ST. JOHN’S
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Montello, WI
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
FEBRUARY 4, 2018
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY
Jesus is Revealed by A Tireless Compulsion to Preach the Gospel – Have you ever felt compelled to do or say something because you’re a Christian? Sometimes that compulsion springs from feelings of guilt. Sadly, that can even be true of our gospel outreach efforts. Such guilt-ridden efforts burn us out and leave us feeling unfulfilled, guiltier. But Jesus doesn’t want us to feel guilty about his Great Commission, and he doesn’t want us to reach out with the gospel due to guilt. Instead it’s the freedom of the gospel that inspires our words and actions as Christians. As we more deeply appreciate the unconditional love that Jesus has for us and for all people, we will more and more feel a tireless compulsion to preach the gospel.
A PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Dear Heavenly Father: I come to your house today to worship you, to give you the praise you deserve and the prayers and hymns you desire. Through your Word and Spirit, come to me. Take me by the hand and lead me to the cross where your Son offered sin’s sacrifice once and for all. Forgive my sins, strengthen my faith, assure me of my salvation, and comfort me in my sorrow. Teach me today that you alone can heal the hopeless and save the sinful. Bless my worship today and tomorrow. Amen.
ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY
“Service of the Word” (hymnal page 38)
PASTOR’S GREETING
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL GRADES K-4 SING “Thy Word Is A Lamp” (in place of opening hymn)
(Please stand)
LITURGY (hymnal page 38, read & sung responsively)
PRAYER OF THE DAY (pastor reads)
(Please be seated for today’s scripture readings)
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON JOB 7:1-7
Tired and depressed, Job lost his desire to proclaim the good news and nearly lost his faith
“Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.
When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
PSALM 103 (hymnal page 105, lectern side sings first line, pulpit side sings second line, all sing refrain and Gloria)
EPISTLE LESSON 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-23
Christ’s love for sinners was Paul’s motivation to preach the gospel and become all things to all men
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
VERSE OF THE DAY (pastor reads)
“Alleluia. Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ Alleluia.” (John 8:12)
LITURGY (hymnal page 40, all sing)
“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!…”
(Please stand)
GOSPEL LESSON MARK 1:29-39 (today’s sermon text)
Worn out and looking for solitude, Jesus shows his tireless compulsion to preach the good news
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
After the reading of the Gospel, all sing:
“Praise be to you, O Christ!”
(Please be seated)
SERMON HYMN 282 “Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear” (printed in hymn, all sing)
SERMON MARK 1:29-39
“Spend a Day with Jesus! As we do so, we’ll see his power over…”
1. Sickness
2. Satan
3. Sin
(Please stand after the sermon)
APOSTLES’ CREED (hymnal page 41, all read)
(Please be seated)
OFFERING, GREETINGS, & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS
PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY (read by pastor)
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (spoken by pastor)
– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Chuck Boetcher, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, 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), Ardis Henning, Laurana Hoffman (Tim’s daughter), Drake Hunter (Bill & Cally’s grandson), Mary Isberner, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Linda Malsack, Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), Marion Neuman (Marjorie Fabian’s sister), Steve Parrish, Wilma Rudolph, Bob Schrank, Becky Schulz (Kristen Cragin’s sister), Tim Schultz, Roger Stellick (Doug’s uncle), Bob Wegner – (added this week: Brian & Bonnie Harmon, Kerry & Lily Mann)
– For Jacob Polk & Cansis Bodsberg who were united in marriage on 1/22
(Please stand)
THE LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 43a, all read)
(Please be seated)
HYMN 93 “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” (printed in hymnal, all sing)
LITURGY (hymnal page 43b-44, read & sung responsively)
CLOSING HYMN 439 “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” (printed in hymnal, all sing)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Theme for next Sunday (2/11):
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Note: Please give your completed friendship register page to an usher or pastor as you leave today’s service.
| ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK FEBRUARY 4-FEBRUARY 10 | |||
| Sun. | 8:00 A.M. | Emmanuel Worship with communion | |
| 8:20 A.M. | Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School | ||
| 8:30 A.M. | St. John’s Sunday School | ||
| 9:00 A.M. | St. John’s Adult Bible Study | ||
| 9:15 A.M. | Emmanuel Congregational meeting | ||
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Worship | ||
| 11:15 P.M. | St. John’s Voters meeting | ||
| Mon. | 9:00 A.M. | Pastor’s Study Club at St. John’s Princeton | |
| 6:00 P.M. | Hands In Prayer meeting at St. John’s | ||
| 6:30 P.M. | Senior Choir at St. John’s | ||
| 7:30 P.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | ||
| Tues. | 9:00 A.M. | St. John’s Elders meeting | |
| 6:00 P.M. | Joint Ministry Stewardship meeting at St. John’s | ||
| Wed. | 10:00 A.M. | Adult Bible Study at St. John’s | |
| 1:40 P.M. | St. John’s School/Little Lambs early dismissal | ||
| 2:15 P.M. | Public School Teen Confirmation class at St. John’s | ||
| 6:30 P.M. | St. John’s Worship | ||
| 7:30 P.M. | Bible Information Class at St. John’s | ||
| Thurs. | 10:00 A.M. | Montello Care Center devotion | |
| 6:00 P.M. | Griefshare at St. John’s lower level begins (4 of 13 weeks) | ||
| SJS/LL NO SCHOOL | |||
| Fri. | SJS/LL NO SCHOOL | ||
| Sat. | |||
| SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Theme for next Sunday (2/11): The Transfiguration of our Lord |
|||
| 8:00 A.M. | Emmanuel Worship | ||
| 8:20 A.M. | Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School | ||
| 8:30 A.M. | St. John’s Sunday School | ||
| 9:00 A.M. | Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study | ||
| 10:00 A.M. | St. John’s Worship with communion | ||
| 5:00 P.M. | Lent by Candlelight at St. John’s | ||
ST. JOHN’S OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN-UP The signup sheet is located in the church link way. Please sign up if you wish to have a copy of your 2017 offering statement.
ST. JOHN’S OFFERING ENVELOPES 2018 are located in the link way of church. Please pick yours up if you haven’t yet! If you do not have a box, feel free to contact pastor or the office and we will get one to you!
2017 OFFERING STATEMENTS If you have signed up to receive your 2017 offering statement, please pick it up in the link way.
NEW MEMBER WELCOME DINNER Many thanks to the 70+ members who joined us on Sunday 1/21 at 11:15 a.m. for our joint E/SJ new member welcome dinner. Special thanks to Linda Wachholz for advertizing & coordinating the event. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
EASTER FOR KIDS DONATIONS Planning for 75 children for Saturday, March 24, at St. John’s. Your monetary gifts are needed most and help purchase: 1) crafts 2) plastic Easter pails 3) candy/prizes for 375 plastic eggs 4) outdoor vinyl advertising banner 5) food for lunch 6) treats/other basket stuffers. Donate home-crafted items for the baskets. Volunteer to bake for the baskets. Please contact Linda Wachholz 608-369-2635 to donate or volunteer.
We still collect plain print-free ice cream pails (ValuTime brand at Frietags or others). Donations are not needed for plastic eggs, grass, or traditional baskets. However, if you already have some you would like to give, we will take them. A donation box is located in the linkway.
PRE-REGISTER FOR EASTER FOR KIDS Any child, age 3 through Grade 6, is welcome to attend Easter for Kids at St. John’s on Saturday, March 24. This is an outreach program–it would be great if St. John’s & Emmanuel kids who attend would invite a non-member or unchurched friend! Register online www.stjohnsmontello.org Get registration forms at both churches, in Monday Magazine, on church & school Facebook, & on public bulletin boards around Montello. This year’s theme is “Jesus—Giver of New Life.” Storytime, singing, crafts, baby animal petting zoo, egg hunt, & more bring the true meaning of Easter to the children. Deadline is Friday, March 16.
YOUTH WOODCRAFT PROJECT On 7/6/17 lightning struck Gene Crook’s woodshop which was destroyed by fire. In thanksgiving to God that no one was hurt, and now that his woodshop has been rebuilt and tools replaced, Gene invites up to 16 youth (grades 5-8) to come on Tuesday 2/13 at 3:30pm to his new woodshop to assemble bird feeder kits for youth to take and set up at their home. Gene & Sharon Crook – W4018 County Rd. D – Montello, WI 53949 – Directions: County Road F @ 3 miles south of Montello, West on CR D, 2nd house, 1st farm on right – Please let Gene’s helper, Pastor Z, know if you plan to attend.
LENTEN SUPPERS We will be serving Lenten Suppers again this year! DUE TO THE TIME OF THE EVENING SERVICE AT 6:30P.M., we will be serving suppers from 4:15p.m.-6:00p.m. to help families skip the chore of making supper before they come to church. Come join us for a great meal, fellowship, and the Lenten service. Come for the meal after the 3:30p.m. service! We will be able to accommodate you at 4:15p.m…Watch the bulletin the Sunday before for the menu or see bulletin board display in the link way. A free will offering will go to each organization doing the supper. See you there!
