If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9
Tim Kreider is a cartoonist. He is a gifted writer. He is also the man who has coined the term “Soul Toupee.” He explains its origin. He and a friend used to frequent an oyster bar in Baltimore, MD. One day they noticed how one of the regulars there wore what Kreider calls “the worst toupee in the world, a comical little wig taped in place on the top of his head.” From that, Kreider and his friend developed the concept of what he calls “The Soul Toupee.”
Kreider’s definition for the Soul Toupee is as follows: The Soul Toupee is that thing about ourselves we are most deeply embarrassed by and like to think we have…concealed to the world, but which is, in fact, pitifully obvious. Then Kreider adds this: Contemplating one’s own Soul Toupee is not an exercise for the fainthearted.
The soul toupee is nothing new. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, the apostle John wrote. A holy God sees through the soul toupees. Every single one.
What’s your soul toupee? What ugly, sinful rut have you been trying to cover up or camouflage for far, far too long? Is it laziness, lust, greed, pride, a sense of entitlement, ducking responsibility, blaming others? Or is it the absence of self-discipline or raw self-absorption?
Whatever it is, the same holy God who sees through all the toupees also gives us a beautiful promise. When we confess our sins, John says, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. God makes this promise on the basis of his Son, Jesus Christ, who has lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died on the cross for our every sin. Christ alone saves us. Soul toupees be gone.
Prayer:
Lord God, move me to confess what I have been hiding the most. Forgive me. Give me peace in Jesus. Amen.
Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” Acts 12:13,14
Her name is Rhoda. God’s Word has recorded Rhoda’s name and her delightful moment from the early days of the New Testament church.
Here’s the context. Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit has empowered Jesus’ apostles to proclaim the good news of what Jesus has done. They face persecution, however. For example, King Herod has decided to arrest the apostle Peter and to put him in prison to await trial. After Herod does this, many Christians gather in a house in Jerusalem to pray for Peter.
Then, a miracle. God sends an angel. Peter’s chains fall off, and he follows the angel. He walks right past the guards and straight out of the prison. Peter is free. And so Peter proceeds to walk to the very house where those Christians are praying on his behalf.
This is where Rhoda enters the picture. She hears a knock and goes to answer. It’s Peter! In an instant, joy washes over Rhoda so completely that she runs back and announces that Peter is at the door. In her excitement, however, she’s left Peter outside, still standing, still knocking, still asking if he can come in.
They let him in, of course. But think about this. Think of all the times Rhoda must have smiled, laughed, and told the story of how she forgot to let Peter into the house because her sheer joy had gotten the best of her.
It was quite a moment for Rhoda. You and I get moments like that too. Perhaps the circumstances are not as dramatic, but God does the same for us. Just when we need it, he gives us a moment of joy, a moment to laugh and smile, a moment to savor and share with others. And this should not surprise us. After all, he is the kind of God who was willing to sacrifice his own Son to save us from our sins. And, as we travel this broken world, he gives us what we need to see us through.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the moments of joy you give me. Please, keep them coming. Amen.
Last month, a couple was driving across a bridge in the western United States. They were riding in their truck, and their truck was pulling a 30-foot trailer. Suddenly, disaster struck. The truck veered out of control and went over the side. It was about to plunge all one hundred feet to the bottom of the gorge. It didn’t, however. Instead, it hung, suspended. There was one reason for this. The trailer was still on the bridge, and between the trailer and the truck was a standard safety chain. That chain—and that chain alone—spared the couple from plummeting to the bottom.
In that moment, as the couple stared straight down into the gorge, it didn’t matter what kind of sound system was in the truck. It didn’t matter how big its engine was. It didn’t matter whether or not the interior of the truck was in pristine condition. What mattered was the chain.
On any given day, you and I encounter many good things that need our attention. Our family, work, and physical health need our attention. So do our home, finances, hobbies, and recreation.
These are all good things. However, none of them is as important as our relationship with Jesus Christ. “Salvation is found in no one else,” the apostle Peter wrote, “for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus alone is the One who came to live a perfect life on behalf of sinful mankind. Jesus alone is the One who took the sins of all people of all time and paid for them in full at the cross. Jesus alone is the One who links us to life eternal and forgiveness full and free.
