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Speak, O Lord – January 17, 2018

January 17, 2018 Kerry

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me. “But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
1 Samuel 3:1–10

Speak, O Lord

Daily Devotion – January 17, 2018

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 3:1–10

See series: Devotions

“I prayed hard about this new opportunity, and I just feel as though God is telling me I should pursue it.”

“My life is in upheaval. God, what are you trying to tell me?”

Does God’s voice seem to be silent in your life? Do you wonder what, if any, direction God is giving you?

We are naturally inquisitive creatures. We want answers. We have the Bible, but the Bible doesn’t tell us everything. Can we count on God to communicate with us as he did with Samuel?

God has not promised to speak to us that way (Hebrews 1:2). However, God’s voice has never been more readily accessible than it is today. It is the recorded Word of God in the Bible. Even though there are days when I don’t pick up my Bible, I can count on it being there. Even if I don’t have a copy, I can easily buy one. I can read the Bible online. With a swipe of my finger, I can look up a passage in multiple versions and even in various languages. If we cannot hear God speaking to us, God is not the problem. The problem is that we are not listening.

No, the Bible doesn’t tell us everything we want to know. It does tell us everything we need to know. God will not tell us what college to attend, what job to take, the person to marry, or how many children to have. He does say whatever we do, we are to do for the glory of God. He doesn’t tell us if we will avoid trouble today. He does promise to work everything out for the eternal good of those who love him. He does not tell us why we are suffering. He does invite us to find comfort in him. He does not tell us how or when we will die. He does tell us that whoever believes in Jesus, who willingly offered up his life to pay for our sins, has eternal life.

Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord, for listening more to the world than your Word. Lead me, Lord, to delight in your Word and to turn a deaf ear to wicked advice. Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening. 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 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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A Mystery Solved – January 16, 2018

January 16, 2018 Kerry

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ…This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:4,6

A Mystery Solved

Daily Devotion – January 16, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 3:4,6

See series: Devotions

Do you enjoy a good mystery? As the author offers clues, anticipation grows until the book’s end, the mystery is solved and we pass it on!

Today’s Spirit-inspired author is the apostle Paul. This “mystery of Christ” is not a mystery to remain hidden nor beyond human comprehending. There are Bible mysteries like that, such as, the truth that God is a Trinity: one God in three separate but equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Another example would be the conception and birth of Jesus. The Son of God came to our world as a truly human infant while continuing to be true God! We accept those profound truths by Spirit-given faith. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Paul speaks here, however, of a mystery that requires revelation but can be solved!

The Old Testament held several clues. Adam and Eve heard God tell the devil, “He—the offspring of the woman—will crush your head” (Genesis 3:15). God told Abram, the human forefather of the Messiah, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah foretold that God “has laid on him (the Messiah, Jesus) the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). The actual event culminated in three New Testament days that included a cross, a grave, and on the third day, an empty tomb. Jesus’ payment was complete and sufficient. The apostles wrote the final chapters: “Through the gospel the Gentiles (all non-Jews) are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Though first sent to the nation of Israel, Jesus came to save all people. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Because Jesus was sent for all people, we have the certainty of our own salvation by faith in him. Additionally, we see the urgency of our mission, to spread the gospel far and wide that many more may hear and believe.

Who is the Savior sent for all mankind? Jesus, your Savior! Mystery solved! Pass it on!

Prayer:
Lord, let the light of your gospel shine worldwide, through me, too! 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.

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Follow Me – January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018 Kerry

[Jesus] said to [Philip], “Follow me.”
John 1:43

Follow Me

Daily Devotion – January 15, 2018

Devotion based on John 1:43

See series: Devotions

Now I don’t think we would say this out loud, but do you ever wonder, “Is Jesus really worth following?” I mean, we have access to the latest and greatest ideas, philosophies, and scientific discoveries. Sure, Jesus said and did some great things, but isn’t he just one great thinker among many? What could Jesus really offer, when we have access to so many other great leaders?

