Our dog Buddha went to heaven today.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we had to send our dog Buddha  to heaven today.  He was in severe pain and kidney/liver failure.  Pray for comfort, especially for Cara, because he has been with our family since we moved to Warrenton, right after Cara was born.  Pray for Karin too, because we all know how much she loves animals and her pets.
 
 
A peaceful Christmas to all of you as you spend it with family and friends, even your pets,  and especially with your Lord and Savior, Jesus!
 
Peace be with you all!
Pastor

prayer request and visitation/funeral plans for Beth Ritter

Please pray for the family of BETH RITTER, DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS' Daughter, as she passed away yesterday. 
 
Visitation is 9am-2pm on Sunday and funeral is at 2pm all at Pitman funeral home in Wentzville. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

DEVOTION:  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4
 
Joy and pain just don't sound right together, do they?  Have you ever heard the phrase "No pain, no gain"?  That is kind of what James is talking about here in this passage. 
 
Think of the times when you grew most in your faith.  Weren't they the times that were most trying and difficult for you?  Maybe you grew stronger in your faith, because you figured out that you couldn't do it on your own but that you had to rely on God for help. 
 
I remember back to when Cara was born.  She was born two months early and her lungs hadn't fully developed yet.  Even before she was born Karin had to be on bed rest from Epiphany Day, Jan 6, to the day Cara was born March 13.  It was a very trying and scary time for us, but it was also a time where we realized that God held our very lives and the lives of our children in His hands. 
 
Other times we didn't realize that we had grown in our faith until later, after the trying and difficult time had passed.  It helped us to appreciate the Lord's goodness and grace when it came in the good times. 
 
It is a tough time for a lot of people throughout the world these days.  For the people in Newtown, CT it seems impossible that anything good could come out of such a tragedy.   But just think of the faiths that are getting strengthened during this time.  Think of the people that are coming to Christ.  And think of all the souls that went to be with Jesus forever that day. 
 
It is a financial struggle for just about everyone these days.  This kind of struggle helps us to realize how much we really don't need, and how much our Lord God truly does supply ALL of our needs.
 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you go through times of faith testing, because you know that God is still with you and making you stronger!  Consider it pure gain to grow in your faith even through the most difficult of times. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, strengthen us through our times of suffering and show us your grace more and more!  Amen.
 

____________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Why did Alexander the metalworker oppose Paul?
 
I'll keep it up another day.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: What do the Scriptures teach about the resurrection of the body?

Answer: They teach that on the last day Christ "will raise me and all the dead." The same bodies that have died shall be made alive.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Thurs- Giving Tree Gift Recipients come to get their gifts in afternoon

Fri- Giving Tree gift recipients come to get their gifts in the morning.

Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; AVENUE OF THE SAINTS (Christmas Special)  11am

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

 

AVENUE OF THE SAINTS WILL BE HERE THIS SUNDAY AT 11AM!!!
Come, hear and sing some great Christmas music with Bill Rowe and Corey Tobias!!

_____________________________________________________________________

PLENTY OF WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS!!!

Sat, Dec. 22 at 5pm-  Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Sun, Dec. 23 at 8:30 or 11am- Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Mon, Dec. 24 at 7pm- Celebrate the Nativity with many carols, hear the choir, and find out what it means that God so loved the WORLD that He sent His only Son at Christmas.

 

Tues, Dec 25, at 9am- Sing MORE Christmas songs and find out what the WORD, that John speaks of is all about. 

 

There is no excuse for not being in worship at least once (if not three different times) within the next seven days!  Come and worship!  Come and worship!  Worship Christ the newborn King!! 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For the family of BETH RITTER, especially Dave and Carol Kohrs, as they mourn her loss after a long battle with many illnesses. 

 

For the community of Newtown, Connecticut that the good news of Christ's salvation might have free course during this most difficult time and that all will find comfort in the salvation won for all mankind in Christ Jesus. 

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Choir needs more sopranos and altos (women)

A request from Molly Hendershot:
 
The choir for tonight and Christmas Eve could still use more altos and sopranos!  There are no altos and only 3 or 4 sopranos. 
 
