The 10th Sunday after Pentecost
August 9, 2020
Emmanuel & St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Churches
Mecan & Montello, WI
✠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 thankfulness of praise.
Please note: Worship Service Restart Plans (Bulletin pages 11, 12) Worship f.) Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
M: O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 282 Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear
*Sung by soloist.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
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 OF THE DAY
M: 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. Amen.
Be seated.
✠ T H E W O R D ✠
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Kings 3:5-12 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: The Lord offered King Solomon whatever he wanted. Solomon did not ask for the earthly props in which the world places its trust. He was struck by his solemn, God-given responsibility and his own inability. Solomon first sought God’s kingdom by asking for a heart that would lead God’s people God’s way. God granted his prayer and added everything he had not asked for as well.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
“Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
PSALM OF THE DAY 119b
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;*
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law*
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,*
for there I find delight.
Refrain
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;*
preserve my life according to your Word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,*
so that you may be feared.
How I long for your precepts!*
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
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
SECOND LESSON Romans 8:28-30
Summary: This is the most comforting gospel for the trembling believer in Christ: Before he created us, God knew us and destined us to be his. In this life he called us to faith by the gospel and justified us. Even now there are no accidents in life, no blind twists of fate. God turns Satan’s evil into good for those who love him. If our gracious God has so carefully forged each link in the chain of salvation, we can be sure he will not forget the final link:” he will bring us to glory!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
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 Matthew 13:44-52
Summary: The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl show us the inestimable value of the kingdom of heaven. The trusting heart will joyfully sacrifice everything to keep from being separated from it. God’s kingdom, like a net, attracts both believers and unbelieving hangers-on. How precious our faith in Christ is as we prepare for our final destination―heaven.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Please be seated.
HYMN 421: 1-3 All Depends on Our Possessing
*Sung by soloist.
SERMONETTE 1 Kings 3: 5-12
“God, Give Me Wisdom!”
- My heart’s desire
- Your Word’s gift
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or 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.
PRAYER FOR GODLY WISDOM–TRUE SPIRITUAL WEALTH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Intercessory prayers listed on page 10.
LORD’S PRAYER
*Spoken by congregation.
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.
HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY
*Read by pastor.
Please be seated for the distribution.
At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice closed 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. See page 17 for communion schedule and distribution information.
Please stand.
CLOSING PRAYER
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. Amen.
BLESSING
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.
Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 421: 4, 5 All Depends on Our Possessing
*Sung by soloist.
Announcements
Next week’s theme:
August 16 , 2020 11th Sunday after Pentecost
“God Satisfies Our Needs”
St. John’s Lutheran Church Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mecan
Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19
July 30, 2020
When will we worship? An outdoor Saturday service is being added to help members worship in a safe environment. This service will replace the Wednesday evening service.
- Saturdays @ 4:30 pm (Any St. John’s or Emmanuel members)-Beginning Saturday, August 15
- Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel (Emmanuel members)
- Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s (St. John’s members 55 and older)
- Online worship services continue found at stjohnsmontello.org
Where will we worship? Groups should be 50 or less indoors. To provide safe worship experiences, the new Saturday worship service will be held outdoors when weather permits.
- Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
- Sunday @ 8:00 am at Emmanuel in the sanctuary
- Sunday @ 10:00 am at St. John’s in the sanctuary
How will we worship? Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued and new ones enacted immediately:
- Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
- Masks will currently be optional at all services (see below**) Masks will be available.
- Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
- Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service. Some seating and a canopy may be available.
- The congregation is asked to not sing for the time being.
- Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
- A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
- Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Saturday before the 2nd and 4th Sundays will also include communion. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
- The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
- The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
- **We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies
As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.
Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or pastor
Emmanuel Elders: Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 369-1790
St. John’s Elders: Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171, James Wachholz (608) 369-4006 – Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830
We Receive God’s Kingdom
Through His Word
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – A
God’s Word for Today
God in heaven has blessed us in untold ways. Take a moment to consider just how many blessings you have. Chances are that most of what you considered was temporal, that is, for this life only. More important that all that, certainly, is our salvation in Christ Jesus, the only blessing that offers us an assurance of life eternal. This blessing is ours through the precious Word of God alone.
First Lesson (1 Kings 3:5-12)
- What excellent role model does Solomon provide for us as we undertake tasks in life?
- Since Solomon placed godly things first, what else did God provide?
Second Lesson (Romans 8:28-30)
- How does God call us for his purpose?
4. A wonderful chain of events is described, beginning long before we came to be. If God intricately wove his plan for us through all these steps, what continuation of these steps will he most certainly bring to pass?
Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52)
5. What do both the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value represent?
6. The Parable of the Net teaches of the final judgment. How does its message also extend the thought of the first two parables?
Answers:
- Young King Solomon was poised to begin his reign as ruler of Israel, replacing his father, King David. This was certainly a daunting task. So Solomon correctly subjects all earthly things to the important spiritual things and seeks for God’s wisdom to carry out the demands of his new position in a God-pleasing way. In the words of the hymn-writer: “With the Lord begin your task, Jesus will direct it.”
- In addition to the wisdom Solomon requested, God also granted him riches, power, and fame unparalleled in any other human. Remember the words of the Savior: “Seek first the kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31)
- As in days past, God still calls us through the means of grace—his Gospel found in the Word and Sacraments.
- From eternity God foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel he called us and justified us by faith in the promises that he himself made. Since God carefully planned each of these steps, bringing us into our current relationship with him, we can with confidence expect that he will bring that plan to completion by glorifying us one day as we enter heaven itself. Note that Paul’s confidence in this is so strong that he speaks of it as if even the final step had already occurred.
- Each represents the kingdom of heaven, a prize of priceless value. Each parable indicates that nothing else should be considered so highly as to risk losing this most precious possession.
- While its main teaching is of the final judgment, this parable implies the importance of our faith in God’s promises. May that faith remain strong so that our stake in the kingdom of God is not lost!
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 8-2 8-5 | 28 | 39 |
| St. John’s Altar CommitteeAugust 2020 | Susan Brown&Jennie Utke |