Announcements

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell                

Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                

Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org 

Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org

THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 20, 2020

 

Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S Today, September 20, 2020   8:00 a.m.    Sunday School/Adult Class   9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 16) (C)    6:00 p.m.    Christian Catechesis Sunday, September 27, 2020    8:00 a.m.    Sunday School/Adult Class    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 17) (C)      6:00 p.m.    Christian Catechesis

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR    September 21     Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist      September 22     Commemoration of Jonah

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today:  Marcia Hanna 

Elder for September: Tony Hatten

 

October-December Portal of Prayers are now available in the basket along the east wall.  Be sure to pick one up.

 

Altar Flowers - We are always looking for people to donate flowers or pay for flowers on the altar during the year.  If you would be willing to take a Sunday for a special occasion or just to help out, please contact Cheryl Batt.  She would be willing to order them for you and pick them up.

 

Holy Communion available - If you are not comfortable coming to the Sunday service but would still like to receive Holy Communion, you are welcome to participate in a Divine Service in the sanctuary at St. John’s during the week by appointment.  Bread and wine will be laid out before your arrival and Pastor can maintain plenty of distance during the service.  If you are not able to come to the sanctuary, we can arrange a safe way for you to receive the Lord’s Supper at home.  Feel free to call Pastor Cowell on his cell phone at 319-464-5548 to set up a time to meet.  

 

New Booklets in Back of Church - St. John’s has recently purchased several new booklets from the A Simple Explanation series.  These small booklets condense major topics of the faith to a few easy-to-understand sections.  The booklets are great for your own knowledge and can also serve as a conversation starter with your friends and family.  Here are the titles available in the back of church that you are free to take and keep: A Simple Explanation of . . . Christianity; Lutheranism; Heaven and Hell; The Church Service; The Church Year; Holy Communion; and Fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.

 

TLC Quilts Available - The TLC Quilters quilts are back on the “giving pew”!  Feel free to deliver a quilt to a friend in need any time you like.  This is a great way to show that you, the Church, and God care for those who receive the quilt.  Great people to give a quilt to include those: suffering major health problems, grieving the loss of a loved one, going through difficult financial times, newly living alone or in a care center, or celebrating a major milestone in life.  The recipients don’t have to be members of our or any church and we don’t need to know who receives them.  Don’t be shy about delivering them because the quilters make literally hundreds of quilts per year for this good purpose!

 

Adult Bible Study on the Book of Matthew - Beginning September 13th the adult Bible study will begin a verse-by-verse study of the Gospel of Matthew.  During the study we will be utilizing a journal version of the Book of Matthew to help us note key details and moments in the text along the way.  Each attendee will receive a book on the first Sunday they join the study.  Tables are spread out in the basement as a social distancing measure and you are welcome to wear a mask if you choose to do so. 

St. John’s Live-streamed Service - St. John’s is now live-streaming our Sunday Divine Service on our YouTube channel: “St. John’s Burt.” These services will be archived for you to view on YouTube later as well. 

 

Midweek Christian Instruction for All Ages -  This year we are encouraging parents and other adults to sit in with the kids during their Wednesday evening instruction.  The main purpose of this is to encourage our children with our good example and to share our wisdom and experience with them as fellow Christians.  Therefore, this is your open invitation to join us on Wednesday evenings in the church basement for any one, several, or all lessons!  A class schedule along with an explanation of all of the changes to our midweek program will be published in the September Parish Messenger so that you can take note of any lessons you would be especially interested in attending. 

 

New Weekly Announcements Email - St. John’s has started emailing our weekly announcements through Flocknote.  If you would like to receive these weekly announcements in a computer or smartphone-friendly format, contact the church office and we can add you to the list.  You can also contact the church office to update any of your Flocknote preferences. 

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Trinity, Algona Schedule - Here is the weekly line-up of online resources from Trinity, Algona, which you can access at trinityalgona.org/corona or the Trinity YouTube and Facebook pages:

 

   Sunday - Worship Livestream at 8:00 a.m., Bible Study at 9:15 a.m.

   Monday - Evening Prayer at 8:00 p.m.

   Wednesday - “Ask the Pastors” at 10:00 a.m.

   Thursday - Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m.

   Every Weekday - Psalm Devotion (not live)

 

You can also access all of the live content as a recording any time in the future. 

