scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org – Page 21

Bulletin – January 24, 2021

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany

The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

January 23, 2021

4:30p.m. St. John’s

January 24, 2021

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives – Is God calling you today to sell everything you have, give it away, and move to a foreign country to be a penniless missionary? His Word does not say that. God does call some people to public ministry. He sends some far from home. He gives some of his ministers hard assignments. Note: He calls all believers by our baptisms to be ready to leave anything for him. He left everything for us. He gave his holy life for us.

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks. Thank you for your consideration. Please refer to our church website or our church Information Room for a full description of our special COVID protocol.

The congregation is welcome to join in singing the closing hymn. Anyone who wishes to leave prior may do so.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

M: Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all that we say and do. Through the good news of Jesus in Word and Sacrament, come to us. Forgive our sins, strengthen our faith. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit and our lives with peace and joy. Live in us that we might live for you and tell others about you in word and deed. Bless our worship. Amen.

OPENING HYMN 470 Praise to You and Adoration

*Sung by soloist.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship fo the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

M: 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.

M: 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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

THE FIRST LESSON Jonah 3: 1-5, 10

Summary: God called Jonah and Nineveh to repentance and showed the power of his Word.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

PSALM OF THE DAY 62

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

My soul finds rest in God alone;*

my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;*

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;*

my hope comes from him.

Refrain

Though your riches increase,*

do not set your heart on them.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;*

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, O people;*

pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

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

THE SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Summary: The call of Christ to follow him is the call to see him as our all in all.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 2:2b

P: Alleluia! Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every disease. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:14-20

Summary: Jesu calls his first disciples. “Come follow me.”

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Please be seated.

HYMN 85 O God from God, O Light from Light

*Sung by soloist.

SERMON Jonah 1:1-5, 10

When God Says All, He means All!

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

Please stand.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Words of Institution

Distribution

Thanksgiving

Please be seated.

At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice closed Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service. See page 13 for communion schedule and distribution information.

CLOSING PRAYER

P: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Please stand.

CLOSING HYMN 560 v1,3,5 I Hear the Savior Calling

*Sung by congregation.

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 †

January 24 – January 30

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.	9:00 a.m.	Pastor’s Conference – St. Peter’s Fond du lac
Tues.	8:00 a.m.	School Chapel
	6:30 p.m.	Adult Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	School & Little Lambs early release
Thurs.	8:00 a.m.	St. John’s School Teen Confirmation Class
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 31, 2021* The 4^th Sunday after the Epiphany: The Authority of Jesus’ Words and Works
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
9:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Council meeting
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
11:00 a.m.	St. John’s Voters meeting

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), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Jerre Duerr, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor Kendall, Geri Kerl, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Ramona Wacholtz (Dennis’ wife), Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Ramona Wacholtz) – For President Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday (1/20) – For our communicants

2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready for pick up in St. John’s link way.If you weren’t assigned a box and you would like one, please call Ciara in the office 608-297-2866 or let Pastor Zietlow know.

2020 OFFERING STATEMENTS Each member will receive a statement via snail mail. No need to sign up.

ST. JOHN’S VOTERS MEETING Save the date! Next Sunday, January 31 following our 10:00a.m. service.

OFFERING PLATE Just a reminder that the offering plate is located in the entry way (front doors) at St. John’s. We care about your health and safety and are currently still not passing the plates around. You may also mail in your offering at 313 E Montello St. Thank you!

GREIFSHARE A 13-week session of Griefshare will begin next week Thursday, January 28 at 6:00pm in the lower level of St. John’s. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600. Please bring a mask and we will practice social distancing.

EMMANUEL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING February 7 following our 8:00a.m. service.

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING St. John’s and Emmanuel Joint Council approved the congregations of singing the closing hymn. The hymn is limited to 1 or 2 verses. If you wish to leave prior to the closing hymn, feel free to do so.

Church News

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

ACH OFFERING What is ACH? Automated Clearing House is an electronic payments network use by individuals, businesses, financial institutions and government organizations. The network functions as an efficient, electronic alternative to paper checks. It allows funds to be electronically debited or credited to a checking account, savings account, financial institution general ledger account or credited to a loan account.Please pick your form up in the Information Room or the office and get started today!

School news

UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks.

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. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included!

SCHOOL WISHLISTS
Little Lambs Stacking Pegboard Set $19.99 Geoboards $20.30

Kindergarten, 1^st & 2^nd Grade iPad covers

3^rd, 4^th & 5^th Grade Handheld Vaccuum – $47.31 Document camera – $69.00 Magnetic book holder – $23.79 Stadium seats – $49.99

6^th , 7^th & 8^th Grade Tuition Assistance

New Bible Study Opportunity

Tuesday, January 12 – Tuesday, February 16, 2021

6:30pm to 7:30ish pm

In-Person at Emmanuel, Mecan

Recorded for Viewing via an email link and church website

Topic: A Survival Guide for the Believer – Reading the 1^st Letter of Peter

The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged. It was the persecution they were encountering because of their faith, and the day-in day-out struggle of being a believer in an overwhelmingly unbelieving world.

A much older and more mature Peter exhorted them to stand strong. He repeatedly reminded them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in him, and the hope of his returning again to take them to heaven.

Peter explained how Christians can respond when they suffer and struggle because of their beliefs. Called the “apostle of hope,” Peter’s primary message is to trust the Lord, live obediently no matter what your circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God’s ultimate promise of deliverance.

Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast. Peter probably wrote this letter in the mid-60s AD but is as current and relevant of 2021.

“Come now, let us reasontogether, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus is Revealed by Preaching Repentance

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany – B

God’s Word for Today

How do unbelievers come to find out about Jesus? Does the Holy Spirit just strike them with lightning one day and bring them to faith? No. Paul tells us that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Ro 10:17). We can’t expect others to come to faith in Jesus if we remain silent. We’re reminded that Jesus is revealed by preaching repentance.

First Lesson (Jonah 3:1-5,10)

What message did Jonah have for Nineveh?
What is repentance?
What fruit of repentance did the people of Nineveh show?

Second Lesson (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

What does Paul mean, “the time is short” (v 29)?
What Christian attitude should we have as we look toward the Last Day?

Gospel (Mark 1:14-20)

What message did Jesus proclaim?
Did Jesus preach his message of repentance by himself?

Answers:

Jonah preached a message of repentance.
Normally when the Scriptures use the word “repentance” it not only means that people are sorry for their sins, but that they believe that God forgives them in Jesus. Repentance, then, includes both sorrow over sin and faith that our sins are forgiven. St. Paul explains: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Co 7:10).
They declared a fast and put on sackcloth.
Jesus will soon be returning on the Last Day.
We should live with a penitent attitude, expecting that Jesus will return at any moment. Paul warns that we should not become “engrossed” in the things and people of this world.
Jesus preached: “Repent and believe the good news!” Here Jesus uses the “repent” in a more narrow way, referring only to sorrow over sin.
No. He began to call his disciples to proclaim that message, too. What faith they showed by dropping everything and following Jesus!

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
1-16		16
1-17	29	58
St. John’s Altar Committee January 2021	Kathy North & Lucy Laun

●●●
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, 1^st& 2^nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3^rd-5^th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6^th – 8^th 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
●●●

Bulletin – January 17, 2021

January 15, 2021January 15, 2021 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany

The Lord Calls Us to Serve

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

January 16, 2021

4:30p.m. St. John’s

January 17, 2021

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord Call Us to Serve – Jesus is Revealed through the Call of the Gospel – How is Jesus revealed to the sinful people of this world? Not through the nagging of the law. We can’t force people to be and act as Christians. Only God could do that, and even he doesn’t. Instead, Jesus is revealed through the call of the gospel, God’s word of peace and forgiveness. It’s the gospel that calls people to a life of faith and Christian living.

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration. Please refer to our church website or our church Information Room for a full description of our special COVID protocol.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

M: O Lord God me Creator and Savior–I have come before you to hear your holy Word and offer you my prayers and hymns of praise. Open my heart by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word I may repent of my sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Compelled by Christ’s love for me, help me serve Him and share Him with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

† G A T H E R I N G R I T E O N T H E W O R D O F G O D †

God’s people long ago gather together for strength from God and for mutual encouragement. This alternate beginning for worship may be used on any occasion to remind God’s people of the blessings of his Word.

Please stand.

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

HYMN 221: 1 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word

*Sung by soloist.

1 Blessed Jesus, at your Word We are gathered all to hear you.

Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear you,

By your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love you solely.

