BULLETIN- 10/20/2019 Welcome Home

 
EMMANUEL & ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH
 October 20, 2019
Emmanuel & St. John’s
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
 

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

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

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

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

Our Worship Series Read through Scripture and count the times it refers to believers as “brothers and sisters.” You will reach the triple digits quickly. The Holy Spirit is deliberate with his choice of words. If he frequently refers to the Church in those terms, there can be only one explanation. He wants us to think of each other as family. Scripture teaches that what unites us to our spiritual family is infinitely more powerful than any biological bond. Moreover, you can lose a blood relative. They can be taken away from you by death. But you will enjoy the companionship of your spiritual family for all eternity.

In this worship series, we will look at how our Father knits us together in love and unity into a spiritual family. We will see the benefits of being part of this family. In the Church, Christ has given us a better home.

Our Theme for Today Is the church more of a country club or a hospital? Is a Christian community full of people who have it all together, whose lives are perfectly in line with God’s will? Or is the family of God an assembly of individuals who are all flawed and broken in multiple ways? Scripture answers that question. God’s Word tells us everyone within the church was at one point deeply lost. What changed that? How were we “found”? Amazing grace! God, in his grace, sought us out, called us to faith, adopted us into his family, and welcomed us home into his Church. Think of what this means. If the church is a collection of people who were lost in their sin, it is unrealistic to think that in the church everyone will be a perfect model of righteous behavior. No one is like that except Christ! Our salvation is an accomplished fact. But our Christian life is going to be one that often takes two steps forward and then at least one step back.

This is another reason we need Christian community! As a loving Christian family, we love one another, forgive one another, proclaim God’s forgiveness to one another. And when a brother or sister drifts backs towards lostness, we give chase, striving to bring them back home.

This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word and the celebration of Holy Communion.
SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT
608.297.2866 www.stjohnsmontello.org Like us on Facebook

X  Gathering  X

OPENINGHYMN 379                                                                        Oh, How Good It Is

 

Please stand

INVOCATION

M:  In the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

Confession and absolution

M:  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

      But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins

      And cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   (1 John 1:8-9)

C:  For the wrong we have done, and all the good we have failed to do;

      for angry deeds, for hurtful words, for uncharitable thoughts;

      for self-centered living, and for failing to walk with humility and gentleness;

      for longing to have what is not ours, and for failing to give thanks for what is ours;

      for those sins we do not even remember committing:

      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

M:  God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin,

      and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved.

      In the name of  Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.

      Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit,

      that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.

C: Amen.

M: In that peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord!

FATHER, WE PRAISE YOU                                                             Christe Sanctorum


We worship our God this morning with the ancient song of praise, Christe Sanctorum. This hymn was written by Gregory the Great in the 6th century A.D. It was used by Christians to begin worship during the Sundays after Pentecost. Utilizing this song celebrates the wonderful legacy that historic Christianity has left for the Church today.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M:   Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated

X  The Word  X

FIRST LESSON                                                                                             Hosea 3:1-5

The Lord asked the prophet Hosea to turn his entire life into an object lesson. Hosea was to marry a prostitute, to love her and bring her into his home, in spite of her adulteries. This illustrates our God’s love. We all often love other  things more than our God. Yet he forgives us and welcomes us lost and broken people back into his home.

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

So I bought her for fifteen shekelsof silver and about a homer and a lethekof barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

PSALM OF THE DAY 133-134                                                             hymnal page 115

Sung in unison.

SECOND LESSON                                                                          2 Corinthians 2:5-11

A member of the Corinthian congregation had scandalized the congregation by living in public sin. He had
repented. St. Paul urges the Corinthians to welcome him home with open arms, to forgive and comfort
him. Why? Because Christ has forgiven us our countless sins and welcomed us into his eternal home.

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

VERSE OF THE DAY

M:   Alleluia! Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Alleluia!

C:

Please stand

GOSPEL                                                             Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (today’s sermon text)

There is rejoicing in heaven when the lost are found.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable:

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

M:  This is the Gospel of our Lord.

C:   Praise be to you, O Christ!

Please be seated

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY — 388                                           Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven

SERMON                                              Luke 15:1-3, 11-32  “Behold the Father’s Love”

  1. For those lost in sin      2.   For those lost in themselves

Please stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH                                                                        Apostles’ Creed

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

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

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please be seated

X  Offering & Prayers  X

OFFERING

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.

Please stand

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Prayer for Finding and Forgiving the Lost and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list on bulletin page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

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

C:   Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

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

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

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

Amen.

BLESSING SUNG BY ST. JOHN’S K-8TH GRADE —              May the Peace of God

XAnnouncements X

Activities for the week of October 20 – October 26

    WELCOME HOME SUNDAY2
Sun. 8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
  8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School 
  9:00 A.M. SJ Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
  10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship
  11:15 A.M. St. John’s Voters meeting
  4:00 P.M. Pastor Nick Haasch Installment – Peace Green Lake
Mon. 6:30 P.M. Choir at St. John’s 
  7:30 P.M. Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues. 6:30 P.M. Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s 
Wed. 8:00 A.M. St. John’s School Chapel 
  1:40 P.M. St. John’s School/Little Lambs Early Release
  2:15 P.M. Public School Teen Confirmation Class
  6:30 P.M. St. John’s Worship
  7:30 P.M. Bible Information Class at St. John’s  
Thurs. 8:30 A.M. District Pastor’s Conference – Appleton, WI
    WELS District Teacher’s Conference – Milwaukee, WI – NO SCHOOL
    NO Montello Care Center Devotion
    NO St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class
  6:00 P.M. Griefshare at St. John’s lower level (7 of 13 weeks)
Fri. 8:30 A.M. District Pastor’s Conference – Appleton, WI
    WELS District Teacher’s Conference – Milwaukee, WI – NO SCHOOL
Sat.    
Theme for Next Sunday October 27 , 2019 “Welcome Home #3–You Are Free To Be Yourself “
8:00 A.M. Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M. St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M. Emmanuel New Member Fellowship & Council meeting
9:00 A.M. St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M. St. John’s Worship with communion
1:30 P.M. Reformation Service – St. Peter’s Fond du lac

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

– For Katie Dolan and Nathan Kempf who were united in Christian marriage yesterday (10/19) at St. John’s

– For Nickolas Haasch (wife Lynn) who will be installed today (10/20) as pastor of Peace–Green Lake

EMMANUEL NEW MEMBER FELLOWSHIP On Sunday October 27th, following the 8:00am service. Please take some time to meet our newest members and enjoy donuts, juice and coffee.

VOTERS MEETING TODAY, following our 10:00am St. John’s service. Please join us in the sanctuary.

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

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

MEN’S BIBLE CLASS! The men Bible class attendees from Emmanuel have invited the group to hold next week’s study (Tuesday, October 22) at Emmanuel in Mecan! What a treat! A chili supper will be served at 6:00pm and the study begins as usual at 6:30pm. THAT NEXT TUESDAY – OCTOBER 22 – AT EMMANUEL. All Emmanuel/St. John’s men are invited and encouraged to attend.

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

CARDS FOR PRISON MINISTRY–YOU CAN HELP!  Writing messages on card fronts for the WELS Prison Ministry is something everyone can do–men, women, teens, even grade school kids with parents or teachers supervising.  Pick up a packet or two of cards in the St. John’s linkway and spend some time writing Bible verses or short inspirational messages related to the type of card (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Praying for/Thinking of You cards).  Instructions are included with each packet of cards. Return the completed cards to the collection box by Thanksgiving Day, November 28.  Any questions, contact Linda Wachholz 608-369-2635.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.”

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

Emm/Usher Schedule

October 20    

   Emm                                     Wayne Stelter, Noah Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

   SJ                                         James Wachholz; Chief, Kenny Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls,

Mark Emond, Ben Emond

October 27    

   Emm                                     Lucas Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

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

James Henke

November 3  

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

comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

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

Nolan Van Treeck, Matt Borzick

November 10

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Glenn Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

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

            Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann

November 17

   Emm                                     DuWayne Sommerfeld, Warren Buchholz, Don Stelter

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

Joe Zauner Jr.

November 24

   Emm                                     Wayne Stelter, Bob Ferber, Gary Wegner

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

Jesse Schable, Ben Jaster

November 27 Thanksgiving Eve

  SJ                                          Jack Yates; Chief, Jacob Jaster, Jeff Reimer,

Jeremy Breiwa, Richard Freitag

November 28 Thanksgiving

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Don Stelter, Gary Wegner

Attendance Emmanuel St. John’s
10-13                                  10-16 66                                       214                                       3
St. John’s Altar Committee October 2019 Elaine Kelm & Carolyn Rosenthal 
Save the Date for our Thanksgiving Services! November 27                6:30pm Thanksgiving Eve at St. John’s           November 28                 9:00am Thanksgiving at Emmanuel
●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Please Sign Our Guest Register Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link:  www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830 E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Rachel Naumann: (847) 913-2135 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:  616-822-6689 Church & School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 & Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●