Built for Service – July 5, 2018

July 5, 2018July 5, 2018 Kerry

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

Built for Service

Daily Devotion – July 5, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:10

See series: Devotions

Everything has a purpose. Hammers are for pounding nails. Sponges are for cleaning. Books are for reading. These tools work best when you use them for their designed purpose. Cutting an apple with a book cover would not work well. Using a hammer to wash the dishes would not turn out very well for the dishes. You couldn’t get to work trying to drive a sponge. Things are designed for a purpose. If you try to make them do something they are not designed for, you often run into problems.

What is your purpose? As a Christian, the Bible says that you are God’s workmanship, his handiwork. God made you, and in Christ he has given you a purpose—to do good works. These good works are the things done by faith out of love for God and love for others. They can be great deeds like rescuing someone from a burning building, or they can be simple acts of kindness like doing the dishes or being kind to someone who is hurting.

What makes these opportunities to serve by good works so amazing? God prepared them in advance for you to do. He provides you with countless opportunities to show this love to him and to others.

Do you always take those opportunities? Or do you give into the thoughts that they are too much work or you are too busy. Selfishness and self-serving attitudes can come up with countless excuses to not serve God or others. The result of these sins is that you not do what God designed you to do.

And yet, what has God done? By grace, God’s undeserved love, Jesus took your place. He lived perfectly for you and died for all your sins. God forgives you for selfishness and failures to serve. He gives you this gift because of his great love. Moved by his love and forgiveness, savor the opportunities to show love for him by joyfully doing good works in service to him and others. For God has built you for service in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me my sins of selfishness and loveless actions. Help me to live in your love, and joyfully serve you and others in all that I think, say, and do. Amen.

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

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

Waiting – July 4, 2018

July 4, 2018July 4, 2018 Kerry

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:25-26

Waiting

Daily Devotion – July 4, 2018

Devotion based on Lamentations 3:25-26

See series: Devotions

“Are we there yet?” With summer vacations in full swing this is sure to be heard from more than a few back seats. After spending so much time in the car, children can’t help it. Waiting is a difficult thing to do.

But waiting is difficult in more than just car rides.

The original readers of the book of Lamentations had experienced the heartache of sin and its consequences and had to wait for God’s restoration. They had been taken from their homes, led off into captivity, and now struggled as aliens in a foreign land. However, God promised them certain restoration. They would return to their homes and find peace, but they needed to wait for that day.

We, the readers of Lamentations today, also know the heartache of sin. Whether it is the consequences of our own sin, the consequences of the sins of others, or just living in a sinful world, we too know the heartache of sin and we must wait for God’s restoration. Sometimes we get to see hints of that restoration here and now: a disease is cured, a relationship is restored, security is found. Other times we must wait for restoration, though God promises it will surely come, whether in this life or in the life to come.

The thing about a long car ride is you do eventually arrive at your destination. Whether it is the beach or Grandma’s house you get there, and the waiting was worth it. The same is true for those of us who wait on the Lord. While it may seem to take a long time, God promises us that it will be worth the wait. Because it will be worth the wait, it is good to wait quietly for the Lord, not grumbling or complaining. With hope in our hearts we know that the Lord is good to us. We know that his plans are best for us and so we seek him. We know that he is bringing full restoration and salvation when he returns at the Last Day.

Until then, we wait quietly for the Lord.

Prayer:
Lord God, help us to wait on your timing. Give us patience to see and know that your will is best for us. 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.

Alone – July 3, 2018

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 Kerry

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.
2 Corinthians 8:9

Alone

Daily Devotion – July 3, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 8:9

See series: Devotions

It was the summer of 1992, and a man by the name of Christopher McCandless had just come to a startling conclusion. It’s a conclusion he likely never expected to reach.

For much of his life, Christopher McCandless had wanted to be alone. He dreamed of living a solitary life, free from obligations to others; free from the responsibilities that come with ties to family and friends; free from the complications of human relationships. His passion to live this way was so great that he was willing to sacrifice all he had to experience it.

