The 19th Sunday after Pentecost
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
October 10, 2020
4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor
October 11, 2020
8am Emmanuel
10am St. John’s
✠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 Update Plans (Updated Sept. 2020. bulletin pages 14, 15) 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
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 283 Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: @ 1993 Elfred Bloedel. Used by permission.
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: Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for without your help we are unable to please you; 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 Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 NIV (today’s sermon text)
Summary: Repent, turn away from evil, and do what is just and right
The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “`The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son– both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
“Yet you say, `The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, `The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
PSALM OF THE DAY 25
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; in you I trust, my God.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;*
in you I trust, O my God.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,*
for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;*
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
Refrain
Turn to me and be gracious to me,*
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Look upon my affliction and my distress*
and take away all my sins.
Guard my life and rescue me,*
for I take refuge 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.
Refrain
SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
Summary: Repentance leads to a change in our attitude
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
VERSE OF THE DAY Philippians 2: 10, 11 NIV
M: Alleluia. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 21:28-32 NIV
Summary: Repent, and do the Father’s will
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“`I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.
He answered, `I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Please be seated.
HYMN 749 The Love of Christ, Who Died for Me
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
Words: © 1991, Hope Publishing Music: Company Timothy Dudley-Smith, b. 1926 @ 1991 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.. Setting: 2002 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
SERMONETTE Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 NIV
What Does God Want from Me – Repent and Live
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 OF THE CHURCH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.
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 13 for communion schedule and distribution information.
Be seated.
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.
Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 408 Christians ,While On Earth Abiding
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠
October 11 – October 17
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship with communion |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion | |
| Mon. | ||
| Tues. | 6:30 p.m. | Bible Study at Emmanuel |
| Wed. | ||
| Thurs. | ||
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Outdoor Worship |
Next week’s theme:- October 18, 2020 20th Sunday after Pentecost “Produce Fruit in God’s Vineyard” | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship | |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship |
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello
&
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan
Worship Updates – September 2020
WORSHIP SERVICES
- Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend our outdoor service!
- Last outdoor service – October 24th
- Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
- Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s sanctuary (St. John’s members 55 and older)
- Online worship services continue found at www.stjohnsmontello.org
Groups should be 50 or less indoors. 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.
Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Christ’s love also compels us to consider the needs of others before our own. In humility we want to protect the health and safety of our bodies and of others. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued:
- Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
- Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
- Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
- Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service.
- Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
- The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
- Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. 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
Approaching God with Humble Hearts
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost – A
God’s Word for Today
On page 156 in the front part of Christian Worship we are given a helpful meditation on how to personally prepare our hearts for the reception of the Lord’s Supper. A similar type of examination is found in today’s Scripture readings. May we take to heart God’s urgent invitation to confess our sins and receive His pardon and forgiveness.
First Lesson (Ezekiel 18: 1-4, 25-32)
1. Explain the statement, “No one will be condemned for another person’s disobedience.”
2. Finally, whose fault is it when a man refuses to repent and turn from his sinful ways?
Second Lesson (Philippians 2: 1-11)
3. Mention some ways that Christian humility displays itself in a congregational setting.
4. How did Jesus’ death go far beyond a typical human death experience?
Gospel (Matthew 21: 28-32)
5. Which son in the parable most closely resembled the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, the one giving the polite, eager, pious “Yes” or the one responding with a rude, disobedient, unmannerly “No”?
6. The parable illustrates that true faith is a matter of the heart more so than the head or the mouth. Explain.
Answers:
1. For a sinner to put the blame on his parents or others for his troubles is both foolish and unjust. Each of us will stand before the Lord individually, responsible solely for our own sinful acts and the consequences that follow. May the nature of our true contrition be such that we disregard the transgressions of others and see nothing but our own sin and guilt.
2. Eternal death and damnation will always be the end result for the man who deliberately chooses to reject God’s urgent invitation for free, full, and final forgiveness. Simply put, he will have no one to blame but himself.
3. What a blessing to be part of a congregation whose brothers and sisters display love and compassion, show sympathetic interest in the welfare of others, zealously seek to serve God and others rather than be served, work together in harmonious unity, mutually regard others as superior, and defer to the judgment of others in order to advance the Kingdom and glorify God!
4. Jesus didn’t die in his sleep. He didn’t die like a typical Roman citizen. No, His death was cruel, cursed, degrading, for it took place on a cross like that of a base criminal. What a remarkable example of humility by no less than the Son of God Himself, Who of His own free will gave the ultimate sacrifice for undeserving sinners like you and me!
5. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of Israel, talked like the seemingly obedient son in the parable, but they later rejected John the Baptist and the message of righteousness he preached and, in essence, pronounced their own judgment upon themselves.
6. Having the knowledge of the Law in one’s head and talking about it with the mouth is worthless if one’s heart is far from real obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father. When that Word has truly touched the heart, it will display itself in sincere repentance and obedience.
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 10-3 10-4 | 37 | 5 34 |
| St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020 | Elaine Kelm |