This Week at St. Paul
Fifth Sunday of Easter
He Lives to Be the Only Way to HEaven
The gospel is the most inclusive message in the world. The benefits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are meant for every man, woman, and child who ever lived. The gospel is also the most exclusive message in the world, for it maintains that salvation can only be found in one place—the person of Jesus Christ. Just listen to how Jesus speaks: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus doesn’t say, “I will show you the true way to eternal life.” The prophets and apostles could say that. But Jesus says, “I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life you crave.” And note that definite article: “the,” not “a”! Jesus is not a way into heaven. He is the way. There is no other way than through faith in the One who died and rose again.
The unbelieving world finds this claim—that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven—to be the most offensive teaching in all of Scripture. Yet this is the very truth upon which Christ builds his Church.
Gospel—John 14:1–11
First Reading—Acts 4:8–12
Second Reading—1 Peter 2:4–10
Psalm of the Day—Psalm 118
Gospel Acclamation—John 14:6
Hymn of the Day—Welcome, Happy Morning (CW 469)
Remember in your prayers...
- This year's youth confirmands, and all the young people of our congregation as they continue to grow in maturity and in their life of faith.
- The family of Doris Herrewig, who was recently called home to heaven.
- Bill Steckel, who is continuing to rehabilitate following 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
Confirmation Sunday—May 7
Sunday May 7, we will be celebrating the Rite of Confirmation for 8 young people at the Wonewoc campus. 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. A list of confirmands can be found in the insert in the bulletin today.
Quarterly Voters' Meeting Information
At the quarterly voters’ meeting on April 30 at the Wonewoc campus, the following business was conducted.
- The voters approved calling of Mr. Matthew Wurster to serve as principal.
- The FY 2024 budget was approved.
- There was also information presented on replacing the carpeting at the Hillsboro campus. The current suggestion is to replace the carpet with vinyl flooring. We are looking for other suggestions and ideas. Current estimated cost for vinyl floor both upstairs and downstairs is around $55,000.00. The goal would be to have this project completed before Christmas 2023.
Copies of the minutes of the voters’ meeting can be found on the back table at Wonewoc and in the narthex at Hillsboro.
Teacher Call
Mr. Dan Schulz, of Manitowoc, has returned the call to serve as 7-8 grade teacher here. We have issued a request for a graduate. Commencement and call day at MLC is Saturday, May 13. We trust Lord’s plans for us as a school moving forward, that he will provide the teacher we need.
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.
Change for Life
Again, this year, our congregation is participating in the Change for Life Program to support the ministry of New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers. New Beginnings is a WELS based ministry that helps single mothers pave the way to self-sufficiency in a Christ-centered home. Beginning on Mother’s Day we will give gifts to build a better future for the mothers and babies they serve. Look for the Change for Life display on May 14. Pick up a baby bottle, take it home and have everyone in your household fill it with their spare change on a daily basis. On Father’s Day, return the filled bottle to church where the money collected will be sent to help the mothers and babies at New Beginnings.
Considering Confirmation
May 7 at 9:15am—Hillsboro Campus
This Sunday, eight young people of our congregation will go through the rite of confirmation. In this single-lesson study, we will consider some historic and current confirmation practices in the light of God's Word.
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
Synodical Council holds spring 2023 meeting
wels.net/synodical-council-holds-spring-2023-meeting
The Synodical Council (SC) met last week for its spring meeting.
The SC reviewed financial results for the synod and its subsidiaries. The results are very positive due to increased gifts and lower-than-planned spending, which has led to increased levels of special fund reserves. We thank God for moving his people and WELS congregations to give generously in support of the work we do together as a synod.
The SC approved the support forecast (an estimate of the financial support that will be available to support the synod’s mission and ministry) for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025. On the basis of the support forecast, the SC approved the ministry financial plan that will be recommended to the synod convention this summer. Expenditure levels are anticipated to be $88.7 million for Fiscal Year 2024 and $90.9 million for Fiscal Year 2025.
The SC is recommending a 2.5 percent increase in salary for called and hired workers for each year of the coming biennium. The SC will continue to review the potential need for adjustments to the salary matrix throughout the biennium.
The SC encouraged the synod leadership to explore alternate funding models for capital projects to enable projects currently under consideration to move forward more quickly. Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., were encouraged to determine the scope of planned projects and to begin efforts to seek financial support for those projects once the scope is determined. The SC authorized the establishment of a Capital Projects Fund to support current and future capital projects of the synod.
The SC made the following appointments or reappointments:
- WELS Foundation board: Mr. Scott Neitzel, Mr. John Pahmeier, Mr. David Wendland, Mr. James Brenn
- WELS Church Extension Fund board: Mr. Joel Kock
- WELS Retirement Commission: Mr. James Hahm, Mr. Thomas Medema
- WELS VEBA Commission: Mr. Robert Bullens, Mr. Kyle Koltz, Mr. Daniel Markgraf, Rev. Joel Sauer
- Northwestern Publishing House board: Rev. Justin Dauck
- Accounting Oversight Committee: Mr. William Schultz
- Advisory member of the SC: Mr. Jim Rademan, associate coordinator of Congregational Services
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
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.