And so in 1990, after graduating from college, Christopher walked away. He walked away from his family relationships. He walked away from his ties with friends. As he did, he began his new life—his new life as a vagabond, traveling about the country, working odd jobs as needed along the way.

He found the experience thrilling. His desire to be alone grew. He hitchhiked his way to Alaska, and there he pursued what he must have seen as a dream-come-true. With little equipment or expertise, he walked into the Alaskan wilderness, determined to live off the land and to be alone.

He kept a diary and took pictures to record his adventure. For a time, he seemed convinced that this was the way to live, and that this solitary life was worth all he had sacrificed.

But then, in the summer of 1992, alone, in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, Christopher came to what must have been a jarring conclusion. His diary proclaims that conclusion in five words. In his diary he wrote, “Happiness only real when shared.”

“Happiness only real when shared.” After all that he had sacrificed to be alone, Christopher had discovered that, for him, to be alone was not the answer. But now it was too late. His body had grown weak from physical problems. He was too weak to walk back out. He died alone.

Jesus once sacrificed all that he had. He gave up the full use of his power and glory as God in order to live and die as a human being. He made that sacrifice, however, not in some quest to be alone. He made that sacrifice so that he could be with us, and we could be with him. He did what had to be done to break down the barriers of our sin. He did what had to be done so that you and I would never have to be alone.

Through faith in Jesus, we are not.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for my moments of solitude. But even then, remind me that simple aloneness is not the answer. You are. 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.

Why Bother the Lord? – July 2, 2018

July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 Kerry

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Mark 5:35-36

Why Bother the Lord?

Daily Devotion – July 2, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 5:35-36

See series: Devotions

There are times when I pray that I get frustrated. I come to the Lord hoping he will help. I feel confident he hears my request. I even expect I will get a good answer. This is when I get frustrated. It seems the Lord isn’t listening, and his answer is completely different from the one I expected. This is when I have to fight the temptation to say, “Why do I bother the Lord?”

It is what Jairus’ friends said when his daughter died. For them there was nothing anyone could do, even Jesus. Yet, Jesus encouraged Jairus to believe.

Faith didn’t disappoint Jairus, neither did Jesus’ answer. Faith will never disappoint me either. Surely the world will say, don’t bother. Without a doubt the devil will want me to think, don’t bother. It is certain my sin-weakened flesh will tell me, don’t bother. Yet, I can believe what the Lord says. I can also believe his answer will never disappoint.

While I may not see the same miracle Jairus did, I will see miracles in my life. Every time Jesus answers my prayer for my good, it is a miracle of his great power and his undeserved love. And even though I may not always see or understand that answer, I can trust the Lord. My confidence comes from his loving answer to my greatest need.

I was dead in sin. I was condemned because of my disobedience. I was sentenced to eternal separation. Yet, Jesus delivered me from death. He purified me from my guilt. He even declared me free from the just judgment I deserved. It is this love, secured with the sacrifice of his own life, which gives me every reason to believe him. It is this love which also gives me every reason to “bother” him with every need—small or great.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 411)
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness—take it to the Lord in prayer.

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.

Whom do you love? – July 1, 2018

July 1, 2018July 1, 2018 Kerry

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:37-39

Whom do you love?

Daily Devotion – July 1, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 10:37-39

See series: Devotions

These words of Jesus may be a bit difficult to comprehend, especially if you’ve ever held your own child in your arms. The love which parents, especially new parents, have for their child is something that can hardly be described. It’s overwhelming. It’s profound. Some find the greatest joy in these moments.

Something more…perhaps you’ve been there as your mother or father or sibling is passing away. You’re filled with another kind of profound love and care for them. It’s overwhelming and profound to a different degree, and yet it is still love.

