Month: April 2019

Easter Festival 2019

April 21, 2019

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Montello & Mecan, WI

St. John’s  Ev. Lutheran Church 313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949 Emmanuel  Ev. Lutheran Church W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

XW E L C O M E    T O    O U R    C H U R C H X We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors.  In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information.  In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you.  Restrooms and nursery area are located in the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and link-way at St. John’s.  It’s nice to have you visit today. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Welcome to God’s house!  May God bless our worship together.

Pastor Peter Zietlow

 

608.297.2866 www.stjohnsmontello.org Like us on Facebook

 

XG O D ’ S     W O R D    F O R     T O D A Y X As “morning breaks upon the tomb” (CW 159) its gaping entrance and vacant depths stir a mixture of emotions among Jesus’ followers. But with proclamation of the resurrection, ignorance turns to understanding and sorrow changes to joy. With the rising of the sun faith-filled hearts soar to proclaim the angels’ message: He is risen!

Remember Jesus Christ: He Has Risen

The Easter Festival Service visits Jesus’ empty tomb.  The fact that Christ is risen brings joy to Christians who watched Jesus’ sufferings, death and burial.  Since the darkness of Good Friday is the last worship experience before Easter, the day of our Lord’s resurrection once again brings the everlasting light of Christ and his work into focus.  Today as we celebrate our resurrected Savior, hearts and voices can sing with confident joy in our risen Lord Jesus Christ!

PRESERVICE MUSIC

RINGING OF THE BELLS

ADULT AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR                                                               Awake! Arise! Go Forth!

THE OPENING HYMN 143                                                                                     He’s Risen, He’s Risen

All Sing:

1            He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;

              He opened death’s prison, the incarnate Word.

              Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song

              And earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong.

Men and Boys Sing:

2           The foe was triumphant when on Calvary

              The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.

              In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,

              For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

Women and Girls Sing:

3           But short was their triumph; The Savior arose,

              And death, hell, and Satan he vanquished, his foes.

              The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high;

              He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die.

All Sing:

4           Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;

              Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.

              For all our transgressions his blood does atone;

              Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own.

Please stand

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

P:       In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:       (spoken) Amen.

P:       Beloved in the Lord, we have gathered to celebrate with festive joy the resurrection of our Lord from the dead.  As we remember our Lord’s passing over from death to life, it is fitting for us to take to heart St. Paul’s words which talk about our sin:  “Get rid of the old yeast, that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are.”  Therefore, let us confess our sins, and ask our Father to forgive us.

C:       Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions.  I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good.  For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity.  But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray:  Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

P:       Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.  He was delivered over to death because of our sins and was raised to life on account of our justification.  For his sake, God, our Father, has had mercy on us, and has forgiven us all our sins.  Therefore, as forgiven children of God, let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast of sin, but with the bread of sincerity and truth.

RESPONSE HYMN 143                                                                                         He’s Risen, He’s Risen

All Sing:

5           Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;

              Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.

              Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain,

              Who now sits in glory and ever shall reign.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P:       Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be dominion and praise now and forever.

C:       (spoken) Amen.

Be seated

CHILDREN’S CHOIR                                                                           Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed

†  T H E   W O R D  †

THE FIRST LESSON                                                                                                                         Exodus 15:1-11

Summary: The Song of Moses after God delivered his people from their enemies.

15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. ² “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.³ The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. ⁴ Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. ⁵ The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. ⁶ Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. ⁷ “In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. ⁸ By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. ⁹ The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ ¹⁰ But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. ¹¹ Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

PSALM 118

The LORD is my strength and my song; *

   he has become my salvation.

The LORD’S right hand is lifted high; *

   the LORD’S right hand has done mighty things!

I will not die but live, *

   and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

Refrain

I will give you thanks, for you answered me; *

   you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; *

   the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made; *

   let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, *

is now and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

THE SECOND LESSON                                                                                                               1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Summary: Christ is risen. This is what we preach, and this is what we believe.

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ² and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

ADULT CHOIR                                                                                                                                            I Will Rise

Please stand

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                          Luke 24:1-12

Summary: He is risen! Luke gives his account of the Day of Resurrection.

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. ² And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. ⁵ And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” ⁸ And they remembered his words, ⁹ and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, ¹¹ but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

P:  This is the Gospel of our Lord.

