This Week at St. Paul
Third Sunday in Lent
Water for the Thirsty
A person can survive between one and two months without food. But a person can survive only two to three days without water. Water is one of our greatest needs. Research shows that even slight dehydration will adversely affect your mood, memory, and motor coordination. Become seriously dehydrated, and life ends quickly. This helps us understand what Scripture means when it says things like, “My soul thirsts for God” (Psalm 42:2). If one is separated from God, he is adversely affected. If he remains separated from God, he will die an agonizing eternal death.
Not all admit it; yet it remains true for all. Everyone has a deep spiritual thirst. In our heart of hearts, we all long for everlasting life. Unbelievers try to satisfy that deep thirst with worldly things, a strategy doomed for failure. Believers look to the One who has promised, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” Jesus meets our greatest needs. He alone possesses the water that satisfies those who are spiritually parched. He alone grants eternal life.
This Week in Worship
Gospel—John 4:5–26
First Reading—Exodus 17:1–7
Second Reading—Romans 5:1–8
Psalm of the Day—Psalm 95
Gospel Acclamation—John 4:13,14
Hymn of the Day—I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (CW 703)
Sermon
Romans 5:1–8
Our Rare Redeemer
Join Us for Worship!
Remember in your prayers...
- 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
Announcements
Lenten Midweek Worship Schedule
The theme for the 2023 Lenten sermons is “His Final Steps.” The series explores Jesus’ final days before, during, and after his crucifixion. Beginning next week, the services will all take place in Hillsboro. Fellowship suppers are in between services.
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.
Bible Study
Our current Bible study 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 or Kwik Trip grocery only 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.
Easter Lily Orders
We have received information regarding Easter flowers from Blossoms and Bouquets in Wonewoc. You can pick up the info and order forms on the table in back. Blossoms and Bouquets offers a discount if you order before March 24. You can return them in the offering plate and we will get them to Blossoms. If you wish to purchase flowers elsewhere, and would like a memorial in the bulletin, please let Jan Fick know by calling 464-3212 or email office@stpaulhw.com by April 3.
Holy Week/Easter Worship Schedule
Holy Thursday Worship – 6:30pm @ Wonewoc Campus
Good Friday Worship – 1:00pm @ Hillsboro Campus
Easter Dawn – 6:00am @ Wonewoc Campus
Easter Breakfast – 7:00am @ Wonewoc Campus
Easter Festival Worship – 8:30am @ Wonewoc Campus & 10:30am @ Hillsboro Campus
(There is a sign-up sheet in back if anyone would like to bring something for the 7:00am Easter breakfast in Wonewoc).
In Season and Out of Season
Sundays at 9:15am—Both Campuses
February 26—April 2
In his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul wrote, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (4:2). Although originally written as an encouragement to a first-century pastor, Paul’s words are equally applicable to twenty-first century Christians. We have the same message to share with sinners who desperately need to hear it. 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 that message in any and every situation.
Sunday School (PreK–8)
Sundays at 9:15am—Hillsboro Campus
Calling all kids, Sunday School is in session! All children in the congregation, and friends and family who aren't members, are invited and encouraged to attend Sunday School, held at our Hillsboro campus. Students learn about God's love for them revealed in the Bible, and participate in learning and service activities to show that love to their neighbor. Come and join us!
Heirs Together
Women's Bible Study—Mondays at 6:30pm—St. John's, Kendall
^Note date change during season of Lent.^
Women's Bible Study continues to meet at St. John's in Kendall. The next study, beginning February 20, is Heirs Together. This study looks at God's design for men and women and how they work together for the good of his kingdom. All the lessons are meant to provide opportunities for men and women to discuss what Scripture says about their interdependence and the unique applications of unchanging principles for different ministry settings.
Preaching Pictures
Wednesdays at 10:30am—St. John's, Kendall
From humble house churches to sprawling cathedrals, Christians have been decorating their places of worship for millennia. Sometimes, decorations are simply for the sake of decoration. But in churches, art and architecture can serve a much greater purpose; they can help us to learn the good news about Christ. In this study we’ll learn about the history of God’s people’s worship spaces—from the tabernacle to today—and the meaning behind the art and symbols we see each week in worship.
WELS Together—News & Updates
2023 synod convention planning underway
wels.net/2023-synod-convention-planning-underway
Every two years, our synod holds its synod convention. This year the convention will meet at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Mich., July 31–Aug. 3. The theme of the convention is “Embrace the Cross—Anticipate the Crown.” Planning for the convention has already begun.
Rev. Phil Hirsch, president of the Nebraska District, will deliver the essay that expands on and articulates the convention theme. Rev. James Huebner, first vice president of the synod, will preach for opening worship.
One high point of the convention will be the declaration of fellowship with the Obadiah Lutheran Synod in Uganda. This declaration of fellowship is possible because in-depth doctrinal discussions over the past several years have shown that our two synods are united in biblical doctrine and in our adherence to the Lutheran Confessions. Rev. Musa Makisimu, president of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod, will give a presentation to familiarize delegates with his synod’s history and ministry.
Another high point will be the public affirmation of fellowship between WELS and Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional. This is a newly formed synod in Latin America, comprised of a merger of national churches that have already been in fellowship in WELS. (That’s why fellowship is being “affirmed” rather than “declared.”) In the future, new house churches forming out of Academia Cristo efforts also will be joining this synod. Rev. Tonny Quintero, secretary of the governing board of his synod, will address the delegates and give a presentation describing Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional.
This convention will feature elections for the offices of synod president and second vice president. Other elections will be held to determine membership on various synod boards and commissions.
About 400 voting delegates from around the country will attend the convention. Roughly half of the delegates are lay members while the other half are pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. The convention will also be attended by advisory delegates from the Synodical Council, the Conference of Presidents, and various areas of ministry. All voting delegates will be assigned to a floor committee. Each floor committee deals with a specific part of the synod’s mission and ministry and brings reports and resolutions to the convention for action. Memorials, which are calls for action on specific topics, will be assigned to the appropriate floor committee for discussion and recommendations.
All business to be considered by the convention will be published in the Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM). The BORAM will be available on the convention website, welsconvention.net, by May 5, and all delegates and WELS congregations will receive hard copies by the end of May.
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
Upcoming Events
Bible lessons, music, and activities for kids preschool aged through eighth grade.
Bible class geared toward adults and teens, studying books of the Bible and topics of Christian faith and living.
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
579 Lake St., Hillsboro, WI 54634 ~ 608 489-2189
119 S East St., Wonewoc, WI 53968 ~ 608 464-3212
Pastor Peter Snyder
revsnyder@stpaulhw.com ~ 608 479-0778
Pastor Jacob Limpert
revlimpert@stpaulhw.com ~ 608 462-7601
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Hymns marked CW are from Christian Worship: Hymnal © 2021 by Northwestern Publishing House.
