March 2022 – Page 2 – St. John's Evangelical

A Lesson in Gratitude – March 22, 2022

March 22, 2022 Kerry

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11

A Lesson in Gratitude

Daily Devotion – March 22, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:11

See series: Devotions

Think of a time when your mom or dad taught you something important. Maybe it was how to tie your shoelaces or how to make your bed. Maybe there were times when it wasn’t a skill that you learned from them, but rather attitudes or values. And then, of course, because they were human, there were times when their mistakes taught you that some of their words or actions were best not to imitate.

Sometimes we learn what to do from those who’ve gone before us. Sometimes we learn what not to do. In our Bible reading for today we hear the apostle Paul tell the church at Corinth to look carefully at the generation of Israelites made famous in the book of Exodus. “Learn from them,” Paul says. “Learn what not to do.”

Those Israelites had every advantage, spiritually speaking. They had seen God’s hand deliver his people from Egypt. They had passed between the parted waters of the Red Sea. They had daily collected the manna that had fallen miraculously from heaven. They’d been on the receiving end of grace upon grace, miracle upon miracle. Humble gratitude would have been the appropriate response.

But presumption, rather than humble gratitude, was the dominant attitude among the Israelites. And if knowing that doesn’t lead us to check ourselves for presumption, the lesson to be learned here would be totally lost on us.

How easy for us to feel slighted because someone else has received something we haven’t. And to complain loudly—even if it’s just in our heads—about God’s providence, even as we live each day with food on the table, a bed to sleep in, a closet full of clothes—and a heavenly home waiting for us. That’s presumption when humble gratitude is called for. So we approach the cross, trusting Jesus’ promise that he will cover these sins, too, with his perfect life and innocent blood! And knowing that He has, we rededicate ourselves to lives of humble gratitude before the One who gives us every good thing.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, drive presumption from my heart, and keep me ever mindful, ever thankful for the undeserved blessings that come from your hand. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

True Security – March 21, 2022

March 21, 2022 Kerry

Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:11,12

True Security

Daily Devotion – March 21, 2022

Devotion based on Exodus 3:11,12

See series: Devotions

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses appeared to be insecure and unsure of himself. He openly questioned God’s choice in sending him. But, perhaps rather than saying Moses was insecure, it is more accurate to say that Moses’ security rested in the wrong place. Moses held on tightly to the security that he believed resided with his shepherd’s crook and fuzzy flock, security that he had trouble envisioning in his new calling. After all, it would take tremendous courage to confront Pharaoh. His physical well-being might be in danger. He had certainly become a very public figure with a very sizable target on his back. If he saw greater security in the fields, one can hardly fault his thinking.

But here’s what we must not forget. Moses wasn’t leaving his security behind with his sheep. His God remained by his side. When the Creator of the Constellations says, “I will be with you” that’s real security—security that endures regardless of outward circumstances.

And that is his promise to us. Although all things are possible for him, our God chooses not to show us his visible presence in a burning bush. He shows us that he is nearby showing us, Jesus—God with flesh and bones who promises his continuous presence. God shows us he is nearby revealing himself in the words of the Bible, washing us with the water of baptism, and feeding us with his true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.

Wherever we may go, we go with our God’s promise. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His faithful presence is our true security.

Prayer:
Triune God, help me face every new day calm and trusting in the promise of your faithful presence. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The Difference – March 20, 2022

March 20, 2022 Kerry

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked . . . All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.
Luke 4:22,28,29

The Difference

Daily Devotion – March 20, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 4:22,28,29

See series: Devotions

Notice the difference in the reaction of the same people to Jesus, and all in a matter of a few minutes. In verse 22, “all spoke well of him…” In verse 28, “All…were furious when they heard this.” In fact (vs. 29), they tried to kill him. What had Jesus said that so changed their demeanor? Using the words of the Bible, Jesus told the people that he was the Messiah (the Savior) promised by God for his people, Israel. Further, he pointed out that when Israel did not receive God’s plan of salvation for them in Old Testament times, God sent the message to foreigners.

Did Jesus’ hearers need a savior? Yes, they did. They were sinners, as have been all people since Adam and Eve. That includes us. You and I need a savior, too. We sinned and separated ourselves from God. Jesus took our sins on himself by living a perfect life in our place, then innocently suffering, and being sacrificed for us. Jesus paid the price for our sins and his Father accepted us back into fellowship with him.

Are there differences between Jesus’ hearers in Nazareth and us? Not in terms of our need for a savior. But thank God that he has convinced us that Jesus is our Savior. Because of the faith the Holy Spirit has implanted in us, we know that we will spend eternity in heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I thank and praise you for your work of salvation, taking my punishment on yourself. Take me to be with you eternally. Amen

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Our Citizenship – March 19, 2022

March 19, 2022 Kerry

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:18-20

Our Citizenship

Daily Devotion – March 19, 2022

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18-20

See series: Devotions

While my family lived in southern Alabama, we loved southern hospitality, greeting friends with a hug at the grocery store, and “slap my Momma” chocolate cake.