Now, as you consider the words of Jesus once again, you have to ask yourself, “Is my love for my child, parent, sibling…greater than my love for Jesus?” If so, Jesus’ words cut deeply. In truth, we are breaking the very First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods,” if we are loving people more than we love Jesus. The results of this are eternally damning.

Let’s consider this from heaven’s eternal viewpoint. Everything we have is a gift from God—a gift that is best viewed “on loan.” Our parents are his. Our children are his. The material things we have are his, on loan to us for a time. If we love the gifts and not the giver of the gifts, we are idol worshippers and will lose our life.

Jesus had it all, and yet he gave it all up. He is the eternal Son of God who gave up the glory of heaven to come to this world where he died destitute—all because he loved God above all else. He truly is the only one who has earned the title “worthy.” Yet, by grace alone, through faith alone, he forgives our sins and calls us worthy! Whoever loves him and believes in him HAS eternal life.

What astonishing love Jesus has for us! What an amazing gift he has given to us! In love he gives us eternal life—a gift that far surpasses all material gifts. May his love lead us to love him above all else, always.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to love you more and more each day. Thank you for all the gifts you have given me. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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.

Lasting Peace – June 30, 2018

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 Kerry

The prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true.
Jeremiah 28:9

Lasting Peace

Daily Devotion – June 30, 2018

Devotion based on Jeremiah 28:9

See series: Devotions

Although we look for and long for peace, it is not often found and short-lived when it is. Full-blown wars are waged across the globe. Minor skirmishes break out continually. Violence erupts in city streets. Domestic abuse comes to old and young and many in between. How great it would be to hear that right around the corner is an end of the fighting and an entrance of peace! Sadly, that’s not what God tells us to expect in our world. Hatred and hostility, not harmony and hand-holding, are the world’s hallmarks.

Why? Why is peace such a rare commodity? The simple answer is: sin. Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, their descendants in this world are in a wrecked relationship with God and each other. Sin that dwells in human hearts reveals itself in self-destructive acts of rebellion against God and his commands. Human hearts reveal their sinfulness in thoughts of jealousy and suspicion against fellow human beings. Wicked thoughts often lead to ugly words and malicious accusations. Greed and unbridled desire propel people to take action to sink the competition and gain ground for self. Is it any wonder that unchecked human beings who gain wealth and power will use them to gain even more, with little or no care for those they hurt in the process? Sin destroys peace—peace we long for on earth—but more devastatingly, peace with God!

The prophet Jeremiah, some 2600 years ago, recounted the accurate prophecies made against nations and people, all which came as a result of sin. Then, to a certain false prophet who was trying to raise the people’s hope for peace he said, “The prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true.” Jeremiah was warning the people that the prophet who predicted peace for the nation of Israel was a liar. How depressing!

But wait! Later in his rather long book of prophecy, Jeremiah himself spoke of peace (Jeremiah 30:10, 46:27). He talked of a lasting peace which would bring ultimate security. And…his prediction came true! The Lord himself brought peace to human beings by sending his Son as the peace-maker. He came, not as one who demands that all lay down their arms, but to lay down his life as an offering for sin and sinners. Not coming to bark orders and demand that everyone treat each other nicely…or else, he came to bring about a divine cease-fire through his pure life, innocent death, and resurrection from death. Those actions of Jesus Christ have been accepted by God himself as solution to sin and the terms of a truce between God and people, between God and you!

We shouldn’t expect to see an end of the fighting in this world. But, in Christ, there is peace that goes way deeper than that: peace with God through the forgiveness of sins! As you hold tight to Jesus in faith you have a divinely secured peace, which no one can take from you and that will last forever!

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for sending your Son to restore peace in my relationship with you. Help me to reflect that peace in the way I serve you and treat others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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- July 1, 2018 -A Service for Independence Day

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 Kerry

Let Freedom Ring

A Service for Independence Day

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July 1, 2018

8 a.m. Emmanuel

10 a.m. St. John’s

Pastor Peter Zietlow

Pastor’s Greeting: Today we celebrate our freedom in Christ and our nation’s Independence Day.

