Kerry – Page 266 – St. John's Evangelical

Choose Your Battles – February 24, 2019

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 Kerry

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13

Choose Your Battles

Daily Devotion – February 24, 2019

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:12-13

See series: Devotions

I knew parents once who had a helpful philosophy for raising their children. The rule of thumb around the house was “everything is negotiable, except the Ten Commandments.” The point was to avoid unnecessary wrangling over issues that did not involve sin. If their son wanted to wear an earring or have a rattail haircut for example, it was not a sin to do so. Despite a parent’s personal distaste for earrings on boys and unusual haircuts, they left the issue “negotiable.”

The Ten Commandments reveal sin. They do not save us from sin, but they do make us aware of our sin. We face a real, spiritual battle. The apostle Paul wrote, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” When we are battling the “powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” we have to know that we are fighting for our souls. We are fighting against sin.

Satan’s business is to drag people down into the darkness of sin and unbelief. Because of that, we have to choose our battles. We have to fight, not against each other, but against sin. We have to fight in such a way as to win the battle and finally enjoy victory forever. Therefore, put on the full armor of God. We could enumerate all the pieces of armor at our disposal or we can say simply, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:11).

Jesus’ mighty power is the power to save us from our sins. He lived not to show us how we should look on the outside, but on the inside to have the holiness and perfection that our Savior freely gives us. Jesus died, not to forgive unusual haircuts or questionable fashion sense. He died to take away real sins, real violations of the holy will of God. Jesus lived, fought, died, and rose in a winning battle against the darkness of sin, death, hell, and Satan.

Put on Jesus in faith and you will have put on the full armor of God.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, remove my sin, surround me with your holiness and give me the victory over the spiritual forces of evil, now and forever. 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.

Keep It Simple – February 23, 2019

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Kerry

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:37

Keep It Simple

Daily Devotion – February 23, 2019

Devotion based on Matthew 5:37

See series: Devotions

Stan had a problem with the truth. It wasn’t that he was a blatant liar. He just had a problem with embellishments and exaggerations. As a result, people were skeptical about everything he said.

On one occasion Stan actually told the unvarnished truth. While he assured his hearers there were no exaggerations, he couldn’t convince them. To offer some assurance he added, “with God as my witness,” to his testimony. Even then people were still slow to accept he was trustworthy. He finally resorted to taking an oath, “cross my heart and hope to die!”

Stan’s problem can be mine. I color the truth to fit my needs. I rely on “white lies” to avoid accusations. I even call on God to serve as my witness. But what am I really doing with my words?

The moment I ask God to be my witness, I am inviting him to be the judge of all I say. I also permit his just judgment if I mishandle the truth. The effects of such an invitation could be disastrous. What if God would decide to strike me dead as soon as I didn’t tell the truth?

This is why Jesus’ lesson is so relevant. Not only does he say, “keep it simple,” he further adds that I should be a person who delights in and relies on the truth.

Certainly telling the simple truth is a challenge, because my heart is full of lies. I am also easily swayed by the devil who is the author of every lie. I can only overcome this propensity to lie when I rely on Jesus to make me a person who delights in being truthful.

During his earthly ministry Jesus established and proclaimed the truth. It convicted. It convinced. It converted. Along with the truth, his innocent death and shed blood washed away every stain and stigma of my lying nature. His blood cleansed my heart. It also purified the words of my mouth.

It is only because of Jesus I can be truthful in all things. It is also only because of Jesus I can keep all my conversations simply “yes” and “no.”

Prayer:
O Jesus, overcome the deceitfulness of my words with your truth. Replace the sinful weakness of my heart with your strength. Fill me with joy in speaking what is simple and pure. 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.

A Citizenship to Treasure – February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019 Kerry

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:17-20

A Citizenship to Treasure

Daily Devotion – February 22, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:17-20

See series: Devotions

Roman army vets had retired to the Greek colony of Philippi. The Roman government gave these vets in Philippi special privileges because of their army service. The Roman government could not tax them directly. Their city government was run by Roman law. As Roman citizens they could not be punished without a fair trial. The vets were so thankful they dressed like Romans, they spoke Latin, and they lived like Romans. They were citizens of Rome, even though they lived in Philippi.

Paul reminded the Christians in Philippi of their even greater citizenship. Because of Jesus’ service, Christians are citizens of heaven. Jesus won our citizenship by completing his 33-year tour of duty as our Savior. He followed every rule and obeyed every command God gave him. He also “threw himself” on the cross to redeem us as a people belonging to him.

