It Is the Gift of God:  Celebrate Reformation Sunday

November 3, 2019

8 a.m. Emmanuel

10 a.m. St. John’s

Pastor Peter Zietlow

St. John’s School Chimes : “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Pastor’s Greeting–Five Latin phrases emerged during the Reformation to summarize the Reformers’ theological convictions about the essentials of Christianity.  Sola Scriptura, which means the Bible alone is our highest authority; Sola Fide, which means we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ; Sola Gratia, which means we are saved by the grace of God alone; Solus Christus, which means Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King; and Soli Deo Gloria, which means we live for the glory of God alone.

Choir:  “On Faith Alone”  (Sola Fide)

Please stand

Congregation Hymn sung to the tune of CW 477 “What Is the World to Me”; 3 verses with new lyrics by Arden W. Mead interspersed with liturgy from Psalm 103 spoken responsively by Pastor and congregation:

♫ By grace we have been saved, by God’s abundant favor.

  It is the gift of God through faith in Christ, our Savior.
    No merit may we claim, no effort of our own;
             It is the gift of God through faith in Christ alone.

P  With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!

C  With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been.

P  The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death.

C  His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.

P  Each day that we live, he provides for our needs.

C  He gives us the strength of a young eagle.

P  How great is God’s love for all who worship him?

C  Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!

P  How far has the Lord taken our sins from us?

C  Farther than the distance from east to west!

♫ When we were dead in sin, God sent his Son to save us.

  It is the gift of God that life eternal gave us.
               By God’s abundant grace we with the Lord are raised.
   It is the gift of God, whose name fore’er be praised.

P  The Lord is always kind to those who worship him,

C  and he keeps his promises to their descendants who faithfully obey him.

P  God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation.

C  Let all of God’s creation and all that he rules come and praise the Lord.

P  With all my heart I praise the Lord.

♫ We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus.
          It is the gift of God that thus his mercy frees us
                   To live in holiness the life that God desires.
                      It is the gift of God that such good works inspires.

Prayer of the Day

     Your Word tells us, Lord, that it is by grace we are saved, not by works, and that it is a gift from God, lest anyone should boast. Let us bask in the blessing of this true gift from you of our salvation from sin, death and the devil, not because of anything we have done but because of what your Son did for us on the cross by dying in our stead for our transgressions and rising to life three days later that we might live a new life in heaven with you. May this miraculous message, uncovered again during the Reformation, which we celebrate this day, be our guiding light and our bold claim in how we live our lives for you. Amen.

Please be seated

The First Lesson  Isaiah 55:1-11

Summary: Invitation to the Thirsty

 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  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.  ‘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.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’”

Psalm 46  The Reformation Psalm is sung by the congregation to the tune of CW 441 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” with words as follows:

God is our Refuge and our Strength, our Helper ever near.
 The Lord of hosts is on our side to shelter us from fear.

Though mountains fall and storms arise and fearful tempests blow,
Our God is with us, and he leads where peaceful waters flow.

God’s steadfast help will surely come as certain as the dawn.
The Lord of hosts is on our side, so let all fear be gone!

The trembling nations hear his voice, their awesome Sov’reign own:
“Be still, and know that I am God, and I will reign alone!”

Come and behold what God has done: as adversaries yield,
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear and burns with fire the shield.

O God our Refuge, God our Strength, accept the praise we bring
For mercy shown by grace alone through Christ, our Savior-King!

The Second Lesson, Ephesians 2:1-10  (sermon text in bold)

Summary: Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Alleluia verse is sung by the congregation to the tune of CW 322, “On What Has Now Been Sown”:

It is God’s gift alone that we to Christ belong,
                             Who claims us as his own and will our whole life long.
 Alleluia! By faith alone God’s gift we own. Alleluia!

