The 2nd Sunday of Advent
Preparation for Christ’s Coming Means: Repent!
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
December 5, 2020
4:30p.m. St. John’s (Indoor)
December 6, 2020
8a.m. Emmanuel
10a.m. St. John’s
| St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church 313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949 Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949 |
| WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830. ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin. GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: 2nd Sunday of Advent, Preparation for Christ’s Coming Means: Repent! The Second Sunday in Advent: God Provides Messengers and Means to Prepare Us For the End – God doesn’t leave us to flounder on our own in this world but prepares us for the final great event—Jesus’ return at the end. He sends his messengers to point out the reality of sin and its consequences, so we don’t drift into complacency. He sends his good news of salvation in Christ and connects us with him in baptism. What a change that should create in our focus for living! |
| Pastor Peter Zietlow |
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 thankfulness of praise.
Please note: Worship Update Plans (Updated Nov.. 2020. bulletin pages 16) Beginning (11/15) at the 10:00am St. John’s service, the 55+ age restriction ended . Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
M: O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
P: We light two Advent candles remembering Jesus who came in history. He came into a world of sin and death.
C: We remember Jesus who came as the promised Messiah. John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord.
P: We hear his call to repent.
C: We light two Advent candles as a sign of our repentance and desire for renewal.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
C: Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed.
Two Advent candles are lit.
Please stand.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are
*Responsive scripture with Christian Worship 27.
P: Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
Stanza 1 (soloist)
O Jesus, Lamb of God, you are
My comfort and my guiding star;
I come, a sinner, trustingly
And bring my many sins with me.
C: O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. I am bowed down and brought very low; I groan in anguish of heart. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior. (selected verses from Psalm 38)
Stanza 2 (soloist)
O Lord, my sin indeed is great;
I groan beneath the dreadful weight.
Be merciful to me I pray;
Take guilt and punishment away.
SILENT CONFESSION
Stanza 3 (soloist)
Saint John the Baptist points to you
And bids me cast my sin on you,
For you have left your throne on high
To suffer for the world and die.
P: Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. In Jesus you have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5 & 1:7)
C: We have been brought from death to life. Sin shall not be our master, because we are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:13-14)
Stanza 4 (soloist)
Help me to change my ways, O Lord,
And gladly to obey your Word.
While here I live, abide with me,
Then take me home eternally.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
T H E W O R D
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11
(today’s sermon text is underlined)
Summary: Prepare the way for the Lord
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
PSALM OF THE DAY 85
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
I will hear what the Lord proclaims: peace to his people.
You showed favor to your land, O LORD;*
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people*
and covered all their sins.
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,*
and grant us your salvation.
Refrain
I will listen to what God the LORD will say;*
he promises peace to his people, his saints.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,*
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;*
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
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
EPISTLE LESSON 2 Peter 3:8-14
Summary: The Lord wants everyone to come to repentance
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
VERSE OF THE DAY Luke 3:4, 6
P: Alleluia! Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. All mankind will see God’s salvation. Alleluia!
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8
Summary: John the Baptist prepares the way for the Lord
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” {Mal. 3:1}– “a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” {Isaiah 40:3}
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Please be seated.
HYMN 11 Comfort, Comfort All My People
*Sung by soloist.
SERMONETTE Isaiah 40: 1-8
“Get Ready for the Lord of Glory!”
- Listen to his gracious comfort
- Prepare his desert highway
- Believe his everlasting Word
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or 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 stand.
ADVENT PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.
LORD’S PRAYER
*Spoken by congregation.
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.
CLOSING PRAYER
P: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
P: 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.
Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 702 Prepare the Royal Highway
*Sung by soloist.