M: Oh, how I love your law!

C: I meditate on it all day long.

M: Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

C: for they are ever with me.

M: I have more insight than all my teachers,

C: for I meditate on your statutes.

M: How sweet are your words to my taste,

C: sweeter than honey to my mouth!

HYMN 221: 2 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word

*Sung by soloist.

2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight Lie in deepest darkness shrouded

Till your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded.

You alone to God can win us; You must work all good within us.

M: All scripture is God- breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

C: so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

M: Yes so often we have despised God’s Word and failed to gladly hear and learn it. For this and all our sins, we bow before God and humbly ask his forgiveness.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

HYMN 221: 3 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word

*Sung by soloist.

3 Gracious Savior, good and kind, Light from Light, from God proceeding,

Open now our heart and mind; Help us by your Spirit’s pleading.

Hear the cry your people raises; Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

M: God gave his Word so ”that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). The Scriptures testify about Jesus, who lived a perfect life for you, died on the cross to pay for all your sins, and rose again to assure you of your salvation. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.

C: (spoken) Amen.

HYMN 221: 4 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word

*Sung by soloist.

4 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Praise to you and adoration!

Grant that we your Word may trust, Confident of our salvation,

While we here below must wander, Till we sing your praises yonder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word. Believers respond to this divine gift with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

FIRST LESSON 1 Samuel 3: 1-10

Summary: The Lord Calls Samuel

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

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Let the people praise you, O God. Let all the people praise you.

May God be gracious to us and bless us*

and make his face shine upon us;

may your ways be known on earth,*

your salvation among all nations.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,*

for you rule the peoples justly

and guide the nations of the earth.

Refrain

Then the land will yield its harvest,*

and God, our God, will bless us.

God will bless us,*

and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Honor God with Your Body

“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 Isaiah 49: 3

M: Alleluia. He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON John 1: 43-51

Summary: The Lord calls Philip and Nathaniel

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 believebecause 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,youwill see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’the Son of Man.”

Be seated.

SERMON HYMN 183 Holy Spirit, Light Divine

*Sung by soloist.

SERMON 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20

“Our Bodies Belong to God”

The Savior purchased them (v. 15, 17, 20)
The Spirit lives in them (v. 18, 19)
The Father will glorify them (v. 12-14)

Stand.

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Be seated.

EPIPHANY SEASON PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by pastor.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 469 Take My Life and Let It Be

† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

January 17 – January 23

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.	8:00 a.m.	School Chapel
	6:30 p.m.	Adult Bible Study at Emmanuel
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	School & Little Lambs early release
Thurs.	8:00 a.m.	St. John’s School Teen Confirmation Class
	6:30p.m.	Joint Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 24, 2021* The 3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord’s Call Changes Hearts and Lives
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

Church News

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Caryl & Jim Bassett, Marian Heller) – For spiritual desires

2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready for pick up in St. John’s link way.If you weren’t assigned a box and you would like one, please call Ciara in the office 608-297-2866 or let Pastor Zietlow know.

2020 OFFERING STATEMENTS Each member will receive a statement via snail mail. No need to sign up.

ST. JOHN’S VOTERS MEETING Save the date! Sunday, January 31 following our 10:00a.m. service.

OFFERING PLATE Just a reminder that the offering plate is located in the entry way (front doors) at St. John’s. We care about your health and safety and are currently still not passing the plates around. You may also mail in your offering at 313 E Montello St. Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

School news

UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks.

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. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included!

WISHLIST ITEMS

Little Lambs Stacking Pegboard Set $19.99 Geoboards $20.30

Kindergarten, 1^st & 2^nd Grade Vacuum Cleaner – $140.00

3^rd, 4^th & 5^th Grade Handheld Vaccuum – $47.31 Document camera – $69.00 Magnetic book holder – $23.79 Stadium seats – $49.99

6^th , 7^th & 8^th Grade Tuition Assistance

New Bible Study Opportunity

Tuesday, January 12 – Tuesday, February 16, 2021

6:30pm to 7:30ish pm

In-Person at Emmanuel, Mecan

Recorded for Viewing via an email link and church website

Topic: A Survival Guide for the Believer – Reading the 1^st Letter of Peter

Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast. Peter probably wrote this letter in the mid-60s AD but is as current and relevant of 2021.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus is Revealed through the Call of the Gospel

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany – B

God’s Word for Today

How is Jesus revealed to the sinful people of this world? Not through the nagging of the law. We can’t force people to be and act as Christians. Only God could do that, and even he doesn’t. Instead, Jesus is revealed through the call of the gospel, God’s word of peace and forgiveness. It’s the gospel that calls people to a life of faith and Christian living.

First Lesson (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

Whom did Samuel think was calling him?
Who was really calling Samuel?
What model attitude does Samuel display for Christians?

Second Lesson (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)

True or false: Christ has freed us from the law.
How were some Corinthians abusing their freedom from the law?
Why do Christians honor God with their bodies?

Gospel (John 1:43-51)

What did Philip do when Jesus commanded: “Follow me”?
How did Nathanael react to Philip’s news?
When Nathanael met Jesus, how did he react?

Answers:

Eli.
The Lord.
Samuel displays a wonderful willingness to hear the Word of the Lord. Only through the gospel does the Holy Spirit awaken and strengthen faith.
True. The law is no longer the determining factor for our conduct as Christians. Christians are motivated by the gospel to love God and love one another.
Some Corinthians were abusing their Christian freedom to justify sins of the flesh, including sexual immorality.
Christians do not belong to themselves; Christ has bought us by shedding his blood, rising again and calling us to faith in him. We no longer live to please ourselves but him. Our motivation for living Christian lives comes from the gospel, not the law.
Not only did he follow Jesus, but he went and told his friend Nathanael.
He couldn’t believe that the Savior would come from such an insignificant place as Nazareth.
He believed wholeheartedly that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
1-9		20
1-10	30	53
St. John’s Altar Committee January 2021	Kathy North & Lucy Laun

Bulletin – January 10, 2021

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 1^st Sunday after the Epiphany

The Baptism of our Lord

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

January 9, 2021

4:30p.m. St. John’s

January 10, 2020

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: The Baptism of Our Lord – Jesus is Revealed as Our Perfect Substitute – “Why did Jesus need to be baptized? I thought baptism was for sinners?” That’s a common question among Christians. It doesn’t make sense that our perfectly sinless Savior would need to be baptized, yet he was. Why? Because Jesus had come to be our perfect substitute, and he is revealed as such in his baptism. God laid on him the sin of the world. (See John 1:29.) Even from birth, he endured the effects of our sin. Jesus wasn’t a sinner himself, but he was carrying our sin, pain, and sorrow. (See Isaiah 53:4.) He needed the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, just as if he were a sinner himself. Jesus received those promises in baptism, just like we do.

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN 16 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptism’s Cry

*Sung by soloist.

1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

Announces that the Lord is nigh;

Come, then, and listen, for he brings

Good news about the King of kings.

2 Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin

And furnished for a guest within,

And let us all our hearts prepare

For Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord,

Our refuge and our great reward.

Without your grace we waste away

Like flow’rs that wither and decay.

4 Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,

And lift us up to fall no more.

Oh, make your face on us to shine,

And fill the world with love divine.

5 All praise to you, eternal Son,

Whose advent has our freedom won,

Whom with the Father we adore

And Holy Spirit evermore.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship fo the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Lord God, by the leading of a star you once made known to the nations your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 49:1-6

Summary: God will put His Spirit on Christ

Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” 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.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 2

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Great are the works of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Great are the works of the Lord.

Why do the nations conspire*

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers

gather together against the LORD*

and against his Anointed One.

Refrain

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;*

the Lord scoffs at them.

Then he rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,*

“I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:*

He said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON Acts 16:25-34

Summary: A family at Philippi is baptized

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved– you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God– he and his whole family.

VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 2:2b

P: Alleluia! We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:4-11 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: The baptism of Jesus

4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Please be seated.

HYMN 93 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

*Sung by soloist.

1 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, Great David’s greater Son!

Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free,

To take away transgression, And rule in equity.

2 He comes with rescue speedy To those who suffer wrong,

To help the poor and needy And bid the weak be strong,

To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light

Whose souls, condemned and dying, Are precious in his sight.

3 Kings shall bow down before him And gold and incense bring;

All nations shall adore him; His praise all people sing.

To him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend,

His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end.

