St. John's Group Email Wednesday, September 7, 2011

DEVOTION:     Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." And He laid His hands on them and went away. Matthew 19:14-15

Many thanks to retired military man John Perkowski (LTC Retired) for sharing the idea and background research for this Daily Devotion.

Abdul Samad is a 10-year-old boy who lives in Pakistan.

If the old poem is right and if Samad's life was normal, at the age of 10 he should be made of "frogs and snails and puppy dog tails." But in Samad's case, the poem isn't right, and his life has hardly been normal.

Last May Samad was kidnapped by militants in Quetta, a provincial capital in Pakistan. His kidnappers whisked him away from the life he had known, transported him across the border and there they gave him an education: an intense education.

After his kidnappers were convinced Samad was ready, they returned him to his native land with explosives strapped to his body and a target he was supposed to destroy.

Samad was arrested by authorities before he was able to complete his mission.

Others have not been so lucky. On May 1st, four civilians were killed and 12 were injured by a 12-year-old boy who blew himself up in a crowded market.

Pakistan's Ministry of Interior Affairs has condemned the practice of making children suicide bombers as "unforgivable, shameful, un-Islamic, and inhumane." To that all of us would agree.

As I thought about the real-life story of Abdul Samad, I began to wonder what do you say to a 10-year-old little boy to make him a suicide bomber? Do you threaten his family? Do you tell him he will be a hero? Do you promise him a martyr's entry into the heaven of Islam? Do you convince him that you and your terrorist pals are his only friends?

What do you say?

I know what I would like to say to Abdul Samad. I would like to let him know there is another way, a better way than the path these men want him to walk. That way is the path of the Savior -- a Savior who loved him so much He willingly gave His life so Abdul will never die.

I think life can have no greater joy than to let Abdul Samad and all of the world's children know that in Jesus they have a Redeemer who doesn't want them to hate or commit suicide. No, Jesus wants them to love as they have been loved -- and He wants them to live forever with Him in paradise.

This, I guess, is one of the reasons Lutheran Hour Ministries has all those offices around the world. Somebody has to let the Abduls of the world know about Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for my faith, my Savior, I give thanks. Now may I do what I can to let the lost of this world know You love them and wish to bless them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   (Our answer is from From Pat King who is our new champion!)
Zadok was a Klingon warrior, who, in a fit of testosterone bravado, decided to attack a Romulan warbird, was defeated – and killed – by the Romulan Tek'Tok in the Neutral Zone. Stardate 26927.
 
Oh, you meant the other Zadok? Well, he was the Zadok (Hebrew: Tzadok צדוק, meaning "Righteous"), who was a priest of descended from Eleazar the son of Aaron, who aided King David during the revolt of his son Absolom, and was consequently instrumental in bringing King Solomon to throne. After Solomon's building of The First Temple in Jerusalem, Zadok was the first High Priest to serve there.
 
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Belteshazzar?
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CATECHISM QUIZ: 
Question: What does God require of us in the Second Commandment? 
Answer: (Look up the answer in your catechism.  The first one to get it right will get some candy on Sunday morning!)
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Bell choir 6:30; choir 7:30
Thurs-
Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Bible study 10:30; CHURCH PICNIC  NOON
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NEWS: 
THERE ARE A LOT OF THING HAPPENING THIS WEEK, THIS WEEKEND, AND NEXT WEEK!! 
 
1. BELL CHOIR AND CHOIR STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY:  If you have been wanting to get involved in either of these, please show up at 6:30pm for bells or 7:30pm for choir.  Try it out!  You might like it!
 
2. SUNDAY SCHOOL starts on Sunday at 10:15!!!  Opening will be in the sanctuary!!!  Please come and join us!!  If you have been a little lax in your Sunday school attendance lately now is a good time to get back into it. 
 
I will be giving a brief instruction to 6,7, and 8 graders on acolyting right after the Sunday school opening. 
 
3. CHURCH PICNIC IS THIS SUNDAY AT THE STARK'S PROPERTY BEGINNING AT NOON!  Invite your friends!  Bring a side dish and salad or dessert to share!  Come and enjoy a beautiful day, the wonderful scenery, the zipline, lots of fun and games and great fellowship!
 
4. CONFIRMATION STARTS NEXT MONDAY!!!  5-6:15.  Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.  If you have any questions or concerns please call me at 359-1061.
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DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION FOR THE MEN'S RETREAT IS THIS FRIDAY!!! 
You can get registration forms and even register online at www.t3mensretreat.org
 
$40 till September 9!!!  $45 after. 
 
$35 for golf!!
 
Reduced cost of $25 if you only want to be up there on Saturday. 
 
 
It is one of the highlights of my year.  Great golf, even better food, and excellent friends all gathered together in the fellowship of God and His Word.  Call 359-1061 or email me to ask all the questions you want. 
 
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I STILL NEED PEOPLE TO SIGN UP TO RUN THE PROJECTOR.  IT ONLY REQUIRES THAT YOU CAN PRESS A BUTTON AND PAY ATTENTION DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE. 
 

October

1- mckenzie

2- Panhorst

 

8-

9- Winn

 

15-

16- Heitgerd

 

22- mckenzie

23- Schaumberg

 

29- mckenzie

30-

 

November

5- mckenzie

6-PEPER

 

12-

13-PEPER

 

19-

20-PEPER

 

23- (Thanksgiving Eve) mckenzie

24- (Thanksgiving Day)

 

26-

27-

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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP THINGS COMING UP!
1. Sunday, September 25- Lead worship; I need ushers, a reader and some song leaders.  Let me know if you are interested.
 
2. Sept 30 and October 1- Firstfruits weekend at the ROCK.  Pastor Randy Wilken invites groups to come down to St. Louis on the first weekend of each month to serve, worship, and fellowship with other Christians from around the area.  We are signed up to go down there Friday, Sept 30 and Sat, Oct 1!  It is an unforgetable and wonderful experience.  Make plans ot attend!
 
3. Last Sunday of each month- HANGING OUT WITH PASTOR- We will meet at different time and at different locations throughout the year to have some fun and to get into God's Word.  In August we will meet to clean up the highway and have a picnic after worship.  Most of the time we will meet on Sunday evenings. 
 
Invite your friends to all of these things.  It is a great way for them to see that Christianity is pretty cool and can be a lot of fun! 
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH whose tests came back postivie for cancer.  He will be starting chemo treatments in a couple weeks.
 
For LIL WINTER who is home and recovering but will need more tests and will need to get a pacemaker sometime soon.   
 
For PEGGY GILKEY who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
 
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   
 
For EVELYN SHERMAN who is home and recovering well from a broken hip.
  
For RUTH CANTRELL who is at home and STILL recovering very slowly.  
     
OUR CHURCH as we continue the CARE PROCESS.  
 


 

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