We are singing two relatively easy songs tonight and two pretty easy songs on Christmas Eve.  Call Molly Hendershot at 359-3120 if you need more info or want to join us!!!
 
 
Thank you!
Pastor and Molly 
 
 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

DEVOTION:  May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.  On the contrary, when he was on Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.  May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!  You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.  2 Timothy 1:16-18
 
I thank God for so many of you who over the years have done and said things to help me in my ministry and just in my life as a pastor, father, and fellow Christian.  I look with great fondness on many of you, my great friends, for how you have treated me over these last 11 years.  I am truly grateful for all of the wonderful people here at St. John's in Warrenton.  You know who you are. 
 
When I think of you, I pray for you just like Paul prayed for Onesiphorus here in this passage today.  Onesiphorus cared very deeply for Paul.  Maybe it was because Paul was the first one to share the Gospel with him.  Maybe because Paul was just a good friend to him before.  Maybe it was just because Onesiphorus was a good Christian man who took the Lord's teachings to heart and did what the Lord God called him to do. 
 
I want to be like Onesiphorus.  I want people to think well of me like Paul thought of him.  I want to be the one who cares for people when no one else wants to.  Don't you?
 
This is the way we should be teaching our kids.  We should teach them to be like Onesiphorus not just with our words but with our actions.  We should show our children, and all of our fellow Christians for that matter, how to be a Christian in this dark and sinful world, so that the light of Christ will shine in that darkness so that more and more will hear of and believe in the love of Christ. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, teach me to be like Onesiphorus so that others may be refreshed and strengthened by You through me.  Amen.
 

____________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Titus?  He was a friend of Paul who accompanied him on at least one of his mission trips.  He started the Christian church on the island of Crete. 
 _____________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Why did Alexander the metalworker oppose Paul?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: Why must we firmly hold to this teaching of justification by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith?

Answer: We must firmly hold to this teaching because

a. it is the most important doctrine of the Christian religion;

b. it distinguishes the Christian religion from false religions, which teach a salvation by works.

c. it gives enduring comfort to the penitent sinner;

d. it gives glory to God for His grace and mercy in Christ.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Wed- Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir practice 7:15

Thurs- Giving Tree Gift Recipients come to get their gifts in afternoon

Fri- Giving Tree gift recipients come to get their gifts in the morning.

Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; AVENUE OF THE SAINTS (Christmas Special)  11am

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

 

AVENUE OF THE SAINTS WILL BE HERE THIS SUNDAY AT 11AM!!!
Come, hear and sing some great Christmas music with Bill Rowe and Corey Tobias!!

_____________________________________________________________________

PLENTY OF WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS!!!!

Wed, Dec. 19, at 6:30pm-  Come and hear Alaina Heitgerd and Gus Klaustermeier play Christmas music on piano with Barb Dreyer, hear the choir sing two wonderful Christmas songs, and find out all about the New Heaven and New Earth!!

 

Sat, Dec. 22 at 5pm-  Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Sun, Dec. 23 at 8:30 or 11am- Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Mon, Dec. 24 at 7pm- Celebrate the Nativity with many carols, hear the choir, and find out what it means that God so loved the WORLD that He sent His only Son at Christmas.

 

Tues, Dec 25, at 9am- Sing MORE Christmas songs and find out what the WORD, that John speaks of is all about. 

 

There is no excuse for not being in worship at least once (if not three different times) within the next seven days!  Come and worship!  Come and worship!  Worship Christ the newborn King!! 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TOMORROW, DECEMBER 19

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, or Steve Robine  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!
 ______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15.  EVERYONE IS STILL WELCOME TO JOIN US!!  We need sopranos!!

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

 CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For the community of Newtown, Connecticut that the good news of Christ's salvation might have free course during this most difficult time and that all will find comfort in the salvation won for all mankind in Christ Jesus. 

 

For the family and friends of CLAIRE BLASE, as they mourn her loss.

 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Avenue of the Saints here at 11am Sunday!!

Come and check out the Avenue of the Saints Christmas worship this Sunday at 11am!!!!!  You will be pleasantly surprised. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

DEVOTION:  At one time wee too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.   Titus 3:3-7
 
After the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School this past Friday, people are looking for answers.  They want to know why this happened, and they want to know what to do about it. 
 