If you have ever had such thoughts, you’re not alone. When Jesus called his first disciples, there was a man named Nathaniel. When his friend Philip invited him to come and see Jesus of Nazareth, Nathaniel replied, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46). Nathaniel wondered why he should go see someone from some no-name town, born into a no-name family. What could he possibly offer Nathaniel? Jesus wasn’t from Jerusalem, the place of great scholarship and clout; he was just from some insignificant town in the north.

Nevertheless, Nathaniel did concede and went to see Jesus, and when he did, he was surprised. Jesus didn’t rebuke him for asking his skeptical question. In fact, he almost praised him, calling Nathaniel “a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false.” Then Jesus told him that he knew him and saw him, when he was sitting under a fig tree before Philip spoke to him.

Hearing Jesus’ words, Nathaniel realized and believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the one God sent to bring salvation.

Even after Nathaniel’s change of heart, Jesus had more to say. He told Nathaniel, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:50-51).

Jesus was saying, “Nathaniel, I’m not only worth listening to, I am THE WAY back to the God of heaven. I am the one you need to follow above everybody else.”

Jesus extends that same message to you. He is the way back to our Father in heaven. Jesus made this vital claim. He didn’t say that he was just one way among many, or one variation of truth, or one possible way to life. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Then he backed up his claims by rising from the dead.

Now Jesus is calling out to you to believe in him as your Savior and follow him as your loving Lord and Master.

Just like he said to his first disciples, he now says to you, “Come, follow me.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive us for times we doubt who you are. You are the only way, truth, and life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may follow you in everything we do. 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.

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The Passover – January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018 Kerry

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29

The Passover

Daily Devotion – January 14, 2018

Devotion based on John 1:29

See series: Devotions

By calling Jesus “the Lamb of God” John the Baptist pointed the people to one of their familiar festival—the Passover which commemorated God’s deliverance of his people from their bondage in the land of Egypt.
The LORD commissioned Moses and his brother Aaron to speak repeatedly to Egypt’s ruler informing him that the true God said: “Let my people go!” Nine times God sent a debilitating plague, but the ruler refused. In response to his stubbornness, God sent one last plague.
“At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn of Egypt.”(Exodus 12:29). However, the Israelites were spared because they did what God had commanded: they sacrificed the very best male lamb from their flock and spread its blood over the outer doorframe of their homes. When the LORD saw the blood of the unblemished lamb, he “passed over” the house and spared the firstborn. Immediately Egypt’s ruler released God’s people. By the blood of the sacrificial lamb the people were freed from slavery.
So when John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and proclaimed that he is “the Lamb of God,” he identified Jesus as the long-awaited Savior. Jesus is God’s Lamb by whose blood people are freed from the slavery of sin and death.
Jesus—the Lamb of God—loved us so much to offer his sinless life into death on a cross to secure our pardon before God the Father and flood our troubled souls with the peace that God gives us through Jesus. Let that truth flood your soul with the mercy we all desperately need and confident assurance we all urgently desire.

Prayer:
LORD God, work faith in my heart to believe in Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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.

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Your God Will Not Let You Fall – January 13, 2018

January 13, 2018 Kerry

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:7-9

Your God Will Not Let You Fall

Daily Devotion – January 13, 2018

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:7-9

See series: Devotions

The scene has been played out in countless movies and television shows. Someone has fallen off the edge of a cliff or tall building and is holding on for dear life to the hand of a person above him. The tension builds as the person’s hand starts to slip and he shouts, “I can’t hold on much longer!”
Christians sometimes feel this way about their faith. Challenges and tragedies have pummeled them to the point where they feel weak and wonder if they might very well lose their connection to Christ. “I can’t hold on much longer!” they think. Perhaps you are feeling this way today.
God’s Word has good news for you. Your connection to Christ does not depend on your ability to hold on to him. He is holding on to you. After all, he is the One who grabbed you out of the depths of sin and pulled you to himself in the first place. He called you to be his child and, like any loving parent, he loves you too much to let you go.
When you feel like you can’t hold on much longer, your loving Lord quietly, firmly and lovingly replies, “I can.”