4 O’er ev’ry foe victorious, He on his throne shall rest,

From age to age more glorious, All blessing and all-blest.

The tide of time shall never His covenant remove;

His name shall stand forever—That name to us is Love.

SERMONETTE Mark 1: 4-11

“Jesus’ Baptism and Ours”

1. Ours acknowledges sin; his fulfilled all righteousness (v. 4,5)

2. Ours confesses faith; his proves he’s the Savior (v. 9-11)

Ours makes us God’s children; he is God’s son (v. 10, 11)

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please stand.

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please be seated for the distribution.

Please stand.

CLOSING PRAYER

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 323 Almighty Father, Bless the Word

*Sung by soloist.

1 Almighty Father, bless the Word

Which through your grace we now have heard.

Oh, may the precious seed take root,

Spring up, and bear abundant fruit.

2 We praise you for the means of grace

As homeward now our steps we trace.

Grant, Lord, that we who worshiped here

May all at last in heav’n appear.

† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

January 10 – January 16

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.	6:30 p.m.	Joint Council meeting at St. John’s
	7:30 p.m.	St. John’s Council meeting
Tues.	8:00 a.m.	School Chapel
	6:00 p.m.	School Board meeting
	6:30 p.m.	Adult Bible Study at Emmanuel begins (details p. 13)
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	School & Little Lambs early release
Thurs.	8:00 a.m.	St. John’s school teen confirmation class
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 17, 2021* The 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany: The Lord Calls Us to Serve
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship

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), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Caryl & Jim Bassett, Marian Heller) – For our nation and society in time of national conflict – For missions – For today’s communicants

2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready for pick up in St. John’s link way.If you weren’t assigned a box and you would like one, please call Ciara in the office 608-297-2866 or let Pastor Zietlow know.

2020 OFFERING STATEMENTS Each member will receive a statement via snail mail. No need to sign up.

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS!!! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26

Church News cont’d…

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

CHURCH HUMOR (from a member) Why go to church? – One Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get ready for church, to which he replied, “I’m not going.” “Why not?” she asked. “I’ll give you two good reasons,” he said. “(1), they don’t like me, and (2), I don’t like them.” His mother replied, “I’ll give you two good reasons why you SHOULD go to church: (1) You’re 59 years old, and (2) you’re the pastor!”

New Bible Study Opportunity

Tuesday, January 12 – Tuesday, February 16, 2021

6:30pm to 7:30ish pm

In-Person at Emmanuel, Mecan

Recorded for Viewing via an email link and church website

Topic: A Survival Guide for the Believer – Reading the 1^st Letter of Peter

Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast. Peter probably wrote this letter in the mid-60s AD but is as current and relevant of 2021.

“Come now, let us reasontogether, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus is Revealed as Our Perfect Substitute

The First Sunday after the Epiphany – B

The Baptism of Our Lord

God’s Word for Today

“Why did Jesus need to be baptized? I thought baptism was for sinners?” That’s a common question among Christians. It doesn’t make sense that our Savior, who was perfectly sinless, would need to be baptized, and yet he was. Why? Because Jesus had come to be our perfect substitute, and he is revealed as such in his baptism. God laid on him the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Even from birth he endured the effects of our sin. Jesus wasn’t a sinner himself, but he was carrying our sin, pain and sorrow (Is 53:4). He needed the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, just as if he were a sinner himself. Jesus received those promises in baptism, just like we do.

First Lesson (Isaiah 49:1-6)

Which person of the Trinity is speaking through the prophet Isaiah in these verses?
True or false: Jesus felt frustration in his job as Savior.
What task has been given to Jesus ?

Second Lesson (Acts 16:25-34)

How does the Holy Spirit work the faith that Paul encouraged the jailer to have in verse 31?
Who was baptized that evening?

Gospel (Mark 1:4-11)

What was the purpose of the baptism given by John?
If Jesus was sinless, why was he baptized?
Which three special people were present at the baptism of Jesus?

Answers:

Jesus
True. The Savior voices his frustration in verse 4. Sometimes he felt like he had “labored to no purpose” and that he had “spent (his) strength in vain and for nothing.” Yet Jesus persevered in his role as our perfect substitute.
Not only to “bring Jacob back to (God) and gather Israel” (i.e., Jewish Christians) but also to be “a light for the Gentiles” (non-Jews) that they might be brought to faith (Jn 10:16).
God works faith through the hearing of the gospel promises (Ro 10:17). In this particular instance, those promises were proclaimed in word and in the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
The jailer’s whole household was baptized. We may assume that his household included both adults and children.
The purpose was the same as the baptism we have today: it’s “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mk 1:4).
Though Jesus did not have any personal sin, in his role as Savior he was carrying the sins of the world. He had come to be our perfect substitute. He very much desired the promises of God that baptism gives sinners.
The Holy Trinity (God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) were present at Jesus’ baptism. In the same way, the Holy Trinity was present at our baptisms, as we are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
1-2
1-3	28	98
St. John’s Altar Committee January 2021	Kathy North & Lucy Laun

Bulletin – January 3, 2021 St. John’s

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 2^nd Sunday after Christmas

Jesus Shared in Our Humanity

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

January 3, 2021

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: 2^nd Sunday after Christmas: Jesus Shared in Our Humanity The Second Sunday after Christmas – Jesus is Our Peace – “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we sing at Christmas time. Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” was a little town but an important town too. There, in humility, the Savior of the world was born.

Pastor Peter Zietlow

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Please note: Worship Update Plans (Updated Nov.. 2020. bulletin page 15) Beginning (11/15) at the 10:00am St. John’s service, the 55+ age restriction ended . Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

† H O L Y B A P T I S M †

This order incorporates Holy Baptism into congregational worship by combining the sacrament of baptism with the confession of sins. Martin Luther said that confessing sins and receiving forgiveness is nothing else than a reliving of baptism. Thus this order provides opportunity not only to baptize but also to recall the lasting blessings of baptism.

OPENING HYMN 296: 1,2 Our Children Jesus Calls

*Sung by soloist.

M: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

M:Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded baptism when he said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” All of us are born into this world with a deep need for baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But Jesus took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. At our baptism he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life. Our sinful nature need not control us any longer. We recall what baptism means for our daily lives as we speak these words:

C: Baptism means that the sinful nature in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

M:As baptized children of God we confess our sins:

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M:God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

The Rite of Baptism continues at the font.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

M:In obedience to the command of our Lord and trusting in his promise, you have brought this child to be baptized. Jesus told us: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” It is in baptism that God grants the new life of forgiveness, joy, and peace to little children. By the power of God’s Word, this gracious water of life washes away sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe.

M: Ella Mae Wachholz, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has forgiven all your sins. By your baptism, you are born again and made a dear child of your Father in heaven. May God strengthen you to live in your baptismal grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.

Please stand.

EXHORTATION

M:Brothers and sisters in Christ:

Our Lord commands that we teach his precious truths to all who are baptized. Christian love therefore urges all of us, especially parents and sponsors, to assist in whatever manner possible so that ____ may remain a child of God until death. If you are willing to carry out this responsibility, then answer: Yes, as God gives me strength.

C: Yes, as God gives me strength.

M:Let us pray:

Merciful Father in heaven, we thank you for the blessing of baptism by which you offer and grant the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Help us to regard our baptism as the robe of righteousness we are to wear all the days of our life. Look with special favor on ____ and grant him a rich measure of your Spirit that he may grow in faith and godly living. Make us willing to carry out our responsibilities to those who have been baptized, so that all of us may finally come to the blessed joys of heaven, through Jesus our Lord.

C: Amen.

Please be seated.

HYMN 296: 3 Our Children Jesus Calls

*Printed above, sung by soloist.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, and come. Take away the burden of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5: 2-5a (today’s sermon text)

Summary: The Ruler from Bethlehem

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And theywill live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

PSALM OF THE DAY 148

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Forever let us sing the goodness of the Lord.

Praise the LORD from the heavens,*

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels,*

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon,*

praise him, all you shining stars.

Refrain

Praise the LORD from the earth,*

lightning and hail, stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,*

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all rulers on earth,*

young men and maidens, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,*

for his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON Hebrews 2:10-18

Summary: Jesus – made like His brothers

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” {Psalm 22:22} And again, “I will put my trust in him.” {Isaiah 8:17} And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” {Isaiah 8:18} Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity 2 so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death– that is, the devil– and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

VERSE OF THE DAY Psalm 98: 3b

P: Alleluia! All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON John 7: 40-43

Summary: The prophet from Bethlehem

On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Christ.” Still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.