Here are the answers to these questions: 
 
Why did this happen?  It happened because there is evil in the world and there is evil in each one of us.  Sometimes it works itself out in ways like lying, speaking out in words of anger, or any manner of things that seem more acceptable to us but not acceptable to God.  Other times it works itself out of people in horrific ways like it did in that school last Friday.  The man who did it was extremely mentally disturbed.  He was not in his right mind.  Anyone who would do such a thing is never sane.  This too is a consequence of sin.  Sin causes imperfections in all of us as it did to that man. 
 
What can we do about it?  While some answer "Get rid of guns so they aren't available to crazy people."  and others say, "Get more guns so people can defend themselves and their children from crazy people", and still others say "Lock up all the crazy people."  none of these things is going to get rid of malice, anger and other types of sin that cause people to act out in such ways.   The only real answer is JESUS!!
 
Notice what it says in the reading for today.  "We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating each other.  But when the kindness and love of God, Our Savior appeared...."  Satan, sin, death, and hell can only be defeated by Christ!  Once people get that into their heads, that is when true change happens. 
 
Give people Jesus this Christmas!  Give people the same forgiveness, love, mercy and grace God gave you and you will truly see a change! 
 
Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we know that the only answer is YOU!  Help us to share that answer in a world that is full of malice, anger, envy and hate.  Help us share it with people who are hurting because of this tragedy and many others.  Help us to love others and forgive others as You have forgiven us.  Amen. 
 

____________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Titus?
 _____________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: Why can and should I be sure of the forgiveness of my sins?

Answer: I can and should be sure of the forgiveness of my sins because God keeps His promises in Christ.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Tues- Quilters 9am; no Bible study

Wed- Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir practice 7:15

Thurs- Giving Tree Gift Recipients come to get their gifts in afternoon

Fri- Giving Tree gift recipients come to get their gifts in the morning.

Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; AVENUE OF THE SAINTS (Christmas Special)  11am

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

PLENTY OF WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS!!!!

Wed, Dec. 19, at 6:30pm-  Come and hear Alaina Heitgerd and Gus Klaustermeier play Christmas music on piano with Barb Dreyer, hear the choir sing two wonderful Christmas songs, and find out all about the New Heaven and New Earth!!

 

Sat, Dec. 22 at 5pm-  Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Sun, Dec. 23 at 8:30 or 11am- Come and hear all about the magnification of the Lord through Mary and through us and sing some wonderful Christmas songs!!

 

Mon, Dec. 24 at 7pm- Celebrate the Nativity with many carols, hear the choir, and find out what it means that God so loved the WORLD that He sent His only Son at Christmas.

 

Tues, Dec 25, at 9am- Sing MORE Christmas songs and find out what the WORD, that John speaks of is all about. 

 

There is no excuse for not being in worship at least once (if not three different times) within the next seven days!  Come and worship!  Come and worship!  Worship Christ the newborn King!! 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TOMORROW, DECEMBER 19

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, or Steve Robine  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!
 ______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15.  EVERYONE IS STILL WELCOME TO JOIN US!!  We need sopranos!!

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

 CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For the community of Newtown, Connecticut that the good news of Christ's salvation might have free course during this most difficult time and that all will find comfort in the salvation won for all mankind in Christ Jesus. 

 

For the family and friends of CLAIRE BLASE, as they mourn her loss.

 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Readers needed for Christmas Eve

I need a couple people, children or adults, to read the Christmas story (the Gospel reading) on Christmas Eve.  Please reply asap!!!  THANK YOU  IN ADVANCE!
 
Pastor

Prayer Request

A prayer request from Sandy Robine:
 
Please pray for the family of Claire Blase, who was a freshman at Nerinx High School.  She lost a 2 year battle with cancer and is now with the Lord. 
 
Thank you

KFUO this morning

I forgot to send out an email about this yesterday and didn't have time this morning.  You probably missed it unless you were already listening at 8am.  But I will be on again around 9am for the sermon portion of the daily Matins service that they have. 
 
All you need to do is go to the kfuoam.org and click on the "Listen Live" button.  Or you can get a podcast from the website as well. 
 
