St. John’s & Emmanuel
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Montello & Mecan, WI
March 10, 2019
The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 10, 2019 St. John’s & Emmanuel
St. John’s & Emmanuel
Divine Service II
Divine Service II is a version of the historic liturgy of the Christian church.
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Being “tempted” may make us think of the way creamy alfredo sauce or rich chocolate cake lead some to over-indulge. In God’s view, temptation to sin is a far bigger problem. God says the one who tempts us, by our lack of self-control, is Satan himself (1 Corinthians 7:5). Temptation happens, God also says, when by our own evil desires we are dragged away and enticed (James 1:14). So? “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” No wonder Jesus tells his disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:46).
OPENING HYMN 108 “Jesus, Refuge of the Weary”
Please stand
INVOCATION
The name of the triune God and the sign of the cross remind worshipers of their baptisms.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION
M: Friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
C: Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin.
For faithless worrying and selfish pride,
for sins of habit and sins of choice,
for the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do,
You should cast me away from Your presence forever.
O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.
ABSOLUTION
The use of the keys is that special power and right which Christ gave to His church on earth: to forgive the sins of penitent sinners. John 20:21-23
M: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In His great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the Word of Christ through His called servant:
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 Mark 10:47
Kyrie: Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian church.
M: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from You all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
M: For the spread of Your life-giving Gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in You, hear our prayer, O Christ.
C: Christ, have mercy.
M: For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await Your return, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
M: Lord of life, live in us that we may live for You.
C: Amen.
GLORY BE TO GOD Luke 2:14
(sung to the tune of Hymn 152 “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”)
Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things He has done to accomplish our rescue from sin.
“Glory to God in the Highest” Christians have been using this song of worship since the fourth century to proclaim the great things…
- All glory be to God on high! Your name, O Lord, we glorify;
We praise You for Your peace and grace, Your favor toward our fallen race.
- Our grateful thanks to You we bring, for Your great glory, heav’nly King,
For all, O Father, You have done, through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
- O Lamb of God, to You we pray. You take all human sin away.
Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; from God’s right hand, Your mercy share.
- You, Christ, are holy– Lord alone; the Father’s glory You made known.
We by Your Spirit sing again: “All glory be to God!” Amen.
THE WORD
SALUTATION
This greeting has deep roots in Christian worship and marks the beginning of the Word section of this service.
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd who laid down Your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of Your life-giving Word that we may abide in Your Father’s house forevermore; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST LESSON Deuteronomy 26:5-10
Moses reminds God’s people of God’s actions on their behalf. He especially points out their deliverance from the misery, toil, and oppression they had experienced in the land of Egypt. Thanksgiving for such blessings led them to worship the Lord and to bring him the firstfruits of their crops.
Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him.
PSALM 91 hymnal page 100
Cantor sings the first line, congregation sings the second line, all sing refrains and Gloria.
SECOND LESSON Romans 10:8-13 (today’s sermon text)
God’s Word proclaims to us the good news of salvation and works faith in our hearts through which we are saved. This faith expresses itself through an outward confession of faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
VERSE OF THE DAY
Alleluia. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Alleluia.
Please stand
GOSPEL
M: The Gospel according to Luke chapter 4 verses 1-13
C: Glory be to You, O Lord.
Jesus begins his ministry by battling with the devil. The devil confronts him with three temptations. Each time Jesus uses God’s Word to defeat Satan. Jesus’ victory over Satan started here and ended in complete and total victory on the cross and empty tomb. Thanks be to God for our Champion, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ”‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11,12)
Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.
(Please be seated)
HYMN OF THE DAY 406 “This Is the Threefold Truth”
The Hymn of the Day is assigned to this day because of its rich content and connection to the day’s Gospel.
SERMON
“The Word Is Near”(Romans 10:8-13)
For you…
- to believe and confess
- to trust and be saved
Please stand
NICENE CREED hymnal page 31
Public confession is faith’s response to God’s saving Word. Christians composed the Nicene Creed in the fourth century to defend the Bible’s teachings that both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are true God, equal to the Father in one eternal, undivided Trinity.
