For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
To be “in the dark” means that you are unaware of the truth about something. And if someone “sheds some light” on the subject, that means they helped you to understand what you didn’t know before.
But for the Christians in the city of Ephesus, the apostle Paul extended the metaphor to the extreme. Paul told those believers that in their past not only were they in the dark about God and his will for their lives, but they were the darkness! They had so deeply swallowed the lies of godlessness and the empty temptations of this world that they became a corrupting influence in the lives of others as well.
All of us were born in the same darkness of sin and unbelief. None of us came into this world knowing the truth about God’s love for us. And our sinful human nature actively works to try to keep us in that spiritual darkness. When we follow those self-destructive patterns in our lives, we can cause others around us to stumble too.
But the light of Christ shines brightly to scatter the darkness. Jesus Christ came to reveal the truth about God, about ourselves, and about how we have been made right with God through the sacrifice of his Son. The Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts through this good news and leads us to rejoice in what it means for us.
Just as those in the dark are darkness to others, so those in the light of Christ also become a source of light. Christians have learned what kind of living pleases God: a life full of love and compassion for others, a life that seeks to serve God and our neighbor, a life that revolves around the truth of our Savior, Jesus. When we walk according to the light of the Bible, our actions and attitudes serve as beacons for others, calling them to know the will of God for their lives and how true spiritual light is found in Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, shine in my heart with your love that I may reflect it always. Amen.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14
Remember those miners in Chile who were trapped underground for 69 days back in 2010? Picture them before the first small drill broke through: running out of food, water, and light as batteries died… trapped in darkness so deep in the earth. It might be fun to visit and explore a cave, but it must be terrifying to be trapped in the dark, totally dependent upon someone else to rescue you.
Imagine being caught in an even worse never-ending darkness! That’s the darkness of being separated from God, of being trapped in sin and captive to eternal death. It is the darkness into which all of us were born, the Bible tells us.
But Jesus broke through that dense darkness with the bright light of salvation which he accomplished by his suffering and death for us all. Through his Word, God has called us out of the darkness of unbelief into the wonderful light of faith in Jesus. God has turned us from darkness into being “light in the Lord.”
Now he calls upon us to live in that light, to let our faith shine. In thanks to Jesus for rescuing us from the darkness of hell, we let the brightness of Christ shine through us and expose the darkness around us. Jesus has made us beacons of light to those still in spiritual darkness. For his sake, we will seek to live in ways that please our God, being as good, decent, and honest as we possibly can. And light up the world with the good news of Jesus.
As his believers, it’s time to shine!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for bringing the light of heaven into my life through your perfect life, death, and resurrection! Shine through me so that I can light up the world around me! Amen.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7,8
Someone is always watching you. Are you okay with that?
Many facilities, both public and private, are equipped with video surveillance systems. They see, and may even record, where and when you come in and go out. They watch what you are doing and how you are doing it. Are you okay with that?
As you use your mobile phone and data plan or surf the internet, where you go and what you do may be tracked and recorded for future reference and analysis. Websites track your patterns and habits. Retailers note when, how, where, and what you shop for.
Your cell phone use and your cell signal can be monitored. The methods and the technology for watching where you go and what you do continue to evolve. Are you okay with that?
Sometimes we don’t realize that things like video surveillance and online tracking are taking place. At other times we realize it is happening, but don’t give it much thought. Here’s a truth worth thinking about—all the time: The Lord is watching over your coming and going. He is watching over you right now, at every moment, all the time.
Whether you realize it or not, whether you think about it or not, the Lord is watching over your life. The God of faithful love is watching over you and keeping you from harm. The God who loves you does not slumber nor sleep. He is always looking to bless you.
What a wonderful comfort! While you are awake and when you are sleeping, when you are coming and when you are going, no matter where you are or what you are doing, the Lord is watching over you. The Maker of heaven and earth who has made you his child in Christ is there to help you every step of the way.
I’m absolutely okay with that. I hope you are too.
Prayer: (Christian Worship – A Lutheran Hymnal: 584)
Lord, bless and keep me as your own;
Lord, look in kindness from your throne;
Lord, let your favor rest on me,
And give me peace eternally. Amen.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4
People sometimes become frustrated with God because they don’t feel their faith is working in the way it should.
“I tried going to church and doing the right things. But life is still really hard, and God doesn’t seem to be changing anything.”