Peace on your day everyone!
 
 

A short message about the tragedy in Connecticut

Today's tragic events show us that evil and Satan are both very present in the world. Satan is real folks. He is working in the hearts and lives of many to bring about tragedy and to hurt God's loved ones. And so we pray hard tonight. We pray that God's will is done, that He leads us not into temptation, and that He delivers us from the evil one. We pray for the parents, the community, and all who are ourning the loss of dear loved ones no matter what the age. And we say "Come quickly Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit and fill our hearts that we may know the consolation of Your love in the most tragic of times. Amen."

Thanks to our bell ringers!!

A special thanks to the following for ringing the bells at Walmart today!
 
Tony and Sandra Perricone
Don Nolte
Julie Schaumberg
Alan Hofeldt
John and Joanne Hachtel
Doug Walters
Steve and Sandy Robine 
Denise Schlesselmann
 
All the money they raised will go to help those in need in Warren County!!!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

DEVOTION:  So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."   But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.  Acts 27-10-11
 
This is an interesting shipwreck story that you should read sometime if you never have.  It could be made into a movie.  It is about common sense and trust in God and how they go very well together.  What I mean by that is that sometimes Christians forget that God gives us commons sense too. 
 
I'm sure you've heard this story before too, but let me tell it again.  There was a flood and homes were beginning to go under.  A man had to go up to the roof of his house to escape it.  While on the roof he prayed to God.  "God save me from this flood."   A little while later a helicopter came by and lowered a ladder down to the man.  The man refused the help and said, "No thanks God is going to save me from this flood."  A little later a man in a boat came by and told the man to get in.  The man refused again saying, "No thanks, God is going to save me from this flood."  A little while later the floods became too much for the man and he was swept away and drowned to death. 
      When he got up to heaven he asked God, "God, why didn't you save me?"  God answered, "Well, I sent you a helicopter and a boat.  What more did you want?" 
       It sound silly, but a lot of times Christians fail to use common sense.  In other words, common sense is getting to be less and less common.
     Another common sense passage that I like says this, "How can they hear (the Gospel) unless someone tells (preaches) to them, and how can they preach unless they are sent?"  Do we think that somehow our loved ones who don't know or believe in Jesus are going to somehow get Him by osmosis?  NO!  Do we think that someone else, further away and not as associated with your loved one, is going to tell him or her about Jesus?  NO!  God is sending you!  It is just common sense! 
       It is you God is sending!  Stop denying the common sense!  get yourself filled with the Holy Spirit by filling up on God's Word and His Sacraments and then go and share that Gospel!! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, give me a clean heart and a renewed spirit so that I may go and do what just make sense.  Amen.
____________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the lawyer's name who went down with the high priest Ananias to Caesarea with some elders to bring charges against Paul before the governor.
 
No one answered so I am leaving it up one more day.

_____________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: How do you receive this forgiveness of sins?

Answer: I receive this forgiveness through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Bell ringing at WalMart 8am-4pm;  Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

ONE BELL RINGER NEEDED FOR TOMORROW from 2-3pm!!! Please call 636-359-1061 to tell me you can do it!

_______________________________________

GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!   

______________________________________________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 1. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 

 

3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

THIRD (and last) ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, or Steve Robine  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!

________________________________________________________________________________
LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY Dec. 15- 10-11am,   Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!!  (Come hungry!)
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15. 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

 CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Still need one more bell ringer for Friday 2-3pm!

PLEASE HELP ME OUT!!!!  That is the one hour that I can't ring bells on Friday, because I have to take Cara to an eye appointment.  Someone please take the bell ringing for 2-3pm on Friday! 
 
Thanks in advance!!!

December 12, 2012

DEVOTION:  Paul answered, " I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried.  I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.  If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die.  But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them.  I appeal to Caesar."   After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: "You have appealed to Caesar:  To Caesar you will go!"
 
Have you ever seen one of those lawyer T.V. commercials when they say, "Know your rights"?  It usually means that if you are hurt by someone else or hurt on the job, or you are wronged in some way, you have the right to be taken care of and to be helped.  In the same way, if you have been wrongly accused of something, you also have the right to defend yourself and to prove your innocence. 
 
