The little girl stood at the edge of the dock, afraid to jump. From the water, Dad coaxed and coaxed with open arms, “Jump. I’ll catch you.” But her little legs only stiffened. “What if you can’t catch me, Daddy? Or what if you can’t swim with me in your arms? What if the fish bite me?” And that’s when Mom told the girl to look to her right. There, tied to the end of the pier, was a life preserver. “You see this? I’ll stay here, right here with my feet on this solid dock, and I’ll throw you this life preserver if you need it. And I’ll pull you in.” With that added confidence, the little girl jumped. And every time she got to the end of the pier the rest of the vacation, she glanced over her right shoulder to see that life preserver, knowing there was something that could save her, something that could pull her in.
Ever feel like that little girl? Ever feel like you’re about to jump into something that you’re not sure how you’re going to get out of? God doesn’t promise a life free from trouble. He doesn’t promise a life free from evil. The sharks of this world may be out to get us. But he promises to be there on the pier with the life-saving message of his Word. No matter how deep the trouble is, no matter how much we thrash around in the murky waters of evil, our Savior stands with his feet firmly planted, ready to pull you out.
What turbulent waters are you in right now? See the life preserver of the cross and the empty tomb. Cling to the promises that they hold for you. Cling to the promises of sins forgiven and life eternal. Those aren’t empty promises. The Lord will rescue you from every evil attack.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to live in such a way that always sees the promise of your deliverance. Amen.
One of the most popular Bible stories is “Daniel and the Lions’ Den.” Daniel was a believer who was literally thrown into a lions’ den because he prayed to God. When you fold your hands at the end of this devotion, I doubt very few of you will have soldiers knocking at your door ready to haul you away.
We may not share the same threats as other believers. But as you look at your past, you may see some “lion’s mouth” that was licking its chops ready to swallow you up. Perhaps it was a physical ailment, a mental hardship, or a spiritual challenge. When you were going through them, they seemed bigger than life. Will I beat this cancer? Will I endure this depression? Will I succumb to this spiritual challenge?
The fact that you are reading this devotion right now tells me that particular lion’s mouth was shut. But this doesn’t mean it always will be. God doesn’t promise the chemo will work every time. God doesn’t promise that you will beat every disease. God doesn’t promise that you will avoid every accident. God doesn’t promise that you will live forever on this earth. But to this point, he spared you. Up to this point, he has given you a physical and spiritual life so that, by his grace, you have come to know him. Isn’t that awesome!
And, although God does not promise that you will never suffer harm, he does promise you eternal life. That’s why he sent his Son, Jesus. Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death in your place means God no longer holds you accountable for your sins. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead means God promises you eternal life when he raises your body from the grave on the last day.
They say the value of knowing history is so that you don’t repeat it. But sometimes the value of history is just appreciating that you have one. As you look back at your own personal history today, see how many times God worked things out for your good as he delivered you from the lion’s mouth. And as you see how many times he delivered you in the past, may that give you confidence for today.
Prayer:
Thank you for delivering me in the past. Deliver me from evil today. Amen.
You grab a little boy’s arm and say, “Wow, look how strong you are!” And the boy grins from ear to ear. We can’t blame him. We like strength. We strive for strong marriages. We invest in a strong stock market. We take aptitude tests to find our strengths. And we vote for whom we think is the strongest candidate.
Why are we so obsessed with strength? I’m not so sure if it’s an obsession with strength as much as it is a fear of weakness. Weakness means others can take advantage of me or overpower me. Weakness means I am not the best and that I am vulnerable. Plainly said, weakness means there’s something wrong with me. And so, I hide my weaknesses as best I can.
As much as you may try to hide your weaknesses from others, there is One who knows every single one of your weaknesses, even better than you do. And that’s your God. But here’s the difference between God and many in our world: God doesn’t show you the door when he sees your weaknesses. Rather, he shows you himself. When you are weak, he is strong. And his strength isn’t four-year-old bicep strength. Nor is it Ford Super Duty with 6.7-liter power stroke strength. His strength is world creating, wind calming, death defeating strength. God’s strength is just that, God-strength. And he uses his strength for you.