“I tried not to worry and to stop trying to control everything, but it seems that only left me with fewer answers and more questions. It’s not working, and I don’t think it should be so hard to follow him.” But sometimes it is. And if it ever is for you, then look at Abram.
Abram received many wonderful promises from God but saw precious few of those promises fulfilled during his lifetime. Abram’s family didn’t take possession of the land God promised him until 430 years later. Abram was long dead by then. And this “great nation” that he would make Abram to be; when Abram died, had exactly one son and two 15-year-old grandchildren; none of whom were the Savior of the world, which is exactly what God was talking about when he said that “all people on earth will be blessed through [him].”
Abram would never see, during his life on earth, most of the blessings God promised him. Yet he still went where God commanded him, even when it was hard because he trusted God to keep his word.
You can trust his word too. Even when things aren’t going the way you would like, even when God seems slow in keeping his promises to you, you can trust he will. After all, he kept his greatest promise when he sent his Son into the world to save you from your sins. If he was willing to keep that promise, you can be sure he will keep all the rest.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, strengthen my faith in you by keeping me focused on your faithfulness to me in Jesus. Amen.
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. … Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Romans 4:5,16,17
Consider some of the promises Abraham believed in, as repeated by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. Paul called Abraham’s God the “God who justifies the wicked.” To justify means to declare “not guilty.” And if God saw the wicked things Abraham did and called him not guilty of them, then Abraham had the right to walk through life believing that God was never going to punish him for anything.
Paul said that Abraham’s God is the one who “gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are,” which means that Abraham had the right to look at death and expect life. He had the right to look at situations that aren’t good and expect that good will still come from them.
Paul also said that these promises are “guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring,” and he defines Abraham’s offspring not as those who are of the same bloodline as him, but as anyone who has the same faith Abraham did.
If you believe in the same God Abraham did, it means that whenever death claims your body, it won’t be the end since your God brings life from death. And since he calls things that are not as though they are, then you also have the right to look at situations that are not good and believe that some good will still come from them.
And remember, all of these promises are “guaranteed.” They were guaranteed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled every promise God made about him.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, help me to hold on to your remarkable promises so that I stand firm in my faith. Amen.
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:4,5
There is a difference between a gift and an obligation.
If you have a job and put in your required hours, your boss has an obligation to give you a paycheck. The paycheck is earned. But a gift is given under no obligation. The recipient did not earn it.
This is the point the Bible makes about Abraham. God was not obligated to bless him. Abraham was “ungodly” in many of the same ways we are. He was imperfect, sinned, and fell short of doing all that God requires. God was under no obligation to bless Abraham, and he is under no obligation to bless us.
And yet he did bless Abraham. He gave him great wealth and fame. He made him the father of a great nation. And, most importantly, he made him the ancestor of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
God has done the same for us. Although he is under no obligation to bless us, he has. He has given us food and clothing and shelter, friends and family, and most importantly, someone to save us from our sins.
And now he simply says, “Trust me. Trust that all you have comes from me. Trust that I will provide all that you need for your body and soul. Trust that your sins are forgiven through Jesus and eternal life is yours.”
We did not earn any of these blessings. God was not obligated to give them. But he has, and he does. They are all his free gifts.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” John 4:6,7
In today’s Bible reading, we are told about Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well outside of the town in which she lived. It was just the two of them. No one else was there and it’s easy to understand why.
It was noon—not the typical time to get water from the town well. You see, to get water from the well, you had to carry your bucket from home, hope there was enough water in the 100-foot deep well, lower your bucket, lift it back up, and carry the heavy load home. This was not a job you wanted to do at the hottest time of the day!
But it is what this woman did because that was easier than going to the well when it was crowded with people, people who knew the kind of life she had lived, the kind of life she was now living. Everyone knew she was living a life of sin, which is why Jesus offered her a glass of spiritual water. He knew she was thirsty. Not for water but for forgiveness.
We are too. There are certain things about our lives and certain desires that creep into our hearts we would prefer to keep hidden from everyone. But just as Jesus knew this woman’s sin, he also already knows each of ours.
And he offers us the refreshing gift of forgiveness. Just as the woman didn’t ask Jesus for water that day, neither did we ask Jesus to offer his perfect life as the sacrifice to pay for all of our sins. Yet that’s exactly what he did.
Whatever sin in your past is parching your soul, find refreshment in the fact that it is already forgiven.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, you know my heart and are aware of every sin. Let me never forget the gift of forgiveness already won for me by Jesus. Amen.
