Bulletins – Page 21 – St. John's Evangelical

BULLETIN- Sunday November 8th, 2020

November 8, 2020November 8, 2020 lillyk24

The 2^nd Sunday of End Times

Last Judgement

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

November 7, 2020

4:30p.m. St. John’s

(Indoor)

November 8, 2020

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. 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) 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 209 Day of Wrath, Oh, Day of Mourning

*Sung by soloist.
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Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

C: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

M: Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

C: Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his holy life and innocent death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Silence for meditation and reflection.

M: Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. 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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Lord God Almighty, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may always look forward to the end of this present evil age and to the day of your righteous judgement. Keep us steadfast in true and living faith and present us at last holy and blameless before you; through your Son, Jesus Christ 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 Daniel 7:9,10

⁹“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. ¹⁰A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

PSALM OF THE DAY 90

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

In ev’ry age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place*

throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the earth and the world,*

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day

that has just gone by,*

or like a watch in the night.

Refrain

You have set our iniquities before you,*

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

You turn mortals back to dust.*

You sweep them away in the sleep of death.

The length of our days is seventy years—

or eighty, if we have the strength;*

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow.

Teach us to number our days aright,*

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Refrain

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,*

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

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 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 24:42

P: Alleluia! Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Alleluia!

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 25:31-46 (today’s sermon text)

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 731 The King Will Come at Ages’s End

*Sung by soloist.
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SERMONETTE Matthew 25:31-46

“In the End, Trust Makes the Difference”

Those who trust in Jesus ask, “Why do you praise me?”
Those who trust in themselves ask, “Why do you punish me?”

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

*Read responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

M: Eternal Lord, you speak to us in words of love and light and power. Fill us with peace today as we ponder the good news that you forgive our sins in Christ. Guide our lives today as we see clearly the path you have laid out for us. Work in us today through your Spirit that our thoughts, words, and actions glorify you and serve our neighbor.

C: Fill us with the Word we have heard today and move us to believe it and live it.

M: Provide courage and compassion to all who preach and teach your Word. Take away their fear of criticism and contention and make them bold to say what you say. Fill them with a love like yours and lead them to announce the forgiveness of sins as your free gift to us and all people.

C: Move us to love all ministers of the Word wherever they serve.

M: Forgive us for the times we hear your Word but fail to live it in our lives. Break down the apathy that lurks in us and leads us to ignore eternal realities. Convict us with your law and then fill us so full of your gospel that we overflow with zeal to do your will.

C: Give us thankful hearts to live and love with joy.

M: Guard and guide us as we live in a society that despises what you say about marriage. Lead husbands and wives to love each other with commitment, respect, and patience. Move parents to grasp the eternal value of keeping their children close to Jesus even when their children grow up.

C: Protect us from the evil that surrounds us; give us pure hearts and minds.

M: Provide your divine compass for those who govern us by making laws and setting policies. Give us respect for those who protect us from crime and aggression. Lead us to value the rights of our fellow citizens and to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

C: Bless our land with peace and prosperity so that the gospel may be proclaimed to all.

M: Give us passion to share the story of your love with our family and friends. Overcome unbelief and open the hearts of people everywhere to believe the good news that Jesus has forgiven their sins and opened the gates of heaven.

C: Fill us with joy over every sinner who repents and comes to trust in your grace.

M: Extend your healing power to those who are sick and suffering in body or mind. (Pour out your special blessing on…here name the person and the cause of the petition.) Fill eager minds with wisdom to discover new ways to treat disease and illness. Give patience and compassion to those who care for the sick and dying.

C: Lift the eyes of the dying to your love in Christ.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

M: Eternal Lord, you guide the world with your mighty power and love all people because your Son lived and died and rose again. Hear our prayers, spoken and in silence, and answer them in your wisdom and grace.

C: In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Please stand.

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.

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.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 382 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

*Sung by soloist.

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✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

November 8 – November 14

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.	9:00 a.m.	Pastors Study Club – Peace, Wautoma
	6:00 p.m.	Hands In Prayer meeting at St. John’s
	6:30 p.m.	Joint Council meeting at Emmanuel
Tues.	6:30 p.m.	Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.		Veteran’s Day
	9:00 a.m.	School Picture Day
	11:40 a.m.	St. John’s School and Little Lambs Early Release
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship (indoors)
*Next week’s theme:-* *November 15, 2020 3^rd* Sunday of End Times:**“Saints Triumphant”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship

Last Judgment

Second Sunday of End Time – A

God’s Word for Today

In the end of the world, Jesus will come back in glory to judge both the living and the dead. He warns us that no one knows the time or date of his coming. He could come at any time. So, the question is: Are you ready?

First Lesson (Daniel 7:9,10)

1. Who is the “Ancient of Days”?

2. What are the books that were opened?

Second Lesson (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

3. What does it mean that Jesus will come like a “thief in the night”?

4. How have we been made ready for his coming?

5. Verse 11 tells us to encourage one another with the message that Jesus is coming in judgment. How is that a comforting message?

Gospel (Matthew 25:31-46)

6. Who are the sheep that are on Jesus’ right and the goats that are on his left?

7. Here Jesus seems to be saying that those who are saved are those who have done good works and lived good lives. In other parts of Scripture we are told that we are saved by faith and not by good works. Explain.

Answers:

1. The “Ancient of Days” is our eternal God. He is described in these verses as the powerful and holy one who will judge the world.

2. The Bible speaks of two kinds of books being opened on the Judgment Day. The first books are those that contain everything we have ever done in our lives – the evidence for our judgment. The other is the book of life in which is written the names of all those who are saved – all who have believed in Jesus as their Savior (cf. Revelation 20:11-15).

3. Just as a thief would never come when someone is expecting him, so also the return of Jesus. Many have tried to predict the end of the world, yet Jesus will come when nobody expects him. It could be in five minutes. It could be in a thousand years. Only God knows.

4. Through faith in Jesus, we have been justified, i.e., declared innocent of all charges. By believing in Jesus, we are ready for his coming. Paul in this reading encourages us to remain alert. We do this by nourishing our faith constantly with the Word and Sacraments.

