Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:3,4
She drums her fingers nervously on the arm of the couch. Seated around the room are other young women, looking just as nervous as she feels. The sparsely furnished room looks like the dozens of others where she has waited and wondered. “Will they call my name?” is the question on every face in the room. This is not her first acting audition…but it might be her last. She cannot make ends meet for much longer. If her name is not called, she will have to head back to her hometown with her dreams of stardom left behind on the West Coast. “PLEASE,” she thinks, “Choose me!”
We have all been there. Perhaps not auditioning for an acting job, but we have all been in situations where we want to be chosen. It is thrilling when we are and devastating when we are not.
Every Christian can be certain that he or she has been chosen—not for a job, team, or promotion—but to be a child in God’s family. Unlike people being chosen for jobs, teams, or promotions, Christians were not chosen by God because they were better than others or more deserving than others. Quite the opposite. The Bible says that God chose us IN SPITE OF how undeserving we were. He chose us to show just how merciful and forgiving he is. Knowing that God has chosen to forgive us for Jesus’ sake, knowing that he has adopted us into his family, we can only marvel at how great God is.
Although it is exciting to be chosen for a team, job, or the lead role in a movie, nothing can compare to being chosen as God’s child. It means we have the almighty God on our side. Nothing can separate us from him. When we leave this world, our Father will welcome us into his eternal home.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for choosing me to be your child. I know that I do not deserve to be a member of your family. But knowing this only makes me more thankful. Help me this day to live as your child and bring honor to your name. Amen.
But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
People who want to be fit and strong will often include the lifting of weights in their exercise routine. Serious weightlifters follow proper lifting techniques, including having spotters nearby just in case the lifter can’t lift the bar up again. Nobody would be content to rely on a spotter to lift the bar up each time. That would be foolish! The spotter would get a better workout than the lifter.
The apostle Paul gives us a different picture in our Bible reading for today. He tells us that his strength and power did not come from his muscles, but from God’s power: [The Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We have a tendency to rely upon ourselves to make it through the difficulties of life. We might view dependency on someone else as a sign of weakness. But dependence on God for his help is not weakness but strength. The almighty God is capable of handling all of our problems and providing for all of our needs. By ourselves, we are weak. God is the strong one. Trusting his power and love, we are strong.
Prayer:
Lord God, humble me and make me strong in you and your love. For when I remember your strength and love for me, that’s when I know my true strength. You are my strength. Thanks be to you, God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
The Bible is an unusual book in how it shows the weaknesses and failures of so many of its important people. It tells us about the adultery and murder committed by Israel’s greatest king. It tells us about Jesus’ disciples who were just too sleepy to stay awake with their teacher. It tells us about the greatest missionary of all time who spent the earlier part of his life putting Christians to death.
This isn’t an accident. God included these stories in the Bible to teach us that his grace is enough for us.
God doesn’t need the help of the powerful or the strong or the smart. He isn’t choosing a team based on who is the best because he doesn’t need the best. God doesn’t need our help or assistance, nor do we need to meet God halfway. His grace supplies more than anything we could ever contribute.
Instead of trying to hide our weaknesses, God invites us to boast about our weaknesses. Rather than our weaknesses being something that holds us back, our frailty and feebleness give God’s power a chance to shine through in powerful and amazing ways. Rather than being ashamed of our inabilities, God allows us to put them on full display so that his grace can better supply what we are lacking.
What is your story? It is probably a story with plenty of weaknesses and failures. It is also a story of God’s power being made perfect in those weaknesses and failures. Despite your inability to contribute, God has forgiven your sins. He is directing all things in this world for your benefit. He has given you an inheritance in heaven.
Boast in your weakness. God’s power is shown perfectly in it.
Prayer:
God of all power and might, by my own will and abilities I can do nothing. May I always find all of my worth, hope, and joy in your grace. Amen.
Few had accomplished more for God than the apostle Paul. His passion and drive to do the work of God were without parallel. He spent most of his life traveling from town to town, sharing the message of God. His impact on growing the church had no equal. He started churches all across the Mediterranean, and countless people came to faith because of Paul’s efforts.
Few had received more blessings from God than the apostle Paul. God had given him signs and miracles to accompany his message. Paul had heard with his own ears the voice of the risen Jesus. Paul had even been so blessed that one time he was caught up to heaven and experienced “inexpressible” things.
