Tuesday, May 19, 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               


 

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 17, 2020

 

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those 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, May 17

   9:00  a.m.      Divine Service (Easter 6) (C)               

Sunday, May 24

   9:00 a.m.        Divine Service (Easter 7)  (C)

   

  THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR

  May 21    

    Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord

 

  (also) May 21

    Commemoration of Constantine, Emperor, 

         and Helena, his mother



 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today:        Marcia Hanna            Elder for May: Tony Hatten

 

Parish Messenger Articles for the June/July/Aug. edition is due to Linda Kerkove today.  

 

Carefully consider your return to church - We rejoice that those who are able can attend the Divine Service at St. John’s once again. However, we urge you to take personal responsibility for determining whether or not you should be coming to church Sunday morning.  If your age or health puts you at advanced danger of illness, please stay home at this time.  Likewise if you have been traveling or are not feeling well, please stay home.  This is the best way you can love your neighbor at this time.  You should feel no judgement from God or your congregation for taking these precautions.  We at St. John’s are happy to support you as you make the best decision for your own unique personal situation. 

 

Pastoral care available - Pastor Cowell continues to be available for pastoral care.  He is happy to hear your confession and absolve your sins or to give you Holy Communion individually at any time.  If you are not comfortable visiting or being visited, he is happy to talk with you on the phone.  His cell phone is 319-464-5548.  

 

Resources for your faith at home - St. John’s will continue to offer a variety of resources to feed your faith during our time away until you feel comfortable returning to church.  Here is a list of some of them:

  • You’ll find in the back of church devotions, prayer services, Bible studies, and Lutheran magazines. Feel free to stop in at church any time and grab some.  Don’t forget about our church library as well!

 

  • We will continue to post a Matins service and sermon at stjohnsburt.org. Click the microphone on the homepage to access it.  

 

  • Click on the Trinity YouTube icon on the homepage of stjohnsburt.org to see live-streamed and recorded video services from Trinity, Algona, daily video devotions from the partnership pastors, evening prayer Mondays at 7:00 p.m., “Ask the Pastors” Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and morning prayer Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. 

 

  • Click on the “St. John’s Kids” YouTube icon on the homepage of stjohnsburt.org to access the new St. John’s YouTube channel. Currently there is a series of kids videos on various topics of the faith. But, here's a secret: these videos are good for adults as well! 

 

  • Follow @stjohnsburt on Facebook to receive daily online resources spanning many areas of your Christian faith. 

 

Stay connected during our time away - During this time please be sure that the church has your current phone, cell phone, and email.  Also be sure that your Flocknote communication preferences are up to date.  You can call Pastor Cowell at 319-464-5548 if you need help with this.  

Offerings and alms during our time away – Thank you to everyone who has been mailing in your offerings to our Lord during our time away! With the uncertain economic future of many of our members, now is the time to consider St. John’s your special mission project.  If it is within your financial means, consider giving above your regular tithe to the work of the ministry at St. John’s until life begins to return to normal.  Also, if you or your family has encountered any financial hardship during this time, don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Cowell to see if our congregation can help in any way. 

 

St. John’s T-Shirts! - St. John’s decided to take advantage of a great deal on bulk-order T-shirts from Threads in Algona.  Below is a design.  They are dark blue and are available in all standard sizes (and fit according to standard sizes).  Call or text Hannah Cowell at 712-294-4962 by June 15th to order.  All sizes are $6.  You can pay Hannah either when you order or when you receive the shirt near the end of June.   

                                                                                     

               

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Trinity, Algona Schedule - All congregational activities at Trinity, Algona have been suspended until further notice. You can receive updates and 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. 



COMMUNITY NEWS

 

The VFW Memorial Day Service will be held at the Burt Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25th. We will do the Roll Call and fire the 21 Gun Salute. Those who feel comfortable and practice social distancing are welcome to attend. There will be no service or lunch at the Burt Complex.

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Sixth Sunday of Easter)

First Reading: Acts 17:16–31

Paul explains to the idol worshipers and philosophers in Athens that God is the creator of all things, and that we are created in His image. 

 

Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13–22

Peter teaches us: to be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in us, that our Baptism corresponds to Noah’s rescue in the ark, and that Jesus currently sits at the right hand of God in authority over all things.

 

Gospel: John 14:15–21

The Holy Spirit is our Helper who enables us to love God and keep His commandments. 

 

 

LCMS MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

Ascension Day 

This Thursday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord (forty days after Easter Day).  We do well to remember that when our Lord ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father, this does not mean that Christ remains in one set place in heaven.  The right hand of God is wherever God’s almighty power and authority exists - and that is everywhere!  The writer of Hebrews explains the presence and position of Jesus in this way: 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  

 

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Large Catechism, Part II, Apostles’ Creed, paragraphs 51-55

Until the Last Day, the Holy Spirit abides with the holy congregation or Christendom [John 14:17]. Through this congregation He brings us to Christ and He teaches and preaches to us the Word. By the Word He works and promotes sanctification, causing this congregation daily to grow and to become strong in the faith and its fruit, which He produces.

God's grace is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Spirit through God's Word in the unity of the Christian Church. Yet because of our flesh we are never without sin. Therefore, in the Christian Church we daily receive the forgiveness of sin through the Word, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. So even though we have sins, the Holy Spirit does not allow them to harm us.