And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14
Have you ever heard of the "Miracle of the Holy Fire"?
The Miracle of the Holy Fire is an event which has been documented for over 1,000 years. For those of you who are unacquainted with the Holy Fire, let me explain: each year, on Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Orthodox Patriarch removes his robe and enters the chapel where tradition says Jesus was buried.
A short time later he hands to those who are waiting outside a bundle of burning tapirs.
More candles are lit from his, and still more candles are lit from those. Soon, the whole, crowded church is ablaze with candled fire. The flame is considered so blessed that it is often kept burning as the pilgrims return to their home countries.
Now you're probably wondering what is the miracle? The miracle is this: many people believe the flame miraculously occurs without any human effort. Yes, I know -- you think the Orthodox Patriarch has hidden away some matches or a Zippo lighter.
I don't know about that. I do know the Israeli authorities search the Patriarch to make sure there are no such shenanigans.
Now I am not qualified to investigate, nor have I been asked to give an opinion on the veracity of the Holy Fire. In truth, when it comes to being given a saving faith, the Holy Fire isn't important. You don't have to have an opinion about it.
On the other hand, every person needs to have a position on the miracle of the Savior's resurrection. Faith in the once-crucified but ever-living Lord is of incredible, even eternal, importance. That's what St. Paul was trying to convey to the church in Corinth when he wrote: "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Corinthians 15:17-18).
Paul knew that if Jesus remained dead, all hope in His being the Savior was also dead.
On the other hand, if Jesus' resurrection miracle is a reality (and it is), then everything else Jesus claims, all the promises He made, can also be believed.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may continue to believe in the resurrection of the Redeemer. No matter what the world may say, may I always acknowledge Christ crucified and risen. In the Name of my living Lord I pray it. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What does the word "psalm" mean? song (Way to go Sandy Robine!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: According to Psalm 103, who is supposed to praise the Lord?
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CATECHISM
Question: What was the image of God?
Answer: The image of God was this:
a. Adam and Eve truly knew God as he wishes to be known and were perfectly happy in Him.
b. They were righteous and holy, doing God's will in all things.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- nothing
Thurs- National Day of Prayer Breakfast 6:30am; Prayer service 7am
Fri- Ladies Aid preparing for Saturday's luncheon all day; Also preparations for the tailgate and rummage sale
Sat- Tailgate and rummage sale 7am-1pm; Ladies Aid luncheon, craft, and bake sale 7am-1pm; worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Sunday school 10:15; worship 11am
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NEWS:
National Day of Prayer
Breakfast
St. John's Lutheran Church
950 South Hwy. 47
Warrenton, MO 63383
Thursday – May 3, 2012
Continental Breakfast: 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM
(overflow area of the church sanctuary)
Devotion and Prayers: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier
Organist: Mr. Gene Hilgendorf
(The church will be left open until 12:00 PM
for those wishing to come by and pray)
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
RSVP would be appreciated 456-2888, but not necessary
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LADIES AID LUNCHEON, CRAFT, AND BAKE SALE THIS SATURDAY 9am-1pm!!!
Come and enjoy a wonderful lunch and buy some very tasty baked goods to take home!
Get your mom or grandma something very nice and homemade for Mother's Day!!
along with that there will also be a
TAILGATE AND RUMMAGE SALE THIS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 7am-1pm
This is held in conjunction with the Ladies Aid Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon
Two ways you can help.
1. You can 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.
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ALPHA CLASS CONTINUES THIS WEEK AND EVERY WEEK! TUESDAYS at 6:30pm!!! Bring a dish to share for the potluck!!
Everyone is always welcome even if you haven't been to a class yet! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HELP TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS IN WARREN COUNTY WITH OPERATION BACKPACK
In 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 bring
cereal (single serve sizes)
oatmeal (instant packets)
hot chocolate mix
juice boxes
peanut butter
jelly (squeezable bottles)
soup
spaghettios or beefaroni
mac and cheese
corn
green beans
granola bars
fruit snacks
pudding cup
raisin boxes
applesauce cups
fruit cups
cereal bards
pretzels
individually wrapped crackers or cookies
bread
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY IS LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF AND HUMAN CARE
Lutheran World Relief is often the first to arrive when disaster strikes in this country and around the world. If you care to donate to this cause make your checks payable to St John's and clearly makr the designated envelope for Lutheran World Relief. As always these donations should be over and above your normal tithes and offerings.
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