Please be seated.

HYMN 65 O Little Town of Bethlehem

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE Micah 5: 2-5a

“Wise Men Still Worship the King”

1. The King who came to earth in weakness

2. The King who rules the world in strength

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please stand.

NEW YEAR PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 12.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 75 Father, Let Me Dedicate

*Sung by soloist.

† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

January 3 – January 9

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.	8:00 a.m.	School/Little Lambs resumes
	6:00 p.m.	Hands In Prayer meeting at St. John’s
Tues.	9:00 a.m.	Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	School/ Little Lambs early release
Thurs.	8:00 a.m.	School Teen Confirmation class
	1:00 p.m.	St. John’s Ladies Aid meeting
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 10, 2021* The 1^stSunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

Church News

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: ) – For Ella Mae Wachholz, the infant daughter of Aaron and Victoria Wachholz, baptized in today’s service at St. John’s – For loved ones far away

LADIES AID MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 1:00P.M. Our meeting will be held in church. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

GET FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26

A NOTE FROM LADIES AID We will no longer be selling cards due to the pandemic. The health and safety of everyone is very important to us. God bless you all during this Christmas season!

School news

UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks.

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.. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included!

Wish List:
Little Lambs: K-2^nd grade: Vacuum cleaner $140.00 3^rd-5^th grade: 6^th-8^th grade: Tuition assistance

Jesus Is our Peace

The Second Sunday after Christmas – B

God’s Word for Today

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we sing at Christmas time. A little town Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” was, but an important town too. There, in humility, the Savior of the world was born.

First Lesson (Micah 5:2–5a)

Why was Bethlehem seemingly an unlikely place for a king to be born (verse 2)?
Even though Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, what was his true origin (verse 2)?
Besides being ruler and shepherd of God’s people, what else was Jesus predicted to be (verse 5)?

Second Lesson (Hebrews 2:10–18)

List all the names Jesus receives in these nine verses.
Why did Jesus share in our humanity (verse 14)? (Couldn’t he have just taken on the appearance of a man, without actually becoming man?)
What kind of high priest for us is Jesus (verses 17–18)?

Gospel (John 7:40–43)

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, what two opinions did people have of Jesus (verses 40–41)?
What confusion about Jesus’ origin caused this conflict (verses 41–42)?

Answers:

Bethlehem was an unlikely place for a king to be born because it was a small town.
His “goings out,” were from ancient times, “from days of eternity,” as the NIV footnote translates. He is the eternal Son of God, who has no beginning.
Micah predicted that Jesus would be our peace. That is, he would take our place under God’s law, then suffer and die under God’s holy judgment to earn our peace with God.
The writer to the Hebrews calls him “the author of salvation,” our Brother, our Rescuer, our “High Priest.”
Jesus shared in our humanity so that by his death he would destroy the one who holds the power of death, that is, the devil. He had to become a man to die in our place. (God can’t die unless he is also man.)
Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest. He suffered, so he can help us in all our sufferings and temptations.
Some thought he was the Prophet Moses promised in Deuteronomy 18. Others thought he was the Christ, God’s Anointed. The irony is that Jesus is both.
People knew Jesus had grown up in Galilee, but Micah had prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem. People in Jerusalem, only a few miles from Bethlehem, did not know Jesus had been born there.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan

Worship Updates – November 2020

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 amSt. John’s. Beginning (11/15) the 55+ age restriction ended.

ALL are welcome.

Online worship services continue and are found at www.stjohnsmontello.org

Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Christ’s love also compels us to consider the needs of others before our own. In humility we want to protect the health and safety of our bodies and of others. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued:

Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.

**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies

As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.

Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or Pastor

Emmanuel Elders:

Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 494-0068

St. John’s Elders:

Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171,

James Wachholz (608) 369-4006, Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
12-19		13
12-20	37	71
12-23	58
12-24		93
12-25		53
12-31	38
St. John’s Altar Committee December 2020	Diane Eisermann & Dolores Cotte

●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!
Please Sign Our Guest Register
Find & Like us on Facebook
Visit our website: 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, 1^st& 2^nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3^rd-5^th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6^th – 8^th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
Altar Lady: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025
●●●

Bulletin – January 3, 2021 Emmanuel

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 2^nd Sunday after Christmas

Jesus Shared in Our Humanity

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

January 3, 2021

8a.m. Emmanuel

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: 2^nd Sunday after Christmas: Jesus Shared in Our Humanity The Second Sunday after Christmas – Jesus is Our Peace – “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we sing at Christmas time. Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” was a little town but an important town too. There, in humility, the Savior of the world was born.

Pastor Peter Zietlow

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN 33 All Praise to You, Eternal God

*Sung by soloist.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Please be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5: 2-5a (today’s sermon text)

Summary: The Ruler from Bethlehem

PSALM OF THE DAY 148

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Forever let us sing the goodness of the Lord.

Praise the LORD from the heavens,*

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels,*

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon,*

praise him, all you shining stars.

Refrain

Praise the LORD from the earth,*

lightning and hail, stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,*

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all rulers on earth,*

young men and maidens, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,*

for his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON Hebrews 2:10-18

Summary: Jesus – made like His brothers

VERSE OF THE DAY Psalm 98: 3b

P: Alleluia! All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON John 7: 40-43

Summary: The prophet from Bethlehem

Please be seated.

HYMN 65 O Little Town of Bethlehem

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE Micah 5: 2-5a

“Wise Men Still Worship the King”

1. The King who came to earth in weakness

2. The King who rules the world in strength

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please stand.

NEW YEAR PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 75 Father, Let Me Dedicate

*Sung by soloist.

† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

January 3 – January 9

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.	8:00 a.m.	School/Little Lambs resumes
	6:00 p.m.	Hands In Prayer meeting at St. John’s
Tues.	9:00 a.m.	Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s
Wed.	11:40 a.m.	School/ Little Lambs early release
Thurs.	8:00 a.m.	School Teen Confirmation class
	1:00 p.m.	St. John’s Ladies Aid meeting
Fri.
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 10, 2021* The 1^stSunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

Church News INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: ) – For Ella Mae Wachholz, the infant daughter of Aaron and Victoria Wachholz, baptized in today’s service at St. John’s – For loved ones far away

LADIES AID MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 1:00P.M. Our meeting will be held in church. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

GET FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26

A NOTE FROM LADIES AID We will no longer be selling cards due to the pandemic. The health and safety of everyone is very important to us. God bless you all during this Christmas season!

School news

UPDATED SCHOOL COVID POLICY If a student or teacher tests positive, the entire school will move to two weeks virtual education. When parents who have not been in the school test positive, the school leadership will assess absences due to illness or quarantine as necessary for the health and safety of our student body and families. If a classroom or the entire school needs to go virtual, it will be for a period of two weeks.

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.. Pick up is on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30p at the public school. Even if we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included!

Wish List –
Little Lambs:
K-2^nd grade: Vacuum cleaner $140.00
3^rd-5^th grade:
6^th-8^th grade: Tuition assistance

Jesus Is our Peace

The Second Sunday after Christmas – B

God’s Word for Today

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we sing at Christmas time. A little town Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” was, but an important town too. There, in humility, the Savior of the world was born.

First Lesson (Micah 5:2–5a)

Why was Bethlehem seemingly an unlikely place for a king to be born (verse 2)?
Even though Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, what was his true origin (verse 2)?
Besides being ruler and shepherd of God’s people, what else was Jesus predicted to be (verse 5)?

Second Lesson (Hebrews 2:10–18)

List all the names Jesus receives in these nine verses.
Why did Jesus share in our humanity (verse 14)? (Couldn’t he have just taken on the appearance of a man, without actually becoming man?)
What kind of high priest for us is Jesus (verses 17–18)?

Gospel (John 7:40–43)

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, what two opinions did people have of Jesus (verses 40–41)?
What confusion about Jesus’ origin caused this conflict (verses 41–42)?