Dear Alumni, Former Teachers & Principals,
School Families, and Parish Members:
For 90 years, God has blessed St. John’s Ev.
Lutheran School in Montello with the privilege of sharing Christian education
with hundreds of students. It’s time to
celebrate! This amazing milestone will
be marked by a special 10 a.m. worship service at St. John’s, followed by an
anniversary celebration meal, on Sunday, April 19. We invite you to attend and share in the
events of this special day—a guest preacher, special music by the choir and
present school children, history displays, and an anniversary meal and
fellowship.
To help us with preparations, please make your
reservation(s) for the meal. Email to: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org or call the church office at 608-297-2866 or
send mail to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School Anniversary, 313 East
Montello Street, Montello, WI 53949.
The reservation deadline is Sunday, April 5.
Please bless us with your prayers for St. John’s
Ev. Lutheran School’s 90th anniversary celebration and for our day
school’s continuance as a light in our community. We hope you can attend!
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13,14
Did you know there is a condition you can have that makes it impossible not to be thirsty? It’s called polydipsia. If you have polydipsia, you will feel thirsty most or all of the time, and will not be able to quench your thirst, no matter how much you drink. Polydipsia affects roughly 10 million Americans.
The spiritual form of polydipsia affects many more. “Polydipsia of the soul” isn’t a real medical diagnosis. Yet many individuals in the world feel less than satisfied in their souls. They feel unfulfilled, disgruntled, angry, unhappy, or guilty—believing that something or someone needs to change for them to feel satisfied again.
Jesus met a woman like this one day by a well of water, and he made her a remarkable promise. “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” But Jesus wasn’t talking about physical water. He was talking about spiritual water. He wanted her to see the significant man standing right in front of her. He wanted her to see the Savior who refreshes guilty souls with the assurance of forgiveness, the God who refreshes tired hearts with the joy of knowing they have a Father in heaven who loves them, and the Friend who refreshes weary souls with the truth that heaven has already been won for them on the cross.
Come to Jesus. Satisfy your soul on his everlasting love and his gracious promises. Come, and you will find refreshment for your soul.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, satisfy our broken souls with all that you graciously give us through our Lord Jesus. Amen.
St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St.
Montello, WI 53949
Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen
Lane
Montello, WI 53949
Pastor Peter Zietlow
608.297.2866
www.stjohnsmontello.org
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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.
G O D ’ S W O R D F O R T O D A Y The Second Sunday in Lent – Saving Faith Trusts in Christ Alone – For most of us who have been acquainted with Christian teachings for many years, it’s an easy question. How are we saved? Answer: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. But for thousands of years, people didn’t have the knowledge of Jesus Christ. They knew only of a Messiah to come. Nonetheless, their faith was placed in the promise of God to send a Savior, and that faith—a forward-looking faith—was credited to them as the righteousness that God demands to enter heaven.
A SERVICE OF MORNING PRAISE
Morning Praise is based on the historic service called
“Matins.” Joined to Christ, our risen Lord, we glorify God as we rise to the
activities of this new day.
SUNDAY
SCHOOL SINGS
Jesus
Our Good Friend
Please stand
MORNING HYMN
hymnal
page 45
MORNING
SENTENCES hymnal pages 45, 46
In these words of Psalm 51 we confess
our sin and ask God to deliver us from that sin.
OH, COME, LET US SING TO THE LORDhymnal
page 46, 47
Psalm 95 encourages us to
praise God for his abundant goodness and his powerful deliverance from all
things (Venite).
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Almighty
God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both
outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and
from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
C: Amen
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings
XT
H E W O R D X
The
Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD
TESTAMENT LESSONGenesis 12:1-8
Summary: Abraham believed God’s promise of the
Savior and was justified by faith
The LORD had said to Abram,
“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land
I will show you.
“I will make you into a great
nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a
blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will
curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
So Abram left, as the LORD had
told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set
out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions
they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set
out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Abram traveled through the land
as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the
Canaanites were in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your
offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who
had appeared to him.
From there he went on toward
the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai
on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the
LORD.
PSALM 121 hymnal page 112
Lectern
side sings first line, pulpit side sings second line, all sing Refrains and
Gloria.
EPISTLE LESSON Romans
4:1-5 (today’s sermon text underlined), 13-17
Summary: Abraham was justified by faith in the
Savior not by his own good works
What then shall we say that
Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was
justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What
does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness.”
