When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:37,38
“Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Luke 23:18). On Good Friday, the hateful crowds chanted those words to Pilate. Fifty days later, they had had a change of heart. Now they were terrified. They wished they never had cried out for Jesus’ death.
God’s Word caused the people of the Pentecost crowd to change their hearts. The Holy Spirit, through Peter’s words, had changed the people’s attitudes about Jesus. Now they realized he was the Son of God, and they were guilty of condemning him to death. “What shall we do?” they pleaded. Is there some way we can appease God?
Our natural, sinful hostility may not be as blatant as that of the angry crowd on Good Friday. But make no mistake about it. It is just as real, just as damnable. The critical questioning of how God rules our lives, the lack of complete trust in his care, the thoughts of gaining independence from God—all these are signs that in us lives the same sinful flesh that lived in the people who killed Jesus.
God gives us a change of heart through the good news that Jesus’ death is the payment for sin that we needed. He appeased the wrath of God. Our guilt is removed. We are led to trust Jesus as our living Savior and honor him as our gracious Lord. And with hearts changed by the power of God’s Word, we strive to glorify and serve Jesus in all we do.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the sins I have committed against you. Have mercy on me. For your sake, forgive me and grant me a new heart committed to following your will for my life. Amen.
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. . . . Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:32,36
King Cyrus of Persia, King David of Judah, Caesar Augustus of Rome—these are three of the countless people who have ruled over the centuries. Some kings and kingdoms lasted for generations; some were short-lived. As different as they were from each other, they all had one thing in common—they did not last.
How uncertain life would be if all we had to lean on were these passing kings and kingdoms? Our immortal souls need something more. How eagerly, then, we listen to the words of the apostle Peter! He tells us of a far greater King. This King is the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter tells us of a far greater kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom will last for eternity.
It didn’t always seem this way, though. Jesus’ enemies plotted for years to kill Jesus. Finally, they carried out their plans and crucified him. Above his bloody head hung the inscription: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37).
Yet Jesus was different. Years before he died, he said, “Destroy this temple [this body of mine], and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). On Easter Sunday, he did just that. His disciples ran to an empty grave. He had risen. He was still King, and his kingdom was still intact.
Today let Peter’s words give you strength. Be assured of this: your King lives to reign. He the Lord of your heart. He is your eternal source of forgiveness and hope.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for reminding me today that you are my king and are ruling all things. Use this truth to comfort and calm me. Amen.
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation:Amen.
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”Psalm 122:1
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty.
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord.Psalm 84:1,2
Blessed are those who dwell in your house.
They are ever praising you.Psalm 84:4
Address
Brothers and sisters in Christ:
We rejoice to gather in the Lord’s house today after a significant time without public worship. For several months, our nation and our world have faced the Coronavirus pandemic, and state mandates issued in response to the virus have kept us from gathering here as a congregation. Although we have been strengthened by the gospel during this time, we have missed the cherished blessing of meeting together in God’s house with fellow believers to hear God’s Word, share in Christ’s Supper, and be encouraged by our fellowship together.
These past weeks have provided time for honest personal reflection: Have we taken God’s Word and public worship for granted? Have earthly blessings and entertainment become a higher priority in our hearts than the gospel? Have we doubted the promises of our almighty God to accomplish his good and gracious will in all circumstances?
The Lord uses our troubles in this life for many purposes, especially the purpose of lovingly leading us to repentance and renewed trust in his Word. As we gather in God’s house today, let us confess our sins to him, ask for his forgiveness, and receive his gracious pardon.
Confession of Sins
Almighty and merciful Father,
We have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have offended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus.
Silence for reflection.
Absolution
God, our merciful Father, has forgiven all our sins. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. We have peace with God now and forever.
Amen.
Hymn To Your Temple I Draw Near Christian Worship #226
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in ours hearts the holy fire of your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
First Reading Joel 2: 28-29
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. NIV
After the reading:
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Psalm of the Day 51b Christian Worship: Supplement
The refrain is sung in unison.
The minister will read the verses.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Refrain
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
Or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
And grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
And sinners will turn back to 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 Reading Acts 2:1-21
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b]10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
After the reading:
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Stand.
Gospel John 16:5-11
Sermon text underlined.
But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
After the reading:
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ!
Be seated.