(Please stand)

Congregational Hymn, “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee,” 1^st of 3 verses, sung to the tune of “God Bless Our Native Land,” Hymn 619

Sing:

My country ’tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride,

From ev’ry mountainside let freedom ring.

Pastor and congregation responsive readings from Isaiah 61 and 58:

P: Proclaim good news to the oppressed, liberty to the captives, and release to those imprisoned.

C: Let freedom ring!

P: Bind up the brokenhearted and comfort those who mourn. Share your bread with the hungry, clothe the naked, and give shelter to the homeless poor.

C: Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

P: Let the bonds of injustice be loosed and the chains of the yoke undone.

C: Let freedom ring!

P: Proclaim God’s everlasting covenant.

C: For the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring us before all nations.

P: Let freedom ring!

Sing:

Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees sweet freedom’s song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

Prayer of the Day

Sing:

Our fathers’ God, to thee,

Author of liberty, to thee we sing;

Long may our land be bright

With freedom’s holy light.

Protect us by thy might, great God, our king!

(Please be seated)

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 4:32-39 God freed his people from their bondage.

³²Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? ³³Has any other people heard the voice of God^[^a^] speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? ³⁴Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation,by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

³⁵You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. ³⁶From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. ³⁷Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, ³⁸to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.

³⁹Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.

Psalm Response, sung to the tune “Oh Worship the King,” Hymn 243

Oh, let freedom ring throughout all the land. O citizens, sing of God’s mighty hand. The bountiful grace of your Maker proclaim And fill ev’ry place with the praise of his name!

Proclaim liberty, that all once enslaved From sin’s misery at last may be saved. So may all the ransomed their Savior adore And lift holy hands in his praise evermore.

Proclaim liberty! Behold how each field In God’s jubilee its treasures shall yield. With high adoration God’s children shall sing In thanks for salvation: Oh, let freedom ring.

Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-17 God’s grace is our freedom.

¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

¹³To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.¹⁴Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

¹⁵But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Verse of the Day: Alleluia. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Alleluia. Proverbs 14:34

Congregation: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Hymnal p.18

Rise for the Gospel: John 8:31-36 The Son has set us free.

³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

(Be seated)

Congregational Hymn: 1 verse sung to the tune of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, Hymn 234

Praise we our God for he prospers our words and defends us. Daily the strength of his goodness and mercy attends us. Let freedom ring! Through all the land echoing thanks for the blessings God sends us.

Sermon: Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Celebrate Your Freedom In Christ

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

¹³You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”¹⁵If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Congregational Hymn: 1 verse sung to the tune of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, Hymn 234

Praise to our Father, Almighty, the King of creation! Praise to Christ Jesus, whose death guarantees our salvation!

Let freedom ring! Moved by God’s Spirit we sing anthems of glad adoration.

Offering—Sign the friendship register and greet one another. (WELS Connection DVD)

Hymn 485, “We Give Thee but Thine Own,” verses 1,2

We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be; All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.

May we thy bounties thus as stewards true receive And gladly, as thou blesses us, to thee our first fruits give. Amen

Prayer: Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve you faithfully in our generation to the honor of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And they all said…

C: Amen

Intercessory Prayers-

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, Caleb & Emery Degenstein (Mark Emond’s friends), Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brian & Bonnie Harmon (Linda Lou Wacholtz’ sister & brother-in-law), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Steve Parrish, Wayne Riemer, Wilma Rudolph, Frankie Russell, Bob Schrank, Bill Schroeder (Ashley’s father-in-law), Jennifer Strauss, Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Raymond Zacharias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: Jennifer Strauss)

– For Tim Hemling who accepted the Lord’s Call to teach middle school English at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Florida

– For Milo & Barbara Petrick who celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Wednesday (6/27)

– For the family of Randy Tutaj, former St. John’s and current Emmanuel member, called home on Wednesday

– For those straying from the church

– For our communicants at Emmanuel

Join together in the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be they 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.