Now when a man works, his wages
are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man
who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is
credited as righteousness.
It was not through law that
Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the
world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live
by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law
brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it
may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to
those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He
is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many
nations.”He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he
believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as
though they were.
VERSE OF THE DAYPhilippians 2:8b
Jesus humbled himself and
became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
*Alleluias
are omitted during Lent.
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSONJohn 4:4-26
Summary: Jesus awakened faith in the heart of the
Samaritan woman
Now he had to go through
Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground
Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as
he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
When a Samaritan woman came to
draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had
gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to
him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a
drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you
knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have
asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you
have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living
water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank
from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who
drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give
him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring
of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him, “Sir,
give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to
draw water.”
He told her, “Go, call your
husband and come back.”
“I have no husband,” she
replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are
right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five
husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said
is quite true.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can
see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you
Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus declared, “Believe me,
woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this
mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we
worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming
and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and
truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and
his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The woman said, “I know that
Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything
to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I who
speak to you am he.”
Please be seated
SERMON HYMN 391 God Loved the World So that He Gave
SERMONRomans 4: 1-5
“Paid In Full”
Our debt of sin
Jesus payment of blood
Please stand
NICENE CREEDhymnal page 31
Please be seated
X O F F E R I N G S O F G
I F T S & P R A
Y E R S X
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.
XS
E R V I C E O F T H E
S A C R A M E N T X
In this
service we celebrate the gift of Jesus’ redeeming love, we bear witness to the
Christian fellowship we share, and we proclaim his death until he returns.
At St. John’s and Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we
practice closed Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested
in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the
service.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 306 Before You, God, the Judge of All
399: 1-2 To God Be the Glory
Please stand
THANKSGIVING
PRAYER & BLESSING hymnal page 36,37
Please be seated
CLOSING
HYMN 399: 3
To
God Be the Glory
As
you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet
to an usher or pastor.
Announcements
Activities for the week
of March 8 – March 14
Sun.
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship with communion
TBA
Luther Prep Coed B Team Tournament
Mon.
6:30 P.M.
Choir at St. John’s
7:30 P.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.
6:30 P.M.
Little Lamb’s Dad’s Night
Wed.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s School Chapel
10:00 A.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
1:40 P.M.
St. John’s School/Little Lambs
Early Release
2:15 P.M.
Public School Teen Confirmation
Class at St. John’s
3:30 P.M.
Emmanuel Lenten Devotion
4:30 P.M.
Lenten Supper at St. John’s
6:30 P.M.
St. John’s Lenten Devotion
7:30P.M.
Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s Teen Confirmation Class
10:00 A.M.
Montello Care Center Devotion
6:00 P.M.
Griefshare at St. John’s lower
level
Fri.
NO
SCHOOL & LITTLE LAMBS
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday March 15 , 2020Lent 3: “Jesus Gives Spiritual Sight”
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship
Church NewsINTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill,
shut-in and facing trials: Wyatt Beahm (William and Alyssa Beahm’s infant
son), David Broderick, Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown & son
Terry, Agnes Dassow, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Lilah Farrell, Roger
Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander
Jahr, Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Robert Lederer (Jackie and
Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Michael Logemann (Fred Logemann’s father), Wendy
Logemann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Steve Parrish, Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber,
Harvey Rudolph, Frank Russell, Kathryn Sigrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene
Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, Amanda Stalker, Jennifer Strauss, Leevi
Walker, Zaelynn Zuehls – (added this week: Michael Logemann (Fred
Logemann’s father), Wendy Logemann, Zaelynn Zuehls)
– For the family of Richard Winkler called home
to heaven on Sunday (3/1)
MIDWEEK LENT 2020 That special and
important season of Lent is upon
us.
All of God’s people at Emmanuel/St. John’s are encouraged to make
time
and make plans to worship at one of our midweek worship
devotions
– 3:30pm at Emmanuel and 6:30pm at St. John’s.
“The
Son of God Goes Forth to War” is the over theme this year.
Lenten
Supper starts at 4:30pm at St. John’s.
What’s on the menu?! Spaghetti, garlic bread,
salad, assorted desserts, coffee, water and milk. This week’s supper is hosted by Hands In Prayer.IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CARD… St.
John’s called grades 3-5 teacher, Heather Schmidt. If you would like to
reach out and offer words of encouragement, thoughts, etc. see contact info
below.