Rise for The Gospel, John 17:1-10

Summary: Jesus Prays for Himself and for Us

 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.  I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.  I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.  For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.  I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

Please be seated

Congregational Hymn, CW Supplement 756, “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight,”  5 verses, see insert

The Sermon:  Ephesians 2:4-10                                       

Grace Makes Everything New                                              

1.  A New Life   2.  A New Name   3.  A New Job

Rise for the Creedal Hymn sung by the congregation to the tune of CW 256, “How Great Thou Art”

♫ We all believe in God, almighty Father
who shattered chaos, said, “Let there be light!”
Sun, moon and stars show forth his praise together,
All things on earth his wisdom and his might.
God loved the world so much he freely gave his only Son the lost to save.
God loves each child; by faith we understand it is God’s gift—a Father’s hand.

    We all believe in God’s true Son, Christ Jesus,
Born of a virgin, for us crucified.
His holy death and resurrection frees us
To rise from sin, and in his grace abide.
Ascended to his throne in heav’n on high with saving love he still is nigh.
He will return as Shepherd, Judge and King. He is God’s gift—his praise we sing!

    And we give thanks for God the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son,
By whose blest inspiration we inherit the benefits of all that Christ has done.
The holy Church is gathered ’round the Word where God’s good news in faith is heard.
Forgiven and forgiving, we shall rise to claim God’s gift of Paradise.

Please be seated

The Offering (Greet one another and sign the register.)

Please stand

Prayers  based on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Creed spoken responsively by Pastor and congregation:

P  O God the Father Almighty, we offer our thanks for richly and daily providing us with all that we need to support the bodies you have given us and the lives we are privileged to live.

C  Make us truly grateful for your gifts of goods and clothing, house and home, spouse and children, property, and all that we call ours—that we may regard them as your blessings and dedicate them to your service.

P  O Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, for us and for our salvation you became true man.

C  It is your gift alone that purchased and won us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil—not with gold or silver, but with your holy, precious blood and your innocent suffering and death. Keep us firm in that saving faith.           

P  O Holy Spirit, we acknowledge all the gifts of God today only because you have called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with your gifts, sanctified and kept us in the true faith.  Continue to inspire us in all these ways, we pray, that the things we do may show forth your glory.

C   By your Word and sacraments, you have united us with the whole Christian Church on earth. Continue to call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify more believers, and keep them with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.    Amen

Intercessory Prayers  listed on bulletin page 11

The Lord’s Prayer

*Emmanuel—Holy Communion—Hymnal pages 21-24; Hymns 309 & 317.             

At St. John’s 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.

*St. John’s continues below.

Benediction

It is the gift of God that he has blessed us and keeps us.  The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious unto you.  The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.

Please be seated

The Closing Hymn, CW 201, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” 4 verses

After today’s service, please give your completed friendship register page to an usher.

^XAnnouncements ^X

Activities for the week of November 3-November 9

Sun.		REFORMATION
	8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
	9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Council meeting
	9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
	10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.	6:00 P.M.	Hands In Prayer at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.	Choir at St. John’s
	7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.	9:00 A.M.	Elders meeting at St. John’s
	6:00 P.M.	Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.	Eastside Cemetery Association meeting at St. John’s
Wed.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Chapel
	10:00 A.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	1:40 P.M.	St. John’s School/Little Lambs Early Release
	2:15 P.M.	Public School Teen Confirmation Class
	6:30 P.M.	Women’s Bible Study begins at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
	7:30 P.M.	Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class
	6:00 P.M.	Griefshare at St. John’s lower level (9 of 13 weeks)
		SJS/LL Parent Teacher Conferences (evening)
Fri.		NO ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL/LITTLE LAMBS – St. John’s School/Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
	7:00 P.M.	WELS National Choral Fest at WLA
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday November 10 , 2019 The Last Judgment–Welcome Home #4:  “You Are Perfectly Safe Here”
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Congregational meeting
10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship
2:00 P.M.	WELS Sacred Concert at WLA

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Ron Blada, Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Reinold Eckelberg, Harold Fandrey, Lilah Farrell, Xzander Jahr, Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Shirley Krueger, Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt, Mark and Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son and daughter in-law), Katie Segrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, John Smith (Kenon’s father), Jennifer Strauss – (added this week: )

– For our communicants at Emmanuel

PRAISE THE LORD “I want to thank Pastor Zietlow for his prayers and all the church members for their constant prayers and support. After 3.5 years of cancer treatments, it is now in check!”