*The original text here reads “catholic,” a word meaning “universal.” The Church consists of all believers in heaven and on earth, of every time in history.
(Please be seated)
OFFERING
Moved by God’s love in Christ, we offer Him our first and best gifts, purely out of thanks to Him.
Please stand
PRAYER FOR LENT (read by pastor)
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Jerre Duerr, Reinold Eckelberg, Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Earl Ewert, Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), Xzander Jahr, Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Arden “Bill” Klimke, Linda Krause, Pete Laun, Lilly Mann, LuAnn Reber, Mark & Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son & daughter in-law), Al & Darlene Schmidt (Dawn Marcelain & Candace Sonnenberg’s parents), Carol Schumann, Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Amanda Stalker, Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Larry Wegner (Bob’s brother), Heidi Weishaar (Sharon Kekow’s daughter), Paul Weldon, Millie Wildt (John’s wife) – (added this week: Larry Wegner)
– For missions
– For our K3-K5 teacher Sara Borck who received the Lord’s call to teach Kindergarten next fall at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran School–Omaha, NE
– For today’s teacher call meeting at St. John’s
– For our communicants
THE LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13
(contemporary version)
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.
THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE
The words of the Preface mark the beginning of the Sacrament section of the service and lift the worshiper’s hearts in praise. The opening sentences are among the oldest in the Christian liturgy.
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is good and right so to do.
M: It is good and right that we should at all times and in all places give You thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who came as the Light of the world so that the world may have light and life through Him. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Sanctus Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9
(sung to the tune of Hymn 131 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”)
Sanctus means “Holy.” Used possibly as early as the second century, this canticle was in wide use among Christians in worship by the fourteenth century.
O holy, holy, holy; Lord God of pow’r and might,
Your glory, earth and heaven; In countless ways recite.
Hosanna! Come and save us, Lord God of hosts on high,
And in Your grace and mercy; Receive our fervent cry.
Hosanna in the highest! How truly blest is He;
Who in God’s name is coming; To set His people free!
He comes to bring salvation; and with His blood outpoured,
Deliver us from bondage-Hosanna, mighty Lord!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Jesus took bread and “gave thanks” (Matthew 26:26).
M: Blessed are You, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which He has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil’s power.
By His incarnation, He became one with us.
By His perfect life, He fulfilled Your holy will.
By His innocent death, He overcame hell.
By His rising from the grave, He opened heaven.
Invited by Your grace and instructed by Your Word, we approach Your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with Him and all His ransomed people in glory everlasting.
C: Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION Matthew 26:26-28
1 Corinthians 11:24-25
As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for the Lord’s use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s death.
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.”
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: Amen
LAMB OF GOD Agnes Dei John 1:29
Jesus is God’s Lamb (Agnus Dei),who was offered as a sacrifice for sin once for all.
Please be seated
DISTRIBUTION
At Emmanuel & St. John’s 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.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 743 “O Gracious Lord, I Firmly Am Believing” (printed on bulletin pg. 15)
389:1-2 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”
The Scriptures teach us that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper connects us intimately with Christ and with one another as Christians who are united around a common confession of faith.
Please stand
SONG OF SIMEON Nunc Dimittis Luke 2:29-32
(sung to the tune of Hymn 166 “The Day of Resurrection”)
The Nunc Dimittis (“Now Dismiss”) is also known as the Song of Simeon. Through God’s Word and Sacrament, we have seen Jesus Christ, and like Simeon we find divine peace and comfort through faith in the Savior.
O Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, assured:
For I have seen Your promised incarnate, saving Word—
A Light that will enlighten all gloom where Gentiles dwell;
The brilliant, crowning glory of those in Israel!
All glory to the Father, all glory to the Son,
All glory to the Spirit, forever three in one;
For as in the beginning, is now, shall ever be,
God’s triune name resounding through all eternity.
