Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:45-49
One of Jesus’ first disciples was Andrew. Andrew was so excited to be following Jesus that he went and told his friend Nathaniel. But when Nathaniel heard that Jesus was from the small, no-name town of Nazareth, he sneered, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Andrew responded, “Come and see.”
When Nathaniel approached Jesus, Jesus didn’t rebuke Nathaniel for his unbelief. Jesus gently showed Nathaniel that Jesus knew all things. Nathaniel quickly changed his mind and believed that Jesus is the true Son of God.
Perhaps you are someone who doubts all of the claims about Jesus. You wonder about his being born of a virgin or healing people of their diseases. You wonder about the claim that his death paid for the sins of all people or the claim that he rose from the dead. He knows that sometimes you struggle to believe. But Jesus doesn’t reject you. He patiently calls you to the truth. He gives you clear evidence in the Bible of who he is and what he has done.
You need not live in your skepticism any longer. Hear Christ calling you through his Word. Respond to his Word with faith. And give him all the glory.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your patience with me. Lead me to believe even when I’m overwhelmed with unbelief. Amen.
I used to pride myself on being a leader. I thought I knew what direction to lead my family and my church. I had plans to take our family on a vacation to Florida. And we had plans to keep expanding our church in multiple locations. But then the 2020 pandemic hit, and all our plans stopped. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a confident leader. I didn’t know what the future would hold. And I had no idea where I was supposed to lead my family and God’s people.
Did something similar happen to you? Were you confident about where you were leading yourself and others? Did you lose your confidence when the world was turned upside down?
In our Bible reading today, Jesus is calling his first disciples. We read that he finds a man named Philip and says to him, “Follow me” (John 1:43). That’s it. Follow me. Jesus tells Philip that he doesn’t need to lead. He just needs to follow. Jesus doesn’t tell him what the future will be like. But he does tell him that he will be with him always.
Jesus is calling us with those same two words, “Follow me.” We don’t have to know what is going to happen in the near future. We can follow behind Jesus, listening to his Word, and following his teaching.
We can be even more confident than Philip to respond to Jesus’ call. Philip was called before Jesus died and rose. We are being called by the resurrected and living Savior who is sitting in the place of power at the Lord’s right hand. The future made seem uncertain, but we can continue in confidence because Jesus is our leader.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I trust in you. I will follow you wherever you lead. Amen.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
The book of Judges is one of the darkest, bloodiest books of the Bible. It is the seventh book in the Old Testament. And it tells the story of what happened to the nation of Israel after they entered the Promised Land of Canaan. From about 1400 B.C. until about 1000 B.C., the Israelites fell into perverted idolatry and senseless violence. Although this book is hard to read, it isn’t much different than the corruption that we see in our society, and especially in our own hearts.
As the time of the Judges was coming to a close, we hear a remarkable story about the calling of Samuel. Samuel was a young boy who was an apprentice for the High Priest, Eli. Even though Samuel worked at the tabernacle, the Bible says, “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7).
Yet, the Lord, in his grace, called out to the boy, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel didn’t know who was calling him. So the priest, Eli, instructed Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’” (1 Samuel 3:9). And that’s just what he did. The next time the Lord called, Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).
What can we learn about the Lord from this account?
• God is still calling his people to follow him, even in dark days.
• God calls us, even when we aren’t looking for him.
• God opens our heart so that we can listen and receive him.
When the world seems so dark and wicked, it might seem like God has abandoned us. But he is still here, still calling us to believe him, follow him, and serve him. May we, like Samuel, answer, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me through your words in the Bible. Help me always to listen to what you say. Amen.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42
There was so much excitement and so little stress when Andrew told his brother about Jesus. Have you ever wished it was that easy?
It is easy to worry about trying to find just the right words to say or trying to find just the right time to say them. But notice that Andrew wasn’t concerned about any of that.
Andrew didn’t worry about getting the timing right because he did it as “the first thing.” There was no waiting for just the right moment because Andrew got right to it.
He didn’t worry about finding the right words to say because all he said was what he knew: “We have found the Messiah.” There was no crafting of the perfect thing to say. Andrew just said what he knew.