There was one blessing Paul was given that he asked God to take back: a thorn in his flesh. We don’t know exactly what this thorn was. It may have been an illness of some type. Maybe a limitation or persecution that he had to experience. Regardless of what it might have been, its purpose was clear. Paul said it had been given to him “…in order to keep me from becoming conceited.”
Paul had accomplished so much that it would have been easy for someone of his caliber to become conceited. Therefore, God, in his perfect wisdom and love, granted one more blessing, a reminder to rely on God alone.
We can look at the challenges in our lives the same way. We can see them as blessings from God. After all, he has promised to use everything in our lives for our ultimate good. It is not always easy to believe, but this is his promise. When the doctor brings a bad report, God is blessing you. When money is scarce, God is still blessing you. When people hurt, God is still blessing you. Regardless of your situation, God promises to bless you.
May we always see God’s hand of blessing in our lives.
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, when difficulties enter my life keep me close to you. Remind me that in all circumstances you promise to bless me. Amen.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:2,3
The ancient city of Petra in the country of Jordan has been popular with archeologists and tourists for centuries. It was thought that all the ancient buildings there had been uncovered until just a few years ago when a woman from Alabama discovered one of the largest ancient buildings at the site. Using a camera on a drone, she noticed that hiding in plain sight was a very large, partially buried building that people had just been walking over without giving any notice for hundreds of years. The building was always there, but no one had noticed what was right under their own feet.
Those who lived and grew up with Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth didn’t realize what was hiding in plain sight. They knew Jesus as a carpenter. He was the son of Mary and Joseph, it seemed. He had brothers and sisters. They saw him in the streets and talked with him as they would talk with anyone else. When he started doing miracles and teaching the people as the Son of God, the people had questions and were offended. Could the Messiah that God promised be hiding in plain sight?
People are still offended by Jesus for the same reason today. They think he was nothing more than a moral man who had some helpful things to teach us.
But Jesus wasn’t just a moral man. Jesus was sent by God his Father. In plain sight, before all the world, he taught like no one else and did miracles like no one else to show that he was like no one else. While he grew up before the world with a mother and brother and sisters, he is God from all eternity come to do what no one else could do—save the world from its sin and reunite us to our heavenly Father. He is Jesus, the Son of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. Help me to always see him as your Son and my Savior. Amen.
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! We extend a warm welcome to everyone worshiping with us today! We ask God that he fill our hearts with peace, joy and understanding as we praise Him together during this Easter season.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES † Sunday: 8:00a.m. at Emmanuel 10:00a.m. at St. John’s † Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s
Each worship service is posted to our website. If you don’t have internet access or are unable to attend today’s service, DVDs, sermons and the bulletin are available for your use at home. You may pick them up in the office or request them to be mailed. Please contact our secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or Pastor Zietlow. HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays before those Sundays. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or a church Elder at your home. Please call Pastor or the church office to schedule private communion.
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAYToday’s theme: 8th Sunday after Pentecost – Jesus Gives the Bread of Life Through Faithful Public Preachers – It’s not easy giving a faithful proclamation of God’s Word. Public ministers serve as God’s representative to a sinful world, and the world is often not willing to accept God’s message of truth. The Old Testament prophet Amos found that out; St. Paul found that out; Jesus’ newly-called apostles would find that out. Yet faithful public preachers are a most necessary and divinely-instituted way in which the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed to all nations. Thank God for faithful public preachers and teachers of the gospel! By them Jesus gives us the Bread of Life.
†P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
WELS CONNECTION
*Sunday only.
† G A T H E R I N G R I T E O N T H E W O R D O F G O D†
God’s people long ago gather together for strength from God and for mutual encouragement. This alternate beginning for worship may be used on any occasion to remind God’s people of the blessings of his Word.
Please stand.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
HYMN 221: 1 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
1 Blessed Jesus, at your Word We are gathered all to hear you.
Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear you,
By your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love you solely.
M: Oh, how I love your law!
C: I meditate on it all day long.
M: Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
C: for they are ever with me.
M: I have more insight than all my teachers,
C: for I meditate on your statutes.
M: How sweet are your words to my taste,
C: sweeter than honey to my mouth!
HYMN 221: 2 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight Lie in deepest darkness shrouded
Till your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God can win us; You must work all good within us.