Heather Schmidt
520 W Riverwood Dr. – Apt. 106
Oak
Creek, WI 53154-7582
hschmidt@stpaulsfranklin.org
NO MEN OR WOMEN BIBLE STUDY UNTIL
AFTER EASTER Stay tuned here for details on our next class.
GRIEFSHARE The next 13-week session has
begun. Please join us in St. John’s lower level on Thursday at 6:30pm.
Questions or concerns? Please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.
Church News continued…SPRING
MISSION OFFERINGS will be
collected by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society throughout March.Containers will be located in the
entrance at both St. John’s and Emmanuel—Please give your gift at the church where you are a member. 75%
of gifts given will support Beaver Dam Circuit projects—HM/Outreach to
Asians & WM/Ukraine Project. 25%
of gifts given will support home & world mission projects that will be
decided by ballot in May and will be presented at the next LWMS Convention,
June 25-28, in Athens, Georgia. Gifts welcome from all who love
missions!SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS CONTINUES Each Sunday, beginning at
9:15, we spend a half hour before worship to look at part of God’s Word
that is used in worship and in the Meditations for
the upcoming week. It is a good way to get more our your worship, and to
learn more about God’s Word.
THRIVENT Look for the Thrivent
Choice Dollars postcard in St. John’s link way. Questions? Feel free to
contact Pastor Zietlow.
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHNS AND SCHOOL
FAMILIES St. Johns council authorized the borrowing of $10,000
from the church’s line of credit to replace and refurbish the school
boilers. As some may be aware, there have been a number of issues from the
last couple years keeping the boilers running and the school heated and it
could no longer be repaired. This project was completed late last fall.
This also means that the church officially is borrowing money from its line
of credit. If you wish to donate to help paying off the loan, please go
ahead and do so. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Look to the
information room for where this project is at with regards to being paid
off and where the other projects on the board are at with funding. (Many thanks to
our generous members for donating!)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: BUILDERS
FOR CHRIST
Make a
difference today and volunteer to build churches in AZ, TX, or NC. Sign up
for any length of time and help these congregations reach even more people
in their community. No experience? No problem! Training is provided on
site. Volunteers are especially needed March-April. Learn more: www.kingdomworkers.com/volunteer or call
Kingdom Workers @ 414-771-6848.
tee
School News SCHOOL 90TH
ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICE & CELEBRATION MEAL For 90 years God has blessed St. John’s Lutheran School with the
privilege of sharing Christian education with hundreds of students. It’s time to celebrate! Parish members, current students and
their families, alumni, and former teachers and principals are
invited! This school milestone will
be marked by a special worship service, followed by an anniversary
celebration meal, on Sunday, April 19.
The day’s events will include a guest preacher, special music by the
choir and present school children, history displays, and the meal and
fellowship. To assist us with meal
preparation, please sign the meal reservation signup at either church, or email scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.orgor call the church office
608-297-2866. Reservation
deadline is Sunday, April 5.
90 YEARS OF ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL Do you have old
pictures or document related to the history of our elementary
school. We are especially looking for items from the early years up
into the 1950s. Talk to Pastor Dolan if you think you have something.
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Calling all 3 and 4 year olds!Please see the St. John’s Information
Room for Little Lambs fliers, brochures and registration information. First
come, first serve! Questions? Please call our Little Lambs Director Lynn
Sellnow 616-826-0816 or email lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org.
SAVE THE DATES!*St. John’s School & Little
Lambs Spring Break: March 23-27
*Family
Easter Festival: Saturday, April 4. We are
planning for 100 children plus family members. How can you
help? Pray that God
would bless our efforts to reach out with the Gospel message this
Easter season.
Donate monetary
gifts to help defray costs for supplies for our festival. We
will once again fill Easter baskets and, new this year, we will give
children an opportunity to make the “12 Eggs of
Easter”.
Volunteer your time and
talents on the day of the festival
Please
contact Lynn Sellnow to donate or volunteer. My email is lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or
call 616-826-0816
Thank
you for helping to share the joyful message of Easter in our community! To
God be the Glory as we work together!
*Vacation Bible School: June
22-25, 8:00am – 11:30am, snack provided. Everyone is invited to the closing
service which will be at St. John’s on June 25 at 6:30pm.
SJ Usher List
James Wachholz’sDates
For Ushering
Kenon Smith
3/11,3/15,4/26,6/7,7/19,8/30, 2. Chris Smith
10/11,11/22,11/25,12/27,2/7
3.
