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

Enduring Temple – May 22, 2022

May 22, 2022 Kerry

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 21:22

Enduring Temple

Daily Devotion – May 22, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 21:22

See series: Devotions

Perhaps the most famous church building in all of England is St Paul’s Cathedral in London. It’s famous for many reasons. For one, it has dominated the London skyline since before the birth of the United States. For another, it’s been the site for numerous historic events, from royal weddings to state funerals.

Its greatest fame, however, may have come from World War II. If you go online and search the words “photo—St Paul’s—WWII,” you’ll see why. You’ll see a picture of London just after a severe German bombing raid. Every building in the picture is a smoking ruin of rubble—every building except St Paul’s. That picture rallied the spirits of the British people throughout the rest of the war.

In our society of the twenty-first century, it often feels as if we Christians are simply enduring one long bombing raid. Everything we believe seems to be under attack. Everything we hold dear seems to be a target.

But take a closer look at the picture. Yes, Christianity is under attack, as it has always been. And yes, the forces of Satan and sin have turned much of our society into a smoking ruin of rubble. But above the dust and debris of a fallen world, there still stands the enduring temple of our God. It endures because that temple is the Lamb of God himself.

In that temple you will find shelter and forgiveness. In that temple you will find refreshment and life and light. For that enduring temple is your Savior, who died and rose and lives for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, in the smoking rubble of this fallen world, you remain. You endure. Your promises never fail. Move me by your Spirit to find my refuge in 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.

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.

Limitless Love – May 21, 2022

May 21, 2022 Kerry

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34

Limitless Love

Daily Devotion – May 21, 2022

Devotion based on John 13:34

See series: Devotions

The thing about love is that it almost always has limits.

You might love someone or something, but there is probably a limit to that love. You may love a certain food, but you will only pay so much for it. Perhaps you love a certain sports team, but after so many losing seasons, you may just give up. Even in a marriage, a lifelong love, we say our vows with, “Till death do us part.”

Even though almost every love we know has its bounds, we still crave truly limitless and unconditional love—a love without any end.

God filled our desire for limitless love by sending Jesus to win eternal life for us. God didn’t set a limit or an end to his love. With his limitless love, Jesus came to live and die for us to take away our sins and to win for us a place before God forever. This love will never end.

When God commands us to love one another as he has loved us, he gives us no small task. He says to love with the love that he has shown to us.

How can we do that? We can do the kinds of things that will make sure even death will not limit our love. If you want to love your spouse, pray for and encourage their faith. If you want to love your child, make sure that they grow up in a place where their faith can be nurtured. If you want to love your neighbor, do the kinds of things that allow you to share with them the hope you have in Jesus. Helping those you love to be in the Word of Christ and to follow his commands is one of the greatest expressions of love because it is the only thing that is truly limitless.

God loves you in an ultimate way by winning eternity for you. Go and love people by sharing that message with them.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us so much that you sent Jesus. Help us to love with the limitless love you have shown to us. 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 – May 22, 2022

May 20, 2022May 20, 2022 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

ST. JOHN’S & EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCHES

The 6^th Sunday in Easter

May 22, 2022

WELCOME! WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE!

Today’s Theme

JOY MARCHES VICTORIOUS OVER CIRCUMSTANCE

Conventional wisdom says that joy is a direct result of

circumstance. Our disposition is nothing more than a

product of the events, conditions, and relationships of

which our life consists. Therefore, it would seem that for

our disposition to change, our circumstances need to

change. But Jesus offers us a joy that is superior. It is not

a product of circumstance; it’s a product of Easter. Easter proves that God can take what normally causes people to weep and turn it into what causes people to rejoice. Sin, death, and shame went into Jesus’ tomb. Forgiveness, life, and glory came out. Our risen Savior gives us a joy that remains constant in the highest of life’s highs and the lowest of life’s lows. It is a joy that can never be taken from us.

