The 10th Sunday after Pentecost
A Miraculous Meal Points to Fellowship With God
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
July 31, 2021
4:30p.m. St. John’s
August 1, 2021
8:00a.m. Emmanuel
10:00a.m. St. John’s
Pastor Pete Zietlow
| WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH 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 Pentecost season. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES † Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s † Sunday: 8:00a.m. at Emmanuel 10:00a.m. at St. John’s Each worship service is posted to our website. If you don’t have internet access or are unable to attend today’s service, DVDs, sermons and the bulletin are available for your use at home. You may pick them up in the office or request them to be mailed. Please contact our secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or Pastor Zietlow. HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays before those Sundays. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or a church Elder at your home. Please call Pastor or the church office to schedule private communion. GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The 10th Sunday after Pentecost – Jesus Gives the Bread of Life To Unify Us in Faith, Love and Purpose – It’s easy to become distracted as a member of a Christian congregation. Sometimes false teaching and opinions destroy a congregation’s unity. Sometimes it’s just plain hard to get along with your fellow Christians, and often long-standing resentment follows. Sometimes congregations get caught up in too many “projects” and “programs” that take them off their divine purpose. Only Jesus can overcome such distractions. He gives us his Word, the Bread of Life, to unify us in faith, love and purpose. |
†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 CWS 232, “Lord of My Life, Whose Tender Care”
† S E R V I C E O F THE W O R D †
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: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
OH, TASTE AND SEE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray.
O Lord, your ears are always open to the prayers of your humble servants, who come to you in Jesus’ name. Teach us always to ask according to your will that we may never fail to obtain the blessings you have promised; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, 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 Exodus 24:3-11 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: A marvelous fellowship meal at Mt. Sinai pictures the fellowship we have with God in Christ
When Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the LORD has said we will do.” Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said.
He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”
Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
PSALM 84
*Saturday: Sing in unison.
* Sunday: Cantor sings 1st line, congregation sings 2nd line, all sing refrains and Gloria.
How lovely is your dwelling place,*
O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,*
for the courts of the LORD.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;*
they are ever praising you.
Refrain
Better is one day in your courts*
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God*
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
O LORD Almighty,*
blessed are they who trust in you.
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.
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16
Summary: Fellowship with God means unity with fellow Christians
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
VERSE OF THE DAY John 6:68
M: Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSON John 6:1-15
Summary: A miraculous meal demonstrates the power of the true Prophet who came to give us fellowship with God
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages (Greek-two hundred Denarii)would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Please be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CW 538, “The Church’s One Foundation”
SERMON Exodus 24: 3-11
“HERE’S HOW WE GET IN GOOD WITH GOD”
Our relationship with God is…
- Purchased with a hero’s blood (v. 4b-6, 8)
- Personalized through the holy Word (v. 3-4a, 7, 12)
- Pictured by a heavenly meal (9-11)
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated.
†O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S †
THE OFFERING
Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. The plate is located in the church entryway.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Prayer for God’s Children to Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness 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.
HYMN CW 494, “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
M: As you go from here, remember this:
God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting,
from generation to generation.
Just as a father has compassion on his children
so God has compassion on those who fear him,
who listen to his voice,
and who do his will.
Go out in the knowledge that the everlasting love of God goes with you.
Amen.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN CW 616, “Feed Your Children, God Most Holy”
| 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 †
August 1 – August 7
| Sun. | 8:00a.m. | Emmanuel Worship | |
| 9:00a.m. | Emmanuel Council meeting | ||
| 10:00a.m. | St. John’s Worship | ||
| 11:00a.m. | School & Little Lambs Registration in St. John’s gym | ||
| Mon. | 6:00p.m. | Principals’ Conference – Redeemer, FDL | |
| Tues. | 9:00a.m. | Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s | |
| Wed. | |||
| Thurs. | 12:00p.m. | Ladies Aid lunch and meeting at St. John’s | |
| Fri. | |||
| Sat. | 4:30p.m. | St. John’s Worship | |
| 5:30p.m. | Evangelism meeting at St. John’s | ||
| Next week’s theme: August 8, 2021 The 11thSunday after Pentecost: To Attain Spiritual Food: Human Efforts Fail; God’s Gift Prevails | |||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship | ||
| 9:00a.m. | Emmanuel Congregational meeting | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | ||
† C H U R C H N E W S †
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor)
– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Cheri Borzick, Mike Brown, Ed Buchholz, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Sharon Crook, Jan Dahlke, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken & Sally Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Roger Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Thomas Marcelain (Dawn’s son), Neil Miller, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer & son Tim, Don & Doris Smith, Tom Stempniak (Carol’s husband), Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Kathy Weinfurter (Ken Pabelick’s mother-in-law), (added this week: )
-For Salem Adonis Michael Bignell, the son of our St. John’s member Michael Bignell and Destiny Thome, born on 7/12.