By faith we have a citizenship with more privileges than Roman citizenship. We belong to a King who hears and answers our prayers, who works in all things for the good of those who love him, who will deliver us from this evil world and take us to himself in heaven.

It’s a citizenship to treasure. But Paul warned the believers that some lived only for this world. Their goals were to make more money, have more fun, enjoy more pleasure, go on longer vacations, become more important at work. They were turning their backs on the Savior who sacrificed his life to earn for them the rights of citizens of heaven. Their path was leading to eternal destruction.

What are we living for? Do we prize the pleasures and recognition of this world, chasing them at the cost of our life with God? Or are we proud and grateful for the citizenship Jesus has given us? Do we treasure his gifts of forgiveness, undeserved love, peace, joy?

Prayer:
Jesus, forgive my sins. Forgive my living for this life instead of living for heaven. Thank you for making me a citizen of heaven despite my sin. Thank you for daily forgiving me all I have done wrong. Keep my eyes and my heart focused on the home you won for me. Amen.

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

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

The Problem of Darkness – February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 Kerry

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

The Problem of Darkness

Daily Devotion – February 21, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 4:6

See series: Devotions

In 2007, a man by the name of Adam Bloom agreed to take part in an experiment. Scientists took him to an underground bunker. From there they led him to a small bedroom the size of a prison cell. The room contained microphones and infrared cameras. After Adam walked in, the scientists closed the door and turned off the lights. The lights would not come back on for 48 hours. And so, in a tiny cell of this underground bunker, Adam Bloom would experience total, pitch-black darkness for two full days.

At first, Adam didn’t think it would be so bad. He led a hectic lifestyle, and the idea of spending two days in total darkness did not seem like the worst thing in the world. But that soon changed.

To keep himself occupied he tried talking out loud, but he soon tired of that. Quickly he began to lose track of time. Whenever he awoke from sleep, he could no longer determine how many hours—or minutes—had passed. Then the fear began to set in. Even though he and the scientists had been preparing for months, he began to wonder: Had they all gone away? Was he trapped there forever? Finally he began to hallucinate, his mind creating its own images in the absence of seeing anything else. He even started to lose his own sense of identity.

When humanity chose to cut itself off from God, it plunged itself into a chasm of pitch-black darkness. In our sinful madness we thought we would find freedom. But we found nothing of the kind. Instead, in the absence of God’s light, there began a swirling nightmare of unreality. Fear set in. Disorientation. Dead ends. Confusion. Even our own sense of identity began to fall apart.

But then, into our chasm of darkness, there came the Light of the World. God sent his Son to retrieve us from the nightmare we had created. In our place, Jesus lived the life of light that our darkened lives could no longer live. Then, on our behalf, Jesus went to the cross to experience the outer darkness of hell, all to pay the price for our sins—all to pay the price for our sins in full.

And now he lives. He lives as the Light. And because he lives, our nightmare is over. Fear has given way to joy. Anxiety has given way to gratitude and sweet relief. Bitter confusion has given way to the clear confidence of God’s love for us in his Son.

By the way, Adam Bloom says that, when he left that underground bunker, he realized how vivid and beautiful the world of light truly is. Through faith in Jesus, you and I can say the same thing.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when darkness threatens to cloud my thoughts, fill me with your light. 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.

His Victory – February 20, 2019

February 20, 2019February 20, 2019 Kerry

Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him.
Deuteronomy 26:5-10

His Victory

Daily Devotion – February 20, 2019

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 26:5-10

See series: Devotions

After accomplishing some great success in life, perhaps you have been given the counsel: “Don’t rest on your laurels.” A sign of victory in ancient times was to wear a wreath made of laurel leaves as a kind of crown. To rest on your laurels, then, means to be so satisfied with your past achievements that you make no further effort to improve. Such a person basks in the glow of glory years gone by.

When the people of Israel entered into the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness, they would be tempted to “rest on their laurels.” After years of suffering, they had found success. They had journeyed to a land “flowing with milk and honey” with rich soil that produced abundant crops. But Moses reminded them that the laurel wreath of victory was not theirs to wear. The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, owed everything they had to the Lord, the God of their fathers. When they were helpless, the Lord had saved them from slavery and had led them safely to this new land. By all rights, the Lord deserved their thanks and praise.