But hot boiled peanuts we never learned to crave—maybe because we weren’t from around there.

Christians can relate. We’re not “from around here.” So, we don’t live to make our belly happy, as if this were our home. Our citizenship is in heaven.

True, we sometimes live for our belly. We neglect family to make a few extra bucks with overtime. We rush out the door, ignoring a need for help that a neighbor has. Every day we sin by living for ourselves and not for our Savior.

Then Jesus steps in. Christians aren’t citizens of heaven because we deserve it. We belong in heaven because Jesus gave us citizenship. He signed our naturalization papers with his blood from the cross.

We yearn for the day when Jesus will come back, transform our bodies into glorious ones, and take us home to heaven.

Not sure if you’re a citizen of heaven? You don’t need a visa or to pass a civics test to know Jesus died for you. He’s already signed your naturalization papers. Your sins are forgiven, and there’s a place for you in heaven—all gifts of his love for you!

Enjoy his blessings here and look forward to your home in heaven!

Prayer:
Jesus, remind me of my home in heaven every day. Give me the strength to live for you and not for my belly. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Bulletin – March 20,2022

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

St. John’s & Emmanuel Lutheran Churches

March 20, 2022

The Service – Setting Two

The Rite of Holy Baptism & Hymn 684 CW 261, Emmanuel only

712 Delay Not! Delay Not CW 712

The Service CW 172

The Word

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

Choir How Beautiful

First Reading Exodus 3:1–15 (today’s sermon text)

1Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

4When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

7The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

11But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

13Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

15God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

85A LORD, in Your Mercy, Hear My Prayer Psalm 85A

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 10:1–13

1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation for Lent CW 179b

Gospel Luke 13:1–9

1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

M: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

867 Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near CW 867

Authors: Constance Dever, John Fawcett CCLI song # 7172414

Sermon Exodus 3:1-8, 10-15

“Lose the Shoes at the Burning Bush!”

With Moses on the mountain let’s:

1. Stand back in awe (1-6, 11)

2. Stay firm in His love (7-8, 12-15)

3. Step up for service (10)

Apostles’ Creed CW 182

Prayer of the Church & WELS Connection DVD

Offering

Prayers and Blessing CW 171

923 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah CW 923

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

Welcome to our visitors!

Find & Like us on Facebook

Visit our website: www.stjohnsmontello.org

Pastor Pete Zietlow: 608-408-7830, Email: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com

Principal & 6-8 Grade Teacher: Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689,

Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org

3-5 Grade Teacher: Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021

K-2 Grade Teacher: Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554

Little Lambs Director: Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816

Church/School Secretary/Office: Ciara Neuhauser: 608-297-2866

Church/School Address: 313 E Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Church/School Email: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Bless Him Whenever You See Him – March 18, 2022

March 18, 2022 Kerry

[Jesus said] “I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13:35

Bless Him Whenever You See Him

Daily Devotion – March 18, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:35

See series: Devotions

Jesus comes in baptism in the name of the only true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s a great blessing to have the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation that is promised through baptism. When Jesus comes in baptism to you or others, it is appropriate to say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Jesus comes to you whenever the name of the Lord is spoken in the reading of the Bible. The Lord’s name is broadly everything that he tells us about himself, and the place where he tells us about himself is the Holy Scripture. When Jesus comes in the Bible to you or others, it is appropriate to say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on the Sunday before he died, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” On Sunday, before you remember the Lord’s death and celebrate his real presence in the Lord’s Supper, it is appropriate to sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Jesus will return on judgment day. Instead of being afraid, you will rejoice in your salvation through faith in Jesus. That will be an ideal time to join with the angels and with every believer who has ever lived and shout, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I trust that I will see you again, and then I will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

He Will Cover You With His Wings – March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022 Kerry

[Jesus replied] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Luke 13:34

He Will Cover You With His Wings

Daily Devotion – March 17, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:34

See series: Devotions

Patrick would have had good reason to curse the Irish. Born in Scotland, he was raised as a Christian but was not very serious about his faith. He was kidnapped at the age of sixteen and enslaved in Ireland. He did hard labor for six years and got much more serious about his faith. Finally, he escaped, made his way to the coast, got a job on a ship, and returned to Scotland.

But he could not get the Irish out of his mind. Something was compelling him to share Jesus, the one who had come to mean so much to him, with his former captors. After studying the Bible for nearly twenty years, he went back to Ireland a free man and never left. Despite opposition, he persevered and gathered the Irish into Christian congregations. We remember this remarkable man every March seventeenth when we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

Jesus would have had good reason to curse the people of Jerusalem. He had come from heaven to save them, but many opposed him. Still, he longed to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. It’s a tender picture of love for people who did not deserve it.

It’s a tender picture of love for you and me. Jesus longs to gather us under his wings. He does not want to curse us. We ignore or oppose him at our own risk since salvation can come only from him. But he persevered, even to death, and he perseveres in gathering people into Christian congregations. Take refuge there.