Answers:

Bethlehem was an unlikely place for a king to be born because it was a small town.
His “goings out,” were from ancient times, “from days of eternity,” as the NIV footnote translates. He is the eternal Son of God, who has no beginning.
Micah predicted that Jesus would be our peace. That is, he would take our place under God’s law, then suffer and die under God’s holy judgment to earn our peace with God.
The writer to the Hebrews calls him “the author of salvation,” our Brother, our Rescuer, our “High Priest.”
Jesus shared in our humanity so that by his death he would destroy the one who holds the power of death, that is, the devil. He had to become a man to die in our place. (God can’t die unless he is also man.)
Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest. He suffered, so he can help us in all our sufferings and temptations.
Some thought he was the Prophet Moses promised in Deuteronomy 18. Others thought he was the Christ, God’s Anointed. The irony is that Jesus is both.
8. People knew Jesus had grown up in Galilee, but Micah had prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem. People in Jerusalem, only a few miles from Bethlehem, did not know Jesus had been born there.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan

Worship Updates – November 2020

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 amSt. John’s. Beginning (11/15) the 55+ age restriction ended. ALL are welcome.
Online worship services continue and are found at www.stjohnsmontello.org

Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.

**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies

Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or Pastor

Emmanuel Elders:

Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 494-0068

St. John’s Elders:

Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171,

James Wachholz (608) 369-4006, Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
12-19		13
12-20	37	71
12-23	58
12-24		93
12-25		53
12-31	38
St. John’s Altar Committee December 2020	Diane Eisermann & Dolores Cotte

Bulletin – December 31

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

New Year’s Eve

Saints Triumphant

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

December 31, 2020

3:30p.m. Emmanuel

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

M: O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

OPENING HYMN 441: 1-4 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

*Sung by soloist.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

FIRST LESSON PSALM 90 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: Teach us to number our days

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.

10 The length of our days is seventy years- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, O Lord ! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.

SECOND LESSON 1 Peter 1:22-25

Summary: Born Anew For the New Year

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

VERSE OF THE DAY Psalm 90: 1

P: Alleluia! Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 12:22-34

Summary: Do Not Worry

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Please be seated.

HYMN 69 Across the Sky the Shades of Night

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE Psalm 90

“LORD, TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS ARIGHT”

(by remembering that You are our):

Holy Judge (3, 5-9, 11)
Eternal Refuge (1-2, 4, 10)
Merciful Father (12-17)

Please stand.

NICENE CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

and became fully human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

† N A M E S O F O U R 2020 S A I N T S T R I U M P H A N T †

Reading of Emmanuel and St. John’s members called home this past year.

HYMN 551: 1-2 For All the Saints

1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,

All who their faith before the world confessed,

Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 You were their rock, their fortress, and their might;

You, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight

And in the darkness drear their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Name*	*To heaven on..*	*Age*
Harold Fandrey	Feb. 7	84
Richard Winkler	March 1	94

HYMN 551: 3-4 For All the Saints

3 Oh, may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old

And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle; they in glory shine,

Yet all are one within your grand design. Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Name*	*To heaven on..*	*Age*
Francis Russell	April 21	52
Robert Schrank	June 15	82

HYMN 551: 5-6 For All the Saints

5 And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,

And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon, to faithful warriors comes their rest.

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Name*	*To heaven on..*	*Age*
Mitch Simon	July 27	80
Ronald Blada	August 3	84
Carolyn Rosenthal	August 31	80

HYMN 551: 7-8 For All the Saints

7 But then there breaks a yet more glorious day:

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!

8 From earth’s wide bounds to ocean’s farthest coast

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Please stand.

NEW YEARS EVE PRAYER & PRAYER OF THANKS FOR ALL THE SAINTS

*Read by pastor.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Please be seated.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

M: 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. Amen.

BLESSING

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 441: 5, 6 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

*Sung by soloist.

●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!
Please Sign Our Guest Register
Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website link: www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830,
E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com
Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816
K, 1^st& 2^nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3^rd-5^th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6^th – 8^th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
Altar Lady: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025
●●●

Bulletin – December 27

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 1^st Sunday after Christmas

As Members of God’s Family, We Seek to Do His Will

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

December 27, 2020

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: 1^st Sunday after Christmas, “As Members of God’s Family, We Seek to Do His Will”. Jesus Comes to Save Us, Even as an Infant – Whether or not we had a “good Christmas,” as some may ask us, today over and over we hear good news of God’s grace.

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Please note: Worship Update Plans (Updated Nov.. 2020. bulletin pages 14) Beginning (11/15) at the 10:00am St. John’s service, the 55+ age restriction ended . Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN 78 O Light of Gentile Nations

*Sung by soloist.

Please stand.

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human nature. By his gracious coming deliver us from the corruption of our sin and transform us into the likeness of his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 45:20-25

Summary: In the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exalt

“Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. Declare what is to be, present it– let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, `In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.'” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.

PSALM OF THE DAY 111

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.

Great are the works of the LORD;*

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,*

and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wonders to be remembered;*

the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Refrain

The works of his hands are faithful and just;*

all his precepts are trustworthy.

He provided redemption for his people;*

he ordained his covenant forever.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;*

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON Colossians 3:12-17

Summary: Live as God’s chosen people

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

VERSE OF THE DAY Colossians 3:15a

P: Alleluia! Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:25-40 (sermon text underlined)

Summary: Simeon and Anna lived as God’s people

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Please be seated.

HYMN 269 In Peace and Joy I Now Depart

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE Luke 2: 25-32

“What the Eyes of Faith See in Baby Jesus”

The Lord’s Christ
The Lord’s Salvation
The Consolation of Israel
The Glory of Israel
The Light of the Gentiles

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please stand.

CHRISTMAS SEASON PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY

*Read by pastor.

Please be seated for the distribution.

CLOSING PRAYER

M: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please stand.

BLESSING

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 707 Peace Came to Earth

*Sung by soloist.

† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

December 27-January 2

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion
Mon.		No School-Christmas Break
Tues.		No School-Christmas Break
Wed.		No School-Christmas Break
Thurs.		NEW YEAR’S EVE
		No School-Christmas Break
	3:30 p.m.	Emmanuel New Year’s Eve Memorial Worship with communion
Fri.		NEW YEAR’S DAY
		No School-Christmas Break
Sat.	4:30 p.m.	No Worship at St. John’s
*Next week’s theme:-* *January 3, 2021 2^nd Sunday after Christmas:* “Jesus Shared in Our Humanity”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship

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), Ben Coyle (Sue brown’s nephew), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Eleanor & Frederick Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Kathy Ninneman, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: ) – For Christians suffering persecution – For our communicants

GET FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26

SATURDAY WORSHIP Come worship with us on Saturdays at St. John’s at 4:30pm indoors. All are invited. Please bring a mask and practice social distancing. We take everyone’s health and safety seriously so please remember that we are still encouraging a 50 person maximum and to kindly practice social distancing.

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

Jesus Comes to Save Us, Even as an Infant

The First Sunday after Christmas – B

God’s Word for Today

Whether or not we had a “good Christmas,” as some may ask us, today over and over we hear good news of God’s grace.

First Lesson (Isaiah 45:20–25)

What key ability does the Lord have that idols do not have (verses 20–21)?
Why do all the ends of the earth need to turn to the Lord (verses 21–22)?
On the last day, what will all believers in the Lord be found? How will we feel (verse 25)?

Second Lesson (Colossians 3:12–17)

What three key gospel truths motivate our new lives in Christ (verse 12)?
Where is the only place to find strength for our new life in Christ (verse 16)?

Gospel (Luke 2:25–40)

What did God do for Simeon, compared to what God had promised Simeon (verses 25–28)?
What did Simeon hint at to Mary (verse 35)?
For what were Simeon and Anna waiting (verses 25, 38)? For what are you waiting?

Answers:

The Lord can predict the future, and has done so many times. Every time, he does so with perfect accuracy. Idols and those who follow them have no ability to predict the future.

All the ends of the earth need to turn to the Lord because he is the only God. He is the only Savior. He is righteous, so he must punish sinners, but in mercy the Father has punished his Son in our place.

All believers in the Lord will be found righteous, and will exult. To be found righteous means that on the last day God will judge us sinners right with him, for Jesus’ sake. This will make us exult. That is, we will be full of joy.

A) In Christ, we are God’s chosen people. In eternity, in pure grace, the Father picked us to be his own. B) In Christ, we are holy in God’s sight. Jesus’ holiness is credited to us, as if we have had only holy thoughts and actions all our lives. C) In Christ, we are dearly loved.

The only place to find strength for our new life in Christ is in God’s Word. (Let’s dig into it daily it to teach and warn each other! Let’s sing it gladly!)

God had promised Simeon that he would not die before he saw God’s Anointed Son. But God did better than he promised. He let Simeon hold his Savior!

He hinted that Jesus would suffer great pain, and Mary, without Joseph at her side, would see it. A sword would pierce her own soul, too.