All of this is because Andrew realized what the real job of sharing our faith is—it is bringing people to Jesus. It is easy to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to share Jesus and to do it in just the right way. However, sharing our faith is really a natural thing for Christians. We want to bring other people to be where Jesus is.
Jesus is the one who does the real work. He is the one who does the convincing and puts opportunities in our lives. Our job is just to bring people to be with Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, help me to be like Andrew as he brought people to Jesus. Amen.
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2: 1,2
When you host a party or event, what are your criteria for whom you invite? We don’t really know why Jesus was invited to the wedding chronicled in our story. But he was there. Perhaps the inviting couple knew of Jesus as a teacher with a growing reputation. But he had not yet performed any miracles. That all changed at this special wedding when Jesus changed water into wine.
When the wedding was over, did the couple and guests realize that Jesus had power over nature? Did they realize that Jesus was “telling them” that he was the promised Messiah? He was sent by God, his Father, because of the sins that our first parents—Adam and Eve—committed in the Garden of Eden. And every generation of man since then, including us, has continued to sin against our holy God. And our sins have separated us from God.
Enter Jesus. Here he was, God himself, living here on earth as a true man. Jesus had power over nature and the devil because he is God. As a man, he was subject to all the temptations that we are, but Jesus lived a perfect life on earth. And then he was brutally punished and killed, even though he was innocent. In his Father’s eyes, Jesus became the perfect substitute and took our punishment on himself. Now, in God’s eyes, all of Jesus’ followers are perfect because he took our place. They will be with him in heaven—a party unlike any other.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith as I dwell on your substitution for me. Hear my thanks now, and when I praise you and thank you eternally in heaven. Amen.
St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church 313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949
Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.
ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord Call Us to Serve – Jesus is Revealed through the Call of the Gospel – How is Jesus revealed to the sinful people of this world? Not through the nagging of the law. We can’t force people to be and act as Christians. Only God could do that, and even he doesn’t. Instead, Jesus is revealed through the call of the gospel, God’s word of peace and forgiveness. It’s the gospel that calls people to a life of faith and Christian living.
† 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.
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. Please refer to our church website or our church Information Room for a full description of our special COVID protocol.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
M: O Lord God me Creator and Savior–I have come before you to hear your holy Word and offer you my prayers and hymns of praise. Open my heart by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word I may repent of my sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Compelled by Christ’s love for me, help me serve Him and share Him with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
† 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
*Sung by soloist.
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
*Sung by soloist.
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: Yes 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
*Sung by soloist.
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
*Sung by soloist.
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, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Be seated.
† T H E W O R D †
This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word. Believers respond to this divine gift with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
FIRST LESSON 1 Samuel 3: 1-10
Summary: The Lord Calls Samuel
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
PSALM 67
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
Let the people praise you, O God. Let all the people praise you.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 49: 3
M: Alleluia. He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON John 1: 43-51
Summary: The Lord calls Philip and Nathaniel
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
Jesus said, “You believebecause I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you,youwill see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’the Son of Man.”
Be seated.
SERMON HYMN 183 Holy Spirit, Light Divine
*Sung by soloist.
SERMON1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
“Our Bodies Belong to God”
The Savior purchased them (v. 15, 17, 20)
The Spirit lives in them (v. 18, 19)
The Father will glorify them (v. 12-14)
Stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Be seated.
EPIPHANY SEASON PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Read by pastor.
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.
CLOSING PRAYER
P: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
P: 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.
Next week’s theme:- January 24, 2021The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany:The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship with communion
Church News
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Caryl & Jim Bassett, Marian Heller) – For spiritual desires
2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready for pick up in St. John’s link way.If you weren’t assigned a box and you would like one, please call Ciara in the office 608-297-2866 or let Pastor Zietlow know.
2020 OFFERING STATEMENTS Each member will receive a statement via snail mail. No need to sign up.
ST. JOHN’S VOTERS MEETING Save the date! Sunday, January 31 following our 10:00a.m. service.
