DEVOTION: But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
By now many of us have been Christmas shopping.
Most of us are pretty much alike in the things we need to make that annual venture into the mobs of madness, which surround the season of gift giving. We get our car keys, our lists, our checkbooks and credit cards. I am willing to say not a single one of our Daily Devotion readers remembered to bring -- and were planning on using -- their cans of tear gas.
Even so, that is exactly what a woman did at a Los Angeles Wal-Mart. Afraid she would not capture her choice presents, she decided to gas the folks who were waiting in line with her. It appears her plan was a success as she managed to move 200 fellow shoppers out of her way.
Police Lieutenant Abel Parga told the Associated Press the lady was "competitive shopping." That's putting the "best construction on everything." If I had been one of those who had found my eyes watering and my throat burning, I would have referred to the lady as being "an out-of-control, over-stressed individual, who had deliberately and with malice aforethought committed a massive assault and battery upon innocent and unsuspecting shoppers."
What the lady did was terribly wrong and hardly the kind of way God's people ought to remember the Savior's birth. The only positive thing I can say about the woman is that she understood better than most the point St. Paul was making in our Daily Devotion text for today.
By that I mean she was successful as she strained toward what lay ahead; she was solid as she pressed on toward her goal; she was single-minded in her desire to win the prize.
Sadly, the acquisition of Christmas presents -- and not the worshipping of the Christ -- was her goal.
In that, I suppose, she is not alone. Maybe you know some folks who go Christmas shopping, but never worship the Lamb of God.
This is why we who have seen the gift of forgiveness and salvation the Babe of Bethlehem has won should always keep His worship at the forefront of our celebrations. The world may see the gifts, but we need to see God's great gift of grace which comes to us in the Person of His Son.
Worshipping and sharing the Savior ... that is the goal toward which we must press this Advent, and always.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me ever mindful that while earthly gifts and presents are nice, they are but a shadow of the gift which is given to us in Jesus' birth. May His presence in our hearts keep all our Christmas' celebrations in proper perspective. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
--
You
By now many of us have been Christmas shopping.
Most of us are pretty much alike in the things we need to make that annual venture into the mobs of madness, which surround the season of gift giving. We get our car keys, our lists, our checkbooks and credit cards. I am willing to say not a single one of our Daily Devotion readers remembered to bring -- and were planning on using -- their cans of tear gas.
Even so, that is exactly what a woman did at a Los Angeles Wal-Mart. Afraid she would not capture her choice presents, she decided to gas the folks who were waiting in line with her. It appears her plan was a success as she managed to move 200 fellow shoppers out of her way.
Police Lieutenant Abel Parga told the Associated Press the lady was "competitive shopping." That's putting the "best construction on everything." If I had been one of those who had found my eyes watering and my throat burning, I would have referred to the lady as being "an out-of-control, over-stressed individual, who had deliberately and with malice aforethought committed a massive assault and battery upon innocent and unsuspecting shoppers."
What the lady did was terribly wrong and hardly the kind of way God's people ought to remember the Savior's birth. The only positive thing I can say about the woman is that she understood better than most the point St. Paul was making in our Daily Devotion text for today.
By that I mean she was successful as she strained toward what lay ahead; she was solid as she pressed on toward her goal; she was single-minded in her desire to win the prize.
Sadly, the acquisition of Christmas presents -- and not the worshipping of the Christ -- was her goal.
In that, I suppose, she is not alone. Maybe you know some folks who go Christmas shopping, but never worship the Lamb of God.
This is why we who have seen the gift of forgiveness and salvation the Babe of Bethlehem has won should always keep His worship at the forefront of our celebrations. The world may see the gifts, but we need to see God's great gift of grace which comes to us in the Person of His Son.
Worshipping and sharing the Savior ... that is the goal toward which we must press this Advent, and always.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me ever mindful that while earthly gifts and presents are nice, they are but a shadow of the gift which is given to us in Jesus' birth. May His presence in our hearts keep all our Christmas' celebrations in proper perspective. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Demetrius?
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Demetrius?
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CATECHISM:
5th commandment: You shall not murder
Question: Does anyone have authority to take another person's life?
Answer:
Yes, lawful government, as God's servant, may execute criminals and fight just wars.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Mon- confirmation 5-6:15; all ladies Christmas party at Big Boys 6pm
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid Luncheon noon; supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- nothing scheduled
Fri- Bible study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- 9-11 Children's program practice; 4-7 grade children's choir practice 10am; worship 5pm; youth group Christmas party 6:30
Sun- Bible study 8; worship 9; Sunday school and Bible study 10:15
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NEWS:
NEWS:
DON'T FORGET TO START WORKING ON YOUR PRAYER AND CARE JOURNALS.
If you weren't in church yesterday come next Sunday to see what that means.
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WEDNESDAY, DEC 7 is the second Midweek Advent dinner and worship.
If your elder is Jim Rahn, SteveMcDowell, or Dave Winter you are responsible for bringing a side dish, and a salad or dessert for our first dinner. Your elder will be calling you in the days and weeks ahead.
We will be having a special interview with ABRAHAM as part of our worship at 7pm!
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GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 11!!!
They will be distributed next week so please get them in pronto!
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE SCOTT'S this Saturday at 6:30pm
Hey high school kids, please come to Gary and Teresa Scott's house with a white elephant (funny joke gift) to share and to enjoy some good food, fun, and fellowship.
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BUY A POINSETTIA FOR THE ALTAR CHRISTMAS IN MEMORY OF OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE!!
Please sign the sheet in the narthex by Wednesday, Deember 14. They are $12.50 each.
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A MOMENT OF GRACE FLORIST IS DONATING 10% oF EACH ST. JOHN'S MEMBER'S SALE BACK TO THE CHURCH
Each time you purchase flowers and other gifts from A MOMENT OF GRACE and tell them you are a member at St. John's, the church receives a tithe from them. A Moment of Grace is located at 511 N Hwy 47 and the phone number is 456-9334.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICE AGAIN THIS COMING SATURDAY 9-11am!!
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4-7 GRADE CHOIR PRACTICE iS SUNDAY at 10am
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For EMMA, seven year old granddaughter of Terry and Lynn Russell, and great granddaughter of Elaine Schauer, who has an unidentified growth near her abdomen.
For the FAMILY OF BILL SAGER, former member of St. John's who moved to Oklahoma about five years ago, as he passed away last night after a stroke.
For THE FAMILY OF RUTH CANTRELL as they mourn her passing from death to eternal life.
For the FAMILY OF LEONARD BASS as he passed away to Wednesdays ago and his funeral was last Friday.
For CHERYL HAZEL who is Lil Winter's, daughter in-law's cousin. She has Stage 4 bone cancer.
For BONNIE FRENZIA who is doing much better at home.
For RICH (son of Burket Fickle - she works for Dr. Brady DDS here in Warrenton). He has been, and is, very sick and keeps running high fevers and they don't seem to find out what is causing his illness.
For KEN WAGNER who is at St. Joes in St Charles, and is going through physical therapy after a fractured vertebrae in his neck.
For JANICE MCKENZIE who is having trouble w/ breathing and is undergoing tests.
For ED KOHRS who is at Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield
For Robyn McNew's cousin MARY KUTRIP who is dealing with terminal cancer and has quit doing treatments for it.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.
--
You
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