                                                                                                                        –Bob Klapper

TRUNK OR TREAT Thank you to all who attended and helped out at this year’s Trunk or Treat. Without you, this event would not be as great as it was! Thanks and blessings to you all.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: RUTH “A short story masterpiece that showcases steadfast love and the kind of selfless humility that God rewards.” ~People’s Bible

All women are invited to come to our new Women’s Bible Study for fellowship, fun, and growing in God’s Word!  We will be starting a four-week study of the book of Ruth this week Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30pm in St. John’s church basement.  Come learn about God-inspired devotion, love, and most importantly, how the Savior ties into the whole thing!  Please contact Rachel Naumann at rnaumann@stjohnsmontello.org or 847.913.2135 with any questions.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY The Men’s Bible study will NOT meet this Tuesday, but will be resuming again the next two weeks, November 12 and 19.

A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – EAST SIDE CEMETERY

The Montello East Side Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting this coming Tuesday, November 5th, at 6:30PM. The meeting this year will take place in the St. John’s church basement. Anyone who owns a cemetery plot at East Side, and all other interested parties are welcome to attend. Contact John Dolan at 608-297-1075 if you have any questions.

UPDATE on CARDS FOR PRISON MINISTRY Thanks to all who picked up packs of cards to write for the prison ministry.  All the cards are out.  Please return completed cards by Thanksgiving Day, November 28, to the collection box in the linkway or to the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY A “Sneak Peek at the Gospel” for the day is the topic of the Sunday morning Bible study every week. It’s from 9:00-9:45am – come anytime. We meet in the church. All are welcomed. All are encouraged to attend.

ACTS–ACTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE GOSPEL IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Adult Bible Study meets Monday at 7:30pm & Wednesday at 10am in the St. John’s conference room.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Bible Information Class (leads to membership) is at 7:30pm in the St. John’s conference room (alternate times may also be scheduled).

GRIEFSHARE The 13-week session of Griefshare has begun. Sessions are held at 6:00p.m. in the lower level of St. John’s. Join us for week #8, October 17. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.

ACH What is ACH? Automated Clearing House. Interested in having your church offering automatically deposited? Stop by the office or Information Room and fill out your application today.

MEDITATIONS New “Meditations” WELS daily devotional booklets are available in the church entry (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!”

HOLIDAY TRAIL: NOVEMBER 23, 2019 St. John’s is again a part of this year’s Holiday Trail. Our stop will be open from 9:00am – 4:00pm. The Scholastic Bookfair and Thai Village Craft sale will be the main events here along with a few other perks. Plan to come, bring a friend and enjoy a day of Christmas shopping around town.

Emm/Usher Schedule

 

November 3   

   Emm (comm)                         Don Stelter, Paul Wuerch,

Gary Weger,

comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

SJ                                         Don Smith; Chief, Paul Van Treeck,               Haiden Van Treeck,  

Nolan Van Treeck, Matt Borzick

November 10 

Emm                                      Darrell Buchholz, Glenn Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

   SJ (comm)                             Kenon Smith; Chief, Martin Schmanke, Aaron Kendall,

             Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann

November 17 

Emm                                      DuWayne Sommerfeld, Warren Buchholz, Don Stelter

   SJ                                         Cal Kapp; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Joe Zauner Sr., Joe Zauner Jr.

November 24 

   Emm                                     Wayne Stelter, Bob Ferber,

Gary Wegner

SJ (comm)                             James Wachholz; Chief, Jon Vote, Joe Vote, Jesse Schable, Richard Freitag

November 27 Thanksgiving Eve

  SJ                                          Jack Yates; Chief, Ben Jaster,

Jacob Jaster, Jeff Reimer,

Jeremy Breiwa

November 28 Thanksgiving

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Don Stelter,

Gary Wegner

December 1   

   Emm (comm)                         Lucas Stelter, Jim Stuempges,

Paul Dahlke

comm. assist. Brian Ninnemann

SJ                                         Don Smith; Chief, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon, Gordon Krause

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-27                                 10-30	70	126                           8
St. John’s Altar Committee November  2019	Jennie Utke & Susan Brown

Save the Date for our Thanksgiving Services! November 27                6:30pm Thanksgiving Eve at St. John’s     November 28                 9:00am Thanksgiving Day at Emmanuel

EMMANUEL & ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH

October 27, 2019

Emmanuel & St. John’s

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Welcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. In our service we gather before our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves   through the study of God’s holy and powerful Word.

