forward in Christ” WELS daily devotional booklets and WELS monthly devotional magazine are available in the church Informational Room. Help yourself! MEMBERSHIP CLASS Recently I began our 20-lesson Bible Information Class entitled “New Life In Christ” with Amanda Bowman on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. If you or someone you know is interested in membership, please phone or text me at 608-408-7830. –Pastor Zietlow |
tee
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Church News continued…
GRIEFSHARE The next 13-week session has
begun. Please join us for week #5 in St. John’s lower level on Thursday at
6:30pm. Questions or concerns? Please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.
LADIES AND MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Women’s
on Wednesday
evenings at 6:30PM, men’s on Tuesdays at 6:30PM. Come study a series of
topics: Past Lessons = Present
Peace = Future Hope, Basic Bible Stories for Faith and Life led
by Pastor John Dolan and Ms. Rachel Naumann.
COLLECTING GENTLY USED ITEMS FOR WLA’s
SECOND IMPRESSIONS THRIFT STORE As a
service project, Sunday School is currently collecting donations to support
Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Parish members are invited to donate
items that are clean, in working order, & in good condition–and please
only items that will fit in a car for transport. Please pick up a
list of ACCEPTED and NOT ACCEPTED items from the collection box located
near the office. Collecting through Sunday, March 1.
If questions, call Linda Wachholz 608-369-2635.
SUMMARIZED MINUTES FROM THE 2/9/2020 EMMANUEL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
1) The meeting was opened with a prayer 2) Pastor’s provided his report 3) Lucas Stelter read the minutes from previous meeting which the congregation approved. 4) Wayne Stelter read the financial report which the congregation approved. Old Business: 5) Update on Kitchen floor project: 2 bids have been received however the members present asked that another bid be solicited and that a bid process also be initiated for carpet replacement in the church. 6) Update on West side AC unit: Steve Radaj Heating & Cooling LLC will be replacing the Westside AC unit this Spring. 7) Update on the Parish Hall LED lighting conversion project: The Congregation voted to convert and replace all 7 fixtures with LED bulbs which will be completed within the next few months. 8) Update on survey of Church West property line: The Congregation members voted to commission Rod Steege to survey and update the West property information. |
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Church News continued…
9) Update on
furnace evaluation: Steve Radaj Heating & Cooling LLC performed an
inspection and replaced some components on both furnaces. Steve also
indicated that there was no evidence of any pending major failures.
New Business: 1) Election of 2020 officers The congregation re-elected the following incumbent officers: a) President – Darrell Buchholz. b) Treasurer – Wayne Stelter. c) Secretary – Lucas Stelter. d) Trustee – Duwayne Sommerfeldt and Brian Ninneman. e) Cemetery committee member – Keith Heller. 2) The congregation voted to set the 2020 CMO (Congregation Mission Offering) goal at $6500. 3) The congregation voted to set a 2020 WLA (Wisconsin Lutheran Academy) contribution amount of $2000. 4) The congregation voted to submit an additional CMO amount of $374 to reconcile the 2019 CMO shortfall to meet the 2019 commitment. 5) The congregation voted to make the following donations: a) $5000 to St Johns School to help pay down a line of credit balance caused by the need for the installation of a new boiler in the school. b) $1000 to the Camp Phillip Building Fund. 6) The congregation approved the following member transfers: a) The transfer of Tom and Donna Kuenn from Peace – Wautoma to Emmanuel. b) The transfer of Tabitha Stelter from Emmanuel to St Johns – Montello. 7) Volunteers for a maintenance committee were solicited which will have responsibility for monitoring the church structure, grounds, and support systems. The committee would report any requirements to the council for consideration and follow up. Bruce Stelter, Gary Wagner, and Darrell Buchholz volunteered. 8) The meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer |
| School News LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN Calling all 3 and 4 year olds! Please see the St. John’s Information Room for Little Lambs fliers, brochures and registration information. First come, first serve! Questions? Please call our Little Lambs Director Lynn Sellnow 616-826-0816 or email lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org. SPELLING BEE! : This Thursday, February 20 at 6:30p.m.! St. John’s School is hosting our Spelling Bee for grades 1-8. LITTLE LAMBS OPEN HOUSE: This Saturday, Feb. 22 is our Little Lambs Open House from 10:00am-12:00pm. Help spread the word! ART FOR DINNER: Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00pm. Tickets are on sale! This year, we are fundraising for a school security system. Invite your friends and family to a night of fellowship, dinner and a silent auction of the children’s art projects. A few things to think about: Check out the silent auctions items in St. John’s link way! They are now open to start bidding. We will be collecting items for the Marquette County Care and Share Food Bank the day of the event. Please bring in any nonperishable food items (canned goods, dry goods, etc.) the day of and receive a ticket per item for our basket drawings and/or game stations. THE DEADLINE TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS NEXT WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17! Please turn your packets and money in to the office by then. Tickets are $25 each, a free hot dog meal is available for kids 13 years and under. Need more tickets or don’t have someone to buy them from? Stop by the office today! If you would like to donate art projects, items/baskets, set up, all the above… please feel free to contact: Megan Jaster- 608-369-3456 mj.jastersag@outlook.com or Ciara Neuhauser 608-369-0901 ciaraneuhauser24@gmail.com. The deadline to turn items/donations in to the office is Wednesday, Feb. 19. SAVE YOUR PLASTIC BOTTLE CAPS Please save your plastic bottle caps and turn them in to the office. Art for Dinner is saving for a project. Any and all sizes and colors! Thank you! |
| School News Continued… THE 2020 WELS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH RALLY is being held June 23-26 in Knoxville, TN. We have had the privilege to escort teens from St. John’s to the 2016 & 2018 rallies. Even though we have resigned as youth group leaders, we felt it was important for our current teens to have the opportunity to go. So after prayerful consideration, we have decided to come forward to escort our teens to the 2020 rally. The rally is open for any students currently in 8th grade through 12th grade. We will be asking around to see who would like to go. If you know of any teens who are interested, please refer them to us. We will soon be announcing an informational meeting for anyone interested. We will go over the details, the costs, what a rally experience would be like, fundraisers, and any questions teens or parents might have. You may also go to the website: wels. net/youthrally. We are looking forward to this opportunity to bring our teens for fun & fellowship with 2000+ teens who share our same faith. Mark & Patty Emond |
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 2-9 2-12 | 33 | 82 5 |
| St. John’s Altar Committee February 2020 | Jennie Utke & Susan Brown |
| ●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Please Sign Our Guest Register Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link: www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830 E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Rachel Naumann: (847) 913-2135 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689 Church & School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 & Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●● |