   

Did You Know? Every marriage - even the strongest – will experience seasons of discord. It’s normal to not be happy and to not feel “in love” all the time. Certainly, work to fix your marriage when it is breaking, but it’s even better to prioritize your marriage relationship and work on it every day to assure that it stays strong and healthy. LFS counselors who share your faith and values are here to help with both. Lutheran Family Service - www.LutheranFamilyService.org

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Proper 20)

Old Testament:  Isaiah 55:6-9 

We should seek the Lord, for His ways are higher than our ways.

 

Epistle:  Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30

St. Paul speaks of how his imprisonment has been a blessing to his faith.

 

Gospel:  Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus tells a parable about a master who pays workers hired in the first hour the same wage as those hired in the eleventh hour as a way of explaining God’s grace and unearned generosity. 

 

LCMS MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received; that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  -1 Corinthians 15:3–4

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

Grace

The Sunday School definition of grace is undeserved love.  This is a good definition, but the biblical word for grace has several other dimensions to it as well.  The Greek word grace (charis) in the Bible can be used to denote things like a free gift, something that brings joy, generosity of a person, thankfulness, or a well-pleasing work.  Anytime the word grace is used in the Bible it is a reference to God’s grace: God’s undeserved love, free gift, joy, generosity, thanks-causing, good work given to us.  The next time you think about or talk about God’s grace, consider the fullness of what the gift of God’s grace means for us!    

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article IV: Good Works, paragraphs 37-40

Regarding the idea that good works are harmful to salvation, we explain ourselves clearly as follows: If anyone wants to drag good works into the article of justification, rest his righteousness or trust for salvation on them, and merit God's grace and be saved by them, St. Paul himself answers, not us. He says and repeats it three times (Philippians 3:7-8)-such a person's works are not only useless and a hindrance, but are also harmful. This is not the fault of the good works themselves, but of the false confidence placed in the works, contrary to God's clear Word.

However, it by no means follows that we are to say simply and flatly: "Good works are harmful to believers' salvation." In believers good works are signs of salvation when they are done from true causes and for true ends. That is, in the sense in which God requires them of the regenerate (Philippians 1:20). It is God's will and command that believers should do good works. The Holy Spirit works this in believers, and He promises a glorious reward for good works in this life and the life to come.

This idea is rejected in our churches. It is false and offensive. Discipline and decency might be impaired by it, and a barbarous, loose, secure, Epicurean life be introduced and strengthened. Christians should be admonished and urged to do good works most diligently. 

 

 

 

Announcements

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell                

Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                

Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org 

Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org

 

 

THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 13, 2020

 

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S Today, September 13, 2020   8:00 a.m.    Sunday School/Adult Class   9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 15) (C)    Sunday, September 20, 2020    8:00 a.m.    Sunday School/Adult Class    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 16) (C)      6:00 p.m.    Christian Catechesis

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR    September 14     Feast of the Holy Cross      September 16     Commemoration of Cyprian of Carthage,           Pastor and Martyr

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today:        Marcia Hanna    Elder for September:  Tony Hatten

 

Altar Flowers - We are always looking for people to donate flowers or pay for flowers on the altar during the year.  If you would be willing to take a Sunday for a special occasion or just to help out, please contact Cheryl Batt.  She would be willing to order them for you and pick them up.

 

Holy Communion available - If you are not comfortable coming to the Sunday service but would still like to receive Holy Communion, you are welcome to participate in a Divine Service in the sanctuary at St. John’s during the week by appointment.  Bread and wine will be laid out before your arrival and Pastor can maintain plenty of distance during the service.  If you are not able to come to the sanctuary, we can arrange a safe way for you to receive the Lord’s Supper at home.  Feel free to call Pastor Cowell on his cell phone at 319-464-5548 to set up a time to meet.  

 

New Booklets in Back of Church - St. John’s has recently purchased several new booklets from the A Simple Explanation series.  These small booklets condense major topics of the faith to a few easy-to-understand sections.  The booklets are great for your own knowledge and can also serve as a conversation starter with your friends and family.  Here are the titles available in the back of church that you are free to take and keep: A Simple Explanation of . . . Christianity; Lutheranism; Heaven and Hell; The Church Service; The Church Year; Holy Communion; and Fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.