Can Christians be tempted to rest on their laurels? After all, we believers have been promised an eternal home in heaven. As God’s children we have the privilege of going to him in prayer. By his grace we even see some successes in our struggles with sin and may have been able to resist temptations that have been the ruin of others around us. But no, the crown of victory does not rightly belong to us. We sinners could never earn peace with God ourselves. It was won by Christ Jesus the Son of God, who with his outstretched arms on the cross defeated sin, death, and the devil for us. He gives salvation as a gift to all sinners through faith. We rest secure on Jesus’ laurels—his victory—rather than our own. And responding to such a Savior in faith and gratitude, we bring the firstfruits of godly living, setting apart for him the best of our resources, our schedule, and our heart.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you used your mighty power to win me back from death and the devil. Let all my thinking, speaking, and doing this day reflect your great love for me. 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.

Necessary – February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 Kerry

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
1 Corinthians 8:2

Necessary

Daily Devotion – February 19, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 8:2

See series: Devotions

Several years ago, a high school in Port Huron, MI, needed a commencement speaker for its spring graduation. The school decided to invite businessman Ross Perot. Mr. Perot accepted. As a result, what the senior class received that year was a commencement address few of them would soon forget.

Not far into the speech, Mr. Perot made it clear that he had a deep concern about a certain portion of the graduating class. His concern, however, was not about those who had to struggle to get through school. Nor was his concern necessarily about those who had certain disadvantages or difficulties. Rather, his deep concern was about those in the class who had sailed through their four years of high school with straight A’s.

In many cases, Mr. Perot told them, “you don’t know what it is to strive, fail, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again and again; and, finally, never to win a medal but just finish the race.” Because that segment of the class had not yet tasted that bitter but necessary slice of life, Mr. Perot was telling them that even though they knew many things, here was one vital thing they did not yet know.

God’s Word has a similar thought for you and me, but the thought is even more profound. It’s easy for us to picture the devil at work when we encounter setbacks or failure or grief. What may not often occur to us is what the devil can do when we experience success. Satan can use even the head-rush of achievement to lessen our appreciation for God’s grace. Satan can use that moment of victory to distract us from God’s undeserved love for us in Jesus Christ.

Keep that in mind when the Lord chooses to allow disappointment and failure into your life. His goal is not to give you an unbroken chain of success stories. Rather, it is to do whatever is necessary to keep you close to him. After all, he died for you. He loves you that much.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I ask you to carry out great things to your glory through my life. I also ask you to do what is necessary to keep me close to 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.

Bold in the Gospel – February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019February 18, 2019 Kerry

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

Bold in the Gospel

Daily Devotion – February 18, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

See series: Devotions

What makes a person bold? A husband and wife can go to the bank to secure a mortgage for purchasing their first home because their credit score is top notch. An athlete can go into the big game with boldness because he has put in hours of training, practice, and preparation. A young aspiring business professional walks into his interview with boldness because he has a shiny new degree from a prestigious university.

But what makes us bold as Christians? When we look at what God’s law has to say, we have no right to be bold because it shows us that we are sinners who deserve God’s judgment and punishment. Surely a sinful human being cannot be bold before a holy God. Our boldness does not come from God’s law, but from the gospel. God’s gospel tells us that our sins are forgiven in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. The Bible says, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Through that message, the Holy Spirit works saving faith in our hearts and thus sets us free from the curse of sin. So we can be bold not because of what we have done or can do, but because of what Jesus has done for us!

That freedom and hope also makes us bold to share the wonderful news of the gospel with others, just as Paul did. We dare not change it or speak falsely about it. We set forth the truths of God’s law and gospel plainly because, “…the gospel…is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

So be bold. Know that in Jesus, your sins are forgiven and through faith in him you are made a dear child of your heavenly Father. Then share that gospel message boldly that others may hear it and be saved. Be bold in the gospel!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you and your work of salvation alone do I have freedom from sin and the hope of eternal life. Strengthen my faith in you and make me bold to serve you with my life. Amen.

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

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

The Basement – February 17, 2019

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019 Kerry

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”–but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

The Basement

Daily Devotion – February 17, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

See series: Devotions

In 2004, author Susan Shaw published a work of fiction with a dark title. She called her book, The Boy from the Basement.

The Boy from the Basement is the story of a 12-year-old boy named Charlie. Charlie has lived his entire life in the basement of his home, kept there by his psychotic and abusive father. He knows nothing about the world beyond his basement walls. In fact, he fears it. He accepts his miserable existence as normal.

That all changes when the city authorities discover his plight. Before long, Charlie’s entire sense of reality is different. He moves into the home of a foster family—a foster family that is caring and kind, affectionate and patient. From there he discovers things he has never known before. He discovers the telephone. He discovers learning. He discovers Christmas. He discovers friendship. Most of all, Charlie discovers unconditional love. Although the road is difficult and long, in time Charlie does find healing. The boy from the basement is in the basement no more.