M: All scripture is God- breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
C: so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16,17
M: Yet so often we have despised God’s Word and failed to gladly hear and learn it. For this and all our sins, we bow before God and humbly ask his forgiveness.
C:Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
HYMN 221: 3 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
3 Gracious Savior, good and kind, Light from Light, from God proceeding,
Open now our heart and mind; Help us by your Spirit’s pleading.
Hear the cry your people raises; Hear and bless our prayers and praises.
M: God gave his Word so ”that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). The Scriptures testify about Jesus, who lived a perfect life for you, died on the cross to pay for all your sins, and rose again to assure you of your salvation. 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: (spoken) Amen.
HYMN 221: 4 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
4 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Praise to you and adoration!
Grant that we your Word may trust, Confident of our salvation,
While we here below must wander, Till we sing your praises yonder.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your Word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy and to bring forth fruits in faith and hope and love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Be seated.
†T H E W O R D †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
FIRST LESSON Amos 7:10-15
Summary: The Lord called Amos to proclaim his message even though some would not listen
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. 11 For this is what Amos is saying:
“‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’”
Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
“By Faith” is a beautiful confessional hymn written by modern-day hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. This hymn, along with several other new hymns by these composers, will be included in our new hymnal coming out soon.
SCHOOL CHILDREN SING By Faith
*At Sunday, St. John’s: In place of Psalm. The congregation may join in singing verse 5.
PSALM 78
*At Saturday, St John’s: All sing in unison.
*At Emmanuel: Sing refrain in unison, lectern side sings 1st line, pulpit side sings 2nd line.
O my people, hear my teaching;*
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will utter things from of old,*
what we have heard and what our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from our children;*
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD.
Refrain
The LORD decreed statutes for Jacob*
and established the law in Israel,
so the next generation would know them,*
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God*
and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
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
EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 1:3-14
Summary: God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love hepredestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 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, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen,having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
VERSE OF THE DAY Deuteronomy 30:14
M: Alleluia. The Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Alleluia.
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 6:7-13 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: Jesus sends out the twelve
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Please be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CW 770, Oh Christ, Who Called the Twelve
SERMONMark 6: 7-13
“Jesus Reaches People Through His Messengers”
Sent with his power (v.7)
Sent under his protection (v.8-11)
Sent for his purposes (v.12-13)
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated.
†O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S †
THE OFFERING
Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. The plate is located in the church entryway.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Prayer for Called Workers and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcement details of today’s Intercessory Prayers.
Please stand.
LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN CW 778:1-3, How Shall They Hear, Who Have Not Heard
M:O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
M: 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.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN CW 778:4-5, How Shall They Hear, Who Have Not Heard
Next week’s theme: July 25, 2021 he 9thSunday after Pentecost: The Savior Is Our Compassionate Shepherd
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship with communion
† C H U R C H N E W S †
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor)
– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Cheri Borzick, Mike Brown, Ed Buchholz, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Sharon Crook, Jan Dahlke, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken & Sally Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Roger Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Thomas Marcelain (Dawn’s son), Neil Miller, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer & son Tim, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Tom Stempniak (Carol’s husband), Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Linda Lou Wacholtz, Kathy Weinfurter (Ken Pabelick’s mother-in-law), John Wildt – (added this week: Roger Hillmer)
– For worker training
CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS (from a member) “Most church members are kind, polite, and thoughtful…until you try to sit in their pews.”
ST. JOHN’S VOTERS’ MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Membership Changes: Adult Confirmation BIC: Amanda Finger Teen Confirmation: Alyssa, Emma, & Katie Mann and Olivia Zuehls Profession of Faith: Cheryl Smith Transfer in: David & Kristi Schrimpf & Son Logan from St. John’s, Baraboo, WI. Releases: Irene Palmer to Catholic; Jacob Polk to ELCA; Kenon & Mary Smith to LCMS. Transfer Out: Phyllis Farrell to Grace, Dalton. School Merger – Report update in bulletin; likely no action until 2022-2023 school year. St. John’s enrollment projected up by 10-15 students for 2021-2022 school year. New Hymnal to be presented in December. Karl Whitrock Memorial $181,000 to be invested with Thrivent. Budget Approved with a deficit of $108,000 due to following needs: 1) second pastor $70,000 2) New boiler & A/C for parsonage $20,000 3) new garage roofs & doors $10,000 4) school curriculum $8,000 5) school aides $20,000.