Hymn of the Day Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
Christian Worship #176
Sermon John 16:8-11
Help Us, Holy Spirit, to Convince the World of:
Sin
2. Righteousness
3. Judgement
Stand after the sermon.
Apostles’ Creed
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.
Be seated.
Prayer of the Church
Lord, hear our prayer. Listen to our cry for mercy.
Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love.Psalm 143:1,8
Lord God, your Son ascended into heaven and now sits at your right hand, ruling over all things for the benefit of the Church. Bless the proclamation of Christ’s gospel, especially during this present pandemic, that the good news of salvation may be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, your Son came to seek and to save the lost. Reach out with your grace to those who do not know you or who have drifted from faith, that they may return to you and find peace in your gracious forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord of the Church, you provide ministers of the gospel to teach and preach your saving truth. Bless all who serve your people with faithfulness to your Word and eagerness to proclaim the good news of salvation. Send your Holy Spirit on all who are about to begin public service in your kingdom. … (Specific people may be mentioned.) … May their service to the Church extend your kingdom and glorify your name. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Compassionate Lord, your Son is the Great Physician of body and soul. Watch over all who are sick and suffering. According to your will, provide healing to their bodies and comfort for their souls. … (Specific people and circumstances may be mentioned.) … Bless the efforts of doctors, nurses, and all health care workers, that their work may be a blessing to those under their care. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord of the nations, you instituted government to establish peace and order in society. Give wisdom to all leaders in our nation, state, county, and city, that they may enact wise laws, enforce justice fairly, and serve with faithfulness and diligence. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Omniscient Lord, in your wisdom you make the troubles of this life serve for our eternal blessing. Fill our hearts with trust in your promise to make all things work for the good of your people. When we doubt or worry, forgive us. Teach us to look to you as our guide through life and source of all our blessings. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of all wisdom, you instill in us all good and useful knowledge. Bless our schools, teachers, parents, and students, as they complete the present school year under unusual circumstances. Fill them with eagerness to carry out the tasks before them. Give them patience especially during these challenging times. Bless especially those who are graduating from schools this spring, that they may faithfully use the knowledge and skills they have learned in the next phase of their lives. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Loving Lord, you are a refuge for all who are in distress. Send your divine comfort on all who experience emotional and psychological trauma because of the current pandemic. Provide them relief from their suffering, strength to bear their crosses, and assurance through your Word. Use us to support the depressed and anxious that they may be encouraged by our words of love and actions of compassion. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Gracious God, you are with your people in every situation. Be present with the members of our congregation who are with us in spirit even though health concerns keep them from being physically among us today. Embrace them with the warmth of your grace, and protect them from illness and harm. Keep them safe in your care so that, at the proper time, we may gather again as one body to worship you. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, even in these uncertain times, you bestow blessing after blessing on your people. We praise you for every good and perfect gift we enjoy from your generous hand. … (Specific people and blessings may be mentioned.) … Teach us to value life, health, family, and all our “daily bread” as your gifts of grace to us. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord of life and death, we thank you for the faithful Christians who have gone before us, who served as examples of faith and love for us, and who now rest from their labors. … (Specific people may be mentioned.) … Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones who have died in faith with your promise of the resurrection to eternal life. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers and answer them according to your wisdom and love. Responding to your promise, we place these petitions before you and ask your blessing through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in your Son’s name:
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.
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and ✠ give you peace.
Amen.
Be seated.
Hymn Almighty Father, Bless the Word
Christian Worship #323
Announcements
Next week’s theme June 7, 2020 Trinity:
“The Festival of the Holy Trinity”
KATLYNN TINDALL ACCEPTANCE LETTER
Dear Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School,
On May 16, I received the divine call extended to me through the WELS Assignment Committee to serve as your 3rd-5th grade teacher.
I am really looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to serve the congregation, school and most importantly our God. Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers. I look forward to meeting all of you. God’s Blessings.
In Christ,
Katlynn Tindall
“Hello! My name is Katlynn Tindall. I grew up in Waukesha, WI and graduated from WISCO in 2014. I attended MLC and graduated in December 2018. Upon graduation I taught grade 2 at Trinity in Brillion for a semester. Then I was assigned grades 2-4 at Zion in Toledo, OH. For fun I enjoy baking, drinking coffee, game nights, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends. I am excited to meet all of you and continue sharing Jesus’ love to the students at St. Johns!”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Katlynn Tindall
Send a card, call, text or e-mail your words of encouragement!
