This Week at St. Paul
Fourth Sunday of Easter
He Lives to Be My Good Shepherd
Every culture has the concept of an ideal citizen, someone who typifies its values. For much of the United States’ history, the ideal citizen was the American farmer: hardworking, innovative, vital to our collective well-being. Even some of our first presidents were farmers.
For the people of Israel, the farmer wasn’t their ideal citizen. It was the shepherd. Sheep were an invaluable source of clothing and food. But they were hard to keep in the Judean countryside. Its sparse grasslands are intermixed with desert. For sheep, food is sparse, but predators are plenteous. The survival of sheep was dependent on their shepherd. There he is. Weather- beaten. Sleepless. Armed. In the dusk, he scans the land, counting his sheep, making sure they are all accounted for, every one of them on his heart. You see why Jesus chose the shepherd to illustrate how he cares for us. He feeds us with his Word. He protects us from that roaring lion, Satan. Jesus is leading us into the green pasture of eternal life. For centuries, the Church has observed this Fourth Sunday of Easter to celebrate that he lives to be our Good Shepherd.
Gospel—John 10:1–10
First Reading—Acts 2:42–47
Second Reading—1 Peter 2:19–25
Psalm of the Day—Psalm 23
Gospel Acclamation—John 10:14
Hymn of the Day—The King of Love My Shepherd Is (CW 552)
Remember in your prayers...
- The family of Doris Herrewig, who was recently called home to heaven.
- Bill Steckel, who has been able to return home after his extended hospitalization.
- Val Hagemann, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
- 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
Quarterly Voters' Meeting April 30
The Quarterly Voters’ Meeting will be held Sunday, April 30, at the Wonewoc campus. The time is 10:00 (right after the 9:00 service). After the meeting, please join us for lunch in the church basement.
Confirmation Next Sunday—May 7
Next Sunday, May 15, we will be celebrating the Rite of Confirmation for 6 young people at the Wonewoc campus. The services will be held at the regular worship times of 8:00am in Hillsboro and 10:30am in Wonewoc. Sunday School and Bible Class will take place as usual in Hillsboro. In Wonewoc, examination of the confirmands will take place 9:15am. (There will be no Bible class in Wonewoc). Confirmation will be in the 10:30am worship service.
Piano Recital
St. Paul’s piano students of Mrs. Dianne Pacl will be performing at the annual spring recital on Wednesday, May 3 at the CAL Center in Reedsburg. The time is 6:30pm. Family and friends are cordially invited to come and listen and celebrate the year’s hard work and accomplishment by these young musicians.
Divine Call
Pastor Snyder has returned the call to Trinity Lutheran in Marinette, Wisconsin. As Trinity continues to call for a pastor to fill their vacancy, please pray that the Lord will provide the shepherd that they need.
Teacher Call
The Board of Education has called Mr. Dan Schulz, of Manitowoc, to be our 7-8 grade teacher beginning in 2023-2124 school year. Please keep Mr. Schulz and our school in your prayers that the Lord will direct him and us in to his will in this call.
MLC Wind Symphony Concert May 18
The Wind Symphony from our synod's worker training college, Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, Minnesota, will be at St. John's, Baraboo to help them celebrate their (St. John’s) 150th anniversary. The Wind Symphony will present a concert on the evening of May 18th at church at 6:30pm. All are invited to attend on the evening of May 18th for what promises to be an enjoyable and edifying concert.
SCRIP Cards
We 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.
The Meaningful Life: A Study on If God Matters
Sundays at 9:15am—Both Campuses
April 16–30, May 14–28
At times it can all feel empty and meaningless. Philosophers, writers, and artists throughout history have come to the conclusion that life and its pursuits are meaningless; many people today find themselves agreeing with this conclusion. In many ways, they are correct. Yet when life is considered in the light of the gospel message, we will find true and deep meaning. In this study, we will look at the book of Ecclesiastes to see God’s secret to finding the meaningful life.
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—Wednesdays at 6:30pm—St. John's, Kendall
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.
In Season and Out of Season
Wednesdays at 10:30am—St. John's, Kendall
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.
WELS Together—News & Updates
Together Video Update – April 25, 2023
wels.net/together-video-update-april-25-2023
WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder and Administrator of WELS Ministerial Education Rev. Paul Prange share the blessings and opportunities of MLC Day, Wed., May 3, 2023. All WELS members are encouraged to share the importance of ministerial education, encourage future called workers, and thank MLC’s faithful supporters. Learn more at mlcday.com.
Upcoming Events
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.