Most importantly, he used his strength to work all of world history in order to save you from your sins by his sacrificial death on the cross. At first, this might seem a strange way to show strength, but it most certainly does—not just strength, but love. And then, in the greatest show of strength in the history of this world, he was brought back to life on Easter morning to prove that he had conquered death and won eternal life for you.
So go ahead, pull out a piece of paper. Write down all your weaknesses, for your eyes only. On the other side of the ledger put the name, “Lord.” The winner is clear. The Lord will give you strength.
Prayer:
Lord, give me confidence in your strength to overcome all of my weaknesses. Amen.
Demas. I doubt many people would know that name while playing a game of Bible trivia. But I bet we recognize what someone like Demas looks like in our lives. That friend, that co-worker, who stood by your side until something or someone better came along. And there you are, alone. Alone at the party. Alone at work. Alone at home. Alone in life. Not just alone but deserted. Abandoned. Neglected. Forsaken.
What races through your mind when you find yourself deserted? The emotions can take us all over the board. Anger—‘How dare he desert me?’ Embarrassment—‘It’s feels so awkward to be alone.’ Hurt—‘I can’t believe she did that to me.’ Scared—‘I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ And you can probably come up with many more emotions and questions.
From the very beginning, God knew that being alone was not a good thing. It wasn’t good for the first person, so God made someone suitable for him. Things haven’t changed. While we may like our “me time” on occasion, too much “me time” and we go crazy. For that very reason, God puts people in our lives. But let’s be honest, in our non-perfect world, the people in our lives aren’t always suitable. They take us down the wrong paths, say hurtful words, and disappoint. And at times, they desert.
Yet, there’s One who is always suitable. One who never disappoints, who always helps, and always leads us down the right path. That One is the Lord. No matter what you’re going through today, no matter how alone you feel, know this: The Lord stands by your side.
Prayer:
Lord, continue to stand by my side. And, grant me the confidence and comfort of knowing you will. Amen.
“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, my conscience is
captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do
otherwise. God help me. Amen.”
(Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms in response to the call of the Holy Roman Emperor to recant, take back, what he had written and was preaching from Holy Scripture.)
Welcome and Introduction to Today’s Worship
Call to Worship
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
C:(spoken) Amen
Hymn – CW 474v1 Stand up, Stand up for Jesus
*Sung by soloist.
1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross!
Lift high his royal banner; It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry His army shall he lead
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.
Confession and Absolution
P: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
C:This is most certainly true.
P: But God is merciful and kind, and because of his grace he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
C:Here we stand; God help us! Amen.
P: For freedom Christ has set us free.
C:This is most certainly true.
P: Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
C:Here we stand; God help us! Amen.
P: God sent Jesus Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God.
C:This is most certainly true.
P: For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
C:Here we stand; God help us! Amen.
P: God gave Christ to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.
C:This is most certainly true.
P: And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God.
C:Here we stand; God help us! Amen.
P: You have been saved by God’s grace through faith. This is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God.
C:This is most certainly true.
P: This is the true grace of God; stand fast in it.
C:Here we stand; God help us! Amen.
Hymn – CW 474v4 Stand up, Stand up for Jesus
*Sung by soloist.
4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, The next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.
The Prayer of the Day
P: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The First Reading … Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23
Daniel stands up for Jesus and worships and prays to the Lord despite the consequences.
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Hymn of the Day – CW 200v1 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
*Sung by soloist.
1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need That has us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain.
The Psalm of the Day … Psalm 46 … The Luther psalm – the psalm of the Reformation
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God is our refuge and strength,*
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way*
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam*
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Refrain
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,*
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;*
God will help her at break of day.