With so many things pulling at our time and attention, remember to stay connected to the most important One—your Savior, Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, wash away my sins of misplaced priorities. Renew my bond with you. Amen.
Have you been to an electronics store recently? Walk to the back of the store, and you will discover a wall of televisions. Literally, the entire wall will be covered with flat-screen TVs. The challenge is choosing which one to buy. There are different sizes, different features, and different prices. The choices seem endless.
When it comes to our relationship with God, the situation is very different. There are not many different paths to God. There is only one. His name is Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can save us from eternal separation from God because only Jesus did what we needed to have done. He lived a perfect life in our place. He died to make payment for our sins. And he rose from the grave to defeat death and guarantee us eternal life.
The worst that could happen if you walk out of an electronics store with the “wrong” TV is that you won’t get as clear a picture as you could have had. But, walk out of this life with anyone or anything other than Jesus, and you won’t have the eternal life you could have had. Don’t allow this to happen. Trust Jesus—the only name by which we must be saved.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for doing everything necessary to save me. Keep me close to you until I sing your name in the heaven that you are preparing for me. Amen.
“Refreshments will be served.” Advertise a meeting by promising refreshments and the meeting attendance will almost always increase, especially if the refreshments are really good. Fresh donuts in the morning and hot pizza at night have a powerful effect on meeting attendance.
The Lord promises the best kind of refreshment. He says that when our feelings of guilt and our record of wrongs are wiped away, that’s lasting refreshment. There is no feeling of relief that compares to the sweet relief of forgiveness, knowing we are spared the condemnation we justly deserve as sinners.
God has done everything necessary to take away the punishment that should be ours. The guilt of our sins was laid upon Jesus, and by his Son’s sacrificial death, the due penalty was paid.
Now God calls us to a meeting where he will serve refreshments that are the best. He comes to meet with us through his Word. In the Bible, the Lord gives us the refreshing message that our sins are wiped out.
We will want to meet with him often by reading and listening to his Word because he gives us the best kind of refreshment—we have the peace of forgiveness for our sins through the Lord Jesus!
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for refreshing me with the promises found in your Word. Amen.
Address: 313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949 Office: 608-297-2866 Pastor Zietlow: 608-408-7830 Website: www.stjohnsmontello.org
Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! We extend a warm welcome to everyone worshiping with us today! We ask God that he fill our hearts with peace, joy and understanding as we praise Him together during this Easter season.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES † Sunday: 8:00a.m. at Emmanuel 10:00a.m. at St. John’s *Please note: congregation sings during worship.
† Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s *Please note: congregation does not sing during worship. Instead, a soloist sings.
Each worship service is posted to our website. If you don’t have internet access or are unable to attend today’s service, DVDs, sermons and the bulletin are available for your use at home. You may pick them up in the office or request them to be mailed. Please contact our secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or Pastor Zietlow.
HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays before those Sundays. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or a church Elder at your home. Please call Pastor or the church office to schedule private communion.
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAYToday’s theme: The 3rd Sunday of Easter – Being Certain of What We Do Not See – Our faith is based on Jesus, our risen Lord. We cannot see him. We cannot touch him. We have not yet experienced the joy that will be ours in heaven. We come to know and trust in him as our Savior only through the precious Gospel that is revealed to us in the words of Scripture.
†P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
OPENING HYMN CW 159, “Morning Breaks upon the Tomb”
† S E R V I C E O F W O R D †
Please stand.
M: The grace of our Lord † Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
CONFESSION OF SINS
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
M:We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M:God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
OH, TASTE AND SEE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray.
O risen Lord, you came to your disciples and took away their fears with your word of peace. Come to us also by your Word, and banish our fears with the comforting assurance of your abiding presence; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings
†T H E W O R D †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
FIRST LESSON Acts 3:12-20
Summary:By faith in Jesus’ name we have life
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
PSALM 16
* Sing refrain, read verses in unison.
Keep me safe, O God,*
for in you I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;*
apart from you I have no good thing.”