Restrooms are located in the link way (through the Information Room and down the stairs) at   St. John’s and lower level at Emmanuel.

Nursery In the lower level of both churches, the service is available to watch on TV and children have space for their needs. At St. John’s exiting church, it is located down the stairs to the left, to the link way, and down the stairs again to the left. At Emmanuel exiting church, it is located down the hallway to the right.

Welcome Home!

Our Need for Christian Community

The Lost Are Now Found

You Are Free to Be Yourself

You Are Perfectly Safe Here

You Have an Everlasting Family

You are Part of Christ’s Glorious Kingdom

The Reformation On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses—statements for debate—on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, beginning a spiritual and historical movement known as the Reformation. The Reformation did not just change the face of Europe; it restored the gospel to the church. It gave God’s Word to the people. As we celebrate the Reformation, we are not honoring the man for whom our church body is named. We are thanking God for his grace which he has demonstrated through the generations—preserving the church and setting us free.

Our Theme for Today We continue our Welcome Home sermon series. One of the joys of being home is you need not put on airs. Out in the world, we do all we can to hide our faults and failings. You might be afraid if your boss knew your secrets, he’d give you your walking papers. You might be afraid that if neighbors knew your personal issues, they might consider moving. But we know that in a healthy family, people will love us in spite of our faults.

As a young man, Martin Luther thought of himself as God’s slave. Thus, he was terrified of God. Luther believed God was a terrifying taskmaster, looking for every possible reason to punish him. But as Martin Luther studied God’s Word, he realized that was not the case at all. God is a loving Father. He does not pretend we have no brokenness or sin, but he paid for it all by the death and resurrection of Christ. Scripture says that through faith in Christ, we are completely forgiven. We are part of God’s own family—a family where we are loved in spite of our faults.

God’s grace not only frees us from the fear of condemnation and punishment, it frees us to live a better, more grace-filled life. We want to live as God’s children. We want to love and bear with one another—our brothers and sisters—just as our Father loves and bears with us.

This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word which God himself preserved through the Reformation of the Church.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE REFORMATION

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X  Gathering  X

AT ST. JOHN’S, SUNDAY SCHOOL SINGS                                 

Come Bless the Lord

Come bless the Lord,

All ye servants of the Lord,

Who standby night,

In the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands,

In the holy place,

And bless the Lord,

And bless the Lord

Make Me a Servant

Make me a servant, humble and meek,

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be:

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

Make me a servant, joyful and true,

Sharing with others all that You do.

And may the prayer of my heart always be:

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

Please stand

INVOCATION & OPENING DIALOGUE

M:       In the name of the Father,

            and of the U Son,

            and of the Holy Spirit.

C:        Amen.

After a brief musical introduction, the congregation sings the following.

Please note that with subsequent verses there will be NO musical introduction.

ALL (sung):  All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall;

                        Bring forth the royal diadem And crown him Lord of all.

                        Bring forth the royal diadem And crown him Lord of all.

                        Hail him, ye heirs of David’s line, Whom David Lord did call,

                        The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown him Lord of all.

                        The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown him Lord of all.

M:       Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto the One who sits on the throne,

C:        And to the Lamb, forever and ever.

M:       His blood sets us free to be the people of God.

ALL (sung):  Sinners whose love can ne’er forget The wormwood and the gall,

                        Go, spread your trophies at his feet And crown him Lord of all.

                        Go, spread your trophies at his feet And crown him Lord of all.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M:  Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

C:  Almighty God, merciful Father, I, a troubled and repentant sinner,

      confess that I have sinned against you in my thoughts, my words, and

my actions.

      I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should.

      I am distressed by the sins that trouble me and am deeply sorry for them.

M: Jesus’ death paid for the guilt of your sins and the sins of the whole world.

      He said to his people, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.”

