| EASTER SUNDAY St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches – Montello & Mecan, WI |
| April 4, 2021 8:00a.m. Pastor John Dolan 10:00a.m. Pastor Peter Zietlow |
| 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 † Saturday: 4:30p.m. at St. John’s 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 TODAY Today’s theme: Easter Sunday – He Has Risen! Alleluia! – What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for us? It means that just as he lives, we also will live—bodily, eternally. Through faith in Jesus, we have the victory of death and the devil. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have a place in God’s heavenly banquet where there will be no more sorrow, suffering, or death. |
†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.
Please stand
OPENING HYMN CW143, “He’s Risen! He’s Risen”
†S E R V I C E O F T H E W O R D †
P: 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.
P: 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.
P: 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.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS
The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.
P: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
HYMN CW162, “He Is Arisen! Glorious Word”
*In place of Oh, Taste and See.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in the newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be dominion and praise 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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
HYMN CW152 v1,2, “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head!
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
PSALM 118
* Sing refrain, read verses in unison.
The LORD is my strength and my song;*
he has become my salvation.
The LORD’S right hand is lifted high;*
the LORD’S right hand has done mighty things!
I will not die but live,*
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
Refrain
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;*
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;*
the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;*
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
HYMN CW152 v3,4, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives“
3 He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
HYMN CW152 v5,6, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives“
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
VERSE OF THE DAY Psalm 118:24
P: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.
Please stand
EASTER GOSPEL LESSON John 20:1-23 (today’s sermon text underlined)
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 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.”
HYMN CW152 v7,8, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Please be seated.
SERMON John 20:19-23 “Life-giving Hands of the Passion” (Jesus)
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 entry way.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Easter Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list.
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.
Please be seated.
HYMN CW153, “Alleluia! Jesus Lives”
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
P: 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.
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.
The Lord look on you with favor and † give you peace.
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN CW149, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
| 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 †
April 4 – April 10
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel & St. John’s Worship |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | |
| Mon. | Easter Monday – No School | |
| 5:30p.m. | Hand In Prayer meeting at St. John’s | |
| 6:30p.m. | Choir resumes at St. John’s | |
| Tues. | 8:00a.m. | School Chapel |
| 9:00 a.m. | Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s | |
| Wed. | 11:40 a.m. | Early School Release |
| Thurs. | 8:00 a.m. | St. John’s Teen Confirmation |
| 6:00 p.m. | Griefshare at St. John’s | |
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion |
| Next week’s theme:- April 11, 2021 The Risen Lord Commissions His Followers | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel with communion | |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion |
He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!!
Ultimate Love put Jesus on the cross and kept him there.
His death paid the spiritual debt for every person, ever. You, too.
His rising demonstrates that he is true to his word and is the Son of God.
I pray the truth of Christ’s resurrection fills your heart, mind, and life this Easter and throughout your life. God gave us new life to live for him.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
It has not been easy. Being deprived of the blessing of gathering with fellow Christians in church for worship has been a serious burden for us to carry. We hunger for the face-to-face fellowship with other Christians, and we long for the day when we can be together for worship again.
In the meantime, congregations in many places around our synod have found ways to continue the proclamation of the saving message of Jesus to their members. I commend pastors and congregational leaders for their faithful efforts to serve people with the Word.
In spite of our inability to be with each other in person, all members of the synod are joined together in a wonderful fellowship of faith. To help bring us together in spirit and to testify to that bond of faith we share, a special synodwide virtual worship service was held on Easter Sunday evening. The service, with the theme “Together at the Empty Tomb,” was streamed from the chapel of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.
Thank you to Seminary President Rev. Earle Treptow, who delivered the sermon brimming with Easter comfort; to the Trinitas worship ensemble from Trinity, Waukesha, Wis., who provided the instrumental and vocal music; to Rev. Bryan Gerlach, director of WELS Commission on Worship, for arranging the order of service; and to Rev. Jon Hein, coordinator for WELS Congregational Services, for coordinating this effort and for hosting the live Q&A that took place after the service.
More than 20,000 people tuned in for the synodwide virtual Easter service. If you missed it—or if you loved it and want to see it again—you can watch the archived service online.
Also, due to popular demand, a video is available of the service’s Hymn of the Day, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” featuring WELS members from around the country singing at home. View the hymn.
The good news of a risen Savior continues to be preached and proclaimed no matter what the circumstances. It’s likely an Easter celebration that we will never forget.
Serving you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
| 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, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Eleanor Kendall, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Kathy Ninneman, Kathy North, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Ramona Wacholtz (Dennis’ wife), Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week:) – For our communicants EASTER CROSSES Located in the link way of St. John’s and parish hall of Emmanuel are interactive wooden Easter 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. Easter blessings! 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 JOINT EMMANUEL/ST. JOHN’S CHOIR Emmanuel and St. John’s joint choir will resume tomorrow, April 5 @6:30pm at St John’s. All Emmanuel and St. John’s members are invited to join. 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! SEMINARY FOOD PANTRY At St. John’s, monetary gifts are being collected for the Seminary Food Pantry TODAY, Easter Sunday, and NEXT SUNDAY only. Our seminarians and their families appreciate this help! You are invited to participate in this collection, sponsored by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Thank you for supporting our future pastors!! |
| 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. 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. 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 General School General House/Parking Lot Family Easter Festival Sunday School Vacation Bible School School Technology Church Video/Audio System Security System Tuition Assistance Athletic Fund Outreach Events School Server Upgrade School HVAC/Purifying System |
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 3-27 | 19 | |
| 3-28 | 52 | 91 |
| 4-1 MT | 46 | |
| 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 ●●● |