C: (spoken)    Thanks be to God!

Be seated

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY 156                                                                Awake, My Heart, with Gladness

1            Awake, my heart, with gladness!  See what today is done;

              Now, after gloom and sadness, Comes forth the glorious sun.

              My Savior there was laid Where our bed must be made

              When to the realms of light Our spirit wings its flight.

2           The foe in triumph shouted When Christ lay in the tomb.

              But lo, he now is routed; His boast is turned to gloom.

              For Christ again is free; In glorious victory

              He who is strong to save Has triumphed o’er the grave.

3           This is a sight that gladdens— What peace it does impart!

              Now nothing ever saddens the joy within my heart.

              No gloom shall ever shake, no foe shall ever take

              The hope which God’s own Son In love for me has won.

4           Now I will cling forever To Christ, my Savior true;

              My Lord will leave me never, whate’er he passes through.

              He rends death’s iron chain; He breaks through sin and pain.

              He shatters hell’s dark thrall; I follow him through all.

5           He brings me to the portal That leads to bliss untold,

              Whereon this rhyme immortal Is found in script of gold:

              “Who there my cross has shared Finds here a crown prepared;

              Who there with me has died Shall here be glorified.”

EASTER SERMONETTE                                                                                               2 Timothy 2:8

                                                                                         Three Words of Truth:  Remember Jesus Christ                                                           

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.

HYMN RESPONSE 152                                                                        I Know that My Redeemer Lives

All Sing:

1            I know that my Redeemer lives;

              What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

              He lives, he lives, who once was dead;

              He lives, my ever-living Head!

All Sing:

2           He lives triumphant from the grave;

              He lives eternally to save.

              He lives all-glorious in the sky;

              He lives exalted there on high.

Lectern Side Sing:

5           He lives to silence all my fears;

              He lives to wipe away my tears.

              He lives to calm my troubled heart;

              He lives all blessings to impart.

Pulpit Side Sing:

7           He lives and grants me daily breath;

              He lives, and I shall conquer death.

              He lives my mansion to prepare;

              He lives to bring my safely there.

All Sing:

8           He lives, all glory to his name!

              He lives, my Jesus, still the same.

              Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:

              “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

† O U R   O F F E R I N G S   O F   G I F T S   &   P R A Y E R S †

THE OFFERING                              Children’s Hand Chimes Choir will play during the offering

The ushers now gather the “Thank-Offering.”  Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord.  Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained.  Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. Please also sign our Friendship Registers and greet one another.

Please stand

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P:  Heavenly Father, God of grace, you have brought us into a new and living hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

C:  Christ is risen!

P:  For as in Adam all died, so in Christ all will be made alive.

C:  He is risen indeed!

P:  He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.

C:  Alleluia!

P:  We marvel at the love you showed by your willingness to sacrifice your Son to pay for our sins; we bow down in adoration at your mighty power, which raised him from the dead.

C:  We praise you for sending the true Life and Light into the world.

P:  Lord Jesus, God of grace, you have filled our hearts with resurrection joy by your victory over sin, death, and the grave.

C:  You have conquered the darkness and given us comfort and hope.

P:  With the Church of every age, we offer you unending praise, for you have crushed Satan’s head and have removed our guilt.

C:  You are risen!

P:  Dear Savior, we who are weary and burdened come to you for rest, knowing that because of your perfect redemption there is now no condemnation for us.

C:  You are risen indeed!

P:  Take away our doubts and fears, and daily renew in us the joy of our salvation.

C:  Alleluia!

P:  Holy Spirit, God of grace, you have called us by the gospel and brought us to saving faith in our risen Lord.

C:  We glorify you for opening our eyes to see the light of life.

P:  Keep us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

C:  He is risen!

P:  As we journey through life, make us yearn for the day when you will give eternal life to us and all believers in Christ.

C:  He is risen indeed!

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

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

60 seconds are allotted for silent prayer, with the bell tolling at 15 second intervals.

P:  Work through us as we proclaim the saving message of the crucified and risen Jesus near and far, so that many others may hear your call, obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and join us before the throne of our God and of the Lamb.