M: We give You thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that You have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift You have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By Your Spirit elp us to live as Your holy people until that day when You will receive us as Your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
BLESSING
The blessing of Aaron has been spoken to God’s people for over 3500 years. The Lord said, “So they will put My name on (them) and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
M: 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.
C: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN 389:3-4 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”
Announcements
| Activities for the week of March 10-March 16 | ||
| Sun. | 8:00 A.M. | Emmanuel Worship with communion |
| 8:30 A.M. | St. John’s Sunday School | |
| 9:00 A.M. | Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study | |
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Worship with communion | |
| 11:30 A.M. | Teacher Call meeting at St. John’s | |
| Mon. | 6:30 P.M. | NO Choir |
| 6:30 P.M. | Bible Information Class at St. John’s begins | |
| 7:30 P.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| Tues. | ||
| Wed. | 8:00 A.M. | St. John’s School Chapel |
| 10:00 A.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| 3:30 P.M. | Emmanuel Lenten Devotion | |
| 3:45 P.M. | Public School Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s | |
| 4:30 P.M. | Lenten Supper at St. John’s | |
| 6:30 P.M. | St. John’s Lenten Devotion | |
| Thurs. | 8:00 A.M. | St. John’s School Teen Confirmation Class |
| 10:00 A.M. | Montello Care Center Devotion | |
| 6:00 P.M. | Griefshare (6th of 13 weeks) in St. John’s lower level | |
| 6:00 P.M. | School Board meeting at St. John’s | |
| Fri. | LaCrosse Leadership Workshop | |
| 9:00 A.M. | Pastor’s Study Club at Ripon | |
| Sat. | Pardeeville School Outreach Workshop | |
| Theme for Next Sunday March 17, 2019 Lent 2: “Christ Was Rejected, Yet Resolute in his Mission” | ||
| 8:00 A.M. | Emmanuel Worship | |
| 8:30 A.M. | St. John’s Sunday School | |
| 9:00 A.M. | Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study | |
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Worship | |
WEDNESDAY LENTEN DEVOTIONS Join us as we gather for Lenten Devotions: 3:30pm at Emmanuel and 6:30pm at St. John’s under this year’s theme: “Three Words of Truth.” A soup supper will also be served from 4:30-6:15pm in the lower level of St. John’s. “Jesus, I will ponder now on your holy passion…” (Hymn 98)
LENTEN SUPPER This week, March 13, 2019, St. John’s Sunday School is hosting. Supper starts at 4:30pm in St. John’s lower level.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU? : BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, lettuce salad, cheese, pickles, potato chips, assorted desserts and beverages. A free will offering will be available and proceeds will go towards Easter for Kids.
THANK YOU Emmanuel council is seeking volunteers to assist, with Emmanuel member funeral luncheons in the Parish Hall. All men and women are welcomed to help in any manner possible with the many required activities including food procurement, food preparation, and luncheon serving. Any members who wish to assist with this important service are asked to contact Sue Stelter at 608-297-2761, or by email at shieldscreamery@gmail.com or on a sign up in the Parish Hall.
EASTER FOR KIDS DONATIONS Planning for 80 childrenfor Saturday, April 13, at St. John’s. MONETARY GIFTS are needed most and help purchase: crafts, Easter pails, candy/prizes, outdoor advertising banner, snack & lunch, basket stuffers. DONATE home-crafted items for baskets. VOLUNTEER to bake for the baskets. VOLUNTEER to work at the event. Please contact Linda Wachholz 608-369-2635.
We still collect plain print-free ice cream pails. Please do not purchase plastic eggs, grass, or baskets,but we recycle by accepting gently used items you would like to share. A donation box is located in the linkway.