With the Festival of Pentecost, the Christian Church begins its celebration of the non-festival half of the church year. During the very long season of Pentecost (which lasts until the middle of autumn), the lessons and Gospel for the day concentrate on our lives of Christian sanctification (sanctify=to make holy). As we will see today and over the next several weeks, our sanctification – like our salvation – depends entirely upon the working of our almighty God through the good news of eternal salvation. This good news naturally moves Christians to bear good fruit in their lives. Yes, our new life as Christians depends on the power of the Holy Spirit.
First Lesson (Joel 2:28,29)
What day was the prophet Joel looking forward to?
Who would receive the blessings and power of the Holy Spirit?
Second Lesson (Acts 2:1-21)
What did the Holy Spirit enable the apostles to do?
How did the people react?
What was Peter’s answer for this miracle?
Gospel (John 16:5-11)
What promise did Jesus make his disciples in verse 7?
What would the Holy Spirit do when he came?
Answers:
In particular, Joel’s prophecy looked forward to the Day of Pentecost that we hear about in the Second Lesson.
All Christians, both men and women, young and old, would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Spirit comes gifts of many kinds, as, for instance, St. Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
He gave the apostles the ability to speak in recognizable languages that they had not previously learned or spoken.
Most of the people were amazed that they heard these men “declaring the wonders of God” in their own language. Other assumed that they were drunk.
Peter pointed out that this miracle was the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.
He promised that after he ascended into heaven he would send his disciples the Holy Spirit as their counselor.
He would convict the world of sin through the law of God, and bring comfort to burdened souls through the gospel of salvation.
CONFIRMED IN THE FAITH ON MAY 27, 2020
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN–MONTELLO
FRONT ROW L-R: Emma Steuck, Lucas Gunderson, Anna Steuck
BACK ROM L-R: Principal Larry Sellnow, Joe Vote, Leevi Walker, Pastor Pete Zietlow
Brittany Pick – Montello High School, parent: Amanda Stalker
Ella Stelter – Montello High School, parents: Jamie & Heidi Stelter
If you know of a graduate that we missed, please call or email Ciara in the office 297-2866 or scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org. Thank you!
KIDS GIVE TO MISSIONS Despite the Day School & Little Lambs and Sunday School not meeting together in April and May, our kids still completed their annual mission projects with record amounts! A salute and thank you to kids and their parents who also helped make our 2019-2020 totals possible!
St. John’s School & Little Lambs gave $1,012.59 to the Kids C.A.R.E. mission project. Their gift will help support Early Childhood Education in Indonesia.
St. John’s Sunday School has given a gift of $405.00 to our WELS 316NOW Sheep to Lambs program in China where teaching Bible truths publicly to youth is illegal. Their contribution will help produce materials that Chinese Christian parents can use in the privacy of their homes to instruction their children.
We pray that supporting these annual mission projects inspires our children to be mission-minded for life, to grow up sharing the Word with others, and to give generously to missions all their lives!
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” Acts 2:23
The world is full of different jobs. Each comes with different requirements and descriptions. When looking for a job, people will want to find one they are suited for and that they will enjoy doing. Some jobs require special skills or abilities to perform them properly.
Jesus’ Father gave him a unique job. He was sent to serve as the Savior of the world. Though innocent, he was condemned to death and crucified. But all this happened according to God’s purpose and foreknowledge. God used the horrible determination of wicked people for his own wonderful purpose—to save us from our sins.
This is good news for us because, as God’s creatures, we have a job of our own to do. We were created by our Father to glorify and honor him with godly living. However, we fail miserably at this job. Having failed, we deserve to suffer what God’s justice says our sins deserve. But, instead of giving us what our sins deserve, our merciful God saves us through the sufferings and death of his own Son on the cross.
We now have a new purpose in our lives. Our number-one job is to glorify and honor Jesus, who willingly died on the cross for us. We live to thank God, who gave us forgiveness and eternal hope.
God bless you in doing your job for him today!
Prayer:
Lord, help me today to do the job you have given me—to glorify and honor you. Amen.