They were waiting for the consolation of Israel, the redemption of Jerusalem— waiting for God to come and comfort his people by paying for their sins. We wait for Jesus to comfort and rescue us by coming again.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan

Worship Updates – November 2020

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 amSt. John’s. Beginning (11/15) the 55+ age restriction ended. ALL are welcome.
Online worship services continue and are found at www.stjohnsmontello.org

Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.

**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies

Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or Pastor

Emmanuel Elders:

Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 494-0068

St. John’s Elders:

Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171,

James Wachholz (608) 369-4006, Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830

ST. JOHN’S & EMMANUEL HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2020

December 31     New Years Eve.    Emmanuel 3:30 p.m.

*No age restrictions at holidays services.
*Regular service times continue:
Saturday St. John’s 4:30 p.m. – All are welcome (Please note: Dec. 26 & Jan. 2 – No worship)
Sunday Emmanuel 8:00 a.m. – Emmanuel members only
St. John’s 10:00 a.m. – All are welcome, no age restrictions.
*COVID-19 safety guidelines continue…please wear masks, practice social distancing & use sanitizer.

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
12-19		13
12-20	37	71
12-23
12-24
12-25
St. John’s Altar Committee January 2020	Kathy North & Lucy Laun

●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!
Please Sign Our Guest Register
Find & Like us on Facebook
Visit our website link: www.stjohnsmontello.org
Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816
K, 1^st& 2^nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3^rd-5^th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6^th – 8^th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
Altar Lady: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025
●●●

Bulletin – December 25

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Returning to the Manger

A Service for Christmas Day

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay;

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. CW Hymn 68

December 25, 2020

9 a.m. St. John’s

Pastor’s Greeting

Opening Hymn, CW36, “A Great and Mighty Wonder”, v. 1-2 sung by soloist

A great and mighty wonder,

a glorious mystery:

The virgin bears an Infant

who veils his deity.

Repeat the hymn again:

“To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!”

The Word becomes incarnate

and yet remains on high

And cherubim sing anthems

to shepherds from the sky

Repeat the hymn again:

“To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!”

The Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Rise for the Confession and Absolution

P: We confess our sin.

C: Lord, we come before you in prayer today, asking for forgiveness. We have not loved as we ought to love, we have not given as we ought to give, and we have fallen short of the mark truly being your obedient sons and daughters. We recognize our sins, and in this moment of silence, we privately remember our shortcomings.

(Silence for reflection and self-examination.)

P: God, our Heavenly Father, hears the prayers of his children and answers those prayers. Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person of Jesus Christ, his Son, who died for our sins that we might have a new life in him. To those who believe his Word of truth, he gives power to be the people of God. Praise god for his gift of love to us!

Please be seated.

The Lighting of the Advent wreath

Spoken responsively by the pastor and the congregation:

P: Darkness cannot overcome the light. Five flames remind us that the light of the Christ Child has been revealed to defeat the deepest depths of darkness and bring life and immortality to light. The 1^st candle of purple is lit to remind us of prophecy, hope and a promise of old kept.

(Light the 1^st candle)

C: The prophets foretold a Messiah to come. People waited in expectation. Hope was fulfilled.

P: The 2^nd candle of purple is lit to remind us of Bethlehem and the peace that passes understanding.

(Light the 2^nd candle)

C: The Prince of Peace was promised. The Child was peace in human form. Christ is our peace fulfilled. P: The 3^rd candle—the pink one—is lit to remind us of the shepherds and the joyous message they received.

(Light the 3^rd candle)

C: Angels sang, “Gloria.” Shepherds ran to tell others. Joy was fulfilled.

P: Light the 4^th purple candle for peace.

(Light the 4^th candle.)

C The peace placed in a manger in the person of the Christ Child brings comfort and joy.

P: One white candle shining brightly in the center is lit to remind us of Christ, the Light of the World, who was sent to earth because God loved us.

(Light the center candle)

C: God poured out his heart in the form of his Son. The Child was born of a woman. Love was fulfilled.

Song of Reflection, Hymn 61, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” verses 1 & 2 sung by soloist

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King; 

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!” 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise;

join the triumph of the skies; 

With the angelic hosts proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!” 

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored,

Christ the everlasting Lord! 

Late in time behold him come,

offspring of the virgin’s womb. 

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,

hail the incarnate Deity! 

Pleased as man with us to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel! 

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King!”

Prayer of the Day

P: We glorify you this day, Lord Jesus, and praise you for your birth in a manger so long ago. Help us keep returning to your manger today and every day in our minds that we might remember the miracle of what happened there. For through your manger birth, you declared to all the world that you were coming in humility and poverty that we might be rich through your salvation. Show us day by day how to serve others in humility that you might be glorified through our actions. Allow us to see in your manger scene that we have a God who loves the lowly and makes his power known through the least and the lost and the little. Open our eyes to the saving message that you came as one of us that we might dwell with you in the highest places of heaven forevermore through your sinless life and sacrificial death. Let your Gospel be born in us anew every morning. Amen.

The Old Testament Reading, Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your watchmen–lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

The Epistle Reading, Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Hymn of Preparation, Hymn 76, “Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love,” verse 1 sung by soloist

Jesus! Name of wondrous love!

Name all other names above!

Unto which must every knee

bow in deep humility.

Rise for the Gospel Reading, John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Please be seated.

Sermon Hymn, Hymn 68, “Away in a Manger,”

verses 1-3 sung by soloist

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

and take us to heaven to live with you there.

Sermonette: “God Made a Way in a Manger” Luke 2:8-12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Hymn of Response, Hymn 58, “See in Yonder Manger Low”, v. 1,3,4 sung by soloist

See in yonder manger low,

born for us on earth below,

See—the gentle Lamb appears,

promised from eternal years.

Hail the ever blessed morn;

hail redemption’s happy dawn;

Sing through all Jerusalem,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Sacred Infant, all divine,

what a tender love was thine,

thus to come from highest bliss

down to such a world as this.

Hail the ever blessed morn;

hail redemption’s happy dawn;

sing through all Jerusalem,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Teach, oh, teach us, holy Child,

by thy face so meek and mild,

teach us to resemble thee

in thy sweet humility.

Hail the ever blessed morn;

hail redemption’s happy dawn;

sing through all Jerusalem,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Please stand.

Prayers

Dear Christ Child, born in a manger, we celebrate your birth today and rejoice with the shepherds who returned from your manger glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen as it had been told to them. Help us return to our lives after Christmas with the same joy and exuberance to praise and glorify you in all we say and do. Help us treat one another with kindness and love. Grant us an attitude of gratitude. Let us embrace everyone as dear ones whom you came to save. Rid our lives of the dirt and filth of sin and help us be cleansed with your forgiveness by the power of your cross. Help us be just as forgiving of the sins of others that they, too, might experience the new life you supply through your mercy. Be with those who are sick or in pain or mourning the loss of loved ones, and grant healing and comfort to them all. Bless us, we pray, as we marvel at the miracle of your birth this day and every day, O Holy Child of Bethlehem. Be born in us today. Amen.

And in Your name we pray together:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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

The Benediction

Go forth in joy. Love and serve one another. Be a faithful witness to God in the world and live in such a way that the gracious Spirit of Jesus may be with you in all that you do and say.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you + peace. Amen

Please be seated.

Closing Hymn, Hymn 62, “Joy to the World”,

v. 1, 4 sung by soloist

Joy to the world!

The Lord is come;

let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

and heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love,

and wonders of his love,

And wonders, wonders, of his love.

Service by Jeff Shanks with revisions. ©2017 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc. 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO. All rights reserved. Copyright released for use of material for worship.

Bulletin – December 23 & 24

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School & Little Lambs

Children’s Christmas Worship Service

December 23, 2020

Emmanuel 6:30pm

December 24, 2020

St. John’s 4:00pm

The Old, Old Story

WELCOME BY PASTOR

“OH, HOLY NIGHT” Sung by soloist Lucas Stelter

RESPONSIVE PSALM SELECTIONS

M: I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;

C: I will tell of all your wonders.

M: Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;

C: Were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.

M: Come and listen all you who fear God;

C: Let me tell you what he has done for me.

M: I will utter hidden things, things from of old – what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.

C: We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation.