Prayer:
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Jesus Does Not Avoid Death – March 16, 2022

March 16, 2022 Kerry

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”
Luke 13:31-33

Jesus Does Not Avoid Death

Daily Devotion – March 16, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:31-33

See series: Devotions

I know a man who heard from his national government that a local mob was coming for him and that the government couldn’t protect him. That man’s brother-in-law had already been kidnapped by a mob, so the man knew that he should take the warning seriously. He decided to leave temporarily. It is still not safe for him to return.

Jesus had a similar situation, only in his case, it was the national government that was wanting to kill him. Instead of running away, Jesus chose to go toward the seat of the national government and continue his work on the way. Why would he make a choice like that?

Jesus gives a hint to his motives when he talks about reaching his goal in three days. Jesus knew that the only way he would fulfill the prophecies about him would be to die and then rise to life again on the third day. Jesus did not avoid death. He walked right into it because he knew that by his death and resurrection, he would provide eternal life to everyone who believes in him.

One day we will all come face to face with death. Thankfully, Jesus has done everything in his power to give us eternal life when our time for death eventually comes.

Prayer:
Jesus, give me the confidence to face death and enter eternal life with you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Update on WELS relief efforts for Ukraine

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 kerry@inmarketsuccess.com

The situation for our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) remains very dire. Thankfully, we have learned that none of the pastors or members have lost their lives, but at least some members report that their homes have been destroyed. Some of the pastors and members have relocated to places that are relatively safe and removed from the heavy fighting, but others remain in areas where military activity is taking place every day. We continue to pray for their safety.
WELS members have already been very generous with gifts intended to support relief and humanitarian efforts both for members of the ULC and for the refugees and local citizens in need of help. We thank you to all those who have given gifts for Ukraine relief. Those gifts are being channeled through WELS World Missions, which remains in contact with the ULC and is still able to transfer funds to where they are most needed. To date, $25,000 has been sent, with additional funds to be sent in the coming days and weeks as long as the banking system remains intact. Individuals can give a gift by going to wels.net/give-ukraine or by sending a check payable to WELS and designating “Ukraine” in the memo line to WELS Attn: Gift Processing, N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188. (Organizations may donate via check but not online.)
Currently, collecting physical relief items (blankets, water, canned goods, diapers, etc.) to send to Ukraine is not the best option for assisting those impacted by this war. The expense and logistical complexity of getting such items to those who need it make such an effort impractical. We will let you know when and if such efforts become possible.
In addition to gifts through the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, some have made gifts to WELS Christian Aid and Relief (CAR). With those funds, CAR has made grants to Direct Relief (directrelief.org) to get aid to those who need assistance, especially for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. To date, WELS Christian Aid and Relief has sent $50,000 to Direct Relief. This highly rated disaster relief organization specializes in providing medical assistance and supplies where they are needed most. They have both the inventory and infrastructure to bring medical aid to an area quickly. We have worked with this organization for many years and trust their work.
Pastor Roger Neumann is the WELS liaison to the ULC; he is in almost daily contact with Bishop Horpynchuk, head of the ULC, and keeps us informed of the latest news and challenges. There are periodic Ukraine updates on the WELS website at wels.net.

Lord God, in this world of darkness and evil, the light of your saving gospel continues to shine. Through that good news you have brought people around the world from the darkness of sin and death into your marvelous light. But evil exists, and Satan’s work in this fallen world continues. As many in Ukraine are experiencing unimaginable hardships and suffering, we ask that you would be with them. Protect them, provide for them, and, above all, strengthen their faith and trust in you and your promises. We commend them to your gracious care, knowing that you have promised to be with them always. Even though they are now walking through the shadow of death, enable them to fear no evil. We ask you, in your love and wisdom, to restore peace and safety to those now enduring the horrors of war and bloodshed and to continue to let your gospel message be the comfort and hope that so many desperately need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.Serving you in Christ,

Rev. Mark Schroeder
WELS President

Glory Is on the Way – March 15, 2022

March 15, 2022 Kerry

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21

Glory Is on the Way

Daily Devotion – March 15, 2022

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21

See series: Devotions

I wish I had a body like the Olympic athletes have. It would be so nice to be able to ski or skate or sled the way they do. I have to admit that my body is more lowly. I have limits and aches and pains.

Thankfully, it won’t always be that way. The apostle Paul tells me that my citizenship is in heaven. In other words, heaven is where I really belong. It is a citizenship won for me by Jesus. He is the Savior of my soul, but he is also the Savior of my body.

Jesus has a real human body. It separated from his soul when he died, but when his body and soul came back together, he rose from the dead. He has a body now that is ageless and perfect.

Jesus promises that my soul and body will also be together in eternity, even if they have separated in death. I have a lowly body now, always in training and decline. But due to my citizenship in heaven, glory for my body is on the way. Someday it will be ageless and perfect, just like the glorious body of Jesus. I can hardly wait.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, give me the strength to persevere with this lowly body until you make it a glorious body with you in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.