Learning a foreign language is a long process and hard work. If you have ever tried it, you know. But a long time ago, on the day of Pentecost, a miraculous thing happened. The Holy Spirit’s power came upon the Apostles, giving them the ability to speak fluently and instantly in languages they had never learned. Amazing!
There was another time in the Bible that languages played a prominent role. People plotted to defy God’s plan to have them spread out over the whole earth and populate it. They began to build a great tower as a symbol of their power and as a rallying point to hold them together. But for their own good, the Lord interrupted their efforts, confused their languages, and put an end to their defiance. (See Genesis 11:1-9.)
Contrast that with what happened on Pentecost. This time languages did not play a role in God’s anger over a defiant people, but rather in his merciful love for all. People from at least 15 different countries all heard the wonders of God in their own native languages. Instead of using language to separate these people, God endowed his disciples with a gift that drew the people together.
Pentecost demonstrated that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Despite all their differences, these 15 groups of people were very similar—they were all sinners. In languages they could understand, God communicated to them the good news that their sins were paid for by Jesus’ death.
Perhaps we will meet someone today who speaks a different language. If so, our first reaction might be: How different this person is from us. Remembering Pentecost, however, let us think this way: How similar this person is to us—someone who needs Jesus and someone for whom the Lord Jesus lived, died, and rose again.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for demonstrating your mercy and power on the day of Pentecost. Give me a heart that sees every person’s need to know about your mercy and your power. Amen.
Picture it this way: You are in this crowd. You are a member of the Jewish faith. You have traveled a great distance to reach Jerusalem, a place where the language is different from your own. You are there to celebrate the annual Jewish festival of Pentecost. Suddenly, in this crowd of people, you hear something that grabs your attention. You hear the voice of a man speaking to you in your own language. What’s confusing is that all the people around you—no matter what language they speak—are experiencing the same thing. At that moment, in that slice of time, you don’t know what to think.
On that day of Pentecost, that was the perplexing work of the Holy Spirit. On that day, the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples of Jesus to speak in languages they had never studied. He did this to proclaim a message that everyone there needed to understand. He did this to proclaim Jesus Christ.
The work of the Holy Spirit is still perplexing.
Go to any place where the good news of Jesus is clearly present. Why do people take the time to come? Why do people go to the trouble? Why do people often plan their calendars around the opportunity to soak up the message of Jesus Christ with others?
It’s all because of the perplexing work of the Holy Spirit.
In the eyes of the world, nothing so plain as the gospel should be so powerful or so life-changing. Nothing so plain as the gospel should have such an impact on so many souls.
But that’s the thing about the message of full forgiveness through faith in Christ. It’s the very tool the Holy Spirit uses to change hearts forever.
However, don’t be perplexed by the perplexing work of the Holy Spirit. Instead, rejoice in it.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, you are a worker of miracles. You use the message of the gospel to bring us to Christ and keep us in Christ. Empower us to marvel in thankfulness for what you do. Amen.
When our favorite team enjoys success, isn’t it great how we get to share in that glory, even though we didn’t earn or deserve it? “Hey, Mike, your Brewers are really having a great season. You guys are playing some great ball. Way to go!” We are eager to return that undeserved and unearned glory to our team by cheering for them and telling others about their victories and successes.
Our God is glorious and awesome! He is the Creator and Preserver of the universe. Most glorious of all, he is the Savior of all mankind. There is nobody like him.
He has graciously allowed us to share in the glory of his love by bringing us to trust and rely in him, even though at one time, we were dead in our sins and unbelief. We didn’t earn his love and surely didn’t deserve it. Amazing grace!
Jesus gave glory to his heavenly Father by his death on the cross. Jesus’ death, while bearing the sins of the world, has reconciled God and sinners together. The doors to heaven and eternal life are open for all. That means they are open for you, too!
Strive to give God glory every day as you live for him and seek to do his will for your life. As the Bible says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing glory to the Father by dying for my sins. Thank you also for leading me to trust in you. Help me to glorify your name by all that I say and do. In your name, I pray. Amen.
The time is fast approaching for us to be able to come together for worship – but not quite yet. And when we do begin in-person gathering, things will still be different for a while. There are several precautions and restrictions that will need to be in place.
Your congregation leaders have been closely monitoring the situation and are staying up to date with governments directives and guidance for resuming group gatherings. We have also been following the information and encouragement being offered by our synodical leaders, as well as communicating with and sharing information with neighboring congregations.