Order of Service The Service Setting 2 with communion – pg. 172

Hymns 887, 557:1-4, 557:5-10, 932

Psalm 65B (see insert)

Sermon John 16:16-24 “I Tell You the Truth, Your Grief Will Turn to Joy”

LESSONS

Acts 14:8-22

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. ⁹He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed ¹⁰and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

¹¹When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ¹²Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. ¹³The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

¹⁴But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. ¹⁶In the past, he let all nations go their own way. ¹⁷Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” ¹⁸Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

¹⁹Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

²¹They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Revelation 21:21-27

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

²²I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. ²⁷Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

John 16:16-24

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

¹⁷At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” ¹⁸They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

¹⁹Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? ²⁰Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ²¹A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²²So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ²³In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For the sick and others facing trials…Caryl Bassett, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Ed Buchholz, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Gene & Sharon Crook, Florence Dahlke, Vicki Davis (Marilyn Riemer’s sister), Marlene Draeger, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer (Sally’s husband), Earl Ewert, Judy Freitag, Donna Gatzke, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Joe Heller, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob & Sandy Klapper, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Thomas Marcelain (Dawn’s son), Brian Ninneman, Karen Radke, Wayne Riemer, Sierra Schmidt (Linda Lou Wacholtz’s grand-daughter), Wanda Sellnow (Principal Larry Sellnow’s mother), Pat Sommerfeld, Tom Stempniak (Carol’s husband), Dixie Wagner, Stacy Weisensel (added this week: Pat Sommerfeld)

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@inmarketsuccess_plx6m6

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHURCH NEWS

ST. JOHN’S LADIES, PLEASE VOTE! All confirmed women are eligible to vote for officers on the International Board of Directors of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) and for mission projects for 2022-2023. A voting station is located in the linkway today. Voting ends on TODAY!!!!

Results of this voting will be announced at the 2022 LWMS Convention, in Rochester, NY, June 23-26. If you have questions, please contact Reporter Linda Wachholz. Your vote is very much appreciated!

SCHOOL NEWS

EARTH DAY MAY 23 Little Lambs – 8^th grade will spend some time doing yard work, outside/inside clean up and gardening around St. John’s starting at 12:30pm. If you have rakes, gloves, or any thing else you would like your child to use, please bring it to school. Thanks!

CALA TEACHER ”MEET AND GREET” ICE CREAM AND PIE SOCIAL is planned for after our May 26 Ascension service. A combined children’s choir from Montello and Princeton will also sing in church that evening. Church will be at 6 pm instead of 6:30. Please sign up in the link way if you are interested in making pies for this event. There is also a sign-up sheet if you would be interested in helping cut pies, serving or cleanup. The free will offering will go to help pay for the new, automatic door locks that will be installed at the Princeton school this summer.

KINDERGARTEN/8TH GRADE GRADUATION & CLOSING SERVICE Join us for our all-inclusive Kindergarten/8th Graduation and Closing Service starting at 10:30am at St. John’s. All are welcome to join!

Love Is the Greatest – May 20, 2022

May 20, 2022 Kerry

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Love Is the Greatest

Daily Devotion – May 20, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:13

See series: Devotions

Faith is terrifically important. Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved, and whoever does not believe in him will be condemned. Faith is your connection to the promises of God, the conduit through which you receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

Hope is terrifically important. Hope helps you through the darkest days of your life. If you have hope that things will get better, you wait patiently when things are difficult. One definition of hell is living without any hope of hope.

So how can love be even greater than faith and hope? Maybe it’s because faith and hope are looking forward to things that will be accomplished. Someday hope will not be necessary because you will have what you are hoping for. Someday faith will be fulfilled.

But the love of God will continue through eternity. The same love for the whole world that caused Jesus to live, die, and rise from the dead for you, will continue to surround you for all eternity. As time marches on into timelessness, God’s selfless love marches victoriously in an endless parade.

Believe it. Hope for it. And express your love for the people around you and for God himself as you bask in his perfect love.

Prayer:
I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor. In your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. 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.