Before the arrival of Jesus, you and I were in a basement. It was a basement of our own making. It was the basement of our own sin. Because of that basement, you and I could not see what was beyond it. Left to ourselves, you and I would have accepted our basement as reality and lingered there until we died.

But God changed all that. He sent his Son. Through his life and death on our behalf, Jesus destroyed our basement of sin, wrapping us in the blanket of his forgiveness. And now his Holy Spirit speaks to us by the power of his Word. He describes all the things we may now enjoy beyond our basement walls. And he tells us that even better things are on the way.

Yes, the road for us can still be difficult and long. But our healing has come. We are in the basement no more.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have rescued me. Thank you. In your Word, help me to discover more and more the wonderful things I now have 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.

The Long Walk – February 16, 2019

February 16, 2019February 16, 2019 Kerry

[Love] is not self-seeking.
1 Corinthians 13:5

The Long Walk

Daily Devotion – February 16, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:5

See series: Devotions

An old, gray-haired man walked into the headquarters of General George Washington. When Washington saw him, he took notice and stopped what he was doing. The old man’s name was Peter Miller. Washington treasured him as a friend, and for good reason. During the dark days of Valley Forge, when Washington’s men were cold and starving and sick, it was old Peter Miller who had worked so hard to deliver as much relief and medical help as he possibly could.

Now here the old man stood, having walked a long walk to see the general. He was there to plead for the life of his neighbor back home, one Michael Widmon. Through some foolish act, Mr. Widmon had been found guilty of treason and sentenced to be hanged. Only Washington could grant a pardon, and a pardon is what Peter Miller sought.

Reports are that Peter Miller’s words moved Washington to tears. Nevertheless, Washington said no. After all, he said to Peter, how could he justify granting a pardon to a man just because he happens to be your friend?

What the old man said next put Peter Miller’s long walk in an entirely different light. “Friend?” he said to Washington, “Michael Widmon is not my friend. In fact, he has been my bitterest enemy.” And it was true. The townspeople knew that Widmon had taken to treating Peter Miller with contempt, even going so far as to spit in his face.

For Washington, that settled it. He granted the pardon. He granted the pardon not because Peter Miller had made the long walk for a friend. He granted the pardon because Peter Miller had made the long walk for an enemy.

You and I might flatter ourselves to think that, on our good days, we might be willing to “walk the long walk” for a friend, or for someone who kindles our compassion. But to do it for someone who has hurt us, or disrespected us, or humiliated us? That’s something else entirely. Our inability reminds us how far short you and I fall when it comes to God’s command to love.

That’s why we need Jesus. Jesus walked the long walk in our place. He suffered and died for our every self-seeking moment. Because he did, he has secured for each of us a permanent pardon from eternal death.

And there’s more. God’s Word tells us that the same love which Jesus demonstrated for us is also what empowers us to lengthen our walk for others—friend and foe alike.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your Gospel promise of forgiveness, move me to walk the long walk for those in my life who need me to do it. 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- FEBRUARY 17, 2019, THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 Kerry

EMMANUEL & ST. JOHN’S

Ev. Lutheran Churches

Mecan & Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

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. 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!

PRAYER OF THE DAY Lord God, you know that we are surrounded by many dangers and that we often stumble and fall. Strengthen us in body and mind, and bring us safely through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

Opening Litany #2 and The Common Service (hymnal page 18)

TODAY’S THEME The 6^th Sunday after the Epiphany:

“Grace–Hmong Outreach in Vietnam” Sunday

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 569 “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”

(Please stand)

THE OPENING LITANY (Isaiah 60:1-6)

P: Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

C: See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,

P: But the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

C: Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

P: Lift up your eyes and look about you:

C: Your sons come from afar and your daughters are carried on the arm.

P: Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah.

C: And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION (Psalm 51:1-4,

1 Peter 2:9-10)

P: Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sins.

C: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.

P: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

P: We join our voices in praising our forgiving God.

SING: (CW 64:1-3)

Let us all with gladsome voice praise the God of heaven,

Who, to bid our hearts, rejoice, his own Son has given.

To this vale of tears he comes, here to serve in sadness,

That with him in heaven’s fair homes we may reign in gladness.

We are rich, for he was poor; is not this a wonder?

Therefore praise God evermore here on earth and yonder.