OFFERING PLATE Just a reminder that the offering plate is located in the entry way (front doors) at St. John’s. We care about your health and safety and are currently still not passing the plates around. You may also mail in your offering at 313 E Montello St. Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.
SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing.
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 following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.
School news
UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks.
FREE MEAL SIGNUP FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES ONLY Hello School Families! Please find the link on our school Facebook page to sign up for free meals. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included!
WISHLIST ITEMS
Little LambsStacking Pegboard Set $19.99Geoboards $20.30
3rd, 4th & 5thGrade Handheld Vaccuum – $47.31Document camera – $69.00Magnetic book holder – $23.79Stadium seats – $49.99
6th , 7th & 8th Grade Tuition Assistance
New Bible Study Opportunity
Tuesday, January 12 – Tuesday, February 16, 2021
6:30pm to 7:30ish pm
In-Person at Emmanuel, Mecan
Recorded for Viewing via an email link and church website
Topic: A Survival Guide for the Believer – Reading the 1st Letter of Peter
The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged. It was the persecution they were encountering because of their faith, and the day-in day-out struggle of being a believer in an overwhelmingly unbelieving world.
A much older and more mature Peter exhorted them to stand strong. He repeatedly reminded them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in him, and the hope of his returning again to take them to heaven.
Peter explained how Christians can respond when they suffer and struggle because of their beliefs. Called the “apostle of hope,” Peter’s primary message is to trust the Lord, live obediently no matter what your circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God’s ultimate promise of deliverance.
Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast. Peter probably wrote this letter in the mid-60s AD but is as current and relevant of 2021.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18)
Jesus is Revealed through the Call of the Gospel
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany – B
God’s Word for Today
How is Jesus revealed to the sinful people of this world? Not through the nagging of the law. We can’t force people to be and act as Christians. Only God could do that, and even he doesn’t. Instead, Jesus is revealed through the call of the gospel, God’s word of peace and forgiveness. It’s the gospel that calls people to a life of faith and Christian living.
First Lesson (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
Whom did Samuel think was calling him?
Who was really calling Samuel?
What model attitude does Samuel display for Christians?
Second Lesson (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
True or false: Christ has freed us from the law.
How were some Corinthians abusing their freedom from the law?
Why do Christians honor God with their bodies?
Gospel (John 1:43-51)
What did Philip do when Jesus commanded: “Follow me”?
How did Nathanael react to Philip’s news?
When Nathanael met Jesus, how did he react?
Answers:
Eli.
The Lord.
Samuel displays a wonderful willingness to hear the Word of the Lord. Only through the gospel does the Holy Spirit awaken and strengthen faith.
True. The law is no longer the determining factor for our conduct as Christians. Christians are motivated by the gospel to love God and love one another.
Some Corinthians were abusing their Christian freedom to justify sins of the flesh, including sexual immorality.
Christians do not belong to themselves; Christ has bought us by shedding his blood, rising again and calling us to faith in him. We no longer live to please ourselves but him. Our motivation for living Christian lives comes from the gospel, not the law.
Not only did he follow Jesus, but he went and told his friend Nathanael.
He couldn’t believe that the Savior would come from such an insignificant place as Nazareth.
He believed wholeheartedly that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
1-9
20
1-10
30
53
St. John’s Altar Committee January 2021
Kathy North&Lucy Laun
●●● 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.comLittle 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.org Church & 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 ●●●
[The jailer] then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31
The jailer knew he was in trouble. He had a good occupation, but it was high-risk. Keep the prisoners for the Roman government under lock and key, and the pay was good. Allow the prisoners to escape, and the punishment was losing your own life.
It was night. There was such a violent earthquake that it shook the foundation of the prison. All the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. No chance that there would be any prisoners left after that. The jailer woke up, saw the prison doors were open, and was about to kill himself because he thought that the prisoners had escaped.
One of the prisoners was a missionary named Paul. He realized what was going on, and he shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer knew what Paul did for a living. Faced with his own mortality, he asked the question as clearly as he could ask it. “What must I do to be saved?”