5. Though Jesus will condemn all sinners, we have the confidence that through faith in him we have been declared innocent. For us, Judgment Day will be the day of our deliverance. We will be glorified and sent off to spend an eternity of perfection with God. That is truly a comforting message.

6. The sheep are those who will be saved, i.e., all those who believed in Jesus. The goats are those who did not believe in him and are therefore condemned.

7. We are saved by God’s undeserved love, through faith in Jesus. We are not saved because of the lives we live or the works we do. That said, however, through faith in Jesus we now want to and are enabled to do works of service and love. These works are evidence of the faith in our hearts. Jesus in these verses speaks of our works of service as evidence of our saving faith.

See the source image

O God, Great and Almighty Creator,

We thank and praise You for the freedom we enjoy in our country and pray that our liberties will continue to be protected.

Thank You for America’s heroes, that have fought for our freedoms and who have faithfully served our country. We honor all of our veterans, for their sacrifices and for their courage and integrity.

As we celebrate these freedoms, we ask Your blessing on those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. Bless their families and comfort them with the thankful prayers of a grateful nation.

We thank You for our veterans, past and present. Through the efforts of these individuals, help us continue to promote justice in all nations.

Amen.
See the source image

See the source image

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!

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 See the source image

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-31 11-1	30	? 26
St. John’s Altar CommitteeNovember 2020	Jennie Utke&Susan Brown

BULLETIN- November 1st, 2020

November 1, 2020November 1, 2020 lillyk24

Here I Stand – A Reformation Celebration

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, my conscience is

captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do

otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

(Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms in response to the call of the Holy Roman Emperor to recant, take back, what he had written and was preaching from Holy Scripture.)

Welcome and Introduction to Today’s Worship

Call to Worship

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

C: (spoken) Amen

Hymn – CW 474v1 Stand up, Stand up for Jesus

*Sung by soloist.

1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross!

Lift high his royal banner; It must not suffer loss.

From vict’ry unto vict’ry His army shall he lead

Till ev’ry foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

Confession and Absolution

P: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

C: This is most certainly true.

P: But God is merciful and kind, and because of his grace he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

P: For freedom Christ has set us free.

C: This is most certainly true.

P: Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

P: God sent Jesus Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God.

C: This is most certainly true.

P: For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

P: God gave Christ to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.

C: This is most certainly true.

P: And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God.

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

P: You have been saved by God’s grace through faith. This is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God.

C: This is most certainly true.

P: This is the true grace of God; stand fast in it.

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

Hymn – CW 474v4 Stand up, Stand up for Jesus

*Sung by soloist.

4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle, The next, the victor’s song.

To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

The Prayer of the Day

P: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The First Reading … Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23

Daniel stands up for Jesus and worships and prays to the Lord despite the consequences.

¹⁰Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ¹¹Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. ¹²So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

¹⁶So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

¹⁷A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

¹⁹At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

²¹Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²²My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Hymn of the Day – CW 200v1 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

*Sung by soloist.

1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;

He helps us free from ev’ry need That has us now o’ertaken.

The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;

Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain.

The Psalm of the Day … Psalm 46 … The Luther psalm – the psalm of the Reformation

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is our refuge and strength,*

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way*

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam*

and the mountains quake with their surging.

Refrain

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,*

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;*

God will help her at break of day.

“Be still, and know that I am God;*

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

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

Hymn of the Day – CW 200v2 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

*Sung by soloist.

2 With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.

But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.

You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is,

The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God;

He holds the field forever.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain.

The Reformation Day Gospel … Matthew 10:16-23

The story of faithfulness to the Word often is a story of some form of persecution. In the face of that we can stand up with Luther and confess: “Here is stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

¹⁶“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your

Father speaking through you.

²¹“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²²You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Hymn – CW 200v3 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

*Sung by soloist.

3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,

We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us.

This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,

He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done!

One little word can fell him.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain.

The Sermon … Galatians 5:1-6 You’re Free. Be Free.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

²Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Hymn of the Day – CW 200v4 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

*Sung by soloist.

4 The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thanks have for it;

He’s by our side upon the plain With his good gifts and Spirit.

And do what they will—Hate, steal, hurt, or kill—

Though all may be gone, Our victory is won;

The kingdom’s ours forever!

Words: public domain. Music: public domain.

A Reformation Litany Based on Five Solas

Sola Scriptura : Scripture alone

P: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C: I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

(Psalm 138:2)

Solus Christus: Christ alone

P: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

(Colossians 1:13-18)

C: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.

(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Sola Gratia: Grace alone

P: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8)

C: But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man,

Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (Romans 5:15)

P: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sola Fide: Faith alone

P: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

C: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God alone

P: So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

C: To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

P: For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Prayers and Intercessions

A Benediction (spoken responsively)

P: St. Paul writes: “The Lord stood by me, and gave me strength, so that the message might be fully proclaimed, and all might hear it.”

C: This is most certainly true.

P: “So, live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.”

C: Here we stand; God help us! Amen.

A Creedal Hymn … (Sung to the tune of CW #203)

When time began, God took a stand

With mighty voice that spoke command:

“Let there be light!” The darkness heard

And bowed to God’s creating Word.

When time was full, that Word made flesh

Came to redeem the world afresh.

Forever lives the Crucified,

Who took his stand here at our side!

The time is now! The Spirit sent,

Active in Word and sacrament,

Unites God’s saints on ev’ry hand,

That with the Lord we e’er may stand.

Portions of this service are adapted from By Arden W. Mead. Art by Sally Beck. © 2010 by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 1-800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

The Reformation Litany taken from https://sjbrown58. wordpress.com. A Liturgy Based on Five Solas Worship Ideas You Can Use by Steve Brown, October 23, 2009.

✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

November 1 – November 7

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.		Election Day
	6:30 p.m.	Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	St. John’s School and Little Lambs Early Release
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship (indoors)
*Next week’s theme:November 8, 2020 Second Sunday of End Times:***“Last Judgment”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

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!

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.