(Please be seated)

THE DAYS READINGS

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s Bible readings focus on God’s grace to sinners throughout the world. Isaiah sees all nations coming to the light of God’s grace in Christ. Matthew remembers Jesus commissioning his disciples to go and make more disciples of all nations. And in our epistle reading from Colossians, today’s sermon text, the Apostle Paul marvels how “all over the world the gospel (the good news of Jesus) is producing fruit and growing.”

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 60:1-6

Nations will come to your light

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

PSALM 96 (hymnal page 102, all sing refrains, all read verses and Gloria)

EPISTLE: Colossians 1:3-8 (today’s sermon text)

The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

VERSE OF THE DAY Alleluia! “The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.” Alleluia! (Colossians 1:6)

LITURGY (hymnal page 18a, all sing)

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

(Please stand)

After the announcement of the Gospel, all sing:

“Glory be to you, O Lord!”

GOSPEL: Matthew 28:16-20

Go and make disciples of all nations

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

After the Gospel, all sing:

“Praise be to you, O Christ!”

NICENE CREED (hymnal page 18b-19, all read)

(Please be seated)

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SERMON HYMN 778 “How Shall They Hear, Who Have Not Heard” (bulletin page 6, all sing)

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SERMON Colossians 1:3-8

“Let’s Celebrate God’s Grace with the Apostle Paul and Pastor Ham”

The Gospel has the power to bear fruit and grow
Those that truly understand God’s grace spring up in love that shares with others

(Please stand)

LITURGY (hymnal page 20, all sing)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God…”

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, GREETINGS, FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS & HMONG OUTREACH IN VIETNAM WELS CONNECTION DVD

OFFERING PRAYER

GOD’S GRACE IN VIETNAM PRAYER (read by pastor)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Jerre Duerr, Reinold Eckelberg, Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Earl Ewert, Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Tom Fritsche (Patty’s husband), Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Dawn Hirn (Linda Krause’s niece), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Arden “Bill” Klimke, Linda Krause, Pete Laun, Lilly Mann, LuAnn Reber, Frankie Russell, Mark & Peggy Russell (Elsa’s son & daughter in-law), Al & Darlene Schmidt (Dawn Marcelain & Candace Sonnenberg’s parents), Carol Schumann, Dennis Schwanke (Mary Isberner’s friend), Amanda Stalker, Jennifer Strauss, Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Cheryl Wegner, Heidi Weishaar (Dennis & Sharon Kekow’s daughter), Paul Weldon, Millie Wildt (John’s wife) – (added this week: )

– For the family and friends of Gordon Fabian, who was called home (2/14)

– For Michael Chappell, currently serving as director/teacher at Precious Lambs Preschool in Jacksonville, FL, who was called at our 2/3 St. John’s Voters meeting to serve as principal and 3-5 or 6-8 grade teacher at our school

– For Laurel Coates, currently serving as teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Waco, NE, who was called at our 2/3 St. John’s Voters meeting to serve as early childhood director and K4-K5 teacher at our school

– For President’s Day (2/18)

– For God’s help in dark hours

(Please stand)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 20, all read)

(Please be seated)

HYMN 570:1-2 “O Christians Haste” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

LITURGY (hymnal page 24, read and sung responsively)

CLOSING HYMN 570:3-4 “O Christians Haste” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Note: As you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor)

Announcements

Theme for Next Sunday February 24, 2019

Epiphany 7: “Love Others, Reflecting Jesus’ Light”

Activities for the week of February 17-February 23
Sun.			HMONG OUTREACH IN VIETNAM
	8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
	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
Mon.			PRESIDENT’S DAY
	9:00 A.M.		Pastor’s Study Club at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.		Choir at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.		Bible Information Class at St. John’s
	7:30 P.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.	6:30 P.M.		Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s
Wed.	8:00 A.M.		St. John’s School Chapel
	10:00 A.M.		Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
	1:40 P.M.		St. John’s School/Little Lambs Early Release
	2:15 P.M.		Public School Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship
Thurs.	8:00 A.M.		St. John’s School Teen Confirmation Class

	6:00 P.M.		Griefshare (3^rd of 13 weeks) in St. John’s lower level
	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Council meeting
Fri.
Sat.
Schedule for Next Sunday: February 24, 2019 Epiphany 7: “Love Others, Reflecting Jesus’ Light”
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
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

2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready for pick up in the link way at St. John’s. If you did not receive a box and would like to, please let Ciara know at the office (297-2866) or there is a sign up in the link way.