      Because of the promise of our Savior Jesus, I forgive you all your sins.

      Be assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of eternal life!

ALL (sung):  Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe On this terrestrial ball

                        To him all majesty ascribe And crown him Lord of all.

                        To him all majesty ascribe And crown him Lord of all.

M: Fight the good fight of faith!

C: For the Lord, the righteous Judge, has laid up for us a crown of life.

M: For us, and for all who await his appearing.

ALL (sung): Oh, that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall!

                        We’ll join the everlasting song And crown him Lord of all.

                        We’ll join the everlasting song And crown him Lord of all.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength,

      pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people.

      Keep them steadfast in your Word,

      protect and comfort them in all temptations,

      defend them against all their enemies,

      and bestow on the Church your saving peace;

      through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,

      who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

      one God now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated

X  The Word  X

FIRST LESSON                                                                                  Jeremiah 31:31-34

Through Jeremiah, the Lord describes the new covenant established by the promised Messiah. He will  forgive sins and write the promise of grace on the hearts of his people, setting them free.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 46                                                                         hymnal page 84

Sung in unison.

SECOND LESSON                                                                                  Romans 3:19-28

We are justified by God’s grace, set free from sin’s curse and condemnation

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

VERSE OF THE DAY                                                                                   John 8:31,32

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

After a musical introduction, the congregation sings…

Please stand

GOSPEL                                                                                                         John 8:31-36

Within true discipleship comes the understanding and knowledge of the true mystery of Christ. With this knowledge comes freedom.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

M: This is the Gospel of our Lord.

C:  Praise be to you, O Christ!

Please be seated

HYMN OF THE DAY — 201                                            A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Verse 1: all sing    Verse 2: men sing    Verse 3: women sing    Verse 4: all sing

SERMON                                                                  “You Are Free to Be Who You Are”

Please stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH                                                                        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.

Please be seated

X  Offering & Prayers  X

OFFERING

Members of this congregation have joined together in love and faith to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. Please greet one another and sign the pew registers.

Please stand

PRAYERS

The Offering Prayer, Prayer of the Church and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list on bulletin page 14.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Based on Luther’s prayer at the Diet of Worms (1521) as he faced the papal and imperial authorities

M: Almighty, eternal God, out of the depths we call to you. The world opens its mouth to swallow your church, and our faith in you is too small to confront its lures and attractions!

C:  We confess the weakness of our sinful flesh. Satan deceives us daily. If we are to depend upon any strength from ourselves, all is lost. Help us, we beg, to withstand the ungodly way of life that the world has to offer.

M: The work is not ours, O God, but yours. O Sovereign Lord and Creator, we have no way to satisfy your righteousness, nothing to contest the Deceiver’s earthly power, nothing to mute its false attractions, nothing to uproot the rule of our sinful flesh.

C:  We would gladly pass our days in happiness and peace in an age awash with iniquity. Hear us, heavenly Father, for the cause is yours. Yes, Creator of all that is, your cause is righteous and everlasting. Vindicate your name among the nations!

M: O all-seeing Lord, have mercy on your church. You understand our plight. We thank you for sending a messenger of peace to correct the times between life and death. This One is your Son, Jesus the Christ, the incarnate Savior, who saves us from calamities that plague your church.

C:  You have chosen us to do your work. Therefore, O God, accomplish it by your will. Stand by your church each day in the name of Jesus, who is our shelter and shield, our mighty fortress. Through the strength of the Holy Spirit, such faith works joy and peace and willingness to serve a world in need.

M: We are even ready to lay down our life for this cause, as were your servants Martin Luther and his fellow Reformers and Confessors, who forcefully stormed the kingdom of heaven to restore the gospel of your righteousness to its central place in Christian life.

C:  For the cause is holy. Though this world is filled with devils and though our bodies perish in persecution, your Word and your Spirit still remain. The church always needs reform as its message encounters the false and frivolous. But the Word of God stands firm forever.

M: In the confidence of this faith, gracious Lord, bless our efforts to spread the gospel of the glory and grace of God throughout the world to the joy and edifying of all who hear and believe and for your glory and our good.

C:  Amen.