Full Knowledge – May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022 Kerry

For now we see a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

Full Knowledge

Daily Devotion – May 19, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:12

See series: Devotions

I always wondered why my parents were so strict about bedtimes. It didn’t seem to me like a minute or two should make a big difference, but if I went to bed on time, my parents were happy, and if I dawdled, they were unhappy.

Now that I am an adult, I realize how much healthier kids are when they have a reliable structure in their lives. I realize that my parents loved me and were willing to enforce some structure because they knew how good it was for me.

And now that I am an adult, I wonder why God allows some things to happen in my life and the lives of the people I love. I know that God loves me, and I try to figure out his purposes, but I realize it’s always like looking into a bathroom mirror covered by steam. I can’t completely see the whole picture.

But that’s ok. I don’t need to see the whole picture. I know God sees it. And I know I don’t have to fear because through faith in Jesus, I have his forgiveness and righteousness. And because I have his forgiveness and righteousness, I will see him in heaven one day. There, I will have a much clearer picture of things. I will know everything I need to know to be perfectly at peace. Won’t it be wonderful?

Prayer:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, give me confidence in your love and protection in my life and the lives of my loved ones. 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.

What Is Permanent – May 18, 2022

May 18, 2022 Kerry

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
1 Corinthians 13:8-11

What Is Permanent

Daily Devotion – May 18, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:8-11

See series: Devotions

Some things are built to be temporary. When you put up a tent, you don’t expect it to be a permanent shelter. When you build a sandcastle on the beach, you know that the waves from the rising tides will eventually wash it away.

Like tents and sandcastles, the apostle Paul points out in our Bible reading today that the prophecies spoken by the early Christians were meant to be temporary. Eventually, they were fulfilled. The practice of speaking in tongues was also meant to be temporary. After Christians had the whole New Testament, the gift of speaking in other languages was no longer necessary for the quick transmission of the message about Jesus.

Unfortunately, some early Christians put too much stock in prophesies and speaking in tongues. They became proud of these special spiritual gifts. So, the apostle Paul needed to knock them off their spiritual high horse by reminding them that these gifts, while given by God, were not the most important gift from God. Rather than boast about these gifts and look down on others, they were to look on others with love.

God’s love for you as his child is permanent. It will never be washed away. It is built to transcend even death. Because Jesus rose from the dead, his love goes on forever, and nothing can stop it. It is complete. It never fails. When there is nothing else to hold on to, the love of Jesus is solid, secure, and stable.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your remarkable and steadfast love. 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.

God Is Love – May 17, 2022

May 17, 2022 Kerry

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

God Is Love

Daily Devotion – May 17, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

See series: Devotions

Have you ever heard a pastor read these words at a wedding? Couples often choose this text for their marriage ceremony as a beautiful description of the love they are celebrating by saying their vows to one another. It is moving to think about the power of selfless love.

Read the text again, but this time, substitute your name for the words “love” and “it.” For example, “Jim is patient, Jim is kind. Jim does not envy, etc.” When you get to the word “always,” slow down a little, and realize that it’s not true. You don’t always protect, trust, hope, or persevere. Regardless of the strength of your love, you have moments when your selfishness overcomes your love.

But now, read the text once more. This time, put Jesus’ name in the place where you had put your name. Now the words ring true. Jesus was patient and kind. He kept no record of wrongs. He always protected. He always persevered. Jesus did all these things perfectly, not simply to serve as an example for us but to serve as a substitute for us. Through Jesus, God sees Jesus’ disciples as perfectly loving. Through Jesus, we sinners are saved.

When you are angry because other people do not love you the way they promised, remember the love of Jesus, and forgive them. When you are disappointed in yourself because you realize that you are self-seeking, remember the love of Jesus, and relax in his forgiveness and faithfulness.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your kindness. Lead me always to trust you for forgiveness and love. Amen.