 

TLC Quilts Available - The TLC Quilters quilts are back on the “giving pew”!  Feel free to deliver a quilt to a friend in need any time you like.  This is a great way to show that you, the Church, and God care for those who receive the quilt.  Great people to give a quilt to include those: suffering major health problems, grieving the loss of a loved one, going through difficult financial times, newly living alone or in a care center, or celebrating a major milestone in life.  The recipients don’t have to be members of our or any church and we don’t need to know who receives them.  Don’t be shy about delivering them because the quilters make literally hundreds of quilts per year for this good purpose!

 

St. John’s Live-streamed Service - St. John’s is now live-streaming our Sunday Divine Service on our YouTube channel: “St. John’s Burt.” These services will be archived for you to view on YouTube later as well. 

 

Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Returns! - Sunday school and adult Bible study will resume Sunday, September 13th at 8:00 a.m.  All are welcome to join our Sunday school students in the church basement at 8:00 a.m. as we bless each classroom for another year of Christian instruction. 

Adult Bible Study on the Book of Matthew - Beginning September 13th the adult Bible study will begin a verse-by-verse study of the Gospel of Matthew.  During the study we will be utilizing a journal version of the Book of Matthew to help us note key details and moments in the text along the way.  Each attendee will receive a book on the first Sunday they join the study.  Tables are spread out in the basement as a social distancing measure and you are welcome to wear a mask if you choose to do so. 

Midweek Christian Instruction for All Ages -  This year we are encouraging parents and other adults to sit in with the kids during their Wednesday evening instruction.  The main purpose of this is to encourage our children with our good example and to share our wisdom and experience with them as fellow Christians.  Therefore, this is your open invitation to join us on Wednesday evenings in the church basement for any one, several, or all lessons!  A class schedule along with an explanation of all of the changes to our midweek program will be published in the September Parish Messenger so that you can take note of any lessons you would be especially interested in attending. 

 

New Weekly Announcements Email - St. John’s has started emailing our weekly announcements through Flocknote.  If you would like to receive these weekly announcements in a computer or smartphone-friendly format, contact the church office and we can add you to the list.  You can also contact the church office to update any of your Flocknote preferences. 

 

The Fall LWML Rally will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran, Garner on Thursday, September 17th with registration at 4:30 p.m. and the Rally at 5:00 p.m.  

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Trinity, Algona Schedule - Trinity, Algona continues to livestream their service and provide several other online resources at this time. You can find all these resources from Trinity at: trinityalgona.org/corona.  

 

Camp Okoboji has cancelled summer programs, but is still renting out the Family Ministry Cabins. See campokoboji.org for more information. 

 

Did You Know? Every day LFS counselors meet with people who are experiencing a test or trial of some kind or have been hurt by their own or someone else’s actions. We can help, and we do, but we know we don’t work alone or by our own power. We serve a God who can turn a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph and a victim into a victorious survivor. Psalm 34 tells us that He is not distant but near to the brokenhearted and to those whose spirit has been crushed. This same God is with you today in whatever test, trial, or pain you are experiencing. Call us if you could use someone to walk with you during this hard time. Lutheran Family Service - www.LutheranFamilyService.org

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Proper 19)

Old Testament: Genesis 50:15-21

After their father Jacob’s death, Joseph speaks words of forgiveness and of God’s goodness to his repentant brothers.

 

Epistle: Romans 14:1-12

St. Paul instructs us to use our Christian freedom to help others, not judge them. 

 

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Jesus tells the parable of the ungrateful debtor to teach His disciples about forgiveness. 

 

LCMS MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

Forgive Us Our Trespasses

We, and many Christian denominations with us, pray in the Lord’s Prayer: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. You may know some Christians, however, who pray: forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. The reason for this difference is because when Jesus delivers His prayer to the disciples in Matthew 6 He uses the word for a financial debt to describe our sins against God.  Jesus, though, does not have in mind an amount of money we owe God. Rather, because of our sins we owe God the penalty for trespassing, or transgressing, His holy will.  Therefore those Christians who pray literally: forgive us our debts, and those Christians who pray according to the sense of the word: forgive us our trespasses, are both praying a faithful prayer to God who hears us and promises to answer us. 

