Thursday, January 23, 2020

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 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

January 26, 2020

 

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; 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, January 26    

   8:00  a.m.         Sunday School/Adult Class  

   9:00  a.m.         Divine Service (Epiphany 3)                                    

   10:00 a.m.        Voter’s Meeting

 

Monday, January 27

  7 & 9:00 a.m.   Women’s Bible Study - Trinity

 

Wednesday, January 28

   6:00 p.m.         Religion School

 

Sunday, February 2

   8:00 a.m.          Sunday School/Adult Class

   9:00 a.m.          Divine Service (C)

  THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR

  Sunday, January 26

    Feast of St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor 

 

   Monday, January 27

    Commemoration of John Chrysostom,

     Preacher

 

  




 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today:  Marcia Hanna            Ushers for January:    David Haase, Jeff Schutjer

                                                                                                                           & Larry Behnkendorf                                             Acolyte: none-assigned         Elder for January:       Tony Hatten

Greeters: Dave and Linda Kerkove       Greeters Next Week:  Vern and Joan Koestler

 

Adult Bible Study - Our Sunday morning adult Bible study class is studying the Biblical roots of the liturgy of the Divine Service, with special focus on the unique features of our Lutheran liturgy. 

 

Quarterly Voter’s Meeting will immediately follow the service today.

 

Christian New Year Resolutions - There is a handout on the back table which lists a few resources that can help you take on a Christian New Year resolution to grow in some aspect of your Christian faith.  Feel free to ask Pastor about the many other resources our congregation, district, and synod provide that can help you grow in your faith toward God and love toward your neighbor. 

 

Annual Report:  Today is the last day to get your Annual Report articles in to the church office.

 

Usher, Greeter, Acolyte Sign-Ups - On the back table are sign-up sheets for greeters, ushers, and acolytes to give you an opportunity to sign up for a spot that works for you. Feel free to sign your name on more than one line! This sign-up sheet will be out through today 

 

The Funeral Committee is looking for one more person to help with funerals. Contact Ann Heyes if you would be willing to help.

 

Lenten Services - All our evening services for Lent will be held at 6:00 p.m.  Note the new time!

 

Thank you for the $295.00 you gave to the Kossuth County C.A.R.E Team in 2019. With this we will be able to provide services to the children of Kossuth County whose safety and well-being are at risk.  Thank you and God bless!  Linda Vaudt



SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Welcome New Associate Pastor! - Pastor Mark Lund has accepted the call to become Trinity’s new Associate Pastor. Pastor Lund is joining us with his wife Hope and daughter Eleanor.  Pastor Lund’s installation is Saturday, February 8 at 4:00 pm at Trinity. A meal will follow.  Please let Rosann or Pastor Cowell know if you’re planning to attend so we can get a count for the meal. 

 

Strengthening Marriage Workshop - The Iowa District West Education and Family Life Committee is hosting a marriage strengthening workshop for all married couples on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00-2:00 at Trinity, Algona. This workshop will benefit both those who are recently married to those who have been married for many years. Toni Larson, Licensed Counselor from Lutheran Family Service will lead us through a time to grow in communication skills, understand how God has uniquely designed man and woman, and lead you in focusing on your relationship. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided, as well as childcare if needed.  The cost is $40 per couple (paid the morning of the workshop). Register by Feb. 3rd at:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/Strengthening_Marriages_Workshop.  

 

Camp Okoboji News 

·         Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2020 at 11 a.m.  Each Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in Iowa District West has the privilege of sending one delegate to the Annual Meeting of Camp. Consider being a delegate from St. John’s.

·         Annual Quilt Auction at Camp Okoboji will be May 23, 2020.  Please note the earlier date this year! This is the main fundraiser for the Auxiliary and the camp. Mark your calendars.

·         Cub/Jr High/ Youth Week at Camp has Scholarships available. The Auxiliary awards 6 scholarships. Children can apply by picking up a form in the church office. Due: April 15.

 

Building Healthy Families: Our culture encourages us to see the world and our relationships through a lens of individualism, in which we make decisions based on this question: “How will this affect ME?” How would our world be different if we returned to a faith, family, and community-centered lens, in which decisions are instead based on this question: “How will my actions effect my children, my spouse, my parents, my congregational family, my community?” Lutheran Family Service is Iowa’s only Recognized Service Organization (RSO) by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) for Pregnancy Support, Adoption Services, Family Wellness, Mental Health & Marriage Counseling.  LutheranFamilyService.org

 

 COMMUNITY NEWS


Burt Summer Celebration Silent Auction and Luncheon will be held February 23 at the Burt Complex.  They are asking for any donations to auction off. All proceeds go to keeping Burt Summer Celebration a free event.  If you wish to donate something, please contact Burt City Hall.

 

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY 

 

Isaiah 9:1–4; 1 Corinthians 1:10–18; Matthew 4:12–25

 

The Lord Manifests His Glory through His Office of the Holy Ministry

By His coming in the flesh and by His preaching and miracles, the Lord Jesus shines the light of His Gospel upon “the people who walked in darkness” and “who dwelt in a land of deep darkness” (Is. 9:2). He has also “multiplied the nation” and “increased its joy” (Is. 9:3) by calling disciples to Himself from the ends of the earth. For this purpose, He calls Peter and Andrew, with James and John, to follow Him and be “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).  As Jesus did, they also go forth “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt. 4:23). They preach the foolishness of the Cross of Christ as the very power and wisdom of God. This word and preaching of the Cross divides “those who are perishing” from “us who are being saved” (1 Cor. 1:18), but it unites the Church, the one Body of Christ, “in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).



FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

 

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article XI: God’s Eternal Election, paragraphs 27-28

Paul says "those whom He predestined [elected and foreordained] He also called" (Romans 8:30). God does not call without means, but through the Word. For He has commanded "that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name" [Luke 24:47]. St. Paul also testifies in a similar way; he writes, "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). The King calls the guests that He wants to have at His Son's wedding through the ministers He sends out (Matthew 22:2-14). He sends some at the first and some at the second, third, sixth, ninth, and even at the eleventh hour (Matthew 20:3-6).

 

If we want to think about our eternal election to salvation helpfully, we must in every way hold strongly and firmly to this truth: just as the preaching of repentance is universal, so also the promise of the Gospel is universal. It belongs to all people. For this reason Christ has given these commands:

Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations. (Luke 24:47)

 

The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

 

Not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)