         Special prayers and intercessions may follow

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

      Silent prayer

LORD’S PRAYER

M: We pray in Jesus’ name and as he taught.

C:  Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

Amen.

At Emmanuel, the service continues with…

BLESSING               

M:       Brothers and sisters, go in peace.

            Live in harmony with one another.

            Serve the Lord with gladness.

            The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

            The Lord look on you with favor and give  you peace.

C:        Amen.

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN — 203                                    Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word

At St. John’s, the service continues with…

X  Holy Communion  X

At St. John’s & 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.

WORD AND SACRAMENT                                                            hymnal pages 33-35

Please be seated

DISTRIBUTION HYMN — 377                         Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

Please stand

THANKSGIVING PRAYER & BLESSING                                  hymnal pages 36-37

M:       Brothers and sisters, go in peace.

            Live in harmony with one another.

            Serve the Lord with gladness.

            The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

            The Lord look on you with favor and give  you peace.

C:        Amen.

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN — 203                                    Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word

Following today’s service, please give your completed pew register page to pastor or an usher.

Hymn Appreciation: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word was written by Dr. Martin Luther in 1541 because of a grave and growing threat. Militant Islam was on the move. Seeking to conquer the West and force conversion, the armies of Islam conquered much of the Mediterranean world. They conquered right up to Vienna, the gateway to Europe. A service of prayer for the safety of Christendom was held in 1541, and Luther wrote this hymn for the boys’ choir. It is a prayer that God preserve his people regardless of the evil aims of this world.

^XAnnouncements ^X

Activities for the week of October 27 – November 2

		WELCOME HOME SUNDAY3
Sun.	8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship
	8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
	9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel New Member Fellowship
	9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
	10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
	1:30 P.M.	Reformation Service at St. Peter’s – Fond du Lac
Mon.	6:30 P.M.	Choir at St. John’s
	7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.	6:30 P.M.	Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s
Wed.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Chapel
	10:00 A.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	1:40 P.M.	St. John’s School/Little Lambs Early Release
	2:15 P.M.	Public School Teen Confirmation Class
	4:00 P.M.	Trunk or Treat at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Worship with communion
	7:30 P.M.	Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.		REFORMATION DAY
	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class
	6:00 P.M.	Griefshare at St. John’s lower level (8 of 13 weeks)
Fri.		ALL SAINTS DAY
Sat.		DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Theme for Next Sunday November 3 , 2019 “It Is the Gift of God–Celebrate Reformation Sunday”
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
8:30 A.M.	St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Council meeting
9:00 A.M.	St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.	St. John’s Worship

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Ron Blada, Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Reinold Eckelberg, Harold Fandrey, Lilah Farrell, Xzander Jahr, Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Shirley Krueger, Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt, Mark and Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son and daughter in-law), Katie Segrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, John Smith (Kenon’s father), Jennifer Strauss, Shirley Wilkens – (added this week: )

– For Wyatt Joseph Beahm born on 10/17 to William and Alyssa Beahm

– For Don & Doris Smith who celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on 10/10

– For our communicants at St. John’s

EMMANUEL NEW MEMBER FELLOWSHIP TODAY 10/27, following the 8:00am service in the parish hall, please take some time to meet our newest members and enjoy donuts, juice and coffee.

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS AT ST. JOHN’S are given by Don & Doris Smith in celebration for their 66th wedding anniversary on 10/10. Refreshments are also being served in the link-way before and after today’s (10/27) 10am worship service at St. John’s.  God bless you Don & Doris!

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: RUTH “A short story masterpiece that showcases steadfast love and the kind of selfless humility that God rewards.” ~People’s Bible

All women are invited to come to our new Women’s Bible Study for fellowship, fun, and growing in God’s Word!  We will be starting a four-week study of the book of Ruth on Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30pm in St. John’s church basement.  Come learn about God-inspired devotion, love, and most importantly, how the Savior ties into the whole thing!  Please contact Rachel Naumann at rnaumann@stjohnsmontello.org or 847.913.2135 with any questions.