The following plans will be put in place at Emanuel/St. John’s. Please read the following information. Please be understanding and patient as we try to navigate these uncharted and troubled waters. You are welcome to speak with the pastor or church leaders if you have questions or concerns.
General Information
Worship times: 8:00 Emmanuel (Emmanuel members only). 10:00 St. John’s Sunday (St. John’s 55 and older).6:30 St. John’s Wednesday (St. John’s under 55) by way of emailing the church secretary (scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org) or calling the church office at (608) 297-2866.
The service will be recorded and made available on the church’s website as we have been doing for several weeks.
Pastor Zietlow will provide private personal and family communion to anyone who requests it.
Encouragements
Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who is sick should stay home.
Those who are at high risk or uncomfortable with the latest service format should stay home.
Those who have access to and are comfortable with online worship are encouraged to continue worshiping in that manner.
Wearing a mask when in the church building is strongly encouraged.
Worshipers are encouraged to practice good hygiene and social distancing.
Distancing
Worshippers will be directed to use every other pew. Worship bulletins will be placed in the designated pews.
Worshipers should enter through the south main church entrance unless they need the elevator. Only the main entrance and elevator entrance area will be open.
The school, gymnasium, church balcony, and basement will not be available.
Gathering inside the building before or after worship is being discouraged. People may gather outside the building following social distance recommendations.
Sanitation and Cleaning
The sanctuary, entrances, elevator, and bathrooms will be cleaned before and after each worship service.
Hand sanitizer and masks will be available.
There will be no hymnals or other materials in the pews. Worship bulletins are for one use only and should be taken home after the service.
Offering Plates will be in the narthex.
Worship
Lord willing, we will resume gathering together in limited fashion on Pentecost Sunday, May 31.
The 8:00 am worship at Emmanuel will be for Emmanuel members only.
The 10:00 am Sunday Service at St. John’s will be for those members who are 55 and older and cannot receive the service via technology. Limited capacity of 50.
The 6:30 pm Wednesday Service will be available for everyone who is under 55 and cannot receive the service via technology, and for those who are 55 and younger who have signed up and wish to worship in person. Please sign up for the Wednesday service by emailing the church secretary (scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org) or calling the church office at (608) 297-2866.
The large screen at St. John’s will be used to project the order of service and hymns. Bulletins will be placed in the designated pews where people are allowed to sit.
There will be limited congregational singing and speaking. A cantor will assist with the singing and liturgical responses.
Ushers will wear masks, and the offering plates will be placed in the narthex.
Holy Communion will be celebrated at every service as we reopen. Each person or household will come forward to front using the center aisle and return by way of the side aisles. A “continuous flow” format will be used with individuals and/or families keeping a safe distance apart.
Worshipers will be asked to exit the church from the back to the front.
Some final thoughts. These are unusual times for our world and Christ’s church. Patience, caution, respect and consideration for others, and more is required from all of us. But the Word of the Lord is forever, and we continue to pray, “O Thou who changest not, abide with me.”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 New International Version (NIV) – Thanksgiving – 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:1-3
My prayers contain a lot of different people and things that I love. They are about the things that I think about the most and the things for which I am overwhelmingly grateful.
Did you know that the night before his death, you were a part of Jesus’ prayer? That’s right. With everything else on his mind as he prepared to die for the sins of the world . . . you were on his mind. You were on his mind because what he was about to do he did for you. He knew he needed strength to endure the intense suffering necessary to secure your salvation. So, he asked his heavenly Father to give him that strength. He also prayed that you would learn about what he had done for you and that you would come to believe that your sins are forgiven because of what he did.
It is always nice to hear that someone is praying for you. When you share a challenge you are facing–an illness, a loss, a concern—and a friend or family member says, “I’m praying for you.” It shows they care, and it’s a comforting thing to know. And it is comforting to think of God listening to and answering their prayers.
Now think of Jesus praying for you nearly two thousand years ago. Isn’t it remarkable? Whatever illness, loss, or concern you are facing, take comfort knowing that Jesus is aware of it, and cares enough to pray for you.
Prayer:
Righteous Father, thank you for glorifying Jesus through his death and resurrection. Help me to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Amen
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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