C:  Alleluia! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia! Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

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

PRAYER

P:  Almighty God, grant to your Church the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from above.  Let nothing hinder your Word from being freely proclaimed to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, so that we may serve you in steadfast faith and confess your name as long as we live, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:  (spoken) Amen.

THE BLESSING

P:  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:  (spoken) Amen.

Be seated

CLOSING HYMN 752                                                                           In Christ Alone, bulletin pages 12 & 13                

XAnnouncements X

Activities for the week of  April 21-April 27
Sun.		EASTER SUNDAY
	8:00 A.M.	Easter Festival Service at Emmanuel
	9:00 A.M.	Easter Breakfast at Emmanuel in the parish hall
	10:00 A.M.	Easter Festival at St. John’s
Mon.		EASTER MONDAY
		No St. John’s School/Little Lambs
		No Choir
	7:30 P.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.		St. John’s School/Little Lambs resumes
	4:15 P.M.	St. John’s Softball Game Home vs. North Fond du Lac  on St. John’s ball diamond
	6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Council meeting
Wed.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Chapel
	10:00 A.M.	Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	3:45 P.M.	Public School Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s
	4:00 P.M.	St. John’s Softball Game Away vs. Redeemer
	6:30 P.M.	St. John’s Worship
Thurs.	8:00 A.M.	St. John’s School Teen Confirmation
	10:00 A.M.	Montello Care Center Devotion with communion
	6:00 P.M.	St. John’s Joint Worship Committee meeting
Fri.
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday April 28, 2019 Easter Sunday: “Joy in the Risen Lord!”
8:00 A.M.	Emmanuel Worship
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 with communion
11:15 A.M.	Bible Information Class begins at St. John’s

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL of your fellow worshipers preparing their hearts for worship. If you are visiting with others, please keep your voices down.  Thank you!

EMMANUEL EASTER BREAKFAST Today, following the 8:00 AM Easter service, everyone is invited (members, friends and guests) for pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages, ham and fruit.  A Freewill Offering will be taken for Emmanuel’s Education Fund.  The breakfast is supported by a Thrivent Action Team Project.  Join us for food and fellowship in the Parish Hall. 

USHER AND GREETER SCHEDULE If you are signed up to be a St. John’s usher and/or greeter, please pick up your April-May hard copy in St. John’s Information Room. Schedules will be available for pick up every 2 months.

NEW ACTS BIBLE STUDY After completing our Study of Matthew recently, our Monday 7:30pm & Wednesday 10am Adult Bible Class members & I began our study of the book of Acts making use of the Acts DVD–“the only dramatization using the actual scriptures…word for word from the New International Version.”  Join us in the SJ conference room!  

NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASS begins next week, Sunday 4/28 11:15am at St. John’s. Join us in the link-way conference room for an hour or so after the 10am SJ worship service.

PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS Please remember that if you plan to be at school or church during school hours, specifically around 7:30-8:00a.m. start time and 3:00-3:30p.m. end time, to park in the back parking lot. We need to leave room in front of school for the buses to drop off/pick up our children properly. Thanks for understanding.

LITTLE LAMBS PRE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Pick up your 3K/4K registration form in the office today! Please help spread the word!

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED INFORMATION ROOM This room is located at the top of St. John’s link way stairs and the church entry way. Here you will find bulletin boards labeled “Home Missions” and “World Missions”. Home Missions will provide information on what’s going on at St. John’s church and school, events, educational and youth group updates. You will also find informational brochures and magazines, usher and greeter schedules, the church newsletter, children’s coloring sheets and crayons and other miscellaneous information related to our church and school. Please help yourself!

●●● 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 Sara Borck: (858) 731-7919 K & 1st Grade Teacher Cassie Doering: (920) 723-8986 2nd-4th Grade Teacher Karin Stellick: (920) 342-3689 Lead & 5th-8th Grade Teacher Rachel Naumann: (847) 913-2135 Church & School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Altar Ladies Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 & Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036 Church & School Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949  Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●

Easter Sunrise Worship

April 21, 2019

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Montello, WI

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church

313 East Montello St.

Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

W1568 Evergreen Lane

Montello, WI 53949

Guest Pastor

John Dolan

W E L C O M E T O O U R C H U R C H

We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located in the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and link-way at St. John’s. It’s nice to have you visit today. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Welcome to God’s house! May God bless our worship together.

