DEVOTION: Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:20
Recently, General Electric dug up a time capsule at its Nela Park facility.
When the 100-year-old time capsule was opened, there was a copy of a newspaper, The Plain Dealer, dated March 21, 1912. There was a photograph of five, very proud and dignified-looking men: General Electric's board of directors at that time. There were also five incandescent light bulbs.
One of the bulbs was full of water; one of the bulbs had condensation on the inside, but three of the bulbs looked pretty good. Taking a risk, the folks at the time capsule's opening took one of the bulbs and screwed it in. There was rejoicing all around. The bulb still did what it had been designed to do: it gave light.
Thinking of that little light bulb I tried to imagine all the changes the world has seen since it was carefully placed in its resting place 100 years ago.
Humanity has seen two world wars. We have survived a dust bowl and a global depression. We have seen the rise and fall of empires, an eruption of major advancements in technology and medicine. We have even sent men to the moon.
Yes, some things have changed in those 100 years, and some things have not.
The craftsmen whose skilled hands built those bulbs are gone now. The folks who celebrated when the time capsule was placed have all left us. Even those five wealthy, well-dressed men on GE's board of directors have had to say their earthly goodbyes.
No, some things don't change.
This is why you and I should rejoice that the Lord's Light is still doing His job. Almost 2,000 years ago the body of Jesus of Nazareth was placed into a grave, a time capsule, of sorts. By human law, He should have stayed there. But He didn't. Three days after His burial, Jesus came out of that time capsule and showed to all that He was the Light of the world.
Because of Jesus we were freed from darkness. Because of Him we were moved into the light. Because of Him the dark grave had lost its terrible hold on our souls.
In Jesus God's light shone into our darkness.
That is cause for rejoicing all around. God's Son had brought light to our dark world.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, this sinful world has much that is dark. I give thanks Your Son has provided the light, which dispels that darkness and illuminates my life. May I give thanks for the brightness of Your love. In Jesus' Amen. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: WHo was Uriah? Uriah was the first husband of David's wife Bathsheba and also one of the leaders in David's army. David had him put on the front lines, where he was sure to be killed so that he could have his wife. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Joab? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISMQuestion: Why is God the Father called "Maker of heaven and earth"?
Answer: Because in six days He created all things, out of nothing, simply by His Word.
________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH CALENDAR Wed- nothing
Thurs- creative crafters 9:30-11:30
Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Sunday school/Bible class 10:15am; worship 11am
________________________________________________________________________________________________NEWS: PEOPLE GETTING CONFIRMED BAPTIZED OR RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP THIS WEEKENDJennifer Poindexter (adult confirmation)
Will Poindexter (transfer from Orchard Farm)
Emma Poindexter (infant baptism)
Brett Nordwald (adult confirmation)
Brent Davis (transfer from MN)
Donna Lindsey (transfer from Trinity, Troy)
Holly and Nikki DeRoy (affirmation of faith)
Robert and Jane Nitzschke (affirmation of faith)
Kayla Bodimer (baptized)
Mary Aubuchon (affirmation of faith) (Husband Jerry to be confirmed soon)
Glen McRoy (adult confirmation)
Please welcome them and get to know them as they are ne wmembers of St. John's family.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION FOR THE THREE YEAR OLD CLASS IS STILL OPEN!!!Children should be 3 years old by August 1. Call the church office to sign them up TODAY!_____________________________________________________________________________________________CONGREGATION WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 8AM!!!There is a bunch of stuff that needs to be done around the church!! Just show up ready to work at 8am!! Bring tools if you got em. Talk to one of the trustees if you want to know more. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________TAILGATE SALE AND FLEA MARKET iS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 7am-1pmThis is held in conjunction witht he Ladies Aid Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon Two ways you can help. 1. You cna donate GENTLY used items to Little Lambs who will sell them under the pavilion that day. You can buy a parking spot or two or three for $10 a piece and sell your own things Donations are going to the purchase of a "hands on" science lab and curriculum for Little Lambs. Drop of dates are April 30-May 4._____________________________________________________________________________________ALPHA CLASS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, BOTH MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS, BOTH THOSE WHO ARE OLD CHRISTIANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF JESUS!!!There are still spots left to sign up for the ALPHA class, but not too many. It is a class for those who are new to the Bible and Christianity (making it a perfect opportunity for outreach and evangelism. but it is also good for the seasoned Christian to review and to grow in the faith. Many of the questions you have alway had but have been afraid to ask will be answered. Please call Sandy Robine to sign up TODAY! 456-4061. Or email snsrobine@centurytel.net. It starts Tuesday night April 17!!!______________________________________________________________________________________________________________THE WHOLE CONGREGATION CAN SIGN UP TO HELP TO WORK FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN INDIANA AND KENTUCKY Go to
https://lcc.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=697 and fill out the form. A report of your signing up will come directly to my email.
SInce there aren't a whole lot of Sr Hi kids signing up for it, I have decided to open it up to the whole congregation.
The dates we are going are Sunday, July 8- Saturday July 14. We will leave after church on Sunday and return on Saturday in the erly afternoon.
We will be staying at Camp Lakeview, a Lutheran camp just south of Indianapolis. Check it out at
http://www.camplakeview.com/.
If you need any mor einfo before you sign up, you know where I am 636-359-1061.
___________________________________________________________________________________________HELP TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS IN WARREN COUNTY WITH OPERATION BACKPACKIn the preschool room there is a box that you can put food in to feed extremely low income children in Warren County. Many of these kids get fed every day at school for breakfast and lunch, but what about the weekend? What the food listed below does for many of these children is gets them through the weekend when food is especially scarce. If you want more information about this program or you want to donate money to this causeyou can call Erin Waters at 359-9219 or email her at erinwaters@centurytel.net. Here is the list of food you can bringcereal (single serve sizes)oatmeal (instant packets)hot chocolate mixjuice boxespeanut butterjelly (squeezable bottles)soupspaghettios or beefaronimac and cheesecorngreen beansgranola barsfruit snackspudding cupraisin boxesapplesauce cupsfruit cupscereal bardspretzelsindividually wrapped crackers or cookiesbread___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL ON APRIL 21. Cost is $65 per person. Sign up sheet in on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn in the office to sign up. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!!! SIGN UP TODAY!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
LHM is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches, missions, and ministry worldwide. The daily devotion above comes from LHM almost every day. If you wish to donate ot it please make a check out to LHM and put it in a specially designated envelope.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. I will sign you up! The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
FOr KEN DOVE (former member of St. John's and Jennifer Figura's dad) who is undergoing surgery today.
For CAROLINE BUELTMANN who is recovering at her daughter's home from some heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who will be undergoing more treatments for cancer.
For LIBBY PAILER as she continues to recover well at home from heart surgery.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she deals with chemo treatments for stage four lung cancer.
For CAL TAMELER as he continues to recover after eye surgery.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is improving well and is gaining strength as he deals with his cancer.