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Large Catechism, The Lord's Prayer, paragraphs 93-97

There is a necessary, yet comforting addition: "As we forgive." He has promised that we shall be sure that everything is forgiven and pardoned, in the way that we also forgive our neighbor. Just as we daily sin much against God, and yet He forgives everything through grace, so we, too, must ever forgive our neighbor who does us injury, violence, and wrong, shows malice toward us, and so on. If, therefore, you do not forgive, then do not think that God forgives you [Matt. 18:23-25]. But if you forgive, you have this comfort and assurance, that you are forgiven in heaven. This is not because of your forgiving. For God forgives freely and without condition, out of pure grace, because He has so promised, as the Gospel teaches. But God says this in order that He may establish forgiveness as our confirmation and assurance, as a sign alongside of the promise, which agrees with this prayer, in Matt. 6:14, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

     This sign is therefore attached to this petition. When we pray, we remember the promise and think, "Dear Father, for this reason I come and pray for You to forgive me, not so that I can make satisfaction or can merit anything by my works. I pray because You have promised and attached the seal to this prayer that I should be as sure about it as though I had Absolution pronounced by You Yourself." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements

St. John's Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell                

Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor's Cell: 319-464-5548                

Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org

Pastor's Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org 

Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org

 

 

THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 6, 2020

 

O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN'S Today, September 6, 2020    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 14) (C)    Sunday, September 13, 2020    8:00 a.m.    Sunday School/Adult Class    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 15) (C)

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR     none this week

 

ST. JOHN'S NEWS

 

Organist Today:  Kitty Bierstedt 

Elder for September: Tony Hatten

 

Altar Flowers this morning were given in memory of Leonard, Martha, Irene and Eugene Drager by Lorraine Drager.

 

Holy Communion available - If you are not comfortable coming to the Sunday service but would still like to receive Holy Communion, you are welcome to participate in a Divine Service in the sanctuary at St. John's during the week by appointment.  Bread and wine will be laid out before your arrival and Pastor can maintain plenty of distance during the service.  If you are not able to come to the sanctuary, we can arrange a safe way for you to receive the Lord's Supper at home.  Feel free to call Pastor Cowell on his cell phone at 319-464-5548 to set up a time to meet.  

 

St. John's Live-streamed Service - St. John's is now live-streaming our Sunday Divine Service on our YouTube channel: "St. John's Burt." These services will be archived for you to view on YouTube later as well. 

 

Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Returns! - Sunday school and adult Bible study will resume Sunday, September 13th at 8:00 a.m.  All are welcome to join our Sunday school students in the church basement at 8:00 as we bless each classroom for another year of Christian instruction. 

 

Adult Bible Study on the Book of Matthew - Beginning September 13th the adult Bible study will begin a verse-by-verse study of the Gospel of Matthew.  During the study we will be utilizing a journal version of the Book of Matthew to help us note key details and moments in the text along the way.  Each attendee will receive a book on the first Sunday they join the study.  Tables are spread out in the basement as a social distancing measure and you are welcome to wear a mask if you choose to do so. 

 

Midweek Christian Instruction for All Ages - The education committee has decided to postpone VBS until next year.  There is still, however, an opportunity for church members of all ages to enjoy each other's company outside of Sunday morning!  This year we are encouraging parents and other adults to sit in with the kids during their Wednesday evening instruction.  The main purpose of this is to encourage our children with our good example and to share our wisdom and experience with them as fellow Christians.  Therefore, this is your open invitation to join us on Wednesday evenings in the church basement for any one, several, or all lessons!  A class schedule along with an explanation of all of the changes to our midweek program will be published in the September Parish Messenger so that you can take note of any lessons you would be especially interested in attending. 

New Weekly Announcements Email - St. John's has started emailing our weekly announcements through Flocknote.  If you would like to receive these weekly announcements in a computer or smartphone-friendly format, contact the church office and we can add you to the list.  You can also contact the church office to update any of your Flocknote preferences. 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Trinity, Algona Schedule - Trinity, Algona continues to livestream their service and provide several other online resources at this time. You can find all these resources from Trinity at: trinityalgona.org/corona.  

 

Camp Okoboji has cancelled summer programs, but is still renting out the Family Ministry Cabins. See campokoboji.org for more information. 

Building Healthy Families While Staying Home: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit . . . therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This Biblical instruction isn't written just for young people! No matter your age, take time this week to do something that will make your body stronger or healthier. Fix a healthy snack, go for a walk, and invite a friend or neighbor to join you. Shared activity makes it more fun, and creates an open door for conversation about wellbeing, including the importance of faith, and spiritual wellness. Honor God with your body, no matter how many years it's been around!  Lutheran Family Service - www.LutheranFamilyService.org

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Proper 18)

Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:7-9

The Lord instructs the Prophet Ezekiel to be a watchman over the house of Israel. 

