The 2nd Sunday in Lent
Jesus Calls Us To Follow Him
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
February 27, 2021
4:30p.m. St. John’s
February 28, 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 LaneMontello, 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: Jesus Calls Us To Follow Him – To follow Jesus, we must carry our cross. This means our faith will bring us severe burdens and shame. But through Jesus’ cross, we have such good news: Heaven is open! We can rejoice in our sufferings! By losing our lives for Jesus, we will find them! |
† 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: Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise in your gracious Word and Sacrament. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 224 God Himself Is Present
*Sung by soloist.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
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 & 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 see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; 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.
THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 28:10-17 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: The Lord promises His presence as we follow Him
Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
PSALM OF THE DAY 25
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; in you I trust, my God.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;*
in you I trust, O my God.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,*
for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;*
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
Refrain
Turn to me and be gracious to me,*
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Look upon my affliction and my distress*
and take away all my sins.
Guard my life and rescue me,*
for I take refuge in you.
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 Romans 5:1-11
Summary: Through Christ’s sacrifice we have new status with God
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
VERSE OF THE DAY Philippians 2:8b
P: Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 8:31-38
Summary: Take up your cross and follow Christ
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Please be seated.
HYMN 765 Day by Day
*,.
SERMON Genesis 28:10-17
“Remember Me, O Lord!”
1. With your promises
2. With your protection
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.
LENTEN SEASON PRAYER & 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.
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
P: Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for nourishing me in this sacrament with your body and blood. You have given me forgiveness, life and salvation. Let me always remain in you as a branch remains in the vine. Send me out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.
O living Bread from heaven, how richly you have fed your guest! The gifts you now have given have filled my heart with joy and rest. Lord, grant me that thus strengthened with heavenly food, while here my course on earth is lengthened, I serve with holy fear. And when you call my spirit to leave this world below, I enter through your merit where joys unmingled flow. 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.
The Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN 422 Jesus, Lead Us On
*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 †
February 28 – March 6
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship with communion |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion | |
| Mon. | 1:00 p.m. | Hand In Prayer meeting at St. John’s |
| Tues. | 8:00 a.m. | School Chapel |
| 9:00 a.m. | Joint Elders meeting at St. John’s | |
| Wed. | 11:40 a.m. | School & Little Lambs early release |
| 3:30 p.m. | Emmanuel Lenten Devotion | |
| 6:30 p.m. | St. John’s Lenten Devotion | |
| Thurs. | 6:00 p.m. | Griefshare at St. John’s |
| Fri. | ||
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Worship |
| Next week’s theme: March 7, 2021 The Third Sunday in Lent: Repent! | ||
| 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), Gene & Sharon Crook, Liola Crown, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Jerre Duerr, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Eleanor Kendall, Julie Klawitter, Betty Kozlowski, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Jenell Mann, Lilly Mann, 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, Don Smith Jr. (Don and Doris’ son), Doris Smith, Carol Stempniak, Jennifer Strauss, Ramona Wacholtz (Dennis’ wife), Dixie Wagner, John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch – (added this week: Pat Bornick) 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 has received a statement via snail mail. No need to sign up. If you need a replacement, please call the office. 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! ST. JOHN’S LADIES AID The next meeting will be on March 4. 1:00 P.M. in the church. 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. |
| 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. If we are physically in school, you may still signup. Breakfast and lunch included! WISHLIST ITEMS Little Lambs Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade 6th , 7th & 8th Grade – Tuition Assistance LIST OF DEDICATED ACCOUNTS Want to make a donation and know exactly where your money is going? Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s Church and School that you can choose from: Church General School General House/Parking Lot Family Easter Festival Sunday School Vacation Bible School School Technology Church Video/Audio System Security System Tuition Assistance Athletic Fund Outreach Events School Server Upgrade School HVAC/Purifying System |
Lent is the six week observance of the “passion” of Christ, that is, his suffering and death for our sins and the eternal rescue of all! The Church traditionally observes Lent with midweek worship that helps point to and prepares God’s people for Holy Week and Easter.
There will be 3:30pm worship at Emmanuel with Pastor Dolan leading.
Also, there is 6:30pm worship at St. John’s led by Pastor Zietlow and the pastors of our nearby sister congregations.
The Scripture devotions will talk about “The Hands of Lent.”
The 3:30pm Emmanuel worship will be recorded and be made available for viewing on the St. John’s website, stjohnsmontello.org.
Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him
The Second Sunday in Lent – B
God’s Word for Today
To follow Jesus we must carry our cross. This means our faith will bring us severe burdens and shame. But through Jesus’ cross we have such good news: Heaven is open! We can rejoice in our sufferings! By losing our lives for Jesus, we will find them!
First Lesson (Genesis 28:10-17)
1. Whom did Jacob see on the stairway? Above it?
2. What promises did Jacob receive which include you?
Second Lesson (Romans 5:1-11)
3. What amazing gifts do we receive by trusting that Jesus died for our sins? (Verses 1-2)
4. Why do we rejoice in our sufferings? Isn’t that a bizarre way to act? (Verse 3)
5. In Christ, what three things are no longer true about us? (Verses 6, 8, 10)
Gospel (Mark 8:31-38)
6. Why did Jesus have to suffer and die? (Verse 31)
7. When Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” he didn’t mean Satan had taken total control of him and made Peter helpless. What did Jesus mean?
8. Why is trying to become rich apart from God such a poor choice?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Answers:
1. God’s holy angels were going up and down on the stairway. The Lord God himself was at the top of the stairway.
2. a) God is the God of all believers, both dead (Abraham) and alive (Isaac and Jacob). Even dead believers are alive with God! b) With all people on earth, we are blessed in Jesus with a holy Savior. c) God will keep all his promises to us, for Jesus’ sake.
3. We stand innocent before God in his court. We have peace toward God. We have entrance into God’s grace. We rejoice because we are sure that we will share glory with God forever.
4. It might surprise the rest of the world, but rejoicing in our sufferings fits with faith in God’s promises. We know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces proven character, and proven character produces confident hope of eternal life.
5. We were powerless; we were sinners; we were God’s enemies. Relying on Jesus’ blood, we’re none of those things anymore in God’s sight. We have God’s strength. We are holy in God’s sight. We are God’s friends.
6. He said so. God the Father told him so. God the Spirit said so in the Old Testament in many places. There was no other way we could have eternal life. “For the joy set before him” Jesus endured the cross and scorned its shame (Hebrews 12:2). His joy was seeing us sinners receive the gift of eternal life.
7. He meant that for Peter to try to keep Jesus from dying for us was Satanic. If Jesus hadn’t died for us, we would all have spent eternity with the devil in hell.
8. Even if we gain the whole world, it won’t do us any good if we lose our souls and end up in eternal fire, body and soul.
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 2-20 | ||
| 2-21 | ||
| 2-24 | ||
| St. John’s Altar CommitteeFebruary 2021 | Kay Maass & Jennie Utke |
| ●●● Welcome To Our Visitors! Find & Like us on Facebook Visit our website: www.stjohnsmontello.org Pastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowPL6@hotmail.com Little Lambs Director & Teacher Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816 K, 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers: 920-285-7554 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Ms. Katlynn Tindall: 262-352-7021 Principal & 6th – 8th Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow: 616-822-6689,Email: principal@stjohnsmontello.org Church & School Secretary/Office Ciara Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866 Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949 Church & School E-mail: scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org ●●● |