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

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Why God Gives Gifts – May 16, 2022

May 16, 2022 Kerry

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Why God Gives Gifts

Daily Devotion – May 16, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

See series: Devotions

You may have some amazing personal gifts. You may be able to speak more than one language fluently. You may be able to understand things that mystify other people. You may have confidence where others cower in fear. You may be willing and able to endure hardships that cause other people to wither. Even if it’s none of those things, you know what your special gifts are.

Have you ever wondered why God has given you those gifts? It might surprise you that the reason is not so that you can feel better about yourself. In fact, pride in and boasting about your gifts goes against God’s purposes. Your gifts aren’t about you. They are about those around you. God wants you to use your gifts to help the people around you.

That’s precisely what Jesus did. Jesus had more spiritual gifts than anyone, ever. But he didn’t boast about it. Instead, he used those gifts to serve us. He used those gifts to save us. That’s love.

And that is precisely how God wants you to use the gifts he has given you—to serve the people he has brought into your life. Then, like Jesus, your gifts will give glory to God and be a blessing to others.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving and forgiving me. Lead me to use all my gifts in loving service to others. Amen.

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

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Love One Another – May 15, 2022

May 15, 2022 Kerry

[Jesus said] “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:33-35

Love One Another

Daily Devotion – May 15, 2022

Devotion based on John 13:33-35

See series: Devotions

“Clean up the kitchen after you eat. Feed the dog and let it out. Make sure to finish your homework and get to bed by 9 o’clock.” Similar instructions are given to responsible children in countless households by parents who are about to leave them home alone for an evening.

Jesus gave his disciples some instructions when he knew that he would be leaving them soon. His instructions were simple: “Love one another.” By dealing with one another in love, not only would the followers of Jesus be obeying his command, they would also be making it clear to others exactly who they are—disciples of Jesus.

What is this love that we are to have for one another? Jesus tells us that it is to be the same kind of love he has for us. His love caused him to go to the cross and give up his life for us so that we don’t have to be punished for our sins. His love focused on our greatest need and was willing to do whatever it took to meet it, even if that meant he would have to suffer tremendous pain and even die.

Because of his love for us and what that love caused him to do, we know that our sins have been forgiven and our relationship with God restored. Such wonderful news motivates us to want to live for Jesus, and he tells us how to do so: “Love one another.”

By lifting our eyes off ourselves to see others and their needs and then working to meet those needs, even if it means personal sacrifice, we obey our Savior’s command to love one another. When we do, other people will notice that there is something different about us. They will recognize that we are disciples of Jesus.

Prayer:
Jesus, my Savior, thank you for loving me enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Help me to show that same sacrificial love to others that it may be evident to them that I follow and obey you. Amen.

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

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No Riddles – May 14, 2022

May 14, 2022 Kerry

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30

No Riddles

Daily Devotion – May 14, 2022

Devotion based on John 10:24-30

See series: Devotions

Riddles can be used to strengthen the way you think. They can also be aggravating if you don’t have the answer. Many people who listened to Jesus saw him as a riddle. They couldn’t figure out if he was the Christ or not. So finally, they came up to ask him. ‘If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” No more mystery, no more cloak and dagger. They wanted a straight answer.

Jesus gave them a straight answer. “I did tell you.” He did perform miracles in their presence. He did reveal who he was as he taught the crowds who followed him. The problem is that they rejected the miracles and the words Jesus spoke to them. They did not believe Jesus as he proclaimed he was the Son of God.

Do not become like those people who gathered around Jesus. Do not think that Jesus doesn’t give a clear answer about who he is or what he came to do. There is no riddle. Jesus also speaks plainly to you. He is God; he stated, “I and the Father are one.” He came to save you from your sins; he came to give you eternal life. Jesus doesn’t speak in riddles about who he is or what he came to do. He speaks plainly to you, his sheep, so that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Listen to the clear words of Jesus and hold on to them in faith. Look with hope to the eternal life he brings.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I give thanks that you have given me life through your Son, Jesus. Continue to preserve my faith until I am 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.