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.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-24 10-25	30	18 36
St. John’s Altar CommitteeNovember 2020	Jennie Utke&Susan Brown

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

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

See the source image

BULLETIN October 25, 2020

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020 lillyk24

The 21^st Sunday after Pentecost

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

$C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\Bulletin Cover Pic.jpg$

October 24, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s

(Indoor)

October 25, 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.

Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

P: O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit,
A humble and contrite heart, O Lord, you will not despise.
Fill us with joy and gladness, let us give thanks all our days.
O Lord, open wide our lips, and our mouths will declare your praise.

OPENING HYMN 250 From All that Dwell below the Skies

*Sung by soloist.

1 From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator’s praise arise.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let the Redeemer’s name be sung Through ev’ry land, by ev’ry tongue.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 Eternal are your mercies, Lord; Eternal is your glorious Word.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Your praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Words: public domain. Music: public domain.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION

P: Lord God, you are holy and mighty. Your ways are higher than my ways;

your thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

C: Look on me in mercy, O Lord.

P: I have failed to follow your way, and often haven’t even tried. I confess that I am like a child who chooses not to do what is expected.

C: Spare me and do not turn your back on me, O Lord.

P: For having other gods before you, for indifference to your might and power, for thinking that security lies in me rather than in you:

C: Let me remember and turn, and live with trust in you, O God of might.

P: For using your name without respect, for cursing and swearing without thinking, for the pitiful lack of prayer and praise in my life:

C: Do not let me ever forget that your name is holy, Lord.

P: For ignoring the meaning of the Sabbath, for honoring with you my lips and not with my life:

C: Forgive me for saying one thing and doing another, Lord.

P: For thinking I can fool you with a half-life of discipleship, for pretending you are my God when I really don’t care, for living as a hypocrite:

C: Have mercy on me, O Lord, and teach me to love you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind, and to love my neighbor as myself.

Silent reflection

P: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.

The blood of Jesus Christ, his son, purifies us from every sin. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the world.

Be seated.

✠ T H E W O R D ✠

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

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9

Summary: The Prophet Isaiah places the picture of a festive banquet before our eyes to depict the joyous blessings of salvation which the Lord has prepared for all people. A jubilant song of praise follows the good news that our Lord “will swallow up death forever.”

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 23

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd,*

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;*

he leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;*

he guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,*

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Refrain

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.*

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,*

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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 4:4-13 (sermon text verses 11-13 underlined)

Summary: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to “rejoice in the Lord always.” He urges his Philippian brothers to put into practice all he had taught them. Finally, Paul lets them in on the “secret of being content” whatever the circumstances.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 25:9 NIV

P: Alleluia! “This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Alleluia!

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 22:1-14

Summary: On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. Those who refused to attend the king’s lavish banquet were destroyed. The king then sent out his servants to invite all to come, and in this way “the wedding hall was filled.”

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

“Then he sent some more servants and said, `Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

“But they paid no attention and went off one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

“Then he said to his servants, `The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. `Friend,’ he asked, `how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, `Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 158 I Am Content! My Jesus Lives Again

*Sung by soloist.
$Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Pew Edition\CW TIFF files\Hymns and Canticles\11. Easter\CW 158.tif$

$Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Pew Edition\CW TIFF files\Hymns and Canticles\11. Easter\CW 158.tif$

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

SERMONETTE Philippians 4:11-13

“The Secret of Being Content”

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 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

*Read by pastor. Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please be seated for the distribution.

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

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.

HYMN 333 Abide, O Dearest Jesus

*Sung by soloist.

$Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Pew Edition\CW TIFF files\Hymns and Canticles\25. Close of Service\CW 333.tif$

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

October 25 – October 31

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
		Thanksgiving Food Drive Drop Off Deadline
Mon.
Tues.	6:30 p.m.	Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	St. John’s School and Little Lambs Early Release
Thurs.		No School
Fri.		No School
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship (indoors)
*Next week’s theme:-* *November 1, 2020 First Sunday of End Times:*“Reformation”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
	Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back–Set Clocks back 1 hour Saturday 10/31 evening)

See the source image

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!

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.

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

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 See the source image

Invited to the Heavenly Wedding Banquet

Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost – A

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY

Are you worried about what the future holds? Are you sure of your heavenly inheritance? Are you dressed for reception into the heavenly wedding banquet? Thanks to Jesus and His perfect life and substitutionary death, we confidently answer all three questions in the affirmative. What a grand and glorious day it will be when we find ourselves seated at God’s heavenly banquet table!

FIRST LESSON (ISAIAH 25: 6-9)

1. What are the “shroud” and the “sheet” that will be destroyed according to verse 7? Explain.

2. According to verse 9, what will be our bold profession on the last day?

SECOND LESSON (PHILIPPIANS 4: 4-13)

3. The fundamental sentiment of a Christian’s entire life is happiness. On what is our happiness based?

4. What remedy does Paul offer for dealing with anxiety?

5. What kinds of thoughts should fill the believer’s mind?

GOSPEL (MATTHEW 22: 1-14)

6. God has invited everyone to His heavenly wedding feast, but so few attend. Why?

7. Is it possible to sneak into God’s heavenly wedding banquet without proper attire?

ANSWERS:

1. The “shroud” and the “sheet” are the veils that blinded the people from a correct understanding of their natural depravity and sinfulness and kept them from recognizing Christ as the Savior of the world. In conversion, the Holy Spirit removes the blinders and gives God’s people the spiritual vision to understand and accept Him as the promised Messiah and Savior from sin.

2. It might sound something like this: “We placed our confidence with unwavering certainty in the Lord our God, and He has not disappointed. The time for us to experience and enjoy the blessed fulfillment of God’s promises is finally here. Hallelujah!”

3. Our joy is always in the Lord and on account of the Lord. We are jubilant and exultant over the free gift of salvation attained through the atoning work of Christ. It’s especially during periods of trial and tribulation that we take time to reflect on and rejoice in the changeless love of our God.