CROSSES The Time of the Church is the longest season of the church year. Green represents growth-growing the Church through witnessing and missions-becoming “fishers of men.”
This season appears 1st and 2nd Sunday of Epiphany and ends Transfiguration Sunday just before Lent. It reappears the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and ends on Reformation Sunday.
Please pick up your ribbon today! If you are in need of a cross or would like to gift to someone, please help yourself. They are available and both Emmanuel and St. John’s. Thank you again to Gene Crook (Emmanuel) and LuAnn Zieman (St. John’s) for creating and coordinating!
CHURCH NEWSLETTER The St. John’s church newsletter will be sent out via email to the congregations. Need to sign up on our mailing list? Please call the office. If you wish to receive a hard copy, we offer a yearly subscription for $10.00.
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s church and school that you can choose from:
Church General, School General, House/Parking Lot, Family Easter Festival, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, School Technology, Church Video/Audio System, Security System, Tuition Assistance, Athletic Fund, Outreach Events, School Server Upgrade, School HVAC/Purifying System
† S C H O O L N E W S †
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s church and school that you can choose from:
Church General, School General, House/Parking Lot, Family Easter Festival, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, School Technology, Church Video/Audio System, Security System, Tuition Assistance, Athletic Fund, Outreach Events, School Server Upgrade, School HVAC/Purifying System
Jesus Gives the Bread of Life
Through Faithful Public Preachers
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – B
God’s Word for Today
It’s not easy giving a faithful proclamation of God’s Word. Public ministers serve as God’s representative to a sinful world, and the world is often not willing to accept God’s message of truth. The Old Testament prophet Amos found that out; St. Paul found that out; Jesus’ newly-called apostles would find that out. Yet faithful public preachers are a most necessary and divinely-instituted way in which the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed to all nations. Thank God for faithful public preachers and teachers of the gospel! By them Jesus gives us the Bread of Life.
First Lesson (Amos 7:10-15)
Was Amos proclaiming a popular message in Israel?
What did the king’s representative tell Amos to do, and how did Amos respond to the king’s command?
Second Lesson (Ephesians 1:3-14)
What comforting teaching of Scripture does Paul address in these verses?
What is the “mystery of [God’s] will” (verse 9)?
Gospel (Mark 6:7-13)
What is an apostle? What were the Twelve called to do?
What instructions did Jesus give them and why?
Answers:
As is the case with the Lord’s faithful public preachers, Amos did not have a “politically correct” message for the people of Israel, announcing that the popular king would die by the sword and that Israel would go into exile. Most interestingly, Amos proclaimed this message during the height of the Northern Kingdom’s greatest prosperity (2 Kgs 14:25).
Amaziah told Amos to go back to Judah, his homeland, and to stop prophesying in the land of Israel. Amos responded that he was not a prophet of his own choosing; instead he had been commanded by the Lord to say these things.
Paul tells the Ephesians and us that our salvation was planned by God before the creation of the world. God chose us in Christ to be his children. Sadly, some have undermined this comforting doctrine of eternal election with their speculations about God’s hidden will and have frightened the consciences of Christians. Paul wants us to be comforted by his words, not frightened! God loved you and chose you in Christ from all eternity! Believe it; it’s true!
The mystery (something that is hidden for a time) of God’s will to which Paul refers in this letter is that God’s salvation is for all people, not just for the descendants of his Old Testament people. The “you” of verse 13 is the Gentile Christians in Ephesus. (cf. also Eph 3:4-6).
An apostle is “one who is sent.” The apostles were called to proclaim the good news about Jesus.
The Twelve were instructed not to take anything with them except a staff. If any place did not except their testimony, they were to move on to other places.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
7-10
7-11
St. John’s Altar Committee for July 2021:Lucy Laun&Kathy North
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm
●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website:www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830, E-mail:zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.orgChurch & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail:scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●
He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.” Ezekiel 2:3,4
It is perhaps the greatest miracle in the entire Bible. Sure, the Bible tells us about people walking across seas, the blind receiving their sight, and empires brought to their knees. But the greatest miracle in the entire Bible might be that God loves the rebels and transgressors and the obstinate and stubborn.
Many years ago, God sent a man by the name of Ezekiel to speak to his people. These weren’t “good guys.” They had rebelled against God’s commands. They had transgressed his commands. When they were told to turn from their sin, they stubbornly refused to listen. Despite this, God still sent Ezekiel to the people of Israel to share his message that the people needed to turn from their sins that God might forgive their ways.