M: So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born,

C: And they in turn would tell their children.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Gracious Lord, be with our worship today as we set aside the commercial distractions this Christmas and focus on the real reason for our celebration. Warm our hearts with the joy, comfort and realization that as you came as a Man, you lived a perfect life so you could die in our place and take away the consequences of sin which we so much deserve. This Christmas joy is ours today and throughout the year. Shine in our hearts once again as we enjoy hearing the wonderful old, old story. We pray in the name of the One who was born in the Bethlehem manger, our Lord, our Savior, and our Brother. Amen

M:How many times have we repeated the story or account of the birth of our Savior? Better yet, how many times have you heard or read that story in your lifetime? Luke 2 is certainly one of the most often read or memorized chapters of the Bible. We love to hear the story of Jesus’ birth. It never grows old. Rather it remains fresh and enjoyable for all of us. Our children will again retell the story of Christmas but in a very different way. It will be told using the words of a poem that was written over 150 years ago. Perhaps some of you will recognize some of the stanzas because a few have been put to music. But I want the children to tell you the old, old story.

RECITATIONS: GRADE 6-8

The Story Wanted

POEMS: GRADE 6-8

“ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT” Played by school Chimes

POEMS: GRADES 3-5

The Story Told

PART 1: The Story Begins

POEMS: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

POEMS: GRADES 3-5

“WHAT CHILD IS THIS” 67 v. 1-2 Sung by soloist

The Story Told

PART 2: The Story Fulfilled

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

POEMS: GRADES 3-5

“AWAY IN A MANGER” Sung by soloist

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION: LITTLE LAMBS-KINDERGARTEN

RECITATION: GRADES 1-2

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION : LITTLE LAMBS-KINDERGARTEN

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

“SILENT NIGHT” Played by Chimes

The Story Told

PART 3: The Story Seen

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

RECITATION: GRADES 1-2

POEMS: GRADES 6-8

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

POEMS: GRADES 6-8

“PEACE CAME TO EARTH” 707 Sung by soloist

The Story Told

PART 4: The Story of Victory

RECITATION: GRADES 3-5

RECITATION : LITTLE LAMBS-KINDERGARTEN

POEMS: GRADES 3-5

The Story Told

PART 5: The Story for Us

RECITATION: GRADES 6-8

POEMS: GRADES 6-8

POEM: GRADES 1-2

“I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY” Duet by Lucas Stelter and James Wachholz

PRAYERS

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

“SILENT NIGHT” Duet by Lucas Stelter and James Wachholz

1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan

Menomonee Falls, WI

Bulletin – December 20

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

The 4^th Sunday of Advent

The Son of David Reigns Forever

St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches

Montello & Mecan, WI

December 19, 2020

4:30p.m. St. John’s

December 20, 2020

8a.m. Emmanuel

10a.m. St. John’s

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St. Montello, WI 53949

Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen Lane Montello, WI 53949

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, psalm, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website stjohnsmontello.org, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin are available. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.

ONLINE SERVICE/PRINTED BULLETIN OR SPLIT SCREEN If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin out and watch it together with the service. Or you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Today’s theme: 4^th Sunday of Advent: God Makes the Impossible Happen We have many hopes and dreams in this world. Some even seem to have honorable motives. The Lord, though, steps in and outshines our plans with the miraculous. He sends his Son to earth in a miraculous way to set up an eternal kingdom. Then in an equally wondrous way, he draws us into that kingdom through the gospel and establishes our place in it.

† P R E P A R A T I O N F O R W O R S H I P †

We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.

Please note: Worship Update Plans (Updated Nov.. 2020. bulletin page 18) Beginning (11/15) at the 10:00am St. John’s service, the 55+ age restriction ended . Worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.

PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

M: Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always. Through your Word, Lord, come to us. Erase our debt of sin, and fill our hearts with peace, joy, and the desire to live for you and tell others about you. Bless our worship today and every day. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES

M: We light four Advent candles remembering Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary. He came to share our humanity.

C: We remember Jesus whose name means Savior. He came to save his people from their sins.

M: We hear his call to give him a place in our hearts.

C: We light four Advent candles as a sign of our joy and hope.

M: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.

C: Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed

Four Advent candles are lit.

OPENING HYMN 23 Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel

*Sung by soloist.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Please be seated.

† T H E W O R D †

The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Summary: God’s promise to David

“Now then, tell my servant David, `This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'”

PSALM OF THE DAY 89

*For your personal devotion at home.

Refrain

At the works of your hands, O Lord, I lift up my voice in song;

I sing for joy.

I will sing of the LORD’S great love forever;*

I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever,*

that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,*

your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

Refrain

O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?*

You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,*

who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

They rejoice in your name all day long;*

they exult in your righteousness.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

EPISTLE LESSON Romans 16:25-27

Summary: To God be glory forever

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him– to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 1:23

P: Alleluia! The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel. Alleluia.

Please stand.

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:26-38 (today’s sermon text)

Summary: The angel appears to Mary

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Please be seated.

HYMN 36 A Great and Mighty Wonder

*Sung by soloist.

SERMONETTE Luke 1: 26-38

“Nothing Is Impossible With God!”

Only God could plan my salvation
Only God could love someone like me

APOSTLES’ CREED

*For your personal devotion at home.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please stand.

ADVENT PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

*Read by responsively. Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.

LORD’S PRAYER

*Spoken by congregation.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

BLESSING

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

Be seated.

CLOSING HYMN 41 Let All Together Praise Our God

*Sung by soloist.

†A N N O U N C E M E N T S †

December 20 – December 26

Sun.	8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.	6:00 p.m.	Caroling at Emmanuel
	6:30 p.m.	Emmanuel Children’s Christmas Worship (recording)
Thurs.		CHRISTMAS EVE
		St. John’s School Christmas break begins (12/24-1/3)
	3:30 p.m.	Caroling at St. John’s
	4:00 p.m.	St. John’s Christmas Eve Children’s Worship (recording)
Fri.		CHRISTMAS DAY
	9:00 a.m.	St. John’s Christmas Day Worship
Sat.		No Worship
*Next week’s theme:-* *December 27, 2020* 1^st Sunday of Christmas: “As Members of God’s Family, We Seek to Do His Will”
8:00 a.m.	Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 a.m.	St. John’s Worship with communion

Church News

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor) – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Pat Bornick, Glenn Buchholz, Bob Buehrens, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Ben Coyle, Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Wesley & brother Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Geri Kerl, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, Delvin Mittelsteadt, Barbara Petrick, Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer, David Scharf, Roxanne Schmanke, Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week (Ben Coyle, Lilly Mann) – For military families

CHRISTMAS CAROLING For those of you wanting to participate in Christmas caroling, we will be meeting outside at 6:00pm before the December 23 Emmanuel service and at 3:30pm before the December 24 St. John’s service.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are being sought to assist with delivery of weekly worship DVDs to our shut in members. For details or to volunteer to assist, please contact either James Wachholz 608-369-4006 or Gary Wegner 920-295-3456.

CAMP PHILLIP ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES St. John’s membership payment is due! If you would like to donate, please see the “Camp Phillip” free will offering jar located in the church entry way. You can make checks payable to Camp Phillip. Thank you!

HOLY COMMUNION Communion is offered at both Emmanuel and St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at St. John’s on the Saturdays following those Sundays sing “continuous flow” and “pew communion” distribution methods. Private communion by request is also available from Pastor Zietlow or an Elder at church or at your home.

CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS Thank you to everyone who put in the time and effort for this year’s event. What a wonderful thing for our kids and families to enjoy during these challenging times. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16

Church News cont’d…

GET FREE MEDICATION, FRIDGE, AND GUN LOCKS! St. John’s is partnering with Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) in their fall campaign emphasizing the need to secure what can be dangerous to children and others. To assist families, HCHY will have available, at no charge, medication lock boxes, refrigerator locks (where alcohol is stored in quantities), and gun locks. At St. John’s we have one of each of the three types of locks available for you to view. You may sign up for whatever you can use. Delivery will be at church. These items are available to all Marquette County residents at no charge, so spread the word. Members and friends can request these items. Let’s do all we can to keep our children from harm’s way. Sign up in the linkway, with Ciara or using the Google form. https://forms.gle/CpDT6awLesJRKbw26

A NOTE FROM LADIES AID We will no longer be selling cards due to the pandemic. The health and safety of everyone is very important to us. God bless you all during this Christmas season!

Little Lambs:
K-2^nd grade: Vacuum cleaner $140.00
3^rd-5^th grade:
6^th-8^th grade: Tuition assistance

President Mark Schroeder’s message: Peace on earth—but what kind?