TRUNK OR TREAT AT ST. JOHN’S: OCTOBER 30^TH 4:00PM – 6:00PM

Come join us for this year’s Trunk or Treat at St. John’s! Pick a theme, any theme, and decorate your trunk. Parking spots will be in the back parking lot of the school.
There will be many other fun things to do! Chili cook off contest, kid’s pumpkin carving/decorating contest, trunk and costume contest, games, prizes and more!
If you wish to enter any or all of the contests and/or reserve your parking spot, please call the office 608-297-2866. Bring a friend and come enjoy an evening of spooky fun, food and fellowship.

DONATIONS FOR MARQUETTE COUNTY CARE & SHARE FOOD BANK  St. John’s members are invited to share in the Sunday School’s October service project:  collecting 1) non-perishable food items/paper products (Please be kind and watch expiration dates!)  and 2) new & gently used winter accessories: hats/caps/gloves/mittens/scarves/neckgaiters/etc. Collection containers in the linkway.  Deadline:  End of October.

UPDATE on CARDS FOR PRISON MINISTRY Thanks to all who picked up packs of cards to write for the prison ministry.  All the cards are out.  Please return completed cards by Thanksgiving Day, November 28, to the collection box in the linkway or to the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY A “Sneak Peek at the Gospel” for the day is the topic of the Sunday morning Bible study every week. It’s from 9:00-9:45am – come anytime. We meet in the church. All are welcomed. All are encouraged to attend.

ACTS–ACTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE GOSPEL IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Adult Bible Study meets Monday at 7:30pm & Wednesday at 10am in the St. John’s conference room.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Bible Information Class (leads to membership) is at 7:30pm in the St. John’s conference room (alternate times may also be scheduled).

GRIEFSHARE The 13-week session of Griefshare has begun. Sessions are held at 6:00p.m. in the lower level of St. John’s. Join us for week #7, October 17. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.

ACH What is ACH? Automated Clearing House. Interested in having your church offering automatically deposited? Stop by the office or Information Room and fill out your application today.

MEDITATIONS New “Meditations” WELS daily devotional booklets are available in the church entry (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “He who angers you, controls you!”

SCHOLASTIC BOOKFAIR St. John’s is looking for an individual(s) who would want to run the Scholastic Book Fair. This has been a big success for our school and students in the past and we would love to continue this. Call the office if you or someone you know is interested!

BAPTISM

A Spiritual D-Day

Most Americans still recognize the significance of a day called D-Day. On that day thousands of Allied soldiers began the invasion of occupied Europe. It was a day of horrendous death and destruction. But that day also marked the beginning of deliverance from tyranny.                                                                                                            

In one sense, the day of your baptism was a spiritual D-Day. On that day the Lord God initiated an invasion through water and Word. That day was also marked by death and deliverance. But that deliverance didn’t take place gradually. On that day you were rescued from hellish tyranny.

Both Peter and Paul invoke this imagery of death yet deliverance in connection with Baptism. The context of Peter’s declaration that “baptism . . . now saves you also” (1 Peter 3:21) is a reference to the universal flood. The flood waters destroyed a world characterized by rampant wickedness. Yet that same water lifted the ark and carried eight people to safety. That water safeguarded the promise first enunciated in the Garden of Eden. Something just as extraordinary happens in the flood at the font. “In [the ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20,21). Luther captures the idea well. “Now baptism is by far a greater flood than was that of Noah. For that flood drowned men during no more than one year, but baptism drowns all sorts of men throughout the world, from the birth of Christ even till the day of judgment” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 35, page 32).                                           

Paul also invokes an Old Testament allusion that most believers will recognize. “I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1,2). The mighty waters of the Red Sea destroyed the enemies of God’s people. Those same waters brought freedom and deliverance to the Israelites.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

We can’t miss the evidence of God’s steady hand of grace. At the font the old Adam is drowned and God delivers us from a death that we inherited at birth. Destruction yet deliverance—the font is a flood that achieves both through the power and Word of the living Lord. Mark the date of your baptism, and each year celebrate that anniversary. On that day God initiated an invasion in order to destroy sin and to deliver you through the blood of Jesus.

What Is Holy, Holy, Holy?

