St. Johns News – Page 250 – St. John's Evangelical

BULLETIN- October 11, 2020

October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 lillyk24

The 19^th Sunday after Pentecost

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

October 10, 2020

4:30pm St. John’s Outdoor

October 11, 2020

8am Emmanuel

10am St. John’s

✠P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P ✠

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Please note: Worship Update Plans (Updated Sept. 2020. bulletin pages 14, 15) Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose.

Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

OPENING HYMN 283 Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening

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

Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: @ 1993 Elfred Bloedel. Used by permission.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

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

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for without your help we are unable to please you; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Be seated.

✠ T H E W O R D ✠

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

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 NIV (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Repent, turn away from evil, and do what is just and right

The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “`The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son– both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

“Yet you say, `The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, `The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

PSALM OF THE DAY 25

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; in you I trust, my God.

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;*

in you I trust, O my God.

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,*

for they are from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;*

according to your love remember me,

for you are good, O LORD.

Refrain

Turn to me and be gracious to me,*

for I am lonely and afflicted.

Look upon my affliction and my distress*

and take away all my sins.

Guard my life and rescue me,*

for I take refuge in you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

Summary: Repentance leads to a change in our attitude

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

VERSE OF THE DAY Philippians 2: 10, 11 NIV

M: Alleluia. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 21:28-32 NIV

Summary: Repent, and do the Father’s will

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“`I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.

He answered, `I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Please be seated.

HYMN 749 The Love of Christ, Who Died for Me

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

Words: © 1991, Hope Publishing Music: Company Timothy Dudley-Smith, b. 1926 @ 1991 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.. Setting: 2002 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

SERMONETTE Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 NIV

What Does God Want from Me – Repent and Live

Please stand.

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please be seated for the distribution.

At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice closed Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service. See page 13 for communion schedule and distribution information.

Be seated.

CLOSING PRAYER

M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

BLESSING

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

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

Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 408 Christians ,While On Earth Abiding

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

✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠

October 11 – October 17

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.
Tues.	6:30 p.m.	Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Outdoor Worship
*Next week’s theme:-* *October 18, 2020 20^thSunday after Pentecost* “Produce Fruit in God’s Vineyard”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan

Worship Updates – September 2020

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend our outdoor service!
Last outdoor service – October 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.

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

Approaching God with Humble Hearts

Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost – A

God’s Word for Today

On page 156 in the front part of Christian Worship we are given a helpful meditation on how to personally prepare our hearts for the reception of the Lord’s Supper. A similar type of examination is found in today’s Scripture readings. May we take to heart God’s urgent invitation to confess our sins and receive His pardon and forgiveness.

First Lesson (Ezekiel 18: 1-4, 25-32)

1. Explain the statement, “No one will be condemned for another person’s disobedience.”

2. Finally, whose fault is it when a man refuses to repent and turn from his sinful ways?

Second Lesson (Philippians 2: 1-11)

3. Mention some ways that Christian humility displays itself in a congregational setting.

4. How did Jesus’ death go far beyond a typical human death experience?

Gospel (Matthew 21: 28-32)

5. Which son in the parable most closely resembled the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, the one giving the polite, eager, pious “Yes” or the one responding with a rude, disobedient, unmannerly “No”?

6. The parable illustrates that true faith is a matter of the heart more so than the head or the mouth. Explain.

Answers:

1. For a sinner to put the blame on his parents or others for his troubles is both foolish and unjust. Each of us will stand before the Lord individually, responsible solely for our own sinful acts and the consequences that follow. May the nature of our true contrition be such that we disregard the transgressions of others and see nothing but our own sin and guilt.

2. Eternal death and damnation will always be the end result for the man who deliberately chooses to reject God’s urgent invitation for free, full, and final forgiveness. Simply put, he will have no one to blame but himself.

3. What a blessing to be part of a congregation whose brothers and sisters display love and compassion, show sympathetic interest in the welfare of others, zealously seek to serve God and others rather than be served, work together in harmonious unity, mutually regard others as superior, and defer to the judgment of others in order to advance the Kingdom and glorify God!

4. Jesus didn’t die in his sleep. He didn’t die like a typical Roman citizen. No, His death was cruel, cursed, degrading, for it took place on a cross like that of a base criminal. What a remarkable example of humility by no less than the Son of God Himself, Who of His own free will gave the ultimate sacrifice for undeserving sinners like you and me!

5. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of Israel, talked like the seemingly obedient son in the parable, but they later rejected John the Baptist and the message of righteousness he preached and, in essence, pronounced their own judgment upon themselves.

6. Having the knowledge of the Law in one’s head and talking about it with the mouth is worthless if one’s heart is far from real obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father. When that Word has truly touched the heart, it will display itself in sincere repentance and obedience.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-3 10-4	37	5 34
St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020	Elaine Kelm

Repent and Live – October 11, 2020

October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 Kerry

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”
Ezekiel 18:30-32

Repent and Live

Daily Devotion – October 11, 2020

Devotion based on Ezekiel 18:30-32

See series: Devotions

When my children were little, one of the rules was, “Do not play in the street.” This rule restricted their freedom and limited their place to play. But this rule also protected them. Playing in the street could result in their injury or even death. Whenever I saw one of my children wander into the street, I would call him back. I called him back because I loved him.

Our heavenly Father also gives us rules for our lives—do not lie, do not hate, do not steal, do not commit adultery, and many more. These rules restrict our freedom. But he gives us these rules to protect us. He knows what is best for us. He knows that when we go against his rules, we are in danger of being injured—physically or spiritually. He knows that when we go against his rules, we ruin our relationship with him. Going against God’s rules leads to eternal separation from him, to eternal death. This is why, when we go against God’s rules, he calls us back. He calls us back because he loves us. “Repent and live!” says the Lord.

And when we do, when we turn away from our sin and turn to our Father for forgiveness, we can be sure we have it. After all, he was willing to give up his own Son to pay the price for our sins. He is always willing and eager to assure us that we are forgiven when we turn from our sin and turn to him for forgiveness.

Whatever sin is putting you in danger this day, turn from it. Repent and live!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for warning me about the things that endanger my life and my soul. Thank you for calling me to repentance. And thank you for assuring me of your forgiveness when I do repent. Please provide the strength I need to repent and live! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Faith Credited as Righteousness – October 10, 2020

October 10, 2020October 10, 2020 Kerry

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:1-6

Faith Credited as Righteousness

Daily Devotion – October 10, 2020

Devotion based on Genesis 15:1-6

See series: Devotions

The name Abram means “exalted father.” The irony was probably not lost on him when he was over eighty years old and still childless. Especially since many years earlier, God himself had promised to make his offspring into a great nation. And what’s more, Abram was assured that one of those future descendants would be the long-awaited Savior of mankind. Still, here he was an old man without a single child to his name.

But Abram was a man of action. (Just read in Genesis 14 how he mounted a rescue of his nephew Lot who had been captured by a coalition of four kings!) So Abram had already hatched a plan to deal with his childlessness: his servant Eliezer would be his heir.

You and I can hardly point an accusing finger at Abram. After all, our hearts have harbored many of our own doubts regarding God’s promises. We have falsely believed that our lives were in our own hands, that we controlled our own future.

What a patient God we have! Instead of abandoning us to our doubts and an uncertain destiny, he graciously repeats his promises. God assured the childless old man that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars visible in the night sky. And God assures sinners like us that all his promises of forgiveness have been kept in his Son Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus truly is our shield and very great reward. Although we are sinful, Jesus credits his own righteousness to us through faith in him. Although we have little in this world, Jesus is our eternal treasure that waits for us in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord God, I have no righteousness of my own to stand before you. But I believe you when you promised to forgive my sins for the sake of Jesus. Let his holiness be credited to me, as you have said. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Stay Above the Fray – October 9, 2020

October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 Kerry

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:9

Stay Above the Fray

Daily Devotion – October 9, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:9

See series: Devotions

Wise people stay above the fray. For instance, when there’s a heated argument, wise people hold their tongues. Rather than engaging in a Facebook folly or a Twitter tirade, they step away from their laptop. What inspired counsel the apostle Paul once gave when he wrote, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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” (Philippians 4:8). In other words, stay above the fray.

When we’re tempted to wallow in the mud, the apostle reminds us that God created us to be like him, in his image, in his likeness (Genesis 1:26). He created us to think higher thoughts, to act nobly, and to ennoble others through our thoughts, words, and actions.