*At Emmanuel, we follow the service for Communion on pages 33-37. The communion Hymn is Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord, Hymn 309, 3 verses.

At Emmanuel & St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Churches 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:

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

All: Amen

(Please stand)

Congregational Closing Hymn, “God Bless Our Native Land,” Hymn 619

God bless our native land; firm may she ever stand

Through storm and night!

When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do thou our country save by thy great might.

For her our prayers shall rise, To God above the skies;

On him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye,

To thee aloud we cry, God save the state!

(Be seated)

(Veterans & active military persons: please remain standing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THEME FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost:

Proclaim the Word Whether People Listen or Not

Note: Please give your completed friendship register page to an usher or pastor as you leave today’s service.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK JULY 1-JULY 7
Sun.	8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.	9:00 A.M.		St. John’s Elders meeting
Wed.			INDEPENDENCE DAY
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship
Thurs.
Fri.	3:00PM-9:00PM		St. John’s Booth at the Marquette County Fair-Westfield, WI
Sat.	10:00AM-8:00PM		St. John’s Booth at the Marquette County Fair-Westfield, WI
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proclaim the Word Whether People Listen or Not
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship with communion

OFFICE SUMMER HOURS Mondays 8:00am-4:00pm, Tuesdays 8:00am-4:00pm, and Thursdays 8:00am-12:00pm.

THANKS LuAnn Zieman for arranging today’s special service

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words for our sister (Sherri Miller) over the past year. Your support meant a lot to us. As a result, after a grueling 10 months of surgery, chemo treatments and radiation our sister is currently cancer free. It has been two months since her last treatment and she is slowly regaining her strength. The Lord has been merciful! –Dawn Marcelain and Candace Sonnenberg

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) 2018 St. John’s Vaction Bible School will be August 6-10 from 9:00am-3:00pm and will be available for ages 3yrs-6^th grade. Camp Phillip will be leading it for us this year! There will be sign-up sheets in the office, St. John’s info room and Emmanuel parish hall. OR you can call/email the office during summer hours to sign your child up. The deadline for sign-up is July 30^th.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We will need as many volunteers (adults and older kids) as we can get to help run our VBS this year. If you want to help, call the office and let Ciara know ASAP!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL DONATIONS NEEDED! St. John’s needs a list of supplies to run VBS efficiently. If you are willing to donate, you may swing by the office during summer hours or drop boxes will be located in Emmanuel parish hall and St. John’s info room.

Here is a list of things needed: glue, glue sticks, onion powder, cardstock paper, ground mustard, yellow mustard, black and red permanent markers, plastic mixing spoons, apple corer, small mixing bowls, baking rack, garlic powder, microwave-safe bowls, box of food coloring, silver glitter, toothpicks, measuring cups, measuring spoons, baby oil, white sand, sea shells red satin ribbon, cross penny, satin nylon cord, heavy duty paper plates, black felt, 18 oz. plastic bottles (BAI), black construction paper, 32 quarters, masing tape, index cards, blindfolds, 40 ping pong balls, long rope, water guns.

See the source image MARQUETTE COUNTY FAIR BOOTH This year at the Marquette County Fair in Westfield, St. John’s will be setting up a booth. We are looking for volunteers (2 people per shift, older kids are welcome) to sit at our booth, interact with others with the fun activities we have set up and simply share what St. John’s church and school is all about with provided pamphlets and handout information. Volunteers will “work” in 2 hour shifts. The booth will run Friday, July 6^th from 3:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, July 7^th from 10:00am-8:00pm. Please call Ciara at the office or contact Pastor Pete/Paul Van Treeck to volunteer!