 The word “holy” means different things. It can refer to something that has many holes in it, such as a strainer someone dumps spaghetti noodles into. It can refer to a sacred religious artifact such as the holy grail or the Holy Bible. However, when the Bible uses the word “holy” it refers to someone who is sinless. For example, the Triune God is holy because he does not and cannot sin. Since God is holy, he demands human beings must be holy or sinless to enter heaven. Unfortunately, we are not. We break the Ten Commandments and sin against God every day. This is why God sent Jesus to be our Savior. Jesus lived a holy life and then went to the cross where he took our sins upon himself and suffered and died for them. Through his innocent suffering and death, God the Father forgave our sins. Everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is holy in God’s sight and will go to heaven where they will live holy lives forever. As believers in Jesus we eagerly look forward to the day when we will be in heaven singing our praises to God for making us holy so we can live there with him. However, in a basic liturgical worship we already praise God for this now. In this column entitled, “Questions About Christianity”, we are looking at the different parts of a basic Christian liturgical worship service. This month we will learn about the song Holy, Holy, Holy by answering this question, “What is Holy, Holy, Holy?”

Holy, Holy, Holy is often referred to by its Latin name Sanctus (Sanctus means holy). The Holy, Holy, Holy or Sanctus is a liturgical song that closes the Preface. Clement of Rome reported using this song in his worship services as early as 104 A.D. Over the years, different versions of the Holy, Holy, Holy developed. The song became widely used during the service of Holy Communion throughout most of Christianity by the fourteenth century.

The words of Holy, Holy, Holy come from two main Biblical texts. The first is from Isaiah 6. In this chapter the Lord allowed the prophet Isaiah to see a glimpse of heaven. As the Lord sat on his throne, he was surrounded by seraphs with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. As they were flying, they praised the Lord saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The second Biblical text is from Matthew 21:1-11. In these verses Jesus is riding on a colt into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday surrounded by many people who are putting their coats and cut palm branches on the ground as they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Holy, Holy, Holy is a very fitting song for Christians to sing right before they receive Holy Communion. The word holy is said three times to depict that each person of the Triune God is holy. When Christians sing this song, they humbly admit the Triune God is holy and they are not. But they rejoice because God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to forgive them of their sins and make them holy in God’s sight through faith in Jesus as their Savior. Through Holy Communion, Christians once again are forgiven of their sins and assured they will go to heaven where they will live in God’s holy presence forever because they themselves will be holy.

Emm/Usher Schedule

October 27    

   Emm                                     Lucas Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

   SJ (comm)                           Jack Yates; Chief, Kevin Kaul, Corey Kaul, Ken Borzick,

James Henke

November 3  

   Emm (comm)                       Don Stelter, Paul Wuerch, Gary Weger,

comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

   SJ                                         Don Smith; Chief, Paul Van Treeck, Haiden Van Treeck,

Nolan Van Treeck, Matt Borzick

November 10

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Glenn Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

   SJ (comm)                           Kenon Smith; Chief, Martin Schmanke, Aaron Kendall,

            Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann

November 17

   Emm                                     DuWayne Sommerfeld, Warren Buchholz, Don Stelter

   SJ                                         Cal Kapp; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Joe Zauner Sr.,

Joe Zauner Jr.

November 24

   Emm                                     Wayne Stelter, Bob Ferber, Gary Wegner

   SJ (comm)                           James Wachholz; Chief, Jon Vote, Joe Vote,

Jesse Schable, Richard Freitag

November 27 Thanksgiving Eve

  SJ                                          Jack Yates; Chief, Ben Jaster, Jacob Jaster,

Jeff Reimer, Jeremy Breiwa,

November 28 Thanksgiving

   Emm                                     Darrell Buchholz, Don Stelter, Gary Wegner

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
10-20                                  10-23	91	148
St. John’s Altar Committee October 2019	Elaine Kelm & Carolyn Rosenthal

Save the Date for our Thanksgiving Services! November 27                6:30pm Thanksgiving Eve at St. John’s           November 28                 9:00am Thanksgiving at Emmanuel

●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Please Sign Our Guest Register Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link:  www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830 E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Rachel Naumann: (847) 913-2135 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:  616-822-6689 Church & School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 & Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●