A Gift for the World

When assessing the seriousness of need, one factor is how widespread that need is. A homeless individual needs food. During a famine, an entire nation needs food. It is substantially easier to meet the needs of the former than the latter! The more widespread a need, the greater the need.

When Jesus said, “No one can enter the kingdom of God,” he declared that the need for salvation is universal. He rightly condemned humanity as a whole. There is no one on the face of the earth who can make the case that they deserve God’s blessing. Yet, ages ago, God declared that all nations would be blessed. God has declared his love for the world and promised he would save the world. God’s gift of salvation is meant for all people.

Some interpret this to mean that all people will be saved in the end. This is not true. The gift of salvation is meant for the world; however, it is received by faith. “Whoever believes in him...” the Gospel says. However, the good news is that faith is also God’s gift, imparted through that gospel. 

This Week in Worship

Gospel—John 3:1–17

First Reading—Genesis 12:1–8

Second Reading—Romans 4:1–5,13–17

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 121

Gospel Acclamation—John 3:16

Hymn of the Day—God Loved the World So That He Gave (CW 570)

Sermon

John 3:16,17

A Gift Even for Me

• Bill Steckel, who remains hospitalized with ongoing complications.
• Val Hagemann, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• John Honer, who is recovering from surgery.
• Our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and the Concord Evangelical Lutheran Church (Russia), our brothers and sisters in Burma, and all others affected by war and rumors of war around the world. Pray for peace among nations and for protection over God's people as they proclaim the true, eternal peace we have in Christ.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

Lenten Midweek Worship Schedule

The theme for the 2023 midweek Lenten sermons is "His Final Steps." The series explores Jesus' final days before, during, and after his crucifixion. Different locations, including the temple and Golgotha, serve as themes for each Lenten and Holy Week service, leading up to Jesus' first steps out of the tomb. Pastors from the area churches will be preaching on a rotating schedule.

For Hillsboro/Wonewoc the schedule is:

March 8—Pastor Sellnow "His final steps led to his Father's house."

March 15—Pastor Wilke "His final steps led to a fig tree."

March 22—Pastor Zuehlke "His final steps led to some Greeks."

March 29—Pastor Waldschmidt "His final steps led to his enemies."

Services will be at 3:30 & 6:30 pm with a meal in between. February 22 through March 8 services will be held at Wonewoc; March 15 through March 29 services will be held at Hillsboro.

Lent Fellowship Suppers

Fellowship suppers will be held between services during Lent. The hosts for the rest of the suppers are:                        

March 8 – Mitchell Family (Wonewoc)

March 15 – Panther Parents (Hillsboro)                   

March 22 – Senior Choir (Hillsboro)

March 29 – Elders/Trustees (Hillsboro)

Bible Study

A new Bible study series began last week. It is titled In Season and Out of Season. Using St. Paul’s experiences in the city of Philippi as a model, In Season and Out of Season seeks to encourage and equip God’s people to share the Gospel in any and every situation with those who desperately need to hear it.  Bible study takes place each Sunday at 9:15am at both campuses. 

SCRIP Cards

We now have SCRIP cards available for immediate purchase or you may order in advance. We have Kwik Trip gas and gift cards on hand that may be picked up after church on Sunday or at the office during the week. You can order many other options. Please contact Brooks Mitchell (608-479-2860) or Bev Ward (608-548-3641) with questions or to order cards. 

Contribution Statements

If you still need your 2022 contribution statements, please email the church office. The address is office@stpaulhw.com. We can then email them directly to you. 

Meditations

Meditations that begin next Sunday are available in the church entry in Hillsboro or on the back table in Wonewoc. Suggested donation is $3.00. The current Forward in Christ is also there.