September 14/17, 2017 Pentecost 15
First the cross, then the crown.
Liturgy: Service of the Word (p.38)
Hymns: 125 428 314 345
Psalm 121 (p.112)
Lesson: Jeremiah 15:15-21 The mighty prophet, Jeremiah, experiences the great internal battle of every believer in the true God. On the one hand, the Lord's words are his staff of life. On the other hand, he must bear the grievous and incurable wound of declaring judgment to the people he loves. Repentance is God's prescription for the wayward prophet. Epistle: Romans 12:1-8 God's mercy, not our accomplishments, moves his New Testament people to spiritual worship. Our bodies are living sacrifices. Our minds are renewed in the image of their Creator.
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-26 Satan again tempts our Lord Jesus to abandon the way of the cross (see Matthew 4:8-10). This time his clever appeal is made through Jesus' beloved disciple, Peter. Nothing less than the world's eternal salvation lay in the balance. The Savior's stinging rebuke was fitting. Christianity without the cross is an impossibility both for the Savior and for His disciples.
Sermon Text: Galatians 6:12-16
Boast in the Cross
1. The cross means crucifixion.
2. The cross regulated circumcision.
A note about the Lord’s Supper
Because God calls for complete unity of faith as a basis for oneness in the Sacrament, we ask that those who wish to receive Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament be of our confession of faith as members of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod. Visitors, please announce your intent to commune before the service.
Sunday Bible Class: Luther and Justification
Our after-church Bible classes continue this Sunday, 10:45-11:15 AM, in the Overflow Room. Seeing that we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation this fall, we’ve begun a video-based Bible study entitled Reformation: Grace, Faith, Scripture. Short video clips from the new Luther movie are shown just before the start of the service, and then used with the Bible study after church.
Vignette # 2: Justification by grace
Are we good enough for God? The Bible gives this answer: “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But the Bible quickly tells us that God had given us an undeserved gift—he declares us right and holy because of Jesus. The passage goes on to say, “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).
That principle is vital for every Christian. Luther commented, “When the article of justification has fallen, everything has fallen. Therefore it is necessary constantly to teach and impress it . . . for it cannot be taught or urged enough or too much.” We can never do enough good to earn anything from God, but he freely gives forgiveness, life, and salvation as gifts to us. We receive these gifts by faith in Jesus.
FVL proposals for expansion/remodeling
There are some copies of the August 30 open house presentation at our Fox Valley Lutheran (FVL) high school in Appleton concerning proposed expansion/remodeling plans. This excellent facility is now around 20 years old, and enrollment has been increasing. FVL’s Board of Regents would like us to vote on the plans at their September 26 General Board meeting, but Pastor Schleis has stated concerns that most of our Federation congregations will not have had their fall Voters meetings (to discuss and authorize their FVL delegates) by September 26. Please feel free to look over those copies, and pass your thoughts to Pastor Schleis and First’s church Council.
Northern Wisconsin District Reformation 500 Service
Our Northern Wisconsin District is holding a special Reformation worship service to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The service will begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI. Prof. Paul Koelpin from Martin Luther College will serve as guest preacher. The Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Chorus will join us as well as choirs from our district's area Lutheran high schools. Following the service there will be a food and fellowship hour in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center featuring displays from around the district and synod. For more information, or to register for tickets to this event, please visit: www.nwd-wels.org. As of now, there are only around 250 of the 2000 seats still available!
Retirement Planning: Join us for a free seminar at FVL on Wed. 9/27 at 10AM or 6:30PM. Attorney Tori Kluess and Mr. David Wendland will share the fourth presentation in THE WAY Educational Series: Retirement Planning. Discover how to plan to have enough dollars for your golden years that will allow you the freedom you desire and also the ability to support the charities that you love. To register, contact Robert Fischer at rfischer@fvlhs.org or 920-450-8830.
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CALENDAR
Thurs. Sept. 14 6:30 PM Worship Service w/Communion
Sunday, Sept. 17 9:30 AM Worship Service w/communion
Usher: Allan Lemke
10:45 AM Bible Class-Luther
Mon. Sept. 18 9:00 AM Needle Club
Tues. Sept. 19 7:00 PM Pastor at Mt. Olive, Suamico
Wed. Sept.20 5:00 PM Catechism
5:30 PM ChristLight
6:30 PM Church Council
Thurs. Sept. 21 9:00 AM Senior Breakfast Bible Study
6:30 PM Worship Service
Usher: Roger Francois
Thurs. /Fri. Sept. 21/22 Shut-In visits by Pastor
Sun. Sept. 24 9:30 AM Worship Service
Ushers: Greg Keiler (head), Melissa Melotte, Keith Obermiller, Eric Spoerl
10:45 AM Bible Class- Luther
Officiant: Pastor Paul Schleis
Organist: Denise Schleis/Sandi Swoboda
Sunday Offerings Rec’d Budgeted Variance YTD $19,777.60 $19,943.90 ($166.30) 9/3 & 9/10 $4,021.00 $3,626.00 $395.00
“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)
First Ev. Lutheran Church
(Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod)
743 S. Monroe Ave. Green Bay, WI 54301
2nd & 3rd Thursdays 6:30 PM
Sunday Worship 9:30 AM
Sunday Bible Class 10:45 AM
Church Office: 435-7970
Pastor Paul Schleis: 621-0460 (cell phone)