INVITATION Friedens Lutheran Church in Randolph, WI invites you to a special presentation on Medical Ethics Part Two, Christian Decision Making by Rev. Wayne Mueller. Pastor Mueller will be speaking about Sexual Ethics and End of Life Decisions. He will be addressing such questions as: Can there ever be a bad reason for deciding to have more children? What happens to the souls of babies who are aborted? Are some forms of birth control less moral than others? Please join us on Saturday, July 14^th from 1:00-3:15pm. Fellowship and lite refreshments to follow. See sign-up sheet in Emmanuel parish hall and St. John’s info room.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “Forbidden fruits create many jams.”

ST. JOHN’S A/V ROOM–HELP WANTED Our current audio/visual crew (Tracy Hoffman & Aaron Wachholz) welcomes more members to learn what they do to create and show PowerPoint services on the big screen, record services to create DVD’s and upload to our church website, operate the sound system, etc. “Many hands make light work.”

WELS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH RALLY at Bowling Green, Kentucky State University June 26-29 – St. John’s–Montello Youth Group leaders: Mark & Patty Emond; YG members: Isaac Emond, Nellie Kendall, Jasmine Lange, Autumn Loveland, Lyla Roush, Austin Thornton. Thanks for your participation, prayers and support.

See the source image ALTAR FLOWERS If you would like to have flowers put on the altar for a special occasion or just to add beauty to St. John’s, please contact our Altar Ladies, Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036 or Elaine Kelm 920-344-0025, and they can have it arranged. Thank you.

*St. John’s Greeter Schedule*
July 1	Delvin & Jean Henke
July 8	Paul & Christa Van Treeck

Attendance

Emmanuel

St. John’s

6-24 6-27

136 8

St. John’s Altar Committee:

July 2018

Elain Kelm

Carolyn Rosenthal

Usher Schedule

July 1

(with comm)

Jack Yates; Chief, Calvin Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls, Mark Emond, Kevin Kaul

Don Stelter, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller, comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

July 8

(with comm)

Don Smith; Chief, Scott Ritz, James Kunde, Ken Borzick, Thomas Wojtalewicz

Brian Ninnemann, Noah Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website & Facebook link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-107160252675/

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830,

E-mail: zietlowpl6@hotmail.com

Teacher: Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher: Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Church/School Secretary: Ciara Neuhauser

(608) 297-2866

Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm (920) 344-0025

Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036

Mail to: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949

OR scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

WLA Principal: Mr. David Schroeder

Office (920) 921-4930

WLA website: www.wlavikings.org

See the source image

Holding on to Hope – June 29, 2018

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 Kerry

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Holding on to Hope

Daily Devotion – June 29, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 15:13

See series: Devotions

Hope is a slippery thing. We hold onto it until suddenly and almost always unexpectedly, it is taken away from us.

We can’t help people by just telling them to be more hopeful. That’s like telling an excited child to close his eyes and go to sleep. He may close his eyes as tightly as he possibly can but that won’t make him any sleepier. Hope isn’t something we can have by wishing for it.

Rather, hope needs to be given and who better to give it than the “God of hope”? How does God give hope? He does it by filling us with joy and peace as we trust in him.

Joy is ours as the Holy Spirit teaches and convinces us that God is not our enemy nor is he looking to punish us. Rather, as the Holy Spirit works through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are assured that God has forgiven all our sins and even calls us his friends.

The Holy Spirit gives us peace as we read the Scriptures. He makes us confident that our days are known by God and that he is promising to work all things for our eternal good. He takes away our fears because he guarantees that our future belongs to him and nothing can take that future away from us.

Filled with joy and peace as we trust in God, we truly have hope. Not the kind of hope that can be easily taken away but instead we have an overflowing hope. Filled with peace and joy by the Holy Spirit, hope fills our lives abundantly. Rather than slipping away from hope, it runs over into the lives of others.

All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to hold onto and be filled with hope.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give to us the Holy Spirit that we may be renewed in hope as you fill us with peace and joy. 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.