But we fail. Too often we find ourselves in the middle of the melee. Sometimes we’re even guilty of lighting the fire ourselves and creating the fray.

Not Jesus. He always stayed above the fray. Yes, there were instances in his ministry when he spoke the truth candidly yet lovingly. But his reason for doing so always reflected the very highest principles. He was never nasty, never unkind. Even when people were nasty to him, he never responded unkindly. The Apostle Peter wrote this about Jesus: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23). Through the prophet Isaiah, our Lord and Savior makes it clear to sinful people like us that “my ways [are] higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” He stays above the fray.

But then he invites us—yes, he calls us—to do the same. To be like him. “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).

Be wise like Jesus. Stay above the fray.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me marvel at your higher thoughts and ways, and through your Spirit guide me in the paths of mercy, kindness, peace, and love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Thinking Outside the Box – October 8, 2020

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020 Kerry

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

Thinking Outside the Box

Daily Devotion – October 8, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:8

See series: Devotions

“You break it, you buy it.” It’s a pretty simple concept. If you’re foolish enough to pick up a valuable and fragile item in an antique store, you had better be ready to purchase it in case something happens. If you drop it on the floor and it shatters into a million pieces, “It was an accident,” probably isn’t going to satisfy the store owner. If you’re the one who broke it, then you’re the one who will pay for it.

If imperfect human beings like us abide by that simple motto of retail justice, then certainly we should expect our perfectly just God to expect the same, right?

It would make sense. When, for instance, our Creator-God handed his perfect and priceless world over to human beings, it would stand to reason that it came with a warning: if you break it, you’ll have to fix it or buy it. That’s just simple logic.

But that’s not the way our Savior-God operates. The prophet Isaiah tells us that he freely pardons sin, and then God tells us why: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” In other words, God doesn’t operate with a human standard of justice. No, our Savior thinks outside the box.

The psalmist wrote, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalm 115:3). And what pleases him? It pleases him to be merciful to sinners like you and me. He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). What’s that truth? He desires mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13).

So when our creator God saw that we sinfully broke everything—his perfect creation and our perfect relationships with him and one another—he didn’t ask us to pony up ourselves. He paid the awful price himself. He sacrificed his greatest treasure, his Son, to make restitution for what we destroyed. By his death on the cross, Jesus paid for our shattering sins “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27). He declares sinners perfect!

That’s called thinking outside the box.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me marvel in the fact that by your death and resurrection, you declare me what I am not: perfect. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

An Everlasting Warranty – October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 Kerry

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:7

An Everlasting Warranty

Daily Devotion – October 7, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:7

See series: Devotions

It would be nice to know that once something is fixed, it’s fixed forever. But it doesn’t usually work that way. Things break. We fix them. Then they break again. Eventually, we buy a new one. Even when companies provide a lifetime warranty on their products, there’s normally a catch. The fine print neatly hides the limits involved.

Do God’s promises come with fine print, with strings attached? Sadly, many people believe that because there are many who teach that. Their shtick normally goes a little bit like this: “God is a loving God who wants to forgive you. All you have to do is … (fill in the blank).” In other words, they suggest that God’s forgiveness involves some fine print. There are strings attached.

But that’s simply not true. God doesn’t base his forgiveness on what we do or don’t do. His forgiveness is not remotely tied to us being a certain way or achieving a certain standard. If that were true, how could we ever know whether God really forgives us, whether we’ve cleared the bar?

The Bible assures us that, in Jesus, God has forgiven the sins of the world. John the Baptist once pointed to Christ and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and the apostle John of him, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). That means you. In Christ Jesus, God forgives you of every sin. Believe it. It’s true.

And that’s why, through his prophet Isaiah, the Lord urges us to forsake our evil ways and turn to him. Not because he will then forgive us. He already has! He wants us to know with certainty that “he will have mercy on (us) . . . for he will freely pardon.” That’s no limited, lifetime guarantee. That’s an everlasting warranty, purchased “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). God’s forgiveness is waiting for you!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give me confidence that, though I am sinful, you freely forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Give Me a Call – October 6, 2020

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 Kerry

Call on him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6

Give Me a Call

Daily Devotion – October 6, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:6

See series: Devotions

“If you need anything, just give me a call.”

It’s nice to know—isn’t it?—that help is just a call away. When you need someone to let the dog out because you’re in the middle of a project, you can call the kids to do it. Or when you need someone to get that jar of pickles off the top shelf, you can call your long-armed husband. And while you hope you never have to do it, even as kids we’re taught to dial 9-1-1 in case of a fire or other serious emergency. It’s reassuring to know that help is just a call away.

Telephones have made it easier to call other people for help, but they haven’t improved the communication lines we have with our Savior-God. In our time of need, we do not need to raise our voice so that he can hear our cry for help. The psalmist reminds us that God is everywhere. “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:8-10). Jesus has made us a most certain promise, “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15). It’s those kinds of assurances that prompted the prophet Isaiah to urge God’s people, “Call on him while he is near.”

Does Isaiah mean to suggest there are times when God is not nearby? Hardly. But what the prophet is implying is that too often we are ready to cut the lines of communication with the One who helps us best. Not only do we fail to call on him in our times of need; more tragically, we fail to listen confidently to his eternal promises and be assured of his saving presence and power, now and forever. “Never will I leave you,” Jesus says. “Never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Salvation is that near, that certain, that perfect! Jesus says, “Give me a call.”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Holy Spirit, give me strength to call on you and trust your promises now and forever. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Looking for Jesus In All the Right Places – October 5, 2020

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020 Kerry

Seek the LORD while he may be found.
Isaiah 55:6

Looking for Jesus In All the Right Places

Daily Devotion – October 5, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:6

See series: Devotions

We don’t know much about Jesus’ childhood from the Bible. Only the books of Luke and Matthew tell us anything about baby Jesus, and when it comes to Jesus’ childhood, we know even less.

What’s interesting about the accounts we have, however, is that almost every one includes people searching for Jesus. The shepherds were told by the Christmas angel to seek out a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. They said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15). When the wise men, or magi, mistakenly arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2), they were redirected to Bethlehem because of what the prophet Micah predicted (Micah 5:2). When the magi later duped a jealous King Herod, he became enraged. An angel warned Joseph that “Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (Matthew 2:13), and he urged Jesus’ stepfather to escape to Egypt. And when the twelve-year-old Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem unbeknownst to his parents, Mary and Joseph spent three days searching for Jesus before finally finding him at the temple. “Why were you searching for me?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).

What do all those accounts demonstrate? That it’s natural for us to look for Jesus in all the wrong places. When searching for the Lord, we imagine that we should be looking out for something visually spectacular. After all, it’s God, right? And God must be easy to spot because he’s big, grand, and glorious.

Well, yes, he is. But when God calls on us, as he does through the prophet Isaiah, to “seek the LORD while he may be found,” he wants us to go looking for Jesus in all the right places. And where will we find him? In his Word, the Bible, where we learn of his unconditional love for sinners like us, his perfect forgiveness of the sins of the world, and his promise of everlasting life to those who place their trust in Jesus alone.

Prayer:
Jesus, guide me to look for you in all the right places. Send me to your Word, where I know you’ll be found. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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

You Can Trust Me – October 4, 2020

October 4, 2020October 4, 2020 Kerry

One thing I ask of the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

You Can Trust Me

Daily Devotion – October 4, 2020

Devotion based on Psalm 27:4

See series: Devotions

What if you could only ask for one thing from God when you prayed? What would it be? Would you ask for health for yourself or your loved ones? Would you ask for wealth? Power? Prestige? Perhaps you would ask for world peace or personal success.

There are so many things for which we might pray. And we honor God when we ask him for his help. We demonstrate that we trust he is able to answer our prayers. But, if you could ask for just one thing, what would it be?

Long ago, a man named King David gave an interesting answer to this question when he wrote Psalm 27. Listen again to what he wrote, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

Isn’t that something? The main thing David wanted was to be in God’s house—a member of God’s family. He knew that as a member of God’s family, he had everything he needed—God’s love, forgiveness, and care. As long as he was a member of God’s family, he would be fine.

May this be our prayer as well—that what matters to us most, what we ask from him more than anything else, is that he keep us close to him so that we can continue to marvel at his beauty—the beauty of his love, his forgiveness, his care and concern for us. What could be better?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, this one thing I ask: that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.