EASTER FOR KIDS COORDINATOR I am looking for someone to assist with the planning this year who would be willing to take the lead in the future. If you would be interested in working with me this year, please call me 608-369-2635. Thank you! –Linda Wachholz
REGISTRATION FOR EASTER FOR KIDS Any child, age 3 through Grade 6, is welcome to attend Easter for Kids at St. John’s on Saturday, April 13. This is an outreach program–it would be great if St. John’s & Emmanuel kids who attend would invite a non-member or unchurched friend! Register online www.stjohnsmontello.org beginning Monday, March 4. Get registration forms at both churches, in Monday Magazine, on church & school Facebook. This year’s theme is “Parade & Praise for the King!” Story rhyme time, singing & movement, crafts, egg coloring, snacks, & of course, a parade will bring the true meaning of Easter to the children. Register by Friday, April 5.
SPRING MISSION OFFERINGS are being collected by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society through Sunday, March 31.Containers are located in the entrance at St. John’s and in the parish hall at Emmanuel—Please give your gift at the church where you are a member. 75% of gifts given will support Beaver Dam Circuit projects—HM/Campus Ministry New Starts & WM/Haiti. 25% of gifts given will support home & world mission projects described on the poster by the container and will be presented at the next LWMS Convention, June 27-30, in Des Moines, Iowa. Gifts welcome from all who love missions!
CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS member): “He who angers you, controls you!”
MEN’S BIBLE CLASS -A strange thing happened on the road to Damascus, and thank the Lord that it did! God reached out and saved the man we know as St. Paul. God still reaches out through him today. We are reading about it in the book of Acts. 6:30PM on Tuesdays, in the church basement.
NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASS I’d like to start a new membership class next Sunday 3/10 at 11:30am at 6pm and/or 3/24 at 6pm here at my office. We will study the basic teachings of the Bible using the 20 lesson study guide entitled: New Life In Christ. Call or text me at 608-408-7830 if you are interested. –Pastor Pete Zietlow
PLAN YOUR MISSION JOURNEY WELS Mission Journeys, the official WELS program for short-term mission trips, provides an opportunity for all WELS members to walk together in the Great Commission. Through church- or school-based volunteer trips to WELS mission fields at home and abroad, members have the opportunity to engage in Christian service. With the Lord’s blessing, these trips will inspire a lifelong journey of service and outreach for all who volunteer. Want to learn more about how you can get involved? Visit wels.net/missionjourneys.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE WELS Women’s Ministry will be holding a conference this summer, July 18–20, at Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis. The theme of the conference centers around “living stones” and how Christian women are called to be a part of something bigger. For more information on the Women’s Ministry Conference and to register, visit wels.net/wmconference.
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 3-3 3-6 Ash Wed. | 154 64 | |
| St. John’s Altar Committee: March 2019 | Diane Eisermann & Delores Cotte |
| St. John’s Greeters Schedule | |
| Mar. 10 | Don & Doris Smith |
| Mar. 17 | James & Linda Wachholz |
| Mar. 24 | Ron & Evie Blada |
| Mar. 31 | Delvin & Jean Henke |
| Usher Schedule | |
| March 10 E (with comm.) SJ | Brian Ninnemann, Jim Stuempges, Paul Dahlke Kenon Smith; Chief, Gordon Krause, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon |
| March 13 (Lent 3:30pm) E (Lent 6:30pm) SJ | Wayne Stelter, Gary Wegner, Joe Heller Cal Kapp; Chief, Karl Whitrock, Matt Borzick, Glen Bubolz, Al Rosenthal |
| March 17 E SJ | Darrell Buchholz, Noah Buchholz, Brian Ninnemann James Wachholz; Chief, Christopher Smith, Calvin Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls, Mark Emond |
| March 20 (Lent 3:30pm) E (Lent 6:30pm) SJ | Wayne Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Kevin Kaul, Scott Ritz, Ken Borzick, Ben Emond |
| March 24 E (with comm.) SJ | DuWayne Sommerfeld, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller Jack Yates; Chief, Thomas Wojtalewicz, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke |
| March 27 (Lent 3:30pm) E (Lent 6:30pm) SJ | Wayne Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller Don Smith; Chief, Lee Ollendorf, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann |
| March 31 E SJ | Wayne Stelter, Paul Wuerch, DuWayne Sommerfeld Kenon Smith; Chief, Corey Kaul, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Del Henke |