 

Epistle: Romans 13:1-10

St. Paul instructs us how to relate to earthly government in a Christian way. 

 

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-20

Jesus teaches His disciples about humility, avoiding temptation, caring for the young in the faith, and reconciling with our neighbor in a loving way. 

 

LCMS MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - 1 Peter1:3

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

Kiss of Peace

You may have noticed the rubric in our Divine Service following the Prayer of the Church which reads:

          Following the prayers, the people may greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, "Peace be 

          with you," as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Matt. 

          5:22-24; Eph. 4:1-3).

This tradition of greeting each other during the Divine Service originated very early in the life of the New Testament Church.  The only difference is that the original form of this tradition included exchanging a "kiss of peace," which is a common way of greeting each other and acknowledging friendship in different cultures and time periods.  When a congregation exchanges the kiss of peace, or greeting of peace, during a Divine Service they are confessing that just as Jesus turned them from enemies of God to friends and children of God, so too are they bound in fellowship to one another by this forgiveness.  While we do not practice this tradition at St. John's, we too acknowledge that in Christ we are at peace with God and at peace with our neighbor! 

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, paragraphs 22-24

They cite against us certain passages, namely, [Matthew 16:18-19,] "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church." Also, "I will give you the keys." Also, [John 21:15,] "Feed My lambs," and some others. We reply,

     Peter is the representative of the entire assembly of apostles. Christ does not ask Peter alone, when He says, "Who do you say that I am?" [Matthew 16:15]. What is said here to Peter in the singular, "I will give you [singular] the keys; and whatever you [singular] bind" [16:19], is elsewhere expressed in the plural [e.g., Matthew 18:18,] "Whatever you [plural] bind"; [John 20:23,] "If you [plural] forgive the sins of anyone". This shows that the Keys are given to all the apostles alike and that all the apostles are sent forth alike.

     In addition, it must be recognized that the Keys belong not to one particular man, but to the Church. For Christ, speaking about the Keys, adds, "If two of you agree on earth" (Matthew 18:19). This is why it is the Church that has the right of calling. 



 

 

Announcements

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell                

Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                

Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org 

Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org

 

 

THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

August 30, 2020

 

Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S Today, August 30, 2020    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 13) (C)   10:00 a.m.    Education Parents Meeting   Sunday, September 6, 2020    9:00 a.m.    Divine Service (Pentecost 14) (C)

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR  September 1     Commemoration of Joshua   September 2     Commemoration of Hannah   September 3     Commemoration of Gregory the Great, Pastor   September 4     Commemoration of Moses   September 5     Commemoration of Zechariah and Elizabeth

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today:  Marcia Hanna

Elder for August: Boyd Shipler

 

St. John’s Parent-Teacher Meeting - All parents, students, and teachers will have a meeting in the sanctuary after church on Sunday, August 30th to discuss the upcoming year of Christian education at St. John’s.  If you can’t attend this meeting, please let Pastor know and he can schedule an individual meeting at a time that works for you. 

 

Holy Communion available - If you are not comfortable coming to the Sunday service but would still like to receive Holy Communion, you are welcome to participate in a Divine Service in the sanctuary at St. John’s during the week by appointment.  Bread and wine will be laid out before your arrival and Pastor can maintain plenty of distance during the service.  If you are not able to come to the sanctuary, we can arrange a safe way for you to receive the Lord’s Supper at home.  Feel free to call Pastor Cowell on his cell phone at 319-464-5548 to set up a time to meet.  

 

St. John’s Live-streamed Service - St. John’s is now live-streaming our Sunday Divine Service on our YouTube channel: “St. John’s Burt.” These services will be archived for you to view on YouTube later as well. 

 

Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Returns! - Sunday school and adult Bible study will resume Sunday, September 13th at 8:00 a.m.  All are welcome to join our Sunday school students in the church basement at 8:00 as we bless each classroom for another year of Christian instruction. 