Paul answered as clearly as he could in that crisis moment. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Then, to clarify that this was not just a promise for the jailer but also for every person, Paul added, “You and your household.”
That promise is for you too, whether you are in crisis or calm, whether you are relaxed or stressed, whether your life is good or buildings are crumbling around you. The Bible was written so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you would have life in his name.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have mercy on me, and through faith in you, bring me to everlasting life. Amen.
Every year I enjoy watching the New Year celebrations beginning in Asia and then crossing the globe all the way to the west coast of North America. Those celebrations were a little different this year, but it was still the same principle. As the earth turns, the darkness of New Year’s Eve is lit up by artificial light at midnight, and then a few hours later comes the dawning of a new morning in a new year.
When Jesus was on earth as a human being, he celebrated his New Year in Israel. He was a Jewish man. There was a sign on his cross that said, “King of the Jews.” People could have understood his work to be simply for Jewish people since he was one of them.
But 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah quoted God the Father speaking to his Son, Jesus, and saying, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles.” Gentiles are any people who are not Jewish. Jesus is not just the glory of the Jewish people of Israel. He is a light for all of the Gentiles as well.
That means Jesus brings light to the lives of people no matter where they live in the world. The good news about forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus has gone to the ends of the earth. People’s eyes are opened, and their hearts are changed from darkness into light as they come into contact with that wonderful news.
Today that news of salvation can make it around the world through the internet even faster than the world can spin. It’s a blessing to see it happen, and it’s a privilege to be part of that effort.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world, shine brightly and bring many more to faith in you. Amen.
A teacher notices that one of the boys in her classroom is particularly good at drawing and takes great pleasure in producing pictures. When she meets his father and talks about the student’s skill, the father, who turns out to be a professional artist, says proudly, “Yep. That’s my son.”
Anyone who took a look at Jesus could see that he was particularly good at living life. He did all the right things, and he refrained from doing all the wrong things. He did not insist on being served. Instead, he served others whenever and wherever he had the chance.
At the time of his baptism, he was too old to be in school anymore, so it was not his teacher making that observation. It was his relative, John, and it was the people gathered on the bank of the Jordan River. When Jesus’ Father confirmed that observation, he said to Jesus for all those people to hear: “You are my Son. With you, I am well pleased.” The Father was pleased that the Son was as holy as the Father.
Jesus’ Father added that he loved his Son. “You are my Son, whom I love.” Later on, however, the Father turned his face away from his Son as his Son hung on the cross. How could a loving father do something like that? He did it because at that moment of crucifixion, his Son was taking the responsibility for the sins of people who did not do all the right things.
We are those people. All of us who are students in the classroom of life can be grateful for what the Son of God did for us. Now the Father calls us his children as well, saying that he loves us and is pleased with us. Get the picture?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to be my perfect Savior. Amen.
A man named John baptized Jesus. He claimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. But people had to wonder if everything John said about Jesus was true. Was this man named Jesus really connected to the only true God?
John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. As Jesus was coming up out of the water onto the riverbank, an amazing thing happened in the sky. Heaven was torn open! There was clearly something special going on! People who wondered if Jesus had any real connection to God didn’t have to wonder any longer.
At that moment, the Holy Spirit descended onto Jesus. What did it look like? It looked like a supernatural dove coming down and landing on Jesus. If there had been any doubt about it before, there was none now. The connection of Jesus to the true God was visibly confirmed by the Holy Spirit. It must have been amazing and striking.
Now the people had proof that everything Jesus said was from God. The Holy Spirit gave them that proof!
You have that same proof today. The Holy Spirit is the one who uses that proof to work faith in your heart. You can have the confidence—no doubt about it—that your sins are forgiven because Jesus says so. He is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for your sin, and not only for yours but for the sins of everyone in the world.
You might wish that everyone baptized today would have the same amazing and striking thing happen to them, but the Holy Spirit chooses to arrive invisibly instead through the power of the Word. His visible descent onto Jesus was to help you understand that the promises Jesus makes about baptism in his Word—forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation—are entirely true, no doubt about it.
Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, keep my faith in Jesus strong all the way to eternal life. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