True Spirituality, A Gift from God – June 28, 2018

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 Kerry

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 2:38

True Spirituality, A Gift from God

Daily Devotion – June 28, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 2:38

See series: Devotions

“I am spiritual.”

It is common to hear that statement when the topic of God and religion comes up. People probably mean many things when they say they are spiritual. Maybe they just want to give an answer that sounds good, so conversation will turn to something else. But in many instances, it seems to indicate an interest in things like morality, spiritual forces of good and evil, or a higher power.

True spirituality is important, something that God wants all of us to have. So he defines it and he tells us where it comes from.

Today’s Bible verse is a message delivered many years ago by a man named Peter. He was speaking to his Jewish countrymen about Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had performed many miracles. He had taught with authority. The Jewish leaders and people called for his death. He was handed over and killed. But he rose from the dead and lives and rules as Lord! Many of Peter’s listeners were convicted of their guilt. “We killed the one God chose and sent! What shall we do?”

“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.” God the Holy Spirit connects us to Jesus and the forgiveness he earned by his suffering and death for us. True spirituality is a gift from God. It is freely given to those who do not deserve it. It is given to those who have failed God and others. It is given to those who are terrified about what their sins look like to God. It is given through the message of Jesus Christ. It is given through a simple, but powerful and profound, washing of water connected to that word. The Spirit comes to human hearts this way. The Spirit gives spiritual life by turning hearts away from themselves and turning them in faith to Jesus. The Spirit connects people to Jesus’ forgiveness and the peace, joy, and hope that come with it.

“I am spiritual.” By God’s gift of the Spirit through the gospel of forgiveness…by the gift of the Spirit who connects you to Jesus and his forgiveness…yes, you are!

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for your gifts to us. Thank you for Jesus and his forgiveness. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and his work of connecting us to Jesus by the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.

The Why Question – June 27, 2018

June 27, 2018June 27, 2018 Kerry

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:1,4-7

The Why Question

Daily Devotion – June 27, 2018

Devotion based on Job 38:1,4-7

See series: Devotions

“Why, daddy?” “Mommy, why?” Can you hear the three-year-old asking questions over and over and over again? “Why is the sky blue?” “Why does ice cream taste so good?” “Why do you get to stay up and I have to go to bed?” “Why do cars go fast?” “Why do light bulbs make light?” And over and over again. For the adult, it can be challenging to remain patient, to continue to answer, or sometimes to even know how to answer. And we can become frustrated.

Is it possible that what frustrates us about three-year-old children is the way we sometimes approach God? “Why do some people have so many talents and I have so few?” “Why do my attempts to get ahead financially seem to fail, while others seem to do very well?” “Why didn’t I make that team, get that promotion, or get that guy or girl?” “Why did this struggle come to me and my family?”

Job was asking the “why” question. He had faced enormous difficulties in his life and became frustrated. In his mind, it wasn’t fair; he’d been a faithful believer, yet his life was in shambles. “Why!” (Read the book of Job, chapters 1 & 2.)

In the last five chapters of the book, God answers, but he doesn’t answer the “why” question. Instead, he focuses our attention from “why” to “who.” Who spoke to Job? The Lord spoke to Job. The Lord, who is the powerful, independent God; who is also the faithful God, showing love and mercy to us humans. That’s who spoke to Job.

And how much power does the Lord have? He laid down the earth’s foundations; he marked off its dimensions. The Lord has amazing powers which go oh-so-far beyond our understanding. He can do anything and everything!

And most importantly, how does the Lord feel about you and me? He loves us! He proved it by faithfully sending Jesus to this earth to live, die, and rise in our place. He loves you and me with an everlasting love which is bigger and better than any love which any human being can have for us. That’s “who” our Lord is!

Is it okay to ask “why?” Sure. But it’s often far better to ask, “Who?” “Who is in control?” The all-powerful God who loves you dearly. That’s who!

Prayer:
Focus me on you, O Lord, that I may be filled with peace during every up and down of 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.