Prayer:
Lord, you know how weak my faith often is. You know how easily I doubt your Word and promises. I thank you that you have called me to be your child and ask that you grant me a faith that is firm and unshakable. When I waver, hold me close. Keep me safe in your arms until I am safely home with you. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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.

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See yourself as God sees you – January 12, 2018

January 12, 2018 Kerry

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26–28

See yourself as God sees you

Daily Devotion – January 12, 2018

Devotion based on Galatians 3:26–28

See series: Devotions

A person’s view of himself tends to be relative—relative to the people around him. For example, I am below average in height. Most of the time, when I am with a group of people, I am looking up and feel quite short. But when I am with my extended family, I am one of the tallest people in the room. And when I am asked to reach something from the top shelf of the pantry, I feel quite tall.

People often view their morality in a similar way. They compare themselves to the people around them and feel either good or bad about themselves depending upon what they see in those other people.

But we do not have a God who compares us to other people. He compares us to himself. He expects us to be as holy, and loving, and caring, and selfless as he is. Unlike when we compare ourselves to other people, when we compare ourselves to the one, true God, we cannot see ourselves as anything but complete moral failures.

Which is why it is such a shock—a wonderful shock—to hear what the apostle Paul tell us in Galatians, chapter 3: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

What a glorious surprise! Regardless of how you see yourself, regardless of how you stack up when compared to other people, God sees you as sinless because you are clothed in the perfect life of Jesus. He sees every baptized follower of Christ this way. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what color you are, what kind of job you hold, what kind of grades you get, or what language you speak. Through faith in Christ you are a child of the living God!

Now, how does THAT make you feel?

Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for making me your child though faith in your Son, Jesus. Cleanse my guilty conscience with the knowledge that I am holy in your sight. And lead me to live as your child this day. 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.

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Bulletin- THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY JANUARY 14, 2018

January 11, 2018 Kerry

EMMANUEL AND ST. JOHN’S

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Mecan and Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

JANUARY 14, 2018

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH! We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and “link-way” at St. John’s. It’s nice to have you visit today. May God bless our worship together!

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY God shows himself and calls us to serve him

A PERSONAL PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP O Lord, our God: rule over the nations of earth and direct the affairs of this world so that your church may worship you in peace and joy. Through your Word and Sacrament, come to us. Forgive our sins, strengthen our faith, and help us live up to our high calling as your children. Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

“The Common Service” (hymnal page 15)

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 82 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”

(printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 15, read & sung responsively)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

LITURGY (hymnal page 17b, read & sung responsively)

(Please be seated for the Scripture readings)

THE DAY’S BIBLE READING THEME

The Lord Calls Us to Serve

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (sermon text)

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. ³The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

PSALM 67 (hymnal page 91, sung in unison)

EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

VERSE OF THE DAY Alleluia! He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia. (Isaiah 49:3)

LITURGY (hymnal page 18, all sing)

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! ”

(Please stand)

After the announcement of the Gospel, all sing:

“Glory be to you, O Lord!”

GOSPEL John 1:43-51

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

After the Gospel, all sing:

“Praise be to you, O Christ!”

NICENE CREED (hymnal page 18b, all read)

(Please be seated)

At Emmanuel, all children ages 2-6 are invited to Nursery Sunday School in the parish hall.

SERMON HYMN 283 “Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening”

(printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMON 1 Samuel 3:1-10

“The Lord Is Speaking. Who’s Listening?”

(Please stand after the sermon)

LITURGY (hymnal page 20, all sing)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God…”

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

(Please stand)

OFFERING PRAYER

EPIPHANY SEASON PRAYER (hymnal page 124, read responsively)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and others facing trials: George Alexander, Chuck Boetcher, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Millie Henke, Laurana Hoffman (Tim’s daughter), Drake Hunter (Bill & Cally’s grandson), Mary Isberner, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Anna Madigan, Linda Malsack, Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), Marion Neuman (Marjorie Fabian’s sister), Wilma Rudolph, Bob Schrank, Becky Schulz (Kristen Cragin’s sister), Tim Schultz, Roger Stellick (Doug’s uncle), Linda Lou Wacholtz, Bob Wegner – (added this week: )
– For Marla Ohrmundt called by St. John’s voters on 1/7 to serve as Little Lambs pre-school director through the end of the school year
– For our communicants at St. John’s

LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 20b)

NOTE: AT SUNDAY ST. JOHN’S…

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY (hymnal page 21, read & sung responsively)

(Please be seated for holy communion)

Our church follows the historic and widespread Christian practice of closed Communion. We ask that only members of Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or another congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) partake of the sacrament. We follow this practice because the Bible teaches it and because we love you. Please speak with the pastor if you have any questions.

DISTRIBUTION HYMN 38 “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(After the distribution, please stand)

SONG OF SIMEON, CLOSING PRAYER, & BLESSING (hymnal pages 24-25)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 367 “Christ Be My Leader” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

NOTE: AT EMMANUEL & WEDNESDAY ST. JOHN’S…

LITURGY (hymnal page 25)

(Please be seated)

HYMN 458 “May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 25b)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 367 “Christ Be My Leader” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Theme for next Sunday (1/21):

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives

Note: Please give your completed friendship register page to an usher or pastor as you leave today’s service.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK JANUARY 14-JANUARY 20
Sun.	8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
	8:20 A.M.		Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School
	8:30 A.M.		St. John’s Sunday School
	9:00 A.M.		Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
	10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.	6:30 P.M.		Senior Choir at St. John’s
	7:30 P.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.
Wed.	10:00 A.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	1:40 P.M.		St. John’s School/Little Lambs early dismissal
	2:15 P.M.		Public School Teen Confirmation class at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship
	7:30 P.M.		Bible Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.	6:00 P.M.		Griefshare at St. John’s lower level begins (13 weeks)
	7:00 P.M.		St. John’s Council meeting
Fri.
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2018 The Third Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
8:20 A.M.		Emmanuel Nursery Sunday School
8:30 A.M.		St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.		Emmanuel/St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship
11:15 A.M.		New member dinner at St. John’s

MEMORIAL In loving memory of Sierra Lynn Prater, $200.00 was given to St. John’s church by Wade and Melissa Prater. Thank you for your gift.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

ST. JOHN’S OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN-UP The signup sheet is located in the church link way. Please sign up if you wish to have a copy of your 2017 offering statement.

ST. JOHN’S OFFERING ENVELOPES 2018 are located in the link way of church. Please pick yours up if you haven’t yet! If you do not have a box, feel free to contact pastor or the office and we will get one to you!

LENT BY CANDLELIGHT Ladies, you won’t want to miss the second ever Lent by Candlelight on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 5:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello. Please plan to join us for an evening of visiting, beautiful music and scrumptious snacks. All women are invited and are encouraged to invite their friends to prepare their hearts for Lent. There is no charge for this event. Seating is limited, so RSVP by emailing christavantreeck@gmail.com or signing up in the link way at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS at Emmanuel & St. John’s since December 14, 2015! You will be guests at a Welcome Dinner on Sunday, January 21, beginning at approximately 11:15 a.m. following the St. John’s worship service. Your hosts will be the members & families of the St. John’s Accessibility Task Force, St. John’s Shepherd Team, Emmanuel Council & Leaders, and Pastor & Mrs. Zietlow. New members, you should have received personal invitations in the mail. Your RSVP is kindly requested, by Sunday, January 14, to help us with food preparation. Please call Elsa Russell 608-297-2731 or James & Linda Wachholz 608-297-7109 or 608-369-2635.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS A new “Bible Information Class” began Wed 1/3/18 at 7:30pm in pastor’s office/conference room at St. John’s. Alternate days/times can also be scheduled. Free study guides are available from pastor…just ask.

