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 BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
January 12, 2020
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LET US PRAY FOR…
Trinity regarding their decision on an associate Pastor. |
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S Today, January 12 8:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Class 9:00 a.m. Divine Service (Epiphany) (C) 10:00 a.m. First Quarter Council Meeting 2-5:00 p.m Cowell Epiphany Open House Monday, January 13 7 & 9:00 a.m. Women Bible Study-Trinity Tuesday, January 14 8:30 a.m. Pastor’s Circuit Meeting Wednesday, January 15 6:00 p.m. Religion School | Sunday, January 19 8:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Class 9:00 a.m. Divine Service (C) 10:00 a.m. Voter’s Meeting THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR Saturday, January 18 Feast of the Confession of St. Peter |
ST. JOHN’S NEWS
Organist Today: Kitty Bierstedt Ushers for December: David Haase, Jeff Schutjer
& Larry Behnkendorf Acolyte: Breckin Borchardt & Tysen Wickman Elder for January: Tony Hatten
Greeters: Barb Schroeder & Gabby Kelly Greeters Next Week: Short & Pat Eimers
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.
Thank-You to everyone who donated to Lutherans in Africa during the presentation and lunch last Sunday. We raised $738! We are also thankful to our mission board and all who helped organize and serve the soup lunch. You are able to give to Lutherans in Africa year-round by designating mission dollars on your offering envelope, or by giving directly to them by check or credit card using the information in the brochure at the back of church.
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.
Installation of Officers - All new and returning council members will be installed during the service today. The congregation is thankful for all who served as officers in the previous term!
Council Meeting - We will have a council meeting after church on Sunday, January 12. The voter’s meeting is Sunday, January 19.
Annual Report: There are several Year End Reports that I have not received yet. A reminder, if you’re responsible for a report for the annual yearbook, please email those to the church office at churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org - or bring it to the church office. Rosann
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! The sign-up sheet will be out through Sunday, January 19.
Cowell Family Epiphany Open House - Join us at the Cowell house, 609 E. Kennedy St., from 2:00-5:00 to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany with your church family!
The Funeral Committee is looking for one more person to help with funerals. Contact Ann Heyes if you would be willing to help.
SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS
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
· Family Funfest at Camp Okoboji is Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Carnival Games, Bingo, Ping Pong Tournament, Sledding, a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride, Winter Games and a Warm Meal will be served. Come and enjoy the camp in the winter. Contact Camp Okoboji at 712-337-3325 or camp@campokoboji.org for information.
· Family Ice Fishing Retreat is the weekend of January 25-27, 2019. This retreat is for anyone who loves to ice fish or wants to learn. Cost: Adults: $135 each and Children 3-9: $85. Fee includes: All meals, 2 nights lodging and program! There will be fishing guides available during the weekend. A fish fry will be held on Saturday evening. Bring warm clothes, poles, bait, port-a-shack and ice auger if you have one and Let’s Go Fishin’! Online Registration www.campokoboji.org or questions contact Camp Office - 712-337-3325 or camp@campokoboji.org
Thank You for the gift of $800 which was received in our office on December 30 to support the work that we do each day with children, teens, adults, couples and families in need. May God bless you all today and every day in His promise of life everlasting through the Savior who is born for you. Rev. Max Phillips, Executive Director.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Come and Go Wedding Shower for Tiffany (Arend) and Perry Diekhuis on Saturday, January 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Burt Community Center. Everyone is welcome!
LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Baptism of Our Lord)
Isaiah 42:1–9; Romans 6:1–11; Matthew 3:13–17
The Holy Triune God Is Manifested and Reveals Himself to Us in Holy Baptism
The Baptism of our Lord is an “Epiphany” of the one true God in the flesh and blood of Jesus. He is the chosen Servant of the Lord, anointed with the Spirit for the rescue of God’s people and “to bring forth justice to the nations” (Is. 42:1). Thus, He makes all things new, and He is given “as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations” (Is. 42:6). In the waters of the Jordan, He takes His place with sinners and takes all the sins of the world upon Himself. He undergoes the baptism of repentance in order to “fulfill all righteousness” for us (Matt. 3:15). He submits Himself to the curse of sin and death, in order to redeem us. We are baptized with a baptism like His, thereby dying and rising with Him, so that “we will also live with Him” (Rom. 6:8). Indeed, all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus are anointed with His Spirit and named by His Father as beloved and well-pleasing sons and daughters.
FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
Large Catechism, Article IV: Baptism, paragraphs 64-68
We must know what Baptism signifies and why God has ordained just this outward sign and ceremony for the Sacrament by which we are first received into the Christian Church. The act or ceremony is this: we are sunk under the water, which passes over us, and afterward are drawn out again. These two parts, (1) to be sunk under the water and (b) drawn out again, signify Baptism's power and work. It is nothing other than putting to death the old Adam and affecting the new man's resurrection after that [Romans 6:4-6]. Both of these things must take place in us all our lives. So a truly Christian life is nothing other than a daily Baptism, once begun and ever to be continued. For this must be done without ceasing, that we always keep purging away whatever belongs to the old Adam. Then what belongs to the new man may come forth. But what is the old man? It is what is born in human beings from Adam: anger, hate, envy, unchastity, stinginess, laziness, arrogance - yes, unbelief. The old man is infected with all vices and has by nature nothing good in him [Romans 7:18]. Now, when we have come into Christ's kingdom [John 3:5], these things must daily decrease. The longer we live the more we become gentle, patient, meek, and ever turn away from unbelief, greed, hatred, envy, and arrogance.
This is Baptism’s true use among Christians, as signified by baptizing with water.
<< Home