MEMBERSHIP CLASS A new “Bible Information Class” began Wed 1/3/18 at 7:30pm in pastor’s office/conference room at St. John’s. Alternate days/times can also be scheduled. Free study guides are available from pastor…just ask.
NEW WEEKDAY/EVE BIBLE CLASS Beginning January 2018, we started a new weekday/eve Bible Study entitled: “Your Questions–Scriptures Answers: Adiaphora” (things that God doesn’t command or forbid in the Bible and how we are to properly use our Christian freedom). We meet at St. John’s in the pastor’s office/conference room Monday 7:30pm and Wednesday 10am. “Therefore let us leave the elementery teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” (Hebrews 6:1)
LENT BY CANDLELIGHT Ladies, you won’t want to miss the second ever Lent by Candlelight on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 5:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello. Please plan to join us for an evening of visiting, beautiful music and scrumptious snacks. All women are invited and are encouraged to invite their friends to prepare their hearts for Lent. There is no charge for this event. Seating is limited, so RSVP by emailing christavantreeck@gmail.com or signing up in the link way at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello.
WEDNESDAY LENTEN DEVOTIONS “Jesus, Our Great High Priest” (based on the New Testament book of Hebrews) is the theme for this year’s midweek Lenten devotions beginning, Ash Wednesday, 2/14 3:30 p.m. at Emmanuel and 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s. Supper will be served in the St. John’s lower level from 4:30–6:00 p.m. “Jesus, I will ponder now, on your holy passion.” (Hymn 98)
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY Following the Sunday 8:00 a.m. worship service at Emmanuel, usually about 9:00 a.m., all are invited to the parish hall for our study of “Timely Topics–Timeless Truths” led by Lucas Stelter. At 9:00 a.m. in the St. John’s sanctuary, all are invited to our study of the New Testament book of James: “Concrete Christianity” led by Pastor John Dolan and others. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 3:18)
SECOND IMPRESSIONS THRIFT STORE is making plans to celebrate its one year anniversary, which is February 9th! Be sure to watch church bulletins and/or Facebook for the latest news!
The Thrift Store has been very blessed with approximately 100 volunteers who so graciously and generously give of their time and talents! Many referrals by our customers are helping make our customer list grow! Volunteers continue to be needed to help keep up with the growth!
Customers may shop the store which provides a friendly, Christian atmosphere, with clean, well-organized, quality merchandise at great prices! Store hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 10a.m. to 6p.m. and Saturdays 10a.m. to 3p.m. It is located at 325 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac. We are also thankful to everyone who has so generously donated to the store! It certainly is a blessing. The donations have proved to be popular with our customers. Donations may be dropped off Mondays 10a.m. to 4p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays 10a.m. to 5p.m., and Saturdays 10a.m. to 2p.m. Thank you to everyone who has helped make our store a success!
| Usher Schedule | |
| February 4 E (with comm) | Brian Ninneman, Noah Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld, comm. assist; Darrell Buchholz |
| SJ | Don Smith; Chief, Mitch Simon, Karl Whitrock, Matt Borzick, Glen Bubolz |
| February 11 E | Lucas Stelter, Bob Ferber, Joe Heller |
| (with comm) SJ | Kenon Smith; Chief, Al Rosenthal, Christopher Smith, Calvin Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls |
| February 18 E | Wayne Stelter, Warren Buchholz, |
| SJ | James Wachholz; Chief, Kevin Kaul, Scott Ritz, James Kunde, Ken Borzick |
| February 25 E | Darrell Buchholz, Paul Wuerch, Joe Heller |
| (with comm) SJ | Jack Yates; Chief, Ben Emond, Tyler Emond, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck |
| St. John’s Greeter Schedule | |
| February 4 | Phyllis Farrell & Pat Henning |
| February 11 | Ciara Neuhauser & Bonnie Weiss |
| February 18 | Jim & Diane Eisermann |
| February 25 | Harold & Judy Fandrey |
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 1-28 1-31 | 60 | 127 13 |
| St. John’s Altar Committee
February 2018 |
Jennie Utke & Susan Brown | |
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
Principal Tim Hemling (608) 745-2549
Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689
Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919
Teacher Sandra Hemling (608) 745-2776
Parish/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
Winnebago Lutheran Academy
Principal Mr. David Schroeder/WLA office (920) 921-4930
WLA website: www.wlavikings.org