NEW WEEKDAY/EVE BIBLE CLASS Beginning January 2018, we started a new weekday/eve Bible Study entitled: “Your Questions–Scriptures Answers: Adiaphora” (things that God doesn’t command or forbid in the Bible and how we are to properly use our Christian freedom). We meet at St. John’s in the pastor’s office/conference room Monday 7:30pm and Wednesday 10am. “Therefore let us leave the elementery teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” (Hebrews 6:1)

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY Following the Sunday 8:00 a.m. worship service at Emmanuel, usually about 9:00 a.m., all are invited to the parish hall for our study of “Timely Topics–Timeless Truths” led by Lucas Stelter. At 9:00 a.m. in the St. John’s sanctuary, all are invited to our study of the New Testament book of James: “Concrete Christianity” led by Pastor John Dolan and others. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 3:18)

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor) Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

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Know your synod
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Interactive Faith online Bible study
The next Interactive Faith series will begin Jan. 10, 2018, and run each Wednesday night at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (central) through Feb. 7, 2018. Rev. Daniel Habben, St. John’s, Saint John, Antigua, will lead the study titled “Isaiah: God confronts and comforts his people.” Learn more at wels.net/interactivefaith.

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WELS Military Services produces a weekly devotion written especially for people in the military and their families. Now, you can subscribe to have the devotions delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for the military devotions and more at wels.net/subscribe.

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Connecting WELS members
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod offers several ways to connect members through social media: facebook.com/welslutherans, twitter.com/welstweets, Instagram.com/welslutherans, and vimeo.com/wels.

USHERS

Emmanuel January 14 Wayne Stelter, Glenn Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld, January 21 Darrell Buchholz, Paul Wuerch, Jim Stuempges January 28 DuWayne Sommerfeld, Paul Dahlke, Joe Heller

St. John’s January 14 (C) James Wachholz; Chief, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, January 21 Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Jim Eisermann, Corey Kaul, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith January 28 (C) Jack Yates; Chief, Del Henke, Joe Zauner, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt

GREETERS TODAY Sara Borck & Jennie Utke

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
1-7 1-10	62	150 7
SJ ALTAR COMMITTEE CONTACT JANUARY 2018	Diane Eisermann & Delores Cotte

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website & Facebook link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830, E-mail: ZietlowPL6@hotmail.com

Principal Tim Hemling (608) 745-2549

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Teacher Sandra Hemling (608) 745-2776

Parish/School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser (608) 297-2866

Altar Ladies Elaine Kelm (920) 344-0025 &

Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036

Mail to: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949

OR scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Winnebago Lutheran Academy

Principal Mr. David Schroeder/WLA office (920) 921-4930

WLA website: www.wlavikings.org

When You Feel Stuck – January 11, 2018

January 11, 2018 Kerry

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 118:5–6

When You Feel Stuck

Daily Devotion – January 11, 2018

Devotion based on Psalm 118:5–6

See series: Devotions

Several years ago, there was a popular book and movie about Aron Ralston, a climber who got trapped in Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon after an accident in which a large dislodged boulder pinned his arm against the narrow canyon wall. Ralston had not told anyone about his hiking plans, nor did he have anyway to call for help. There is an unforgettable scene in the movie where he realizes that his arm is stuck and he is not going to be able to free himself. He cries out for help, but his cry simply echoes through the vast canyon walls. There is no one to hear him. No one to help. Finally, after five days of surviving on a meager amount of food and water, Ralston broke his ulna and radius bones and amputated his trapped arm to escape.

While it might not be a life or death situation, there are times in our lives when we feel stuck. Whether it be in a relationship, a job, or even our own struggle with sin and guilt. Even when we cry out to God for help, sometimes it seems like the cry of that trapped climber reverberating off the empty canyon walls. Who is going to help me? Who is going to save me from death?

In the midst of betrayal and abandonment, with the weight of the world’s sins on his back and the impending punishment for their guilt looming on the horizon, Jesus called out to his heavenly Father. In faith he cried out to God and that cry did not simply echo into the void. God answered his prayer. Yes, Jesus had to suffer the pain and the shame of the cross for our benefit. But God did not abandon him. On the third day he raised him victoriously from the dead.

