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Serving in the Kingdom of Jesus - Looking Forward to Receiving our Crown!
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crownRevelation 3:11
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21

     Can you imagine, what it will be like to sit with Jesus and rule? He says we already have a crown. He tells us in Ephesians that he is ruling everything for us, believers, his body, the church. A few weeks a man mentioned something about when Christ comes again to rule. However, as I thought of it, Jesus tells us right now that he IS RULING! He comes to us through his Word and rules our hearts. Through his believers, he guides us and influences the world. Consider the Apostle Paul's words in Colossians 1: 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13,14).
     Our Lord already sees us living now as part of his Kingdom. Jesus also says this in Revelation 1: To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Rev 1:5-6).
     Isn't it encouraging to live each day knowing that you are serving the LIVING GOD, Jesus Christ!! To know that Jesus is with us always. However, even greater is to know that one day we will join him at the throne! How can we be certain?? Look to his promises! Humbly lay your sins at the cross, look away from yourself and to Jesus' Word! Jesus makes it so clear that we are his body, his priests and are right now serving in his Kingdom. He desires that we live as he has called us, looking ahead to the day when he brings this present evil world to an end and gives us paradise. Every knee will bow. Believers, now, willingly in service, worship, and honor to their Lord; unbelievers, unrepentant sinners and the wicked, then acknowledging the reality and truth that Jesus is and always was the true Lord and King, True God!! They will see him for what he is, kneel, and receive their eternal judgment in the fires of hell. 
     Why hasn't Jesus come? He is patient and still has more to come to repentance! Do you know someone that is living as if Jesus was not Lord and King? Pray for them. Look for an opportunity to speak to them about Jesus. Strive to set an example of humble service and worship to Jesus. Let your good works that flow from the faith God has given you show in your life. God does not need your works, but your neighbor does. 
     As we come to the end of the church year, Jesus wants us to know he is ruling. He lives and deserves all glory, praise, and honor. At the cross we see our King show the greatest gift of love, sacrificing himself that we might have life, life eternal!! He was in control of the situation then; he is in control of the situation NOW! In times of struggle, even though the Devil and the wicked try to destroy and burden believers, God promises to use it always for our good. Look to him! Continue to praise him and trust in him. Know he is with you. Bring it to him in prayer and know he is with you!! He has given his Word and Life to make you certain! 
     Come meet with Jesus in worship. We worship together at 9:00 am on Sunday morning or Monday evening at 7:00 pm. Even if you are not able to make it in person, I hope you will take time together with your family to sit at Jesus' feet!! Livestream is on at 9 am or check out the service later at
mywels.com/live
 
Check out our Sunday Morning Service live at 9:00 am at youtube.com/c/stpetersmonticello
Service from last week: https://youtu.be/SUEicXmtJWg
Here is the bulletin from last Sunday, November 8, 2020: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6yRHsUCR4ZS7vczOsf7JBl6ZcRXN8Vu/view?usp=sharing
November Calendar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XG2pPbBCxKgxN22oMbWXtoM1XK5dRa5t/view?usp=sharing

Sermon from last Sunday:  Psalm 84 - God's Home Is Where My Heart Is
In our Prayers
  • Audrey Carlson - is still in the hospital. We ask the Lord to grant her strength and healing.
  • Frieda Culp - was in the hospital with weakness, but got home the next day. It was found she tested positive for Covid. She is doing alright, just weak and tired. 
  • Donna & Larry Anderson - have been struggling with Covid the past week or two. 

Thanksgiving Worship - Thursday, November 26 at 9:00 am. 
 
Monday Evening Worship continues at 7:00 pm.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
Sunday school lessons were again sent out to students connected to our church. The lesson sheets should be in the hands of the parents. Parents, you can find links to the lesson level for your child at www.mywels.com/SundaySchool
Wake, Awake!  (hymn last Sunday)
The hymn “Wake, Awake” is based on the parable of the wise and foolish maidens in Matthew 25. The hymn helps us remember and apply this part of the Bible. Jesus will invite us to the eternal feast and celebration of heaven. Be wise! Be ready for his arrival!
Philipp Nicolai is the author of the hymn, both its words and its music. Nicolai was a Lutheran pastor in a town in Germany at the time of an outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1597. During this outbreak, 1400 people died in a seven-month period in Nicolai’s town. It is reported that Pastor Nicolai conducted as many as 30 funerals per day.
In the face of death all around him, Nicolai found joy in his Savior and the certainty of eternal life with him. Can you sense that in the hymn? He wrote these words in the year after the plague outbreak: 
O Jesus, how I wish that I might speak of Thee in shouts of joy like those of the choirs of angels! O how happy I should be to use my thoughts and talents in the service of Thy praise. How devoutly I should sing angelic hymns with heavenly melodies in the midst of the Christian congregation to Thy glory and honor forever! (Christian Worship Handbook)
The form of “Wake, Awake” is borrowed from “Watchmen’s Songs” of the Middle Ages. These secular songs to announce the morning made a fitting form for reminding Christians of the coming of Christ.
“Wake, Awake,” like many hymns, is often called a chorale (kor-AHL). Among Lutheran hymns, in fact, “Wake, Awake” is know as the “King of Chorales.” (Another of Nicolai’s hymns is called the “Queen of Chorales”—can you guess which one?) ["Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (How lovely shines the morning star)]
“Wake, Awake” is sung by many Christians in many denominations. Probably the most famous musical setting is by Lutheran musician Johann Sebastian Bach. His beautiful and well-known setting of stanza two of the hymn can be found by searching online for “JS Bach Zion hears the watchmen”.
WORSHIP.  We will again have worship at St. Peter's, Sunday, at 9:00 am and Monday at 7:00 pm. Communion will be offered at both services. We will be trying to go live at 9:00 am. Go here: www.youtube.com/c/stpetersmonticello
Seventh Video -- God calls his creation really good.  Genesis 1:31
Marriage Moments
You can find the 4th video of the "Marriage Moment" Series above.
Every marriage has its “moments.” That’s why marriage needs moments of encouragement and refreshment. Beginning this October, Marriage Moments are short, weekly videos highlighting one Biblical marriage thought accompanied by a discussion question. Check out the couple's introduction HEREhttps://vimeo.com/449296979

Here is the first week video: https://vimeo.com/449294409
Second week: https://vimeo.com/459096744
Third week: https://vimeo.com/459097733
Fourth week: https://vimeo.com/459098964
Fifth week: https://vimeo.com/459100867
Sixth week: https://vimeo.com/459104795 

Healthy congregations need healthy homes. And healthy homes benefit when couples hear what God has to say about their marriages. Whether a marriage is great or struggling, may God use his Word to bless it! Subscribe HERE: https://welscongregationalservices.net/subscriptions/

Watch the congregational introduction HEREhttps://vimeo.com/449335196
  • OFFERINGS - What a privilege that the Lord blesses us with so much, how can I not but give back to him of my first-fruits! Isn't it great to be a part of God's plan of blessing!! It is amazing how the Lord works through his people!   -- You are invited to use our online giving at mywels.com/giveonline or send in your envelope and/or offerings to church. If you have any questions, please just contact pastor.  
  • IN NEED OF HELP - if you are need of any help during this time, whether it is getting groceries or supplies, whatever it may be, please just call and ask. It is important for us to show the love of Christ in action at this time. Look for opportunities to show love and kindness for your neighbors. Go out of your way to help others. AND especially keep praying for your neighbors, your governing officials, health care workers, people working in the grocery stores and our senior citizens that are isolated in their apartments or nursing facilities. It is a challenging time, but our Lord promises to answer our prayers and never leave us!
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