4. Prayer. When we are consumed with worry and concerned about the future, entrust it to the Lord, leaving all matters to His fatherly direction and care. Whether it’s the most monumental problem or the most insignificant detail, bring it to the attention of your merciful God, Who has demonstrated time and time again that He is deeply concerned about the welfare of His beloved children.

5. To paraphrase verse 8, the believer’s mind is flowing with thoughts that are truthful and sincere, open and honest, just and right, chaste and clean, wholesome and pleasant, excellent and laudable. In short, in all our thoughts, the sanctification of the Christian should be evident.

6. Many people simply are indifferent and apathetic to God’s urgent call. Others are distracted by their own private, earthly affairs. As in the parable, some even go to the extent of being hostile toward the messengers of God’s invitation.

7. Impossible. God has provided a wedding garment of spotless righteousness and purity for every sinner that He has invited to the feast, courtesy of His Son, Jesus Christ. The garment is required to cover the filth and nakedness of their sin. All intruding wannabe’s will be detected, sentenced, and thrust into the outer darkness of hell.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-17 10-18	?	63 26
St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020	Elaine Kelm

BULLETIN- 10/18/2020

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 lillyk24

The 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

October 17, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor

(weather permitting)

October 18, 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.

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 469 Take My Life and Let It Be

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

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: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ 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 Isaiah 5:1-7 NIV

Summary: A song about God’s vineyard (unfruitfulness leads to destruction)

“Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

“Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”

The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

PSALM OF THE DAY 118

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

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

SECOND LESSON Philippians 3:12-21 NIV

Summary: Press on because your citizenship is in heaven (enemies of the cross are heading for destruction)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their

shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

VERSE OF THE DAY John 8:31,32 NIV

M: Alleluia. If you continue in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 21:33-43 NIV

Summary: Tenants in God’s vineyard (unfaithfulness leads to destruction)

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. `They will respect my son,’ he said.

“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, `This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “`The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ {Psalm 118:22,23}?

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Please be seated.

HYMN 203 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

SERMONETTE Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

“How Will You Die?”

Following your ways?

Following God’s way?

The word of the Lord came to me: ²“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

³“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ⁴For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? ²⁶If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. ²⁷But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. ²⁸Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. ²⁹Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

³⁰“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³²For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. 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 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

*Read by vicar. Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

CLOSING PRAYER

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.

HYMN 304 v. 1, 6, 7 Jesus Sinners Does Receive

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.

ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL & LITTLE LAMBS SING OUTSIDE Jesus Strong and Kind

*Please join us outside for our closing song at St. John’s Saturday service only.

✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

October 18 – October 24

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.	6:30 p.m.	NO Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.
Thurs.	6:30 p.m.	Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s gym
Fri.
Sat.	4:00 p.m.	Wesley Schable baptism at St. John’s
	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Outdoor Worship with communion(last outdoor for the season)
*Next week’s theme:-* *October 25, 2020 21^stSunday after Pentecost* “Rejoice at the Lord’s Feast”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

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 24^th

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.

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

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

Tending God’s Vineyard, the Church

Twentieth Sunday of Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

Whose responsibility is it to care for the Lord’s vineyard, the Church? Rightly answered, it’s all of us who love the Lord and produce abundant fruits of faith in His service. Conversely, there are those who reject their Savior and live for self. In the case of such individuals, invariably the judgment of God is not far behind.

First Lesson (Isaiah 5: 1-7)

1. In this song from Isaiah, what do the vineyard, vines, and grapes represent?

2. As the annals of history record, what resulted because the Lord’s chosen nation bitterly disappointed Him?

Second Lesson (Philippians 3: 12-21)

3. Explain verse 3’s comparison of the Christian life to that of a runner in a race?

4. What are the distinguishing characteristics of those who live as “enemies of the cross?”

5. Upon Christ’s return, what will our bodies be like in heaven someday?

Gospel (Matthew 21: 33-43)

6. What was the tenants’ ultimate display of wickedness? Of which important event in history does this remind you?

7. Verse 41 indicates that the vineyard was rented to “other tenants.” Who were they?

Answers:

1. The vineyard, represents God’s chosen people, the house of Israel – His Church. The vines are the men and women of Judah, dearly loved by God. The grapes are the fruits of faith, in this case, however, the rotten fruit of injustice and unrighteousness.

2. God sent His punishment in full measure upon His chosen people, not only through the Babylonian captivity, but also in the ultimate overthrow of the Jewish nation in the year 70 A.D. Let us take heed, for the Lord likewise searches the hearts of His people today for fruits of righteousness.

3. Near the end of a race a runner forgets what is behind him, leans forward toward the finish line, exerting himself to the utmost, straining every fiber in his body to win the prize. Just so, the Christian forgets all the disappointments and bad experiences of the past and instead valiantly strives on, with eyes fixed firmly on the finish line, the victory circle, the consummation of all his hopes and dreams, the heavenly prize, which goes beyond all human understanding.

4. They deny the power and efficacy of the cross. They live to gratify their human appetites and desires. The things they glory in and are proud of are in reality carnal and shameful. For such people, any show of sanctity is really nothing but hypocrisy.

5. Our lowly, frail, vile physical earthly bodies will be transformed into the likeness of Christ’s glorious body – holy, perfect, and beautiful in every way. Our new bodies will forever be incapable of experiencing any more sin, sorrow, stress, or sickness.

6. Not only did the tenants fail to respect the landlord’s son. In their devilish hatred, they killed him. This, of course, played itself out on Good Friday when the chief priests and elders, scribes and Pharisees, hardened their hearts against Jesus, put Him to death, and brought damnation down upon their own heads.

7. The vineyard with its fruit, that is, the Kingdom of God with all its riches of mercy and love, was taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles, who have since enjoyed its blessings and produced abundant fruit.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-10 10-11	35	31 39
St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020	Elaine Kelm

BULLETIN- October 4, 2020

October 4, 2020October 4, 2020 lillyk24

The 18^th Sunday after Pentecost

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Mecan & Montello, WI

October 3, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor

October 4, 2020

8:00am Emmanuel

10:00am 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 page 13) 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

OPENING HYMN 420 God Moves in a Mysterious Way

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Lord God, you call us to work in your kingdom and leave no one standing idle. Help us to order our lives by your wisdom and to serve you in willing obedience; 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 Isaiah 55:6-9 NIV

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

PSALM OF THE DAY 27

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

The Lord is my light and my salvation—of whom shall I be afraid, of whom shall I be afraid?

