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 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

February 13, 2022

 

O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequence of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name; 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, February 13, 2022   8:15/8:30 a.m.  Adult/Sunday School   9:30 a.m.           Divine Service     Tuesday, February 15, 2022   No  Morning Prayer   8:30 a.m. Circuit Pastor’s Conference     Wednesday, February 16, 2022   6:00 p.m.  Christian Catechesis   7:00 p.m.  Special Council Meeting

Sunday, February 20, 2022   8:15/8:30 a.m.    Adult/School School   9:30 a.m.            Divine Service     THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR       February 13 - Commemoration of Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos     February 14 - Commemoration of Valentine, Martyr     February 15 - Commemoration of Philemon and Onesimus     February 16- Commemoration of Philip Melanchthon,                             Confessor     February 18 - Commemoration of Martin Luther, Doctor and Reformer

 

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today: Marcia Hanna     

Elder:  Jerry Koestler     

Asst. Usher:  John Schutter   

Greeters:  Cheryl Batt

 

Council Meeting - We will have a special council meeting in the sanctuary on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the best ways to love our brothers and sisters at Trinity as they soon enter into their extra vacancy. 

 

Shrove Tuesday Meal - Join us at Trinity on Tuesday, March 1st for our annual Partnership Shrove Tuesday celebration!  We'll begin in the sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. for a brief time of confession and prayer, and then proceed to the Life Center at 6:15 p.m. for a pancake meal.  Come and feast before the Lenten fast begins!

 

Lenten Schedule - The Elders at St. John’s and Trinity will be meeting February 17 to decide upon the best schedule of services for our congregations during the season of Lent during Trinity’s extra vacancy.  So far we know that our Ash Wednesday Divine Service at St. John’s will be March 2 at 6:00 p.m.  We will have more details about the other Lenten services after the elders’ meeting. 

 

Sunday Bible Study - Join us Sunday mornings at 8:15 a.m. in the church basement for adult Bible Study. We are studying  a new series on Christian ethics.

 

Tuesday Morning Prayer - There will be NO morning prayer next week.  

 

Parish Messenger Articles for the March/April edition are due to Linda Kerkove by February 20.

 

2021 Annual Report is now available in the back of church along the east wall. Please, take one per family.

 

Flower Position Open - If you have an interest in helping order and care for the altar flowers, Christmas poinsettias, palm branches, and Easter lilies, please speak with Janice Reimers who can give you a more detailed description of the job.  We would love to have a volunteer for this position as soon as possible! 

 

Lutheran Witness Renewal - The yearly subscription to the Lutheran Witness will come due on March 1, 2022.  The cost this year is $22.70.  If you do not receive the Witness and would like to or wish to cancel you may also do that in the office.

 

Flocknote Prayer Chain Coordinator Wanted - Want to help send out prayer requests to our congregation on Flocknote? Talk to Pastor Cowell; it’s a lot easier than you might think! 

 

Pastoral Care On Demand - Need prayer, Scripture, Communion, Absolution, or a listening ear? Feel free to call or text Pastor Cowell anytime for a visit at 319-464-5548.

 

A New Birthday Card sign-up sheet is now available on the back table.  If you would be willing to take a month or two to fill out birthday cards, please sign up.  Any questions contact office.

 

New Library Books - Check out the church library as over a dozen new books enter circulation throughout the next few weeks.  Pastor Cowell would be happy to share his recommendations with you!

 

2021 Thrivent Choice Dollars must be directed by March 31. Consider joining others who have directed their Dollars toward St. John’s ministry.

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Lund Reception - Pastor Lund’s last day at Trinity is Sunday, March 6th.  Following the 9:00 a.m. service at Trinity on March 6th at 10:15 a.m. there will be a farewell reception for the Lund family in the Trinity Life Center. 

 

TLC Quilts Available - Don’t forget about the TLC Quilter’s “giving pew” by the east doors of St. John’s.  Feel free to take and give away as many quilts and bears as you’d like!                                                                            

 

Building Healthy Families -  Here’s Your Valentine’s Day Challenge: Tomorrow, go through the entire day WITHOUT saying, “I love you!”  Wait, what? Don’t say, “I love you,” instead, look for other ways to say it. How about, “My life is better because you are in it,” or “I am so proud that you are my daughter,” or, “I am so thankful that God brought you into my life.” Be creative with your words. And remember – on Valentine’s Day and every day - how much you are loved by your Father! (John 15:9-17) Lutheran Family Service - www.LutheranFamilyService.org.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

 

BINGO! The Burt Fire Department is hosting Bingo at the Activity Complex on Friday, February 18.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the Burt Summer Celebration will have a meal available at this time. 

Community Coffee is being held each Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. at the Burt Complex. Everyone is welcome.

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Epiphany 6)

Old Testament: Jeremiah 17:5-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.”

 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:1-20

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

 

Gospel: Luke 6:17-26

Jesus preaches the Beatitudes to a great crowd. 

 

FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

“‘Blessed,’ it says, ‘are the poor.’ Not all the poor are blessed, for poverty is neutral. The poor can be either good or evil, unless, perhaps, the blessed pauper is to be understood as he whom the prophet described, saying, ‘A righteous poor man is better than a rich liar.’ Blessed is the poor man who cried and whom the Lord heard. Blessed is the man poor in offense. Blessed is the man poor in vices. Blessed is the poor man in whom the prince of this world finds nothing. Blessed is the poorman who is like that poor Man who, although he was rich, became poor for our sake.” - Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 5.53-54, qtd. in ACCS: Luke, 104. 

 

LESSONS ON THE LITURGY 

INRI

Often times the letters “INRI” are hung above Christ on crucifixes and artwork.  These four letters are an abbreviation of the title in Latin that Pontius Pilate had posted on Jesus’ cross as he was crucified: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.  In English that is: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.  This title, of which the Jews protested, is a title in which we rejoice.  Jesus is not only king of the Jews, but the king of all creation who reigns forgiveness and peace from the throne of the cross and the kingdom of His resurrection.   

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article V: Love and Fulfilling the Law, para. 133-136

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:2)” [...]

     [This and similar other passages] contain two things: The one is a preaching either of the Law or of repentance, which not only convicts those doing wrong, but also enjoins them to do what is right; the other is a promise which is added. But it is not added that sins are remitted without faith, or that works themselves are a propitiation.  Moreover, in the preaching of the Law these two things ought always to be understood, namely: First, that the Law cannot be observed unless we have been regenerated by faith in Christ, just as Christ says, John 15:5: “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Secondly, and though some external works can certainly be done, this general judgment: Without faith it is impossible to please God, which interprets the whole Law, must be retained; and the Gospel must be retained, that through Christ we have access to the Father, (Heb. 10:19; Rom. 5:2). For it is evident that we are not justified by the Law. Otherwise, why would there be need of Christ or the Gospel, if the preaching of the Law alone would be sufficient?