That is what Paul was doing here.  He was wrongly accused of stirring up a riot.  he was also accused of not paying his taxes to Caesar (the same thing they accused Jesus of).  He was wrongly accused of wronging the Jews.  All of this was done to keep him quiet and to keep him from proclaiming the Gospel and the resurrection.  (By the way, they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way back to Jerusalem.)
 
Instead of keeping quiet, Paul used the opportunity to further spread the Gospel.  He knew his rights and he was able to go to Rome to where he shared the Gospel with thousands of people.  And as we see, one of the most famous Christian places in all the world, the Vatican, is there in Rome. 
 
Today, I want you to make sure you know your rights. Know that you can proclaim the Gospel freely wherever you go.  It is the freedom of Religion, the first amendment!!  Know that you can even use opposition against the Gospel as a way to proclaim the Gospel!   
 
Another right as a Christian is to live your life in joy!  You are a child of God.  You have been adopted as His sons and daughters.  And since you have been adopted you enjoy the full rights and privileges of children of God!  Namely eternal life!  You have the rights to it!  Enjoy it every day! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me to enjoy my rights as a citizen of heaven, as a citizen of these free United States, and as your child!  And help me to exercise those rights wherever I go.  Amen.
____________________________________________________________________
MONDAY'S QUIZ:  When Paul went back through Macedonia, because the Jews had made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, who accompanied him?  (I'll leave this up for another day since no one answered it yesterday.)
 
Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, Tychicicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
_________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the lawyer's name who went down with the high priest Ananias to Caesarea with some elders to bring charges against Paul before the governor.

_____________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: How do you receive this forgiveness of sins?

Answer: I receive this forgiveness through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Wed-  Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon noon; Advent Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir 7:15

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!   

______________________________________________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 1. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 

 

3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TONIGHT, DECEMBER 12

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is DAVE WINTER, JIM RAHN, or STEVE MCDOWELL  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!

________________________________________________________________________________
LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY Dec. 15- 10-11am,   Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!!  (Come hungry!)
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15. 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

 CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Tuesday, Dec. 11

DEVOTION:   Acts 22:1  "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense......"  (Please read the rest of the story in the rest of Acts 22 and 23)
 
How bold are you?  Do you like to tell the truth no matter what even if it means you will get punished for it?  Wouldn't you rather just tell a little white lie so you don't get in trouble?  Isn't it better just to go along with the crowd to save face? 
 
Imagine you are a Christian in a part of the world that is hostile to Christianity.  You are caught.  You are brought before a tribunal to pleads our case.  What are you going to do?  Are you going to denounce your faith to save your life?  Or are you going to give a good defense of your faith and proclaim Christ? 
 
That is exactly what Paul had to do.  He was arrested and brought before the crowd to speak.  What did he do?  he told them his story of how he was a persecutor of Christians, but how the Lord Jesus came to him in a vision and completely changed his course.  he told about the love of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins.  He didn't back down.  He didn't wuss out.  He was bold and courageous about his faith. 
 
Now you probably won't be brought before a tribunal during your lifetime (although who really knows).  But you will be given many opportunities to share your faith and to witness about Christ and His salvation.  Are you going to wuss out?  Are you going to remain silent?  Or are you going be bold about your faith? 
 
Prayer:  Lord, help me to be bold like Paul!   Help me to share my faith no matter what the circumstances or consequences.  Amen.
 


____________________________________________________________________
MONDAY'S QUIZ:  When Paul went back through Macedonia, because the Jews had made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, who accompanied him?  (I'll leave this up for another day since no one answered it yesterday.)

_________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins?

Answer: God offers the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel.   

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting at Good Shepherd 7pm

Wed-  Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon noon; Advent Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir 7:15

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!   

______________________________________________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 1. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 

 

3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is DAVE WINTER, JIM RAHN, or STEVE MCDOWELL  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!

________________________________________________________________________________
LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY Dec. 15- 10-11am,   Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!!  (Come hungry!)
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE GROUP AT ST JOHN"S  WHAT DO WE NEED???

Do you want to get our church more active in the cause of protecting and honoring life at all stages.  We have an opportunity to get connected with the St Charles County Lutherans for Life Chapter. 
 