| Songs are reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-722228. Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® (NIV ®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. |
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
December 6 – December 12
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship |
| 9:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Council meeting | |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | |
| Mon. | 9:00 a.m. | Pastors Circuit Study Club at St. John’s school gym |
| Tues. | 6:00 p.m. | St. John’s School Board meeting |
| Wed. | 3:30 p.m. | Emmanuel Advent Devotion |
| 6:30 p.m. | St. John’s Advent Devotion | |
| 7:15 p.m. | Bible Information Class at St. John’s (pastor’s office) | |
| Thurs. | ||
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Worship (indoors) with communion |
| Next week’s theme:- December 13, 2020 3rd Sunday of Advent: “Prepare Your Hearts and Proclaim the Good News of Christ’s Coming” | ||
| 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, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: ) – After an election GET FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26 CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS Come drive through the St. John’s parking lot on Friday, December 18 from 6-7 pm! There will be lots to look at: Christmas lights, carolers, and MORE! ADVENT DEVOTIONS This Wednesday, December 9! Please join us at Emmanuel 3:30pm and St. John’s at 6:30pm. Please also see special holiday worship schedule on bulletin page 18 for future Advent and holiday worship services. SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing. We take everyone’s health and safety seriously so please remember that we are still encouraging a 50 person maximum and to kindly practice social distancing. 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 following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home. |
| Church News cont’d… NOTE FROM ST. JOHN’S–PRINCETON REGARDING THE 12/16 6-7PM CARRY-OUT DINNER FOLLOWING THE JOINT ADVENT SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S PRINCETON There has been a slight change as far as the menu goes for the meal. We will be serving BBQs with Cheesy potatoes and a lettuce salad. There are three areas that we will need volunteers. The first is that we will need volunteers to bake desserts. We are planning on 150 dinners, so we would need 150 desserts/bars. We will also need help preparing the meal. We will be making the meat and potatoes the night before (Tuesday, December 15th) at 6:00pm in the school cafeteria. And the final thing we need volunteers for is serving/packaging on the night of. Please let me know if you are able to help and in what areas you can help. Thank you so much for considering volunteering. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or suggestions via email <tbargenq@amfam.com> or call or text me at 920-960-2006. Tiffany Bargenquast |
| School news UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks. VIRTUAL LEARNING St. John’s school and Little Lambs will resume physically tomorrow, December 7. 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 for next week 12/8. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included! |
God Provides Messengers and Means to Prepare us for the End
The Second Sunday in Advent – Series B
God’s Word for Today
God doesn’t leave us to flounder on our own in this world but prepares us for the final great event – Jesus’ return at the end. He sends his messengers to point out the reality of sin and its consequences so we don’t drift into complacency. He sends his good news of salvation in Christ and connects us with him in baptism. What a change that should create in our focus for living!
First Lesson (Isaiah 40:1-11)
- How will the people receive “double” for all their sins?
- Who is the “voice of one calling in the desert to prepare a way for the Lord?”
Second Lesson (2 Peter 3:8-14)
- “With the Lord a day is like a 1000 years and a 1000 years like a day.” What does that have to do with this reading?
- Knowing that the Lord will come suddenly and destroy the earth, what change should be evident in our lives?
Gospel (Mark 1:1-8)
5. What was the focus of John’s baptisms?
6. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit?” What was to be different?
Answers:
- God was not going to punish them twice as hard as they deserve. Instead they would receive “double” grace – much more blessing than any one could expect. This is not something that can be earned, but what we inherit by his free grace – a full forgiveness we don’t deserve.
- The Lord makes it clear (Mtt 3:3, Mk 1:3 and Lk 3:4) that this is pointing ahead to the person of John the Baptist. He was the voice who preached stern and pointed law to the people to prepare their hearts with repentance. And he was the one who preached the sweet gospel as he pointed out the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This is the good news we are also to shout out to people – a word that will outlast worldly “experts.”
- We are bound to clocks and passing schedules. But God is not restrained by time, which he created for us. He sees and knows all things as if they were “now.” The end of the world may seem like a long ways away for scoffers, but God sees it clearly as “today” and patiently opens opportunities all over the world to come to repentance and avoid perishing eternally at that time.
- It should be evident in our lives that we are looking forward in Christ to the transition into heaven. Every effort should be made to be at peace with God realized by faith in Christ. Every effort should be made to live lives that represent the holiness he has destined us for.
- John baptized with a focus on the reality of our sinfulness and the forgiveness God gives us in the Lamb of God – Jesus. This is the same focus you hear from Peter on Pentecost as he sets the pace for our baptisms.
6. Although true baptism always carries the Holy Spirit’s presence, Jesus carries the full authority to send the Spirit in a miraculous way as was first evidenced at Pentecost. It is Christ the gives baptism its power.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan
Worship Updates – November 2020
WORSHIP SERVICES
- Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
- Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
- Sunday @ 10:00 amSt. John’s. Beginning (11/15) the 55+ age restriction ended. ALL are welcome.
- Online worship services continue and are found at www.stjohnsmontello.org
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.
- 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.
- 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) 494-0068
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
| ST. JOHN’S & EMMANUEL HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2020 December 9 Advent Devotion Emmanuel 3:30 p.m. St. John’s 6:30 p.m. December 16 Advent Devotion Emmanuel 3:30 p.m. Joint at St. John’s Princeton 6:30 p.m. December 23 Emmanuel Children’s Christmas Emmanuel 6:30 p.m. December 24 School Christmas Eve St. John’s 4:00 p.m. December 25 Christmas Day St. John’s 9:00 a.m. December 31 New Years Eve. Emmanuel 3:30 p.m. *No age restrictions at holidays services. *Regular service times continue: Saturday St. John’s 4:30 p.m. – All are welcome (Please note: Dec. 26 & Jan. 2 – No worship) Sunday Emmanuel 8:00 a.m. – Emmanuel members only St. John’s 10:00 a.m. – All are welcome, no age restrictions. *COVID-19 safety guidelines continue…please wear masks, practice social distancing & use sanitizer. |
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 11-28 | 5 | |
| 11-29 | 33 | 39 |
| 12-2 | 28 | 17 |
| St. John’s Altar Committee December 2020 | Diane Eisermann & Dolores Cotte |
| ●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Please Sign Our Guest Register Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link: 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 Altar Lady: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025 ●●● |