608.297.2866

www.stjohnsmontello.org

G O D ’ S W O R D F O R T O D A Y

As “morning breaks upon the tomb” (CW 159) its gaping entrance and vacant depths stir a mixture of emotions among Jesus’ followers. But with proclamation of the resurrection, ignorance turns to understanding and sorrow changes to joy. With the rising of the sun faith-filled hearts soar to proclaim the angels’ message: He is risen!

Treasures in Heaven

EASTER GREETING

Don’t be alarmed!…Why do you seek the living among the dead?…You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified….He is not here; he has risen!…See the place where they have laid him…Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again…He is Risen!

HYMN 149 stanzas 1-4 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

P: Christ is risen!

C: (spoken) He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

P: Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this joyous resurrection morning, we celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ’s passing over from death to life. We celebrate his victory over death, and our deliverance from the bondage of sin and darkness to everlasting light.

C: Death has been swallowed up in victory! Alleluia!

THE EASTER ACCOUNT John 20:1-18

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ² So she left and ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she told them, “and we don’t know where they put him!” – ³ So Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Bending over, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. – ⁶ Then Simon Peter, who was following him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The cloth that had been on Jesus’ head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who arrived at the tomb first, also entered. He saw and believed. ⁹ (They still did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.) – ¹⁰ Then the disciples went back to their homes. – ¹¹ But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, weeping. As she wept, she bent over, looking into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels in white clothes sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and one at the feet. ¹³ They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” – She told them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” – ¹⁴ After she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. – ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” – Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you carried him off, tell me where you laid him, and I will get him.” – ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” – She turned and replied in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means, “Teacher”). ¹⁷ Jesus told her, “Do not continue to cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father—to my God and your God.’” – ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” She also told them the things he said to her. (The Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), New Testament & Psalms ©2017)

HYMN 141 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

OFFERING OF GIFTS AND PRAYERS

During this time, please sign our Friendship Registers and greet one another.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Almighty God, who through your only‑begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life‑giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: (spoken) Amen.

+ Treasures in Heaven +

Jesus taught us to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth. His resurrection reminds us that while the things of earth are temporary, we have the precious gift of everlasting life with him awaiting us.

P: In Colossians 3:1-4, St. Paul writes: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

C: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

HYMN 145 stanzas 1-3, 5 Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won

P: In Matthew 6 Jesus instructed us in his Sermon on the Mount to store up treasures in heaven.

C: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. (6:19-20)

P: The reason for doing so links this command to the desire of our hearts.

C: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (6:21)

P: How do we store up treasures in heaven? We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all.

C: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

P: When we live sacrificially for Jesus’ sake or serve Him by serving the body of Christ, we store up treasure in heaven. Even seemingly small acts of service do not go unnoticed by God.

C: If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10:42)

HYMN 143 stanzas 1, 4, 5 He’s Risen, He’s Risen

P: The treasures that await the child of God will far outweigh any trouble, inconvenience, or persecution we may face. Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” We can serve the Lord wholeheartedly, knowing that God is the One keeping score, and His reward will be abundantly gracious.

C: Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinth.15:58)

P: The bottom line is this: It’s not all about us. Though the things of this world may appear to hold all we want or need, God knows this is not so. The apostle Paul knew this when he wrote in Colossians 3, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

C: Then, by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, through faith we can put off our old self and put on the new-creation to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

P: Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave transforms the lives of those who believe in Him for salvation.

C: When we pray, let our words be humble and our thoughts centered on the magnitude of what God has done for us through the redemptive work of His Son.

Let us pray together:

Dearest Father, many times we ask you for unreasonable things with which to satisfy ourselves. Remind us on this Day of Resurrection that only you give what is good. Help us to live-and pray-as you would have us do. And teach us to seek only those things that are above. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Offering of Gifts and Prayer

BLESSING

P: You have come again to the empty tomb. You are loved, forgiven, and made new. You are a resurrection people.

C: We have passed out of death into life!

P: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

C: (spoken) Amen.

THE RESURRECTION CHAPTER 1 Corinthians 15

⁵⁰ Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. ⁵¹ Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory .⁵⁵ Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

HYMN 149 stanzas 1-6 Christ the Lord is Risen Today

As you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor.