Robin Smith
for a total of 11 days
4. Thomas W
5. Kenny W
Paul Van
Treeck’s
Matt Borzick
2/26,3/1,4/8,4/10,4/12,5/24,
Ken Borzick 7/5,8/16,9/27,11/8,12/16
James Henke
12/20,1/24 for a total of 13 days
Zeb Zuehls
*Haiden Van Treeck
*Nolan Van Treeck
Jerre Deur’s
Joe Zauner Sr. 3/4,3/8,4/19,5/31,7/12
Joe Zauner Jr. 8/23,10/4,11/15,13/23,12/2412/25,1/31
Gordon
Krause for a total of 12 days
Kevin Kaul
Corey Kaul
*Joey Zauner
*Nathan Zauner
Ben Jaster’s
Jake Jaster 3/18,3/22,5/3,6/14,7/26,9/6,
Matt Neuhauser 10/18,11/29,12/31,1/3,2/14
*Ethen Neuhauser for a total of 11 days
Jeff Reimer
Mark Emond
Ben Emond
Continued…
Jim Eisermans’s
Chuck Boetcher 3/25,3/29,5/10,6/21,8/2,9/13,
Jessie Schable 10/25,12/2,12/6,1/10,2/21
Mitch
Simon
for a total of 11 days
Gerhardt Voight
Al Rosenthal’s
Glen Bubolz 4/1,4/5,5/17,6/28,8/9,9/20,
Martin Schmanke 11/1,12/9,12/13,1/17
Jon Vote
for a
total of 10 days
Richard Frietag
Aaron Kendall
*Joe Vote
………………………………………………………………..
SJ Greeter Schedule
Feb.
2 Susan Brown & Jennie Utke
Feb.
9 Wayne & Marilyn Riemer
Feb.
16 Jim
& Diane Eisermann
Feb.
23 Kenon
& Mary Smith
March
1 Aaron Kendall & Chrisopher
March
8 Jerre & Gloria Duerr
March
15 Scott
& Debbie Ritz
March
22 Elsa
Russell & Dixie Wagner
March
29 Bernice
Wegner & Linda Lou Wacholtz
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
3-1 3-4
85 75
110 48
St. John’s Altar Committee
March 2020
Diane Eisermann
&
Delores Cotte
Weekly Schedule
at St.
John’s
Midweek 3, March 11, 2020
The Promised Warrior
Isaiah 42:13 (Pastor Michael
Sheppard, Ripon)
The Passion History Part 3
Hymns: CW93, CW122, CW595
Midweek 4, March 18, 2020
TheHidden Warrior
John 11:33-37
(Pastor Nicholas Haasch, Green Lake)
The Passion History Part 4
Hymns: CW123, CW124, CW593
Midweek 5, March 25, 2020
Skirmishes
Hebrews 4:15 (Pastor John Stelter,
Princeton)
The Passion History Part 5
Hymns: CW116, CW424, CW592
Midweek 6, April 1, 2020
The Warrior Faces Satan’s Ally,
the World
John 18:38 (Pastor Zietlow)
The Passion History Part 6
Hymns: CW472, CW121, CW588v1,5-7
at Emmanuel
Midweek 3, March 11, 2020
Skirmishes
Hebrews 4:15 (Pastor Dolan)
The Passion History Part 3
Hymns: CW116, CW424, CW592
Midweek 4, March 18, 2020
Reconnaissance Report: Know Your
Enemy
Ephesians 6:12 (Pastor Dolan)
The Passion History Part 4
Hymns: CW343, CW125, CW 587
Midweek 5, March 25, 2020
The Warrior Rejected by Many
Followers
John 6:66 (Pastor Dolan)
The Passion History Part 5
Hymns: CW434, CW127, CW588v1-4
Midweek 6, April 1, 2020
The Warrior Faces Satan’s Ally,
the World
John 18:38(Pastor Dolan)
The Passion History Part 6
Hymns: CW472, CW121, CW588v1,5-7
●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!Please Sign Our Guest RegisterFind & Like us on FacebookVisit our website link:www.stjohnsmontello.orgPastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830
E-mail:zietlowPL6@hotmail.comLittle Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow:
616-826-0816
K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms.
Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Rachel
Naumann: (847) 913-2135
Principal
& 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:616-822-6689
Church
& School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866
Altar
Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920)
344-0025&Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036
Church
& School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949
Church
& School E-mail:scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
●●●
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