-For the family of Kenny Hillmer, our St. John’s member called to his heavenly home on 7/25.
– For marriage
– For missions
NEW CHRISTIAN WORSHIP HYMNAL PRE ORDER Be sure to check out our new CW hymnal display in Emmanuel parish hall and St. John’s link way. Here, you can also find a pre order sign up. The cost per hymnal is $24 each. You can submit your payment to Ciara in the office.
Starting today, St. John’s and Emmanuel also have weekly informational short videos and fliers, leading up to National Hymnal Sunday (Sept. 19), that will give you a better understanding of our new CW hymnal and what’s to come. You can find these on our Facebook page, website: www.stjohnsmontello.org, and email.
ATTENTION SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF EMMANUEL AND ST JOHN’S At 6:30pm, there is adult softball on the baseball diamond behind St. John’s. This is open to men and women who have graduated high school (recently or a long time ago!). We are not preparing for a future event, just gathering in fellowship and activity during the warmer months of the year. See you then!
CROSSES The Time of the Church is the longest season of the church year. Green represents growth-growing the Church through witnessing and missions-becoming “fishers of men.”
This season appears 1st and 2nd Sunday of Epiphany and ends Transfiguration Sunday just before Lent. It reappears the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and ends on Reformation Sunday.
Please pick up your ribbon today! If you are in need of a cross or would like to gift to someone, please help yourself. They are available and both Emmanuel and St. John’s. Thank you again to Gene Crook (Emmanuel) and LuAnn Zieman (St. John’s) for creating and coordinating!
CHURCH NEWSLETTER The St. John’s church newsletter will be sent out via email to the congregations. Need to sign up on our mailing list? Please call the office. If you wish to receive a hard copy, we offer a yearly subscription for $10.00.
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate 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
CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS (from a member) “It is easier to preach ten sermons than to live one.”
† S C H O O L N E W S †
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate 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
Jesus Gives the Bread of Life
To Unify Us in Faith, Love and Purpose
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – B
God’s Word for Today
It’s easy to become distracted as a member of a Christian congregation. Sometimes false teaching and opinions destroy a congregation’s unity. Sometimes it’s just plain hard to get along with your fellow Christians, and often long-standing resentment follows. Sometimes congregations get caught up in too many “projects” and “programs” that take them off their divine purpose. Only Jesus can overcome such distractions. He gives us his Word, the Bread of Life, to unify us in faith, love and purpose.
First Lesson (Exodus 24:3-11)
- How did the people respond to the words and laws that Moses brought them from the Lord?
- In what two ways was this covenant (agreement) with the Lord sealed?
Second Lesson (Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16)
- What concept does Paul emphasize in verses 2-7?
- What special gifts has Jesus given to his Church? What is the ultimate purpose of their work in the Church?
- How is unity attained in the Church?
Gospel (John 6:1-15)
- What concern did Jesus have for the great crowds who were following him? What was Philip’s response?
- How did Jesus show his power? How did some wrongly react to Jesus’ miracle?
Answers:
- They said with one voice that they would do everything the Lord had commanded.
- Moses sealed the covenant by sprinkling the people with the blood of the covenant. The Lord sealed the covenant by eating and drinking with the seventy elders of Israel.
- Paul emphasizes that Christians are to desire unity and “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” That means being “humble and gentle.” We need to “be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
- Jesus has given the Church public ministers of the gospel (“pastors and teachers”). The ultimate purpose of their work is that the Church might “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature.”
- Unity is reached through a faithful proclamation of the truth, the Word of God, the Bread of Life.
- Jesus wanted to give the people something to eat. Philip thought that it was the people’s responsibility to find food for themselves.
- Jesus fed the entire crowd with just two fish and five loaves of bread. Some people, seeing this miracle, wanted to make Jesus a worldly king by force. But Jesus had not come principally to give physical bread but spiritual bread, the Bread of Life.
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 7-24 | ||
| 7-25 | ||
| St. John’s Altar Committee for July 2021: Lucy Laun & Kathy North |
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm
| ●●● 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 ●●● |