The year was 1914. World War I had thrown the continent of Europe into a conflict that would last for four years and kill or wound more than 25 million people. After a rapid German push into France, the advance stalled, and the armies of Germany and Great Britain dug in facing each other. From their cold and muddy trenches on either side of the line, soldiers on both sides could hear their enemies talking. They could see the smoke of the campfires and smell each other’s cooking.

Then, in the middle of the horror of a bloody war, something very unusual happened. It was Christmas Eve. The guns and artillery on both sides had fallen strangely quiet. At 8:30 p.m., from the other side of the no man’s land separating the two armies, the British soldiers heard something. It was singing. German soldiers were singing “Stille Nacht.” The British soldiers responded by singing “The First Noel.” Then, cautiously, a British private climbed out of his trench and crawled through the barbed wire. He was met by a German scout who offered him whiskey and cigars. Before long, soldiers along the entire front were mingling with their enemies, singing Christmas carols together, sharing gifts of chocolate and tea, and even participating in a pick-up game of soccer. (The Germans won the game by a score of 3-2; English soldiers claim that an English chaplain serving as the referee missed a foul that would have taken the winning goal away.)

It was a poignant moment in history—a moment of peace and friendship in a time of war between enemies. But the peace enjoyed that evening would not last. As dusk arrived on Christmas Day, one German soldier said to his new English friend, “Today we have peace. Tomorrow, you fight for your country and I fight for mine.” There would be no further moments of peace until the end of the war in 1918.

We long for peace—especially in a year like 2020. We pray for peace in our cities. We hope for peace in our polarized political arena. We desire peace between racial and ethnic groups. We yearn for peace between nations. It’s not surprising that so many long for peace during the Christmas season. “Peace on earth!” is printed on Christmas cards, featured in songs, and spoken in Christmas greetings.

But when the angels proclaimed that the newborn Savior would bring peace on earth, they were not talking about the end of war, calm in the streets, or civility in politics. All those kinds of peace are certainly desirable and are blessings when they happen, but that peace is fragile and uncertain, sure to be fleeting and temporary.

The peace proclaimed by the angels outside of Bethlehem is completely different.

They announced a peace between God and his rebellious people that cures troubled consciences and removes guilt. They spoke of a peace that was not temporary but a spiritual peace that would last for all eternity. They spoke of a peace that was not the result of skillful negotiations or careful compromise but was rather accomplished when, 33 years later, the baby born in Bethlehem would say from the cross with the voice of total victory, “It is finished.”

So, sing with the angels this Christmas. Praise God for giving us the kind of peace that the Christ Child brought to you and all people.

Can you imagine?

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21, NIV)

Imagine the range of emotions and thoughts that went through Joseph’s mind. As you think about Christmas this year, put yourself in the shoes of those who were there. Consider Joseph as he saw Mary after she returned from visiting Elizabeth. She had been gone for a few months and when she came back, she was visibly pregnant. Joseph knew it was not his child! This was not right, but being an honorable man who cared for Mary, he was going to quietly divorce her. BUT then, the angel came to him in a dream explaining that this was from God.

Picture Joseph going to Mary and telling her about having an angel come to him. “Me, too!” Mary may have responded. “I was so scared, but the angel told me, ‘Do not be afraid!’” Think of her telling about Elizabeth, silent Zechariah, and John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb! I would encourage you to read through Luke chapter 1 and 2. As you read the accounts that Luke records, consider the words of Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah. Put yourself in their shoes, visualize what the shepherds saw, heard, and witnessed. Think about the words Zechariah and Mary use in their songs. These words give such comfort: forgiveness, peace, and mercy. Zechariah sang: “to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” (Luke 1:77).

Jesus did come, as the angel told Joseph, “to save his people from their sins.” You are part of the world that Jesus came to save! You are part of the “generation to generation” (Luke 1:50) that know sin and darkness. Jesus came to give you light, forgiveness, and peace! In Jesus, the words of the angel mean just as much to us, “Do not be afraid!”

Mary and Joseph were human beings just like you and me. They witnessed God fulfilling his promises, all the miracles and amazing wonders. Jesus was true God, coming down to save his people to give them the knowledge of salvation! This HIS-story is your story of salvation so that one day you too will witness with your eyes Jesus in heaven with all the angels. He gives us his Word! The angel even told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37 EHV). The Lord goes with you, just as he did with Mary and Joseph! Do not be afraid, rather rejoice – your Savior has come, my friend!

This salvation story fills us with peace and gives us a voice to share. God used the angels to proclaim this message of peace then but has called us to proclaim his message now. God help us share this message with all that are imprisoned by their sins and guilt. Jesus has come to save people from their sins. We have this message that truly does the impossible and opens hearts and eyes to know and see Jesus. What a gift! A gift that keeps on giving!

Have a blessed Christmas, and know your new year is in Jesus’ hands.

-Pastor Darren Green, chairman, WELS Prison Ministry Committee

God Makes the Impossible Happen So We Can be Part of His Kingdom

The Fourth Sunday in Advent – Series B

God’s Word for Today

We have a lot of hopes and dreams in this world. Some even seem to have an honorable motive. Yet the Lord is the one who steps in and outshines our plans with the miraculous. He sends his Son to earth in a miraculous way to set up an eternal kingdom. Then in a miraculous way he draws us into that kingdom through the gospel and establishes our place in it.

First Lesson (2 Samuel 7:8-16)

What does God promise for David?

2. What house would the Lord establish for David?

Second Lesson (Romans 16:25-27)

3. How does God establish us in faith?

4. Who gets the praise for our stability in faith?

Gospel (Luke 1:26-38)

5. How was it that Mary found favor with God?

6. What simple phrase answered Mary’s puzzled inquiry about having a child while she is still a virgin?

Answers:

David had wanted to build a permanent house (temple) for his God. The Lord told him someone else would build the house of the Lord. Yet God was going to make David’s name great and make the conditions ideal for his people. He accomplished that in Jesus, a “son” of David.
But this prophecy goes far beyond Solomon to the one who would establish an eternal kingdom. Jesus (Luke 1:29-33) would be the cornerstone of a spiritual house- a people in which God dwells with his Spirit – the people of God (Eph 2:19-22) who will rule eternally with Christ.
God uses the simple gospel message, the proclamation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, to create faith and obedience in people. Do you keep the connection strong by continual growth in that word?
So often the emphasis is placed on a person’s wise choice to follow Jesus. But that leaks some of the praise away from the one to whom all credit is due. It is the only wise God who gets the glory for setting up our salvation through Jesus and changing hearts to faith through the gospel. That will be the main theme of the singing in heaven.
Often people place the focus on virtues of Mary, but God’s favor starts with his own loving plans and his unmerited choice. His favor focused on this one individual through whom the Holy Spirit would provide this miraculous birth. This happened so God’s favor could in turn rest on everyone because of that child.
The angel helped her put aside simple, experiential logic and replace it with faith in the promise: “For nothing is impossible with God.” How important for us to realize this in the season that challenges the world with things too hard and awesome to explain – the birth of Jesus.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan

Worship Updates – November 2020

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 amSt. John’s. Beginning (11/15) the 55+ age restriction ended. ALL are welcome.
Online worship services continue and are found at www.stjohnsmontello.org

Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will be worn at all indoor services. Masks are available at both churches.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
The congregation is asked to not sing. A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays/Sundays of each month. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.

**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies

Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or Pastor

Emmanuel Elders:

Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 494-0068

St. John’s Elders:

Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171,

James Wachholz (608) 369-4006, Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830

Attendance	Emmanuel	St. John’s
12-9	?	?
12-12		12
12-13	38	63
St. John’s Altar Committee December 2020	Diane Eisermann & Dolores Cotte

ST. JOHN’S & EMMANUEL HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2020 December 23     Emmanuel Children’s Christmas     Emmanuel 6:30 p.m. December 24     School Christmas Eve     St. John’s 4:00 p.m.
December 25     Christmas Day     St. John’s 9:00 a.m.
December 31     New Years Eve.    Emmanuel 3:30 p.m.

*No age restrictions at holidays services.
*Regular service times continue:
Saturday St. John’s 4:30 p.m. – All are welcome (Please note: Dec. 26 & Jan. 2 – No worship)
Sunday Emmanuel 8:00 a.m. – Emmanuel members only
St. John’s 10:00 a.m. – All are welcome, no age restrictions.
*COVID-19 safety guidelines continue…please wear masks, practice social distancing & use sanitizer.

●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!
Please Sign Our Guest Register
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, 1^st& 2^nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554
3^rd-5^th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021
Principal & 6^th – 8^th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689, Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org
Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
Altar Lady: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025
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