2018 OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN UP is now available in the link way. Please pick your statement up in the link way as well.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS member): “God grades on the cross, not on the curve.”

MEN’S BIBLE CLASS – A strange thing happened on the road to Damascus, and thank the Lord that it did! God reached out and saved the man we know as St. Paul. God still reaches out through him today. We are reading about it in the book of Acts. 6:30PM on Tuesdays, in the church basement.

NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASS I’d like to start a new membership class on Sunday 3/3 Sun at 11:15am or on Monday 3/16 at 6pm here at my office on whichever day/time works best. We’d meet here in my office/conference room and study the basic teachings of the Bible using the 20 lesson study guide entitled: New Life In Christ. Call or text me at 608-408-7830 if you are interesetd. –Pastor Pete Zietlow

“Grace—Hmong outreach in Vietnam” special offering – Sunday 2/17/19 at Emmanuel & St. John’s—Montello Stay connected to the “Grace—Hmong outreach in Vietnam” mission effort – Today we are participating in a special synodwide offering to support Hmong outreach in Vietnam. The goal of the “Grace—Hmong outreach in Vietnam” offering is to receive gifts totaling $2 million by June 30, 2019, to fund the land purchase, building construction, and the first two years of operational costs for a theological training facility in Hanoi, Vietnam. To stay connected with this mission effort through the latest news updates, subscribe to the WELS Together newsletter at wels.net/subscribe. You can also “Like” the WELS Missions Facebook page at fb.com/WELSMissions.

THE 6^TH ANNUAL IRONMEN OF GOD MEN’S CONFERENCE will be held Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Ixonia. Come and hear God’s word aimed straight at men! Speakers and registration info at www.ironmenofgodwi.org.

Usher Schedule

February 17

Wayne Stelter, Glenn Buchholz, Joe Heller

James Wachholz; Chief, Scott Ritz, Ken Borzick, Ben Emond, Thomas Wojtalewicz

February 24

Lucas Stelter, Warren Buchholz, DuWayne Sommerfeld

Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke, Lee Ollendorf

March 3

(with comm.) E

Don Stelter, Bob Ferber, Gary Wegner, comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

Jack Yates; Chief, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann, Corey Kaul

March 6

(Lent 3:30pm) E

(Lent 6:30pm) SJ

Wayne Stelter, Don Stelter, Joe Heller

Don Smith; Chief, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Del Henke, Joe Zauner

March 10

(with comm.) SJ

Brian Ninnemann, Jim Stuempges, Paul Dahlke

Kenon Smith; Chief, Gordon Krause, Richard Freitag, Gerhardt Voigt, Mitch Simon

March 13

(Lent 3:30pm) E

(Lent 6:30pm) SJ

Wayne Stelter, Gary Wegner, Joe Heller

Cal Kapp; Chief, Karl Whitrock, Matt Borzick, Glen Bubolz, Al Rosenthal

March 17

Darrell Buchholz, Noah Buchholz, Brian Ninnemann

James Wachholz; Chief, Christopher Smith, Calvin Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls, Mark Emond

March 20

(Lent 3:30pm) E

(Lent 6:30pm) SJ

Wayne Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Kevin Kaul, Scott Ritz, Ken Borzick, Ben Emond

March 24

(with comm.) SJ

DuWayne Sommerfeld, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

Jack Yates; Chief, Thomas Wojtalewicz, James Henke, Paul Van Treeck, Martin Schmanke

March 27

(Lent 3:30pm) E

(Lent 6:30pm) SJ

Wayne Stelter, Bruce Stelter, Joe Heller

Don Smith; Chief, Lee Ollendorf, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann

March 31

Wayne Stelter, Paul Wuerch, DuWayne Sommerfeld

Kenon Smith; Chief, Corey Kaul, Jerre Duerr, Robin Smith, Del Henke

St. John’s Greeters Schedule
February 17	Al & Carolyn Rosenthal
February 24	Dixie Wagner & Bernice Wegner
Mar. 3	Linda Lou Wacholtz & Karen Wojtalewics
Mar. 10	Don & Doris Smith
Mar. 17	James & Linda Wachholz
Mar. 24	Ron & Evie Blada
Mar. 31	Delvin & Jean Henke

Attendance

Emmanuel

St. John’s

2-10 2-13

140 4

St. John’s Altar Committee:

February 2019

Jennie Utke

Susan Brown

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

Like & find us on Facebook

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowpl6@hotmail.com

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Lead Teacher Rachel Naumann (847) 913-2135

Teacher Cassie Doering (920) 723-8986

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