 

Adult Bible Study on the Book of Matthew - Beginning September 13th the adult Bible study will begin a verse-by-verse study of the Gospel of Matthew.  During the study we will be utilizing a journal version of the Book of Matthew to help us note key details and moments in the text along the way.  Each attendee will receive a book on the first Sunday they join the study.  Tables are spread out in the basement as a social distancing measure and you are welcome to wear a mask if you choose to do so. 

 

Midweek Christian Instruction for All Ages - The education committee has decided to postpone VBS until next year.  There is still, however, an opportunity for church members of all ages to enjoy each other’s company outside of Sunday morning!  This year we are encouraging parents and other adults to sit in with the kids during their Wednesday evening instruction.  The main purpose of this is to encourage our children with our good example and to share our wisdom and experience with them as fellow Christians.  Therefore, this is your open invitation to join us on Wednesday evenings in the church basement for any one, several, or all lessons!  A class schedule along with an explanation of all of the changes to our midweek program will be published in the September Parish Messenger so that you can take note of any lessons you would be especially interested in attending. 

 

New Weekly Announcements Email - St. John’s has started emailing our weekly announcements through Flocknote.  If you would like to receive these weekly announcements in a computer or smartphone-friendly format, contact the church office and we can add you to the list.  You can also contact the church office to update any of your Flocknote preferences. 

 

Thank You! 
“The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1.  Thank you so much for returning blessings you have received to the Lord for His work at Camp Okoboji. I pray we are always faithful to serve Him and to do His work. May He bless our efforts that they may bear fruits according to His will! Blessings to You! Trusting in Jesus our Savior,  Kirk Warnke, Director of Camp Okoboji    ($800 was given to Camp Okoboji from St. John’s)

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Trinity, Algona Schedule - As Trinity, Algona opens their worship in their church building note that they will continue their livestreamed service and other online resources in the coming months. You can find all these resources from Trinity at: trinityalgona.org/corona.  

 

Camp Okoboji has cancelled summer programs, but is still renting out the Family Ministry Cabins. See campokoboji.org for more information. 

 

Building Healthy Families: Every one of us – young/old, male/female, retired/working, student/teacher – has had plenty of change to deal with recently. Not one of us is immune to the cumulative impact of it all. A wise person once said, “The best way to endure change is by pondering His permanence.”  Looking to Him instead of others for perspective makes a difference. May the changes you have had to face over the past months, the ones you are facing today, and those you will undoubtedly face in the days ahead be tempered with this certain, unchanging truth: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Lutheran Family Service - www.LutheranFamilyService.org

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Proper 17)

Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:15-21 

Jeremiah prays for vengeance and restoration, and the Lord answers.

 

Epistle: Romans 12:9-21

St. Paul gives instructions on how to live a virtuous life in Christ. 

 

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus foretells His death and resurrection. Peter rebukes Jesus for suggesting He would be killed. Jesus in turn rebukes Peter and urges His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. 

 

 

LCMS MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -John 14:27

 

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

Christian Virtue

The Epistles of Holy Scripture are full of advice and encouragement toward loving our neighbor by living a virtuous life.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly defines virtue as “a habitual and firm disposition to do the good.”  The Church often divides the concept of virtue into seven categories with these or similar titles:  chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. In addition to being a good way to love your neighbor, practicing these seven virtues also guards against temptation from the so-called seven deadly sins of: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride.

 

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI: Third Use of God’s Law, paragraphs 18-20

Believers are not completely renewed in this world. The old Adam clings to them right up to the grave. Therefore, the struggle between the spirit and the flesh remains in them. They delight in God's Law according to the inner man [Romans 7:22], but the law in their members struggles against the law in their mind. Therefore, they are never without the Law. Nevertheless, they are not under [Romans 6:14], but in the Law. They live and walk in the Law of the Lord, and yet do nothing in the Law because of force.

     As far as the old Adam is concerned, which still clings to them, he must be driven not only by the Law, but also by punishments. Nevertheless, he does everything against his will and under coercion, no less than the godless are driven and held in obedience by the Law's threats (1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 7:18-19).

     This doctrine of the Law is needed by believers in order that they may not make up a holiness and devotion of their own. Using God's Spirit as an excuse, they must not set up a self-chosen worship, without God's Word and command. For it is written:

"You shall not do according to […] whatever is right in [your] own eyes," but "be careful to obey all these words that I command you," "you shall not add to it or take from it." (Deuteronomy 12:8,28,32)