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;*

be merciful to me and answer me.

Do not hide your face from me,*

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,*

O God my Savior.

Refrain

Though my father and mother forsake me,*

the LORD will receive me.

I am still confident of this:*

I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;*

be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

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 1:18b-27 NIV (today’s sermon text)

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.

VERSE OF THE DAY 2 Corinthians 12:9a NIV

M: Alleluia. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Alleluia.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 20:1-16 NIV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 756 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation. $Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Supplement Electronic Pew Edition CD ROM\TIFF files\Hymns\CWS 756.tif$

Words: Henry Alford, © 1810-1871, alt. Music: SHANTI (86.86)Marty Haugen, b.1950@1984, 2006 GIA Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722228. All rights reserved.

SERMONETTE Philippians 1: 18b-27 NIV

“Is God Fair?”

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 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

*Read by pastor. Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

CLOSING PRAYER

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 390:1, 5, 6 Salvation unto Us Has Come

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

October 4 – October 10

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.	9:00 a.m.	Elders meeting in St. John’s gym
	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 11, 2020 19^thSunday after Pentecost* “Repent and Turn from Evil Ways”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

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 24^th

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.

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

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 See the source image

Making the Most of Our Time of Grace

The Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost

God’s Word for Today

The lyrics to a popular Christian song exclaim, “Everything I need, I already have!” Through faith in Christ Jesus, we know that we are members of His saved family and that heaven is ours. But not everyone in our insecure world today enjoys that confidence and conviction. May we use our time of grace here on earth wisely by exposing others to the love of Jesus, too.

First Lesson (Isaiah 55: 6-9)

1. What urgency do you sense in the words “while He may be found” and “while He is near”?

2. How are God’s thoughts and ways higher than man’s?

Second Lesson (Philippians 1: 18b-27)

3. Whom did Paul credit for sustaining him during his time of imprisonment?

4. How are the words “to live is Christ and to die is gain” a win-win situation in Paul’s mind?

5. What is Paul’s warning to the Philippians in verse 27?

Gospel (Matthew 20: 1-16)

6. How is the world’s system of justice different from God’s?

7. Explain the seeming contradiction that “the last will be first and the first last”?

Answers:

1. This was their time of grace. Salvation was close at hand in the Word that was being preached to them. The opportunity for repentance was still being held out to them. Indeed, for God’s chosen people, there was no time like the present.

2. Man’s thoughts and ways are inherently evil and lead to eternal destruction; the Lord’s are good, righteous, and holy and lead to everlasting life. Whereas the weight of man’s sins seems unpardonable, yet God in His mercy forgives them all.

3. Paul, first of all, was leaning heavily on the powerful, persistent prayers of the Philippians, whose petitions were serving to further advance the Gospel in his absence. Secondly, the ministration of the Holy Spirit in his heart gave him the strength and willingness both to endure the present tribulation and to rejoice in the knowledge that he could do all things through Christ, who gave him the strength.

4. Through Paul’s work, which entailed a good deal of hard, physical labor, as well as by the near-death experiences he encountered, Christ was highly exalted. It made no difference to Paul if this happened by his life or by his eventual death. If he lived, he would have the opportunity to grow more in the knowledge and likeness of Christ day by day. If he died, through Christ all his hopes and expectations would be fulfilled.

5. Paul’s hope was that the Philippians would lead lives that would in no way bring shame or disgrace on the message of the Gospel. This called for standing together firmly in one spirit. It called for solidarity and unity of faith in the face of attack. It called for firmness and constancy in the midst of temptation.

6. In temporal, worldly affairs, whatever a person accomplishes and merits will be credited to him as a matter of just reward. But in the kingdom of God, all are justified solely by the grace of God. Whether we labor diligently in God’s vineyard all our lives or heed God’s call in the eleventh hour of life, the resulting salvation in the same.

7. Unfortunately, there are those who are full of vain self-conceit who believe themselves to be the first before God, and for that very reason, in their woefully inadequate state, are the last. Conversely, those who are subservient and sincerely humble, assuming a meek attitude of heart, will be first where it counts – in the eyes of God.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
9-26 9-27	30	18 38
St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020	Elaine Kelm

BULLETIN- September 27, 2020

September 27, 2020September 27, 2020 lillyk24

The 17^th Sunday after Pentecost

September 26, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor

September 27, 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 Service Restart Plans (Bulletin pages 14,15) 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

OPENING HYMN 399 To God Be the Glory

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; through your Son, Jesus Christ 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 Genesis 50:15-21 NIV (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Joseph assured his brothers of forgiveness

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: `This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

PSALM OF THE DAY 103

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

I will hear what the Lord proclaims: peace to his people.

Praise the LORD, O my soul;*

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

He forgives all your sins*

and heals all your diseases;

he redeems your life from the grave*

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Refrain

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,*

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He does not treat us as our sins deserve*

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,*

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,*

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Refrain

As a father has compassion on his children,*

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,*

he remembers that we are dust.

Our days are like grass, like a flower of the field;*

the wind blows over it and it is gone.

But the LORD’S love is with those who fear him*

from everlasting to everlasting.

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 14:5-9 NIV

Summary: We who are forgiven honor God not ourselves

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

VERSE OF THE DAY Romans 15: 4 NIV

M: Alleluia. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

Summary: Forgive from the heart

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him. `Be patient with me,’ he begged, `and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. `Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, `Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. `You wicked servant,’ he said, `I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 493 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

SERMONETTE Genesis 50:15-21 NIV

“Forgiveness Is Our Way Of Life”

It reflects God’s love to us
It results in God’s blessings for us

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 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.

BEFRIEND A MISSION PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please be seated for the distribution.

Be seated.

CLOSING PRAYER

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 326 May the Grace of Christ Our Savior

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Announcements

September 27 – October 3

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 4, 2020 18^thSunday after Pentecost*“God Acts in His Own Way, According to His Nature (Not Ours) By Grace” (Note: Pastor Dolan will lead services.)
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship

$C:\Users\lwachholz.STJOHN\Desktop\67631007_386404928736963_6949620095563857920_n.png$

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

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
See the source image

Christians – Models of Forgiveness

Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

One timeless truth that we review Sunday after Sunday is this: God, in his boundless grace and mercy, has forgiven me, a poor, miserable sinner. One of the special blessings of having Christian friends is that they, too, forgive. Today, in His Word God speaks to us about the correlation between being forgiven and being forgiving.

First Lesson (Genesis 50: 15-21)

1. Joseph wept as his brothers spoke to him. Were these tears of sorrow or tears of joy?

2. What comfort does the Christian find in verse 20?

Second Lesson (Romans 14: 5-9)

3. What advice does Paul give for the maintenance of Christian harmony and charity in the church?

4. “Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (v. 8b). Apply these words to your life.

Gospel (Matthew 18: 21-35)

5. Put into practical terms the meaning of Jesus’ command to forgive “not seven times, but seventy- seven times.”

6. What makes the first servant’s lack of mercy so revolting?

7. Paraphrase the parable’s application as found in verse 35.

Answers:

1. Likely, both. There were tears of sorrow as it grieved Joseph to think that his brothers believed him capable of such retaliation. Also, his eyes welled with tears of joy over the evidence of his brothers’ complete repentance.

2. God, in His love and providence, frustrates the evil intent of those who oppose us and turns the intended evil to work good in our lives, in this case, for the salvation of many.

3. Let him that eats not despise him that doesn’t eat, thus looking down with contempt on the weaker brother and his scruples with regard to food. On the other hand, the one that refuses to partake of meat should not condemn him that eats, as though he were less spiritual. Thus, the warning against judging is substantiated in this, that God has accepted him. Do not pass judgment on a brother who is Christ’s own.

4. The mind of the Christian, whether he partakes of certain foods or not, whether he observes certain days or not, is always directed to the Lord, because the whole life of the Christian, as well as his death, is devoted and consecrated to the Lord. Since his soul and body, thoughts and acts, are dedicated to the Lord, the believer will naturally think of His honor first in all things.

5. Christ’s answer is staggering! Jesus did not begin with an insignificant number, nor would he be tied down to any definite sum. No number can begin to show the greatness of forgiving love that is found in the hearts of Christians. There is no set number of times that we should forgive an erring brother and reinstate him in our good graces. Love and forgiveness go beyond petty calculations.

6. Moments after receiving an immeasurable present of mercy from the king, the servant hunted down, seized by the throat, and choked a fellow-servant who owed him an insignificant sum, then wreaked his vengeance upon him by casting him into prison.

7. Ignorance and forgetfulness of our own guilt leave us harsh and unforgiving toward others. But remember, God will be merciless to the merciless. Without exception, He wants us to be ready at all times to forgive from the heart, just as He in mercy has forgiven our enormous debt.

See the source image

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
9-19 9-20	26	34 37
St. John’s Altar CommitteeSeptember 2020	Diane Eisermann& Delores Cotte

September 13, 2020 Announcement

September 13, 2020September 13, 2020 lillyk24

Announcements

Next week’s theme:-

September 20, 2020 16^thSunday after Pentecost

“Day of Trumpets” (special service)

Learn About St. John’s Befriended Missionary Paul Nitz

Hello St. John’s Members:

During September, we’d like to introduce you to the 4 WELS missionaries our church supports through the Befriend A Mission program. Everyone wants friends. Everyone can be a friend. Jesus is our ultimate Friend, “who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24b), and we Christians, no matter our age or circumstance, should take our cues for interacting with others from Him.

A friend shows interest in us & prays for us: We hope you will read about Missionary Paul Nitz and his family. The Nitz Family recently returned to the United States after 27 years in Malawi. Pastor Nitz has accepted a new call stateside to serve as a world mission counselor. An article that appears in the September issue of Forward in Christ is attached. Here’s a prayer to use:

God and Father of All Nations:

Lord, you have called Missionary Paul and Susan Nitz and Family back to service in the United States. After 27 years serving in Malawi, Africa, it makes their homeland almost a foreign country to them. Aid their re-assimilation into the life and culture here in our country. Make Pastor Nitz a blessing as he serves and supports WELS world missions worldwide in his new call as a missionary counselor. Shower the Nitz family with grace in their own lives and the continued privilege and opportunity of seeing how powerful and effective God’s Word is in the lives of people around the world. In Jesus’ name, we ask. Amen.

A friend encourages us: We hope you will take a few minutes this week to write a note, send a card or email, draw a picture (Children can befriend also!) and send it as an encouragement to the Nitz Family: Address:

Paul & Susan Nitz & Family

c/o Ann Tolly

546 N. Tolly Court

Midland, MI 48636

E–mail: pnitz@seelsorger.org

Please sign in this way:

Your Name(s)

St. John’s-Montello, WI

Beaver Dam Circuit

A friend shares with us: Presently a fall mission offering is being collected at St. John’s by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) to support our WELS home and world missions. Everyone with a heart for missions is invited to share a special gift! A collection container is located in the entrance of church where you pick up your bulletin or contact Linda Wachholz, LWMS Reporter, 608-369-2635.

For St. John’s LWMS,

Reporter Linda Wachholz

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

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

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
See the source image

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
9-5 9-6	32	28 44
St. John’s Altar CommitteeSeptember 2020	Diane Eisermann&Delores Cotte

BULLETIN- September 6, 2020

September 6, 2020September 6, 2020 lillyk24

The 14^th Sunday after Pentecost

September 5 & 6, 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 bulletin pages 12 & 13. St. John’s Lutheran Church–Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church–Mecan Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19 – July 30, 2020 Briefly, all indoor worshipers are required to hand sanitize, maintain social distancing and wear masks. Also, at all indoor services, a soloist will sing hymns and the congregation will be asked to refrain from singing. At our outdoor worship services on Saturday (weather-permitting), worshipers are asked to maintain social distancing, are not required to wear masks, and are invited to sing hymns. Thank you for your consideration. May God bless and keep us all safe.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN 239 Glory Be to God the Father

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; 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 Exodus 6:2-8

Summary: The Lord’s reputation: He keeps His promises to save His people.