I have set the LORD always before me.*
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
VERSE OF THE DAY John 20:29b
M: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Alleluia.
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSON John 20:19-31
Summary:Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Please be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CWS 165:1-4, “O Sons and Daughters of the King”
SERMON 1 Corinthians 15:12-26
“Easter Peace Means There Are No Easter What-Ifs”
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated.
†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
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. The plate is located in the church entryway.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Easter Season Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcement details of today’s Intercessory Prayers.
Please stand.
LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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.
HYMN CWS 720:1, “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”
M:O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
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.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN CWS 720:5-7, “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”
Next week’s theme: April 25, 2021The 4th Sunday of Easter – Teen Confirmation:The Risen Lord is our Good Shepherd
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship with communion
CHURCH NEWS
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Cheri Borzick, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Luanne Mittlestead, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Kathy Ninneman, Kathy North, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, Jeff Reimer, Wilma Rudolph, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Don Ebert, Luanne Mittlesteadt, Wilma Rudolph) – For the family of Lisa Haag (WLA Pastor David Haag’s wife) called home on 4/10 – For the family of Eldon Radtke (Kathy’s Ninneman’s father) called home on 4/13
CROSSES Located in the link way of St. John’s and parish hall of Emmanuel are interactive wooden crosses made by our Emmanuel member Gene Crook. Thank you, Gene! If you would like one to take home, please help yourself. A variety of church year season “scarves” and descriptive cards will be available for pickup soon. We would also like to thank LuAnn Zieman, our St. John’s member, and a few other ladies who took the time to put these crosses together.
JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR All Emmanuel and St. John’s members are invited to join on Mondays at St. John’s at 6:30pm. We will wear masks and socially distance for the time being. All members high school and older are invited to join as they feel comfortable. Please contact Lynn Sellnow @ lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or phone 616-826-0816 if you have questions. It is good to praise the Lord!
SPRING LWMS MISSION OFFERINGS totaled $674.00 at St. John’s! World Mission Latin America Special Projects and the Home Mission Pastoral Studies Institute are the current Beaver Dam Circuit projects that will benefit. Also, the
LWMSSPRING SERVICE PROJECT for the Seminary Food Pantry totaled $72.00. Thank you to all who shared offerings!
SCHOOL NEWS
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION OPEN We are currently accepting registrations for St. John’s Little Lambs 2021-2022. Forms are available from the school office or from Lynn Sellnow.
OPEN HOUSE FOR LITTLE LAMBS There will be an open house on Saturday, April 24, from 8:00 – noon by appointment only. Please contact Lynn at lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org or by phone at 616-826-0816. Please share this info with anyone who might be interested in a Christian preschool. Thank you!
ORDER YOUR ART FOR DINNER COOKBOOK NOW! If you would like to order a cookbook, please call Ciara at the office 608-297-2866. The deadline to order is April 23. The price per book is $20. Books are made by order so Megan or Ciara will contact you when they are ready for pickup (you may submit your payment then). Checks may be made out to St. John’s. Thank you for your support!
FREE MEAL SIGNUP FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES ONLY Hello School Families! Please find the link on our school Facebook page to sign up for free meals. Breakfast and lunch included! The offer is good until May. Meals will be dropped off on Wednesdays at St. John’s.