Because of Jesus we can be sure that God will answer our deepest cry for help as well. Through faith in Jesus as our Savior, we are intimately joined with him. His Father is our Father, and just as God ultimately answered his Son’s prayers for deliverance, he will answer ours too. Sometimes he miraculously delivers us from our current problems and trials. Sometimes he doesn’t. But in any case, we can be confident that God is working all things to bring us ultimate deliverance.

So next time you feel stuck, next time you are hard pressed and in anguish, cry out to your heavenly Father. Cry out trusting that the Lord hears and answers your prayers. Know that because of Jesus, you can say, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, when I feel like I am stuck and in anguish I feel life’s difficulties and problems pressing down, help me to trust in you and your unfailing deliverance. Through Jesus my Savior. 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.

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Small Things – January 10, 2018

January 10, 2018 Kerry

And now the LORD says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:5–6

Small Things

Daily Devotion – January 10, 2018

Devotion based on Isaiah 49:5–6

See series: Devotions

A leading expert on stress, cardiologist Robert Eliot, gives the following prescription for dealing with stress: Rule No. 1 is—don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule No. 2 is—it’s all small stuff.

Looking back at your celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s, do you feel like so much of what you did was hurried and stress-filled, yet ultimately all small stuff? The gifts you gave and got, the gatherings you were part of, and the games you watched really were not that big of a deal. Still, you stressed over the giving, gatherings and games.

Perhaps you are even feeling remorseful regret over having not made more of a season filled with opportunities for witness and worship. If you have sinned through selfish indulgence; if you have sinned through wasted worship times or by worshipping games and players at the price of worshipping the God of glory, then behold, “I bring you tidings of great joy which will be for all the people.”

Entering our small lives is the Lord for whom salvation for his special people Israel was “too small a thing.” Entering our lives is the God of greatness and glory—the God of our salvation—Jesus servant of the Lord. Jesus is the designated Savior who is a light for the Gentiles which is 99.8% of the world’s population. Jesus is the one who brings salvation to the ends of the earth. He came to rescue the world from sin.

That means he brings salvation to the homes of those who gathered, gifted and watched games until they had their fill, but let Christmas and Christ pass by with little notice. It is a new year and it is not too late to shake things up and change. It is not too late to reflect upon the smallness of life here and the greatness of life hereafter.

The game-changer is Jesus. His plan and purpose is to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. His plan is to gather us to himself. Don’t settle for small when you can marvel at great!

Prayer:
Gracious God, we marvel at the task you laid upon your Son to rescue and save us all. By the Spirit, cause us to embrace and receive that salvation as our own. 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.

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Patience – January 9, 2018

January 9, 2018 Kerry

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
2 Peter 3:15a

Patience

Daily Devotion – January 9, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Peter 3:15a

See series: Devotions

There’s an old Jewish story about Abraham. Abraham was sitting outside his tent when an old, weary man came by. Abraham invited him in and fixed him a meal. As they sat down to eat, however, the old man dived right into his food without even a prayer.

“Don’t you believe in God?” asked Abraham. “No,” the man replied. Indignant, Abraham sent the man away without another word.

Later, the Lord came to Abraham. “Where’s the stranger?” the Lord asked. “Lord, he did not believe in you, and so I sent him away.” And the Lord replied, “Abraham, I’ve been patient with that man for eighty years. Couldn’t you be patient with him for one night?”

It’s just a non-biblical story, of course. Nevertheless, it does illustrate a very biblical truth. Before we get too far into the new year, take a moment to look back into the old. How many times did you and I come up with noble-sounding reasons for giving in to raw impatience towards others? How I treated that new co-worker who was just learning the ropes? How I treated the nurses at the hospital when they were clearly short-staffed? How I treated my elderly parent who tends to repeat things?

How many times, under the guise of righteous indignation, did you and I write off the souls around us—the souls of those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior from sin?

Thank God that he has been patient with us. Thank God that he brings us to repentance again and again. Thank God that he comes to us with his forgiveness in Jesus again and again. As Peter says to us, it’s the Lord’s patience that means salvation.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your patience in my life. Thank you for your forgiveness of my sins in Jesus. Strengthen my resolve to demonstrate patience towards others. 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.

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