There are many days when we cannot describe ourselves as “good guys.” We have moments when we are selfish and uncaring. There are times when we are stubborn and disobedient to God. We have all rebelled against God and not obeyed what he commands. Yet God still calls us back through his servants. He sends pastors and teachers to instruct us in the Word. He uses the biblical encouragement of friends and family to call us to repentance.
God even sent his own Son, Jesus, to live and die for rebellious and stubborn people. He sent his Son to have us turn from our sins, to speak words of love and forgiveness, and to make us his people for all eternity. God didn’t send Jesus just for the “good guys,” but for you and me.
Prayer:
Dear Father, I thank you for sending Jesus for people like me. May I always hear your voice through those you have sent. Amen.
It is frustrating when you are speaking, but no one is listening. My grade school teacher used to do something when the class was not listening. With two dozen kids making a lot of noise, she would stop talking. She would stand in front of the classroom and not say anything at all until, one by one, we all realized we weren’t listening, and we quieted down and gave her our attention once more.
What does God do when we are not listening? He speaks anyway.
Many people don’t want to listen to God. They don’t want to hear either his commands or his promises. They are more comfortable listening to themselves than their Creator. However, even though many people don’t want to listen to God, he speaks anyway.
Even our own hearts often don’t want to listen to God. We would rather find things to do other than hear God’s Word. We would set aside his commands in order to do what we think is best. We would rather find our own way forward than hear how God would have us live for him. Even though we don’t always want to listen, God speaks to us anyway.
Why? Because he loves us, and he knows how desperately we need to hear what he has to say. We need to hear about this love for us—especially the love that caused him to send Jesus to earn the forgiveness of our sins. We need to hear about his commands—the way he wants us to live our lives because he knows his way is always best for us.
What a wonder that God would continue to speak to us. May we always be eager to listen!
Prayer:
I thank and praise you, God, for continually speaking to me through your Word. Give me ears to hear your message, eyes to see your constant love for me, and a heart to believe what you have to say. Amen.
The apostle Paul had a serious problem. There was something wrong in his body, and he suffered because of it. We have no idea what this physical problem was. Maybe he had to grapple with crippling pain, bad eyesight, severe arthritis, terrible digestive trouble, seizures, or heart disease. Maybe what vexed him was something completely different. All we know is that this physical problem was serious and the burden on him was profound. Paul simply described it as “a thorn in my flesh.”
It should come as no surprise that Paul prayed about this physical problem. Paul asked the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh. And, in love, the Lord answered Paul’s prayer.
His answer was “No.”
In his perfect wisdom, the Lord knew that this debilitating physical problem was necessary for Paul and his ministry. It gave Paul perspective. It reminded Paul that, on his own, he was frail and weak. As a result, he never forgot that his real strength was in the Lord and in his gospel. With that thought in mind, Paul later concluded, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
What is the thorn in your life? Perhaps it is chronic illness, chronic pain, a lifelong struggle with depression, or a deep emotional scar from an old wound. Perhaps it is a thorn only you and your Lord understand.
For the time being, if the Lord has chosen to leave that thorn in you, just remember—he does this in love. It may be to give you perspective or to nurture your compassion for others. It may be to keep your eyes fixed on the One who has washed your sins away at the cross, and who lives to fulfill his every promise to you. Whatever the reason, never forget that there is love in that thorn—God’s love for you in Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Lord, when you choose to let a painful thorn remain, remind me that even that thorn overflows with your love. Amen.
Last summer, my brother put on a fireworks display for our family. He hardly lit more than a sparkler when his five-year-old daughter said to the rest of the family, “My daddy is amazing.”
There are few things more powerful than a child’s hope in a grown-up’s ability to do amazing things. Isn’t this the same attitude you want to have toward your heavenly Father? He has put on a display of his love when he put Jesus on the cross to die in your place. And he displayed his love again when he raised Jesus from the dead so that you too can live a new life. Isn’t our heavenly Father amazing!
As soon as my niece told the family that her daddy was amazing, she immediately turned to daddy and said, “Do it again!”
God has done the amazing for you through Jesus. Seek him and his goodness again and again. He promises that you will not be disappointed. May you be filled with his amazing love for you!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your amazing love for me. Help me to help others see it too. Amen.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