“Be still, and know that I am God;*
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
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
Hymn of the Day – CW 200v2 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
*Sung by soloist.
2 With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.
But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.
You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is,
The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God;
He holds the field forever.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain.
The Reformation Day Gospel … Matthew 10:16-23
The story of faithfulness to the Word often is a story of some form of persecution. In the face of that we can stand up with Luther and confess: “Here is stand. I can do no other. God help me.”
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your
Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Hymn – CW 200v3 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
*Sung by soloist.
3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done!
One little word can fell him.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain.
The Sermon … Galatians 5:1-6 You’re Free. Be Free.
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.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Hymn of the Day – CW 200v4 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
*Sung by soloist.
4 The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain With his good gifts and Spirit.
And do what they will—Hate, steal, hurt, or kill—
Though all may be gone, Our victory is won;
The kingdom’s ours forever!
Words: public domain. Music: public domain.
A Reformation Litany Based on Five Solas
Sola Scriptura : Scripture alone
P: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
C: I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
(Psalm 138:2)
Solus Christus: Christ alone
P: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
(Colossians 1:13-18)
C: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Sola Gratia: Grace alone
P: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
C: But 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! (Romans 5:15)
P: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Sola Fide: Faith alone
P: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
C: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God alone
P: So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
C: To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)
P: For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Prayers and Intercessions
A Benediction (spoken responsively)
P: St. Paul writes: “The Lord stood by me, and gave me strength, so that the message might be fully proclaimed, and all might hear it.”
C:This is most certainly true.
P: “So, live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.”
The Reformation Litany taken from https://sjbrown58. wordpress.com. A Liturgy Based on Five Solas Worship Ideas You Can Use by Steve Brown, October 23, 2009.
✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠
November 1 – November 7
Sun.
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.
Election Day
6:30 p.m.
Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.
11:40 a.m.
St. John’s School and Little Lambs Early Release
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.
4:30 p.m.
St. John’s Worship (indoors)
Next week’s theme:November 8, 2020 Second Sunday of End Times:“Last Judgment”
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship with communion
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan
Worship Updates – September 2020
WORSHIP SERVICES
Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s sanctuary (St. John’s members 55 and older)
Online worship services continue found at www.stjohnsmontello.org
Groups should be 50 or less indoors. Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Christ’s love also compels us to consider the needs of others before our own. In humility we want to protect the health and safety of our bodies and of others. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued:
Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
10-24 10-25
30
18 36
St. John’s Altar CommitteeNovember 2020
Jennie Utke&Susan Brown
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies
As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.
Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or Pastor
Emmanuel Elders: Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 369-1790
St. John’s Elders: Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171, James Wachholz (608) 369-4006, Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
We are saved from our sins by grace alone. That means salvation is a gift, won by Jesus when he died and rose again. Even the faith we need to believe this glorious message is something God freely gives. Salvation is secure because it is the work of Christ, and since it is his work, then it cannot fail.
On this day, thank God for salvation by grace, spend time reflecting on how your life has changed because of Jesus’ work. Don’t forget that Jesus has washed away your sin and guilt. As you look to him in faith, you can rejoice—just as Paul says—because the Lord is with you and heaven is your home. There’s no need to be sour, harsh, angry, or anxious because you have a Savior who hears and answers all your prayers. And remember: the peace we have through faith in Christ is something no worldly woes can disturb.
But the devil will try. “Worry!” he demands. “You should! Just look at all the horrible things happening in the world! And how about all the dreadful things you’ve experienced? Get angry! Get mad! Abandon hope! Forget about joy!”
Take to heart Paul’s encouragement: “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8,9).
If you spend time focused on the ugly results of sin, the devil will get his way. So, check your thoughts. Guard your heart. Set your mind on Christ and his salvation. As you do, you’ll discover new courage and peace, more reasons to rejoice, and an extra measure of joy for the day.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to focus on Jesus and fill my heart with the peace you alone can give. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