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as aliens. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.'”

PSALM OF THE DAY 34

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;*

blessed are they who take refuge in him.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous*

and his ears are attentive to their cry.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,*

and he delivers them.

Refrain

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;*

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted*

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The LORD redeems his servants;*

no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

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 11:33-36

Summary: A hymn of praise to our wonderful God

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY 1 Timothy 1: 10b

M: Alleluia. Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:13-20 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Jesus’ reputation is the Rock of His Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Please be seated.

HYMN 536 Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s Head

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

SERMONETTE Matthew 16: 13-20

“Who Do You Say Jesus Is?”

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 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.

BEFRIEND A MISSION PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 10.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

CLOSING PRAYER

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 323 Almighty Father, Bless the Word

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Announcements

Next week’s theme:-

September 13, 2020 15^thSunday after Pentecost

“True Discipleship (Following Jesus) Means Giving Up Our Way for His Way”

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

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

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
See the source image

Christ Builds and Sustains His Church

On Those Who Confess His Name

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

“The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord.” The Holy Christian Church is not a building made by human hands, but it is a spiritual house made of living stones, people who have confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, their Savior. Built on Christ, the sure foundation, this Church will endure throughout time and into eternity, though the attacks against it will be severe. Praise God that he has made known to us the truth, that we might confess with Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!

First Lesson (Exodus 6:2-8)

Four times in this passage God says, “I am the LORD.” What does he mean by this?
What comfort can Christ’s Church today find in words like these spoken through Moses?
How does God’s picture of freeing Israel from Egypt’s oppression typify our condition?

Second Lesson (Romans 11:33-36)

How is this praise hymn a fitting conclusion to our past weeks’ readings, where Paul spoke of mankind’s disobedience being an opportunity for God to show his mercy?

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

Why must Peter’s confession be ours? How will this occur?
What are the keys of heaven?Answers:

When it is written in capital letters, it means “the Savior-God,” Jehovah. This was the same gracious God who had promised salvation to those heroes of faith who had come before Moses, and he would extend his salvation also to the people of Moses’ time.

The same Savior-God is speaking to us today and offers the same salvation and deliverance from bondage that he offered in the past.

The Israelites were to be delivered from slavery, and in its place be given their own land, their freedom, and the joy of serving God. In the same way we are delivered from our bondage to Satan and brought into the loving family of God where we enjoy freedom in Christ and the opportunity to serve him out of gratitude.

Truly, who can understand the mind and judgments of the Lord? Instead of treating us as our disobedient rebellion deserves, he uses it as a platform to extend his mercy and grace. All glory belongs to God alone!

It is through Christ alone that we can enter the kingdom of God. This confession can come to us only as it is revealed to us by God, for our sinful natures could never come to this knowledge on our own. It will be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace, and once made, it can withstand even the fullest onslaught of the weapons of Satan.

How amazing that Christ should give us the keys to his kingdom! Those keys are the authority that Christ gives us to lock and unlock the doors of heaven. To those who are repentant, we may offer forgiveness through the Gospel and throw the doors of heaven wide open! But to those who do not repent, we must use the Law to lock the doors of heaven, lovingly praying that they will through this action confess their sins and receive life.

The immediate reward is the healing of her daughter; the ultimate reward is Jesus’ statement regarding her great faith and her life in him.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
8-29 8-30	cancelled	cancelled
St. John’s Altar CommitteeSeptember 2020	Diane Eisermann&Delores Cotte

BULLETIN- August 22 & 23, 2020

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020 lillyk24

The 12^th Sunday after Pentecost

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August 22 & 23, 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.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN 379 Amazing Grace — How Sweet the Sound

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
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Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of your Son, Jesus Christ 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 19:9-18

Summary: The Lord reassured Elijah

There he went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel– all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 73

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Surely, it is God who saves me;

I will trust in him and not be afraid.

For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,

and he will be my Savior.

I am always with you, O LORD;*

you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,*

and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?*

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,*

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

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 9:1-5 Summary: Paul’s sorrow for the unbelieving Jews

I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit–I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY Hebrews 11: 1

M: Alleluia. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 14:22-33

Summary: Jesus teaches us not to doubt his Word

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the

water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 405 Oh, for a Faith that Will Not Shrink

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
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SERMONETTE Luke 17:5

“Increase Our Faith!”

1. Listen like Elijah $C:\Users\secretary\Downloads\Sermon (1).jpg$

2. Look like Peter

3. Love like Paul

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 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 A STRONGER FAITH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 10.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

RITE OF TEACHER INSTALLATION Ms. Katlynn Tindall

*Spoken by pastor. Saturday service only.

SOLO Before You I Kneel (A Worker’s Prayer) by Keith Getty

*Sung by Lucas Stelter.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor. Please see page 10 for communion schedule.

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. See page 17 for communion schedule and distribution information.

Please stand.

CLOSING PRAYER

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 439 Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me

*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.

Words: Lutheran Book of Worship, © 1978 Augsburg Fortress.; Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-700000. All rights reserved.
$Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Pew Edition\CW TIFF files\Hymns and Canticles\31. Trust\CW 439.tif$

Announcements

Next week’s theme:

August 30, 2020 13^thSunday after Pentecost

“God’s Mercy Is for All”

◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ Teacher Installation Saturday ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦

August, 22, 2020

Ms. Katlynn Tindall

We want to wish a big welcome our 3^rd – 5^th grade teacher!

Please shower our new teacher with thoughts, love and blessings as she begins her new journey with us. Located on our outdoor table/in the link way at St. John’s is a

“Welcome Card Shower” station.

If you wish to send a card, please mail to 313 E Montello St., Montello, WI 53949.

◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦◌ ◦ ◌ ◦ ◌ ◦

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

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

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
See the source image

God’s Promises Create

And Strengthen Faith

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is a spiritual quality and accepts the gracious gift of eternal life from our Savior. But faith is not something we can achieve on our own. It is completely the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. With such a value attached to this gift, God provides means to strengthen that faith so that it will remain strong until the day of Christ Jesus. Lord, give us such a faith as this!

First Lesson (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Why was Elijah at Mount Horeb?
What did God mean to teach Elijah by appearing in a whisper instead of the other more astounding methods?
What reassurance does God provide Elijah in his loneliness?

Second Lesson (Romans 9:1-5)

Why is Paul grieving the state of his people?
Comment on Paul’s love for his people.
Was it too late for Israel to be saved?

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

What enabled Peter to walk on water?
What caused Peter to begin sinking?

Answers:

Elijah was fleeing wicked Queen Jezebel who had vowed to execute him.

The whisper represented God’s patience with his people, as opposed to the violent destruction that the other responses indicated. It also reminded Elijah of the power of the simple word of God, living and active, that called all the worlds into being.

Elijah was not alone as he supposed; there were still seven thousand Israelites who remained faithful to the Lord and his promises.

As a nation, Paul’s people—the Jews—had rejected Christ and therefore were destined to face God’s wrath eternally.

Paul’s love was of the most selfless variety, a sacrificial love. Note that in verse three, Paul states that, if it were possible, he would rather face eternal judgment himself than to see his people perish. What a powerful model of selfless love this is!

Not as long as they were still alive on earth. Their teachers still held the books of Moses and the prophets, containing the promises of salvation. They were still living in a time of grace. (Note that their nationality and lineage would not be sufficient to deliver them from judgment.)

Peter’s Spirit-wrought faith trusting the invitation from Jesus to walk to him.

When Peter took his focus off Christ, the solid rock, he began to place his trust in earthly things. But Jesus lovingly forgives Peter’s weakness as he does so often with ours.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
8-15 8-16	28	43 42
St. John’s Altar CommitteeAugust 2020	Susan Brown&Jennie Utke

BULLETIN- August 16, 2020 The 11th Sunday after Pentecost

August 16, 2020August 16, 2020 lillyk24

The 11^th Sunday after Pentecost

August 15 & 16, 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 12, 13) 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

OPENING HYMN 339 Today Your Mercy Calls Us

*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

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: O God, you reveal your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and kindness. Grant us the full measure of your grace that we may obtain your promises and become partakers of your heavenly glory; 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 Isaiah 55:1-5

Summary: God satisfies our spiritual needs

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 42-43

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Blessed are they who hope, who hope in the Lord.

As the deer pants for streams of water,*

so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.*

Where can I go and meet with God?

Why are you downcast, O my soul?*

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,*

for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Refrain

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;*

let them bring me to the place where you dwell.

Then will I go to the altar of God, my joy and my delight.*

I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

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 8:35-39

Summary: God satisfies our eternal needs

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VERSE OF THE DAY John 14: 23

M: Alleluia. Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 14:13-21

Summary: God satisfies our physical needs

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Please be seated.

HYMN 728 Jerusalem the Golden

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

“Find Courage in the Facts”

Fact #1 Jesus’ Resurrection

Fact #2 Jesus’ Return

Fact #3 Our Forever

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

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 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 GROWTH IN FAITH & CHRISTIAN LIVING & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

CLOSING PRAYER

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 332 Go, My Children, with My Blessing

*Sung by soloist.

$Z:\CHURCH STUFF\CW Pew Edition\CW TIFF files\Hymns and Canticles\25. Close of Service\CW 332.tif$

Announcements

Next week’s theme:

August 23, 2020 11^thSunday after Pentecost

“God Overcomes our Doubts and Fears”

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

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

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
See the source image

Our Savior Provides Food

For Both the Body and the Soul

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

Our Savior is a God of mercy and kindness. Our very existence is testimony to that fact. Daily he provides us with all that we need to keep our body and life. He also grants protection from all earthly dangers. In addition, our Savior provides us with spiritual blessings—food for the soul. In his Word we receive the good news of sins forgiven and free salvation.

First Lesson (Isaiah 55:1-5)

What satisfying sustenance does God promise to his people?
What is the imitation bread in which some invest?
To whom do verses 4-5 point?

Second Lesson (Romans 8:35-39)

Suffering might cause us to question God’s love. But in the end, what capability does any suffering have?
What makes us more than conquerors?
Name anything that isn’t covered in Paul’s list of agents that “cannot separate us from the love of God…”

Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)

How does Jesus show his nature as provider of all things physical?
Which attributes of Jesus shine through clearly in this miracle?

Answers:

In his Word, Jesus promises to give us food and drink that is truly satisfying, for it will quench the hunger and thirst we feel because of our sin. This spiritual food and drink offer us forgiveness of sins and eternal life, a truly satisfying fare!

The imitation bread might look appealing on the outside, but it offers no relief from hunger. Consider the many religious practices performed to make oneself right with God. But we can never know with certainty if we’ve offered enough; therefore, we are never truly satisfied—a most unsatisfactory fare!

The Holy One of Israel must be pointing to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

While Paul indicates that suffering has been around for ages and is generally something we can’t escape, he also states boldly that none of it is capable of separating us from God’s love for us in Christ.

Christ’s victory on the cross makes us conquerors as well.

Paul’s list of agents ends with “nor anything else in all creation.” The only being uncreated is God himself, and it is he who worked and won our salvation. It is therefore reaffirmed that absolutely nothing can come between us and God’s love for us!

Jesus provides for this crowd of more than 10,000 people by miraculously stretching the bread and fish to fill all their stomachs. Compare Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 23:1.

Obviously, as in all of his other miracles, Jesus shows his omnipotence, or almighty power. But note also that Jesus shows his compassion for the people (v14).

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
8-9 8-12	33	43 discontinued
St. John’s Altar CommitteeAugust 2020	Susan Brown&Jennie Utke