The 21st Sunday after Pentecost
St. John’s & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches
Montello & Mecan, WI
October 24, 2020
4:30pm St. John’s
(Indoor)
October 25, 2020
8am Emmanuel
10am St. John’s
✠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 Sept. 2020. bulletin pages 14) Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, 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
P: O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
- The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit,
- A humble and contrite heart, O Lord, you will not despise.
- Fill us with joy and gladness, let us give thanks all our days.
- O Lord, open wide our lips, and our mouths will declare your praise.
OPENING HYMN 250 From All that Dwell below the Skies
*Sung by soloist.
1 From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator’s praise arise.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the Redeemer’s name be sung Through ev’ry land, by ev’ry tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 Eternal are your mercies, Lord; Eternal is your glorious Word.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Your praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Words: public domain. Music: public domain.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION
P: Lord God, you are holy and mighty. Your ways are higher than my ways;
your thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
C: Look on me in mercy, O Lord.
P: I have failed to follow your way, and often haven’t even tried. I confess that I am like a child who chooses not to do what is expected.
C: Spare me and do not turn your back on me, O Lord.
P: For having other gods before you, for indifference to your might and power, for thinking that security lies in me rather than in you:
C: Let me remember and turn, and live with trust in you, O God of might.
P: For using your name without respect, for cursing and swearing without thinking, for the pitiful lack of prayer and praise in my life:
C: Do not let me ever forget that your name is holy, Lord.
P: For ignoring the meaning of the Sabbath, for honoring with you my lips and not with my life:
C: Forgive me for saying one thing and doing another, Lord.
P: For thinking I can fool you with a half-life of discipleship, for pretending you are my God when I really don’t care, for living as a hypocrite:
C: Have mercy on me, O Lord, and teach me to love you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind, and to love my neighbor as myself.
Silent reflection
P: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.
The blood of Jesus Christ, his son, purifies us from every sin. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the world.
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 25:6-9
Summary: The Prophet Isaiah places the picture of a festive banquet before our eyes to depict the joyous blessings of salvation which the Lord has prepared for all people. A jubilant song of praise follows the good news that our Lord “will swallow up death forever.”
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
PSALM OF THE DAY 23
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd,*
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;*
he leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;*
he guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,*
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Refrain
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.*
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,*
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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
SECOND LESSON Philippians 4:4-13 (sermon text verses 11-13 underlined)
Summary: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to “rejoice in the Lord always.” He urges his Philippian brothers to put into practice all he had taught them. Finally, Paul lets them in on the “secret of being content” whatever the circumstances.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 25:9 NIV
P: Alleluia! “This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Alleluia!
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 22:1-14
Summary: On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. Those who refused to attend the king’s lavish banquet were destroyed. The king then sent out his servants to invite all to come, and in this way “the wedding hall was filled.”
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
“Then he sent some more servants and said, `Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
“But they paid no attention and went off one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
“Then he said to his servants, `The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. `Friend,’ he asked, `how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.
“Then the king told the attendants, `Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Please be seated.
HYMN 158 I Am Content! My Jesus Lives Again
*Sung by soloist.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.
SERMONETTE Philippians 4:11-13
“The Secret of Being Content”
Please 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.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Read by pastor. 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.
HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY
*Read by pastor.
Please be seated for the distribution.
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
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.
HYMN 333 Abide, O Dearest Jesus
*Sung by soloist.
Words: public domain. Music: public domain. Setting: public domain.
✠ A N N O U N C E M E N T S ✠
October 25 – October 31
| Sun. | 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship with communion |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship with communion | |
| Thanksgiving Food Drive Drop Off Deadline | ||
| Mon. | ||
| Tues. | 6:30 p.m. | Bible Study at Emmanuel |
| Wed. | 11:40 a.m. | St. John’s School and Little Lambs Early Release |
| Thurs. | No School | |
| Fri. | No School | |
| Sat. | 4:30 p.m. | St. John’s Worship (indoors) |
Next week’s theme:- November 1, 2020 First Sunday of End Times:“Reformation” | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Emmanuel Worship | |
| 10:00 a.m. | St. John’s Worship | |
| Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back–Set Clocks back 1 hour Saturday 10/31 evening) |
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mecan
Worship Updates – September 2020
WORSHIP SERVICES
- Saturdays @ 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
- Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel sanctuary (Emmanuel members)
- Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s sanctuary (St. John’s members 55 and older)
- Online worship services continue found at www.stjohnsmontello.org
Groups should be 50 or less indoors. Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
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.
- Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service.
- 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) 369-1790
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
Invited to the Heavenly Wedding Banquet
Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost – A
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY
Are you worried about what the future holds? Are you sure of your heavenly inheritance? Are you dressed for reception into the heavenly wedding banquet? Thanks to Jesus and His perfect life and substitutionary death, we confidently answer all three questions in the affirmative. What a grand and glorious day it will be when we find ourselves seated at God’s heavenly banquet table!
FIRST LESSON (ISAIAH 25: 6-9)
1. What are the “shroud” and the “sheet” that will be destroyed according to verse 7? Explain.
2. According to verse 9, what will be our bold profession on the last day?
SECOND LESSON (PHILIPPIANS 4: 4-13)
3. The fundamental sentiment of a Christian’s entire life is happiness. On what is our happiness based?
4. What remedy does Paul offer for dealing with anxiety?
5. What kinds of thoughts should fill the believer’s mind?
GOSPEL (MATTHEW 22: 1-14)
6. God has invited everyone to His heavenly wedding feast, but so few attend. Why?
7. Is it possible to sneak into God’s heavenly wedding banquet without proper attire?
ANSWERS:
1. The “shroud” and the “sheet” are the veils that blinded the people from a correct understanding of their natural depravity and sinfulness and kept them from recognizing Christ as the Savior of the world. In conversion, the Holy Spirit removes the blinders and gives God’s people the spiritual vision to understand and accept Him as the promised Messiah and Savior from sin.
2. It might sound something like this: “We placed our confidence with unwavering certainty in the Lord our God, and He has not disappointed. The time for us to experience and enjoy the blessed fulfillment of God’s promises is finally here. Hallelujah!”
3. Our joy is always in the Lord and on account of the Lord. We are jubilant and exultant over the free gift of salvation attained through the atoning work of Christ. It’s especially during periods of trial and tribulation that we take time to reflect on and rejoice in the changeless love of our God.
4. Prayer. When we are consumed with worry and concerned about the future, entrust it to the Lord, leaving all matters to His fatherly direction and care. Whether it’s the most monumental problem or the most insignificant detail, bring it to the attention of your merciful God, Who has demonstrated time and time again that He is deeply concerned about the welfare of His beloved children.
5. To paraphrase verse 8, the believer’s mind is flowing with thoughts that are truthful and sincere, open and honest, just and right, chaste and clean, wholesome and pleasant, excellent and laudable. In short, in all our thoughts, the sanctification of the Christian should be evident.
6. Many people simply are indifferent and apathetic to God’s urgent call. Others are distracted by their own private, earthly affairs. As in the parable, some even go to the extent of being hostile toward the messengers of God’s invitation.
7. Impossible. God has provided a wedding garment of spotless righteousness and purity for every sinner that He has invited to the feast, courtesy of His Son, Jesus Christ. The garment is required to cover the filth and nakedness of their sin. All intruding wannabe’s will be detected, sentenced, and thrust into the outer darkness of hell.
| Attendance | Emmanuel | St. John’s |
| 10-17 10-18 | ? | 63 26 |
| St. John’s Altar CommitteeOctober 2020 | Elaine Kelm |