All we really need is someone to represent us and to be the contact person for our congregation to the chapter. 
 
Anyone who is interested please simply respon to this email and I will get you connected to the right person.
 
 
Also, mark your calendars for a special LIFE SUNDAY coming up on Sunday, January 27.   It will be a special Sunday to celebrate our earthly physical lives in Christ and how God is the creator and protector of our bodies as well as our souls, and how he will raise up our bodies on the last day!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For the DREYER FAMILY, as Barb's dad's funeral was yesterday.

 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she continues to deal with her heart issues.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .

  

Bell ringer needed for 2-3pm on Friday!!

I still need someone for 2-3pm to ring bells on Friday.  It is supposed to be much warmer by then, back into the 50s.  Please let me know asap if you are able to do it. Thanks

Monday, December 10, 2012

DEVOTION:   On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.  (Acts 20:7-12 ESV)
 
This passage has always made me giggle.  It probably wasn't all that funny though when it happened.  Can you imagine the grief that must have been going throughout the group.  Can you imagine Paul and the guilt he must have immediately felt? 
 
Or maybe not.  Paul knew that the Word of God was of utmost importance and nothing was going to stop him from getting God's message out before he had to leave, not the time of day, not a kid falling from a third story window, NOTHING. 
 
This passage is a good reminder of how important God's message is.  How important is it to you?  Are you willing to stay up until sunrise to talk about Jesus?  Are you willing to go right back to talking about Jesus even after a person dies and comes back to life in the crowd you are talking with.  I would have to say that that experience would probably wipe me out for the rest of the night. 
 
As much as we enjoy all the trappings of the season and as much excitement as there is in December, we must never forget the importance of what happened at Christmas and that message of salvation it brings.   Always hold first and foremost God's Word of truth, because that alone is the power of salvation for everyone who believes!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me never to forget the importance of your Gospel message.  Amen.
 


____________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Are Jews and Gentiles the same or different under sin?  yes, and grace too!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MONDAY'S QUIZ:  When Paul went back through Macedonia, because the Jews had made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, who accompanied him? 

_________________________________________________________________________

CATECHISM:
Question: How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous (justification)?

Answer: God declares sinners righteous for Christ's sake; that is, , our sins have been imputes or charged to Christ, the Savior, and Christ's righteousness has been imputed or credited to us. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR

Mon- Whispering Pines worship 10am; Confirmation 5pm

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting at Good Shepherd 7pm

Wed-  Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon noon; Advent Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir 7:15

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!   

______________________________________________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 1. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 

 

3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP NEXT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is DAVE WINTER, JIM RAHN, or STEVE MCDOWELL  please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!

________________________________________________________________________________
LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY Dec. 15- 10-11am,   Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!!  (Come hungry!)
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
______________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:15. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE GROUP AT ST JOHN"S  WHAT DO WE NEED???

Do you want to get our church more active in the cause of protecting and honoring life at all stages.  We have an opportunity to get connected with the St Charles County Lutherans for Life Chapter. 
 
All we really need is someone to represent us and to be the contact person for our congregation to the chapter. 
 
Anyone who is interested please simply respon to this email and I will get you connected to the right person.
 
 
Also, mark your calendars for a special LIFE SUNDAY coming up on Sunday, January 27.   It will be a special Sunday to celebrate our earthly physical lives in Christ and how God is the creator and protector of our bodies as well as our souls, and how he will raise up our bodies on the last day!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Christmas is only a month and a half away.  Time to get those Christmas cards!  Where can you get good Christian ones?  how about downstairs at church?  They are in the display case!  Stop by and pick some up!  You can pay Marilyn in the office.   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts.  If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: 

For the DREYER FAMILY, as Barb's dad's funeral is today.

 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN,  as she was in a car accident this past week.  Everything was ok with that, but as they were checking her out after the accident they found some serious heart issues and may have to do surgery.  Pray for God's guidance for doctors and Karen, and for peace in this situation.

  

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER.  As she is still dealing with a severe sickness that has yet to be diagnosed, and as she continues to lose weight and gets weaker, that the doctors are able to find out what is wrong soon. 

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .