Bulletin – April 11, 2021

The 2nd Sunday of Easter

The Risen Lord Commissions His Followers

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

Pastor Pete Zietlow

April 10, 2021

4:30p.m. St. John’s

April 11, 2021

8:00a.m. Emmanuel

10:00a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s  Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St.  
Montello, WI 53949
Office: 608-297-2866
Pastor Zietlow: 608-408-7830
Website: www.stjohnsmontello.org

Emmanuel  Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949    
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! We extend a warm welcome to everyone worshiping with us today! We ask God that he fill our hearts with peace, joy and understanding as we praise Him together during this Easter season.  

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday: 8:00a.m. at Emmanuel                     
10:00a.m. at St. John’s
*Please note: congregation sings during worship.

Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s
*Please note: congregation does not sing during worship. Instead, a soloist sings.  

Each worship service is posted to our website. If you don’t have internet access or are unable to attend today’s service, DVDs, sermons and the bulletin are available for your use at home. You may pick them up in the office or request them to be mailed. Please contact our secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or Pastor Zietlow.  

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays before those Sundays. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or a church Elder at your home. Please call Pastor or the church office to schedule private communion.  

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The 2nd Sunday of Easter – We Are His Witnesses – Does witnessing to your faith intimidate you? Are you afraid of how people will react? Today we will see that Jesus’ death and resurrection give the believer confidence. Our sins have been washed clean in his blood. We have forgiveness for any and all sins. Such truths give us the courage to witness boldly to others of Christ’s love and of the salvation that we have in his name.

P R E P A R A T I O N   F O R   W O R S H I P

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.

OPENING HYMN                                              CW 225, “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made”

† S E R V I C E   O F   W O R D   &   S A C R A M E N T

Please stand.

M:           The grace of our Lord † Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C:            And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS                                                                                                    

We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his

law, and we plead for his mercy.

M:           God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.            

C:            Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M:           God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C:            Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

Kyrie

M:           For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.

M:           For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ.

M:           For the well-being of your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord.

M:           Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in your tender care:

M:           The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise.

O LORD, OUR LORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M:           Let us pray.

O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world from the depair of death. By his resurrection to life, grant your faithful people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings

T H E   W O R D

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

FIRST LESSON                                                                            Acts 4:8-12 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: The message we proclaim: Salvation is found only in Jesus

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

PSALM  118                                                                             

* Sing refrain, read verses in unison.

The LORD is my strength and my song;*

he has become my salvation.

The LORD’S right hand is lifted high;*

the LORD’S right hand has done mighty things!

I will not die but live,*

and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

Refrain

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;*

you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;*

the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;*

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON                                                                                                        1 John 1:1-2:2

Summary: We proclaim the Word of Life

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make ourjoy complete.

 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

VERSE OF THE DAY                                                                                                              Luke 24:32

M:           Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Our hearts were burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us. Alleluia.

Please stand

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                                            Luke 24:36-49   

Summary: The risen Lord commissions his followers to proclaim repentance and forgiveness

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Please be seated.

HYMN OF THE DAY                                                         CWS 719, “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

SERMON                                                                                                                              Acts 4:8-12

“There’s No Other Way”

  1. Jesus lived
  2. Jesus died
  3. Jesus rose again

Please stand.

NICENE CREED             

All:         We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Please be seated.

O F F E R I N G S   O F   G I F T S   &   P R A Y E R S

THE OFFERING

Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord.  Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained.  Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. The plate is located in the church entryway.

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Easter Season Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcement details of today’s Intercessory Prayers.

Please stand.

LORD’S PRAYER  

All:         Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.                                     

T H E   S A C R A M E N T

Our Lord Jesus has given us a holy supper in which we receive his true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. In this supper we celebrate the gift of his redemption, we bear witness to the fellowship we share as confessors of the truth, and we proclaim his death until he returns.

M:           The Lord be with you.

M:           Lift up your hearts.

M:           Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

M:       Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.

            He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms and placed all things under his feet for the benefit of the Church.

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Sanctus

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M:       Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

M:           The peace of the Lord be with you always.

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Agnus Dei

Please be seated for the distribution.

At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice close Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service.

Please stand.

THANK THE LORD

M:       Hear the prayer of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son may long for his coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

M:       Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

Please be seated.

CLOSING HYMN                                                              CW 351, “Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus”

Songs are reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-722228. Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® (NIV ®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Service of Word and Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

April 11 – April 17

Sun.8:00a.m.Emmanuel Worship  with communion
 10:00a.m.St. John’s Worship  with communion
Mon.9:00a.m.Pastors’ Conference – Princeton
 6:30p.m.Joint Choir at St. John’s
Tues.8:00a.m.School Chapel
 6:00p.m.School Board meeting at St. John’s
Wed. School Field trip to Camp Phillip
 10:00a.m.Montello Care Center Devotion with communion
 11:40a.m.Early School Release
Thurs.8:00a.m.St. John’s Teen Confirmation
 6:00p.m.Griefshare at St. John’s
 6:30p.m.Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
Fri.  
Sat.4:30p.m.St. John’s Worship
  Next week’s theme:  
April 18, 2021
The 3rd Sunday of Easter:
Believe in the Risen Lord  
8:00 a.m.   Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.St. John’s Worship
CHURCH NEWS  

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Cheri Borzick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Lisa Haag, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Eleanor Kendall, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Kathy Ninneman, Kathy North, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Lisa Haag ) – For the family of Arlene Boetcher, Chuck’s sister, called home on Thursday (4/8) – For our communicants  

EASTER FLOWERS if you purchased Easter flowers you are welcome to take them home after the church service or pick them up after another church service. The altar ladies will keep them watered. If they do not want them at all that is ok too.  

CROSSES Located in the link way of St. John’s and parish hall of Emmanuel are interactive wooden Easter crosses made by our Emmanuel member Gene Crook. Thank you, Gene! If you would like one to take home, please help yourself. A variety of church year season “scarves” and descriptive cards will be available for pickup soon. We would also like to thank LuAnn Zieman, our St. John’s member, and a few other ladies who took the time to put these crosses together.  Easter blessings!  

JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR All Emmanuel and St. John’s members are invited to join on Mondays at St. John’s at 6:30pm. We will wear masks and socially distance for the time being. All members high school and older  are invited to join as they feel comfortable.  Please contact Lynn Sellnow @ lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or phone 616-826-0816 if you have questions. It is good to praise the Lord!   

SEMINARY FOOD PANTRY –  TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! At St. John’s, monetary gifts are being collected for the Seminary Food Pantry.  Our seminarians and their families appreciate this help!  You are invited to participate in this collection, sponsored by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS)  Thank you for supporting our future pastors!!        

SCHOOL NEWS

LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION OPEN We are currently accepting registrations for St. John’s Little Lambs 2021-2022. Forms are available from the school office or from Lynn Sellnow.  

OPEN HOUSE FOR LITTLE LAMBS There will be an open house on Saturday, April 24, from 8:00 – noon by appointment only. Please contact Lynn at lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or by phone at 616-826-0816. Please share this info with anyone who might be interested in a Christian preschool. Thank you!  

ORDER YOUR ART FOR DINNER COOKBOOK NOW! If you would like to order a cookbook, please call Ciara at the office 608-297-2866. The deadline to order is April 23. The price per book is $20. Books are made by order so Megan or Ciara will contact you when they are ready for pickup (you may submit your payment then). Checks may be made out to St. John’s. Thank you for your support!  

FREE MEAL SIGNUP FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES ONLY Hello School Families! Please find the link on our school Facebook page to sign up for free meals. Breakfast and lunch included! The offer is good until May. Meals will be dropped off on Wednesdays at St. John’s.  

LITTLE LAMBS HOUSE CLEAN UP PROJECT The former “Little Lambs House” will soon be demolished. As good stewards, we would like to salvage and resell the usable items in the house. On Saturday, May 1, there is a work day scheduled to clean out the house. Many volunteers are needed. We will sort and store some items, do some deconstructing of usable items in the home , and prepare items for resale or donation. Lunch and drinks will be provided, as will cleaning supplies and health and safety supplies. We will begin our work at 9:00.  Please contact Lynn Sellnow if you can help. lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org 616-826-0816. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17  

LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to make a donation and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s Church and School that you can choose from: Church General School General House/Parking Lot Family Easter Festival Sunday School Vacation Bible School School Technology Church Video/Audio System Security System Tuition Assistance Athletic Fund Outreach Events School Server Upgrade School HVAC/Purifying System  

COVID PLAN FOR WORSHIP UPDATE

On Monday 3/8, the Joint Council met to discuss the 2/25 Joint Worship Committee’s proposals regarding the next phase of our COVID worship guidelines.  Beginning on Easter Sunday 4/4, the JC approved returning to the pre-COVID common forms of liturgy with full congregational singing, masks and social distancing for the Sunday services.  The Saturday service music, however, would continue to be led by a soloist.  The JC decided to replace the 6am Easter Sunrise Service at St. John’s to a 8am Easter Worship at St. John’s. The JC also approved the Joint Worship Committee’s proposal to resume choir practice and school singing after Easter.  Finally, the JC also approved the change in the wording of the COVID plan to encourage in-person worship. We are concerned that some are staying away from in-person worship because the policy states that if a person can watch the service online, he or she is asked to do so.  We feel it is very important for our members to get back to in-person worship when they feel comfortable to do so.  – Pastor Z

We Are His Witnesses

Third Sunday of Easter – B

God’s Word for Today

Does witnessing to your faith intimidate you? Are you afraid of how people will react? Today we will see that Jesus’ death and resurrection give the believer confidence. Our sins have been washed clean in his blood. We have forgiveness for any and all sins. Such truths give us the courage to witness boldly to others of Christ’s love and of the salvation that we have in his name.

First Lesson (Acts 4:8-12)

1.             Peter stands before the Sanhedrin, the religious court of the Jews, to defend his healing of a crippled beggar. What does it mean that the man was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ”?

2.             Peter here quotes Psalm 118:22. What does it mean that Jesus is the capstone?

Second Lesson (1 John 1:1-2:2)

3.             How could John be so sure about what Jesus did for our salvation?

4.             With what confidence do we confess our sins to God?

5.             What does the word “atonement” mean?

Gospel (Luke 24:36-49)

6.             What did the disciples think when Jesus appeared to them?

7.             In what way were the disciples witnesses? In what way are we also witnesses?

Answers: 

1.             Peter did not heal the crippled beggar. God healed him. Moreover, to heal by the name of Jesus does not mean that his name is some sort of magical incantation. It just means that Jesus was the one who healed him. Such a miracle shows God’s incredible mercy and also the authority that Peter and John had to be preaching what they were preaching.

2.             The capstone in a building was either the stone that was placed at the top of an arch or the cornerstone that guided the dimensions of the building. The capstone was the most important stone of a building. Without it, a building could not stand or even be built. Jesus, the stone rejected by the Jews, is the one stone that is necessary for our salvation. Without him there is no salvation. Without him the Church cannot stand.

3.             He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection.

4.             With the confidence that God will always forgive us because Jesus, with his sacrifice on the cross, washed away all of our sins.

5.             To atone literally means to make “at one” with someone. It has the idea of reconciliation. Our sins separate us from God, but Jesus’ sacrifice reconciles us to God and makes us “at one” with the Father.

6.             They thought he was a ghost. The disciples even after Jesus’ resurrection were weak and still didn’t quite understand what Jesus’ death and resurrection meant. It was only after receiving a special measure of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost that they truly understood and received the strength and courage to be witnesses to the Gospel.

7.             The disciples were first hand witnesses of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. They walked with him and talked with him. They were sent out to share with the world what they had seen and heard. We too are witnesses, even though we have not seen Jesus physically. We have come to know him through his Word. We now have the privilege and responsibility of sharing that precious message with others.

AttendanceEmmanuelSt. John’s
4-1 MT43 
4-2 GF 143
4-3 29
4-4 Easter5484 (8am) 87 (10am)
St. John’s Altar Committee for April 2021: Lucy Laun & Kathy North
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Welcome To Our Visitors!
Find & Like us on Facebook
Visit our website:  www.stjohnsmontello.org
Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com
Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816
K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:  616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866
Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949
Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org  
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