Announcements

Activities for the week of April 21-April 27
Sun.			EASTER SUNDAY
	8:00 A.M.		Easter Festival Service at Emmanuel
	9:00 A.M.		Easter Breakfast at Emmanuel in the parish hall
	10:00 A.M.		Easter Festival at St. John’s
Mon.			EASTER MONDAY
			No St. John’s School/Little Lambs
			No Choir
	7:30 P.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.			St. John’s School/Little Lambs resumes
	4:15 P.M.		St. John’s Softball Game Home vs. North Fond du Lac on St. John’s ball diamond
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Council meeting
Wed.	8:00 A.M.		St. John’s School Chapel
	10:00 A.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	3:45 P.M.		Public School Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s
	4:00 P.M.		St. John’s Softball Game Away vs. Redeemer
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship
Thurs.
	8:00 A.M.		St. John’s School Teen Confirmation
	10:00 A.M.		Montello Care Center Devotion with communion
	6:00 P.M.		St. John’s Joint Worship Committee meeting
Fri.
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday April 28, 2019 Easter Sunday: “Joy in the Risen Lord!”
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
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 with communion
11:15 A.M.		Bible Information Class begins at St. John’s

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL of your fellow worshipers preparing their hearts for worship. If you are visiting with others, please keep your voices down. Thank you!

EMMANUEL EASTER BREAKFAST Today, following the 8:00 AM Easter service, everyone is invited (members, friends and guests) for pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages, ham and fruit. A Freewill Offering will be taken for Emmanuel’s Education Fund. The breakfast is supported by a Thrivent Action Team Project. Join us for food and fellowship in the Parish Hall.

USHER AND GREETER SCHEDULE If you are signed up to be a St. John’s usher and/or greeter, please pick up your April-May hard copy in St. John’s Information Room. Schedules will be available for pick up every 2 months.

NEW ACTS BIBLE STUDY After completing our Study of Matthew recently, our Monday 7:30pm & Wednesday 10am Adult Bible Class members & I began our study of the book of Acts making use of the Acts DVD–“the only dramatization using the actual scriptures…word for word from the New International Version.” Join us in the SJ conference room!

NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASS begins next week, Sunday 4/28 11:15am at St. John’s. Join us in the link-way conference room for an hour or so after the 10am SJ worship service.

PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS Please remember that if you plan to be at school or church during school hours, specifically around 7:30-8:00a.m. and 3:00-3:30p.m., to park in the back parking lot. We need to leave room in front of school for the buses to drop off/pick up our children properly. Thanks for understanding.

LITTLE LAMBS PRE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Pick up your 3K/4K registration form in the office today! Please help spread the word!

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED INFORMATION ROOM This room is located at the top of St. John’s link way stairs and the church entry way. Here you will find bulletin boards labeled “Home Missions” and “World Missions”. Home Missions will provide information on what’s going on at St. John’s church and school. You will also find usher and greeter schedules, the church newsletter, children’s coloring sheets and crayons informational brochures and magazines, and other miscellaneous information related to our church and school. Please help yourself!

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
4-14 4-18 4-19	99	114
St. John’s Altar Committee April 2019		Diane Eisermann & Delores Cotte

St. John’s Greeter Schedule

April 21	Kay Maass & LuAnn Zieman
April 28	Ciara Neuhauser & Jennie Utke
May 5	Phyllis Farrell & Pat Henning
May 12	Jim & Diane Eisermann

Usher Schedule

April 21 Easter E Sunrise 6:00am SJ 10:00am SJ	Brian Ninnemann, Bob Ferber, Paul Dahlke Cal Kapp; Chief, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher James Wachholz; Chief, Jim Eisermann, Corey Kaul, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith
April 28 E (with communion) SJ	Darrell Buchholz, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller Jack Yates; Chief, Del Henke, Joe Zauner, Gordon Krause, Richard Freitag
May 5 (with communion) E SJ	DuWayne Sommerfeld, Noah Buchholz, Gary Wegner, Darrell Buchholz (comm. assist.) Don Smith; Chief, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon, Karl Whitrock, Matt Borzick
May 12 E (with communion) SJ	Wayne Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Brian Ninnemann Kenon Smith; Chief, Glen Bubolz, Al Rosenthal, Christopher Smith, Calvin Wojtalewicz