LITTLE LAMBS HOUSE CLEAN UP PROJECT The former “Little Lambs House” will soon be demolished. As good stewards, we would like to salvage and resell the usable items in the house. On Saturday, May 1, there is a work day scheduled to clean out the house. Many volunteers are needed. We will sort and store some items, do some deconstructing of usable items in the home , and prepare items for resale or donation. Lunch and drinks will be provided, as will cleaning supplies and health and safety supplies. We will begin our work at 9:00. Please contact Lynn Sellnow if you can help. lynnsellnow@stjohnsmontello.org 616-826-0816. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to make a donation and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s Church and School that you can choose from: Church GeneralSchool GeneralHouse/Parking LotFamily Easter FestivalSunday SchoolVacation Bible SchoolSchool TechnologyChurch Video/Audio SystemSecurity SystemTuition AssistanceAthletic FundOutreach EventsSchool Server UpgradeSchool HVAC/Purifying System
COVID PLAN FOR WORSHIP UPDATE
On Monday 3/8, the Joint Council met to discuss the 2/25 Joint Worship Committee’s proposals regarding the next phase of our COVID worship guidelines. Beginning on Easter Sunday 4/4, the JC approved returning to the pre-COVID common forms of liturgy with full congregational singing, masks and social distancing for the Sunday services. The Saturday service music, however, would continue to be led by a soloist. The JC decided to replace the 6am Easter Sunrise Service at St. John’s to a 8am Easter Worship at St. John’s. The JC also approved the Joint Worship Committee’s proposal to resume choir practice and school singing after Easter. Finally, the JC also approved the change in the wording of the COVID plan to encourage in-person worship. We are concerned that some are staying away from in-person worship because the policy states that if a person can watch the service online, he or she is asked to do so. We feel it is very important for our members to get back to in-person worship when they feel comfortable to do so.
– Pastor Z
Being Certain of What We Do Not See
Second Sunday of Easter – B
God’s Word for Today
Our faith is based on Jesus, our risen Lord. We cannot see him. We cannot touch him. We have not yet experienced the joy that will be ours in heaven. We come to know and trust in him as our Savior only through the precious Gospel that is revealed to us in the words of Scripture.
First Lesson (Acts 3:12-20)
1. Peter here is responding to the crowds after healing a crippled beggar in the temple. According to verse 16, why was the man healed?
2. What does Peter encourage the people to do in verse 19?
Second Lesson (1 John 5:1-6)
3. According to verses two and three, now that we believe in Jesus as our Savior, what does that faith lead us to do?
4. What does Paul mean in verse six when he says that Jesus came by water and blood?
Gospel (John 20:19-31)
5. Why are Jesus’ words in verse 29 so important for us as Christians today?
6. Why did John write the words of his Gospel?
Answers:
1. The man was healed “by faith in the name of Jesus.” Through faith in Peter’s words and Jesus’ promises, the crippled beggar received salvation and the added blessing of healing.
2. Peter is speaking to the Jews who had only a short time before allowed and even asked for the crucifixion of Jesus. Peter tells them that forgiveness is found in Jesus Christ alone. He encourages them to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus their Savior.
3. Faith leads us to love God and obey his commandments.
4. Water is a reference to Jesus’ baptism and blood is a reference to his sacrificial death on the cross. John wrote this letter as a reaction to those who were teaching that Jesus was not true God, but only true man. They were teaching that God somehow descended upon Jesus after his baptism and left him before he died. John tells us that Jesus is God’s eternal Son made man. As true God and true man, Jesus lived, suffered and died for our sins.
5. Because, unlike those first disciples, we did not have the opportunity to see Jesus in the flesh and witness his saving work. Even though we have not see him, we have God’s promise that we will receive the same blessing of heaven through faith.
6. John did not record every last detail of Jesus’ life in his Gospel. He wrote what he wrote so that we might believe that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Through faith in Jesus we, as those first disciples, will receive God’s eternal reward in heaven.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
4-10
18
4-11
48
59
St. John’s Altar Committee for April 2021:Lucy Laun&Kathy North
●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website:www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830, E-mail:zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little 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. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail:scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●●
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:19,20
When was the last time you saw someone rise from the dead? Never. And you have to admit Jesus’ resurrection is one big, difficult pill to swallow. So why is it so important to believe that Christ is risen?
Because faith without fact is a lie, and hope without history is hopelessness. If Jesus’ bones are dust in a tomb, then Christians are the most pitiful people on the planet because they are wasting their lives. They trust in a man who is not the Savior he said he was, who did not rise again as he promised, and who cannot do a thing for their future because he is dead. Even the Bible admits that if Christ is still dead, Christians are dead wrong.
But do you know what else the Bible admits? “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” Indeed! There is no doubt. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is something that happened in history, unlike any other thing that has happened. But like every other event in history, the resurrection is an historic fact.
And Jesus won’t be the only one who rises from the dead. Our Bible reading for today says that when he rose, he was “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Firstfruits are the very first fruits that you harvest. Christ is the first to rise from the dead, but not the last. Jesus’ resurrection is God’s guarantee that there are more resurrections to come, including everyone who trusts in Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life. May that include you!
Prayer:
Risen Lord, give me confidence in your resurrection and joyful anticipation of my own resurrection. Amen.
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30,31
Why did John write his Gospel? For that matter, why does the whole Bible exist? Today’s passage gives this answer: to bring you to faith in Jesus.
John’s Gospel is the eyewitness testimony of John. He didn’t make it up. He saw it with his own eyes. He lived it. Then he wrote down what he saw so that the Holy Spirit would use it to bring you to faith.
Why is this important to know? Many people assume that the Bible is a collection of religious fiction. They say that if you believe that Jesus actually performed miraculous signs and that he factually rose from the dead, then your brain must be mush because those things do not happen.
But the Bible presents itself as a factual book that was written to give people faith. You probably do not realize how much importance you place on eyewitness testimony. In the courtroom, eyewitness testimony is the difference between whether someone is pronounced guilty or innocent. Reporters cover events with eyewitness accounts of what happened. For a claim to be taken seriously—in Bible times or our times—eyewitness testimony is important.
The apostles witnessed Jesus’ miracles. They saw him crucified and risen. They knew he was dead, and then they saw him alive. Their eyewitness testimony has been handed down to you so that you can know who Jesus is and what he has done—that he is God in the flesh who died on the cross to take away your sins and rose from the dead to guarantee your salvation.
And their testimony was written not only to tell you what happened but also so that the Holy Spirit would work through it and you would have eternal life in Jesus’ name. What a blessing! You do not have to guess or try to figure out what God did or when he did it. It is given to you in his Word.
Prayer:
Son of God, I praise you for giving me eternal life. Amen.
Thomas had a problem. He was not with the other disciples on the first Easter. When they told him that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to them, he doubted their report. It was simply too good and amazing to be true.
You weren’t in that room with the disciples on the first Easter either. You did not witness the resurrection. In fact, you have never even seen Jesus.
But don’t let it overcome you. Instead, watch how Jesus dealt with doubt. The second time Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas saw him and believed. Then Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus answered Thomas’s doubt by appearing to him. He answers your doubt by blessing you for believing in the Savior you have not seen.
Christianity involves believing in Jesus and believing, is putting your trust in something you do not see. That is the Bible’s definition of faith. The book of Hebrews says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
However, that does not mean that the Christian faith is blind faith. You did not see the risen Christ in that locked room, but the apostle John did. He is the eyewitness, and this passage from his gospel is his testimony.
You don’t need to see Jesus to know that he is real. You can trust that what he promised and what his disciples witnessed is true. He is your Savior who rescued you from your sins and who rose from the dead to assure you of eternal life. Believe it and be blessed!
Prayer:
Blessed Savior, thank you for blessing me, even though I have not seen you. Amen.
“Peace be with you!” Those are wonderful words to hear when you live in a world like ours so filled with turmoil and turbulence. It is Jesus’ promise to all of his followers. It is peace between you and God. It is the certainty that God is not out to get you. He already “got” Jesus for your sin when he punished him for it on the cross. God’s wrath is gone. Where once there was hostility and anger over sin, now there is only peace.
This is the peace that settled on the apostles when they saw the risen Savior, and it is the peace that Jesus sent them to proclaim. Because they took the message of peace to the world, the Christian Church grew, and you are reading this devotion nearly two thousand years later.
This resurrection peace directly affects you. Because Jesus lives, you know that your sins are forgiven, and your guilty conscience is silenced. Because Jesus lives, you have peace of mind and can cast all your cares on the Lord, who cares for you. Finally, because Jesus lives, you have the certainty that there is “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade . . . kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
Listen to Jesus. He says, “Peace be with you! Do trials make you miserable? Does death terrify you? Remember me. I died for you, rose for you, and conquered every evil. I give you an eternal inheritance, and nothing can take that from you. Truly, what can harm you?” Peace like that cannot be found anywhere else in this world.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to cherish your resurrection and your peace. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
