| So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 The Lord's House is getting a spring cleaning. It's about time. Fifteen-hundred years of living can make a place pretty dirty. And, as anyone can attest, the Church of the Nativity is a pretty dirty building. Now there are a lot of reasons for that. The first reason is the traditional birthplace of Jesus draws an estimated one million visitors a year. Your house would look a bit disheveled if I traipsed a million or so folk through the place. The second reason for the dirt is that nobody can agree as to who gets to clean what. There are three church bodies who control the Church and who has authority over what has occasionally brought the monks to fisticuffs. These difficulties have been set aside now that rain has caused damage to the interior. Things are so bad conservationists are afraid much of the place's beauty will be lost if the difficulties are left unchecked. It is estimated the renovation will take several years and multiple millions of dollars. Having been in that church numerous times, I have often thought these Christian denominations are like the Corinthians. The only difference is that they, rather than saying, "I am for Paul or Peter or Apollos" were saying, "This wall is for the Latins; this floor is for the Greeks, and this pillar is for the Armenians. It is time for differences about "who cleans what wall" to be set on the back-burner and for people to get the job done. It is quite possible the same kind of difficulty may be happening at your church. The longest and most colorful voters' assembly I ever attended was one which spent three hours concerning a matter of incredible unimportance. That's sad. The Lord Jesus has given His church a job to do and such doubtful disputations hinder rather than help the cause of Christ. This is why, before we get into a battle with our brothers and sisters, we need to decide, "Is this a fight which needs to be fought; is this a struggle which needs to be engaged; is this something which will keep sinful souls from seeing the Savior's love?" And if it is such a battle, then we enter it with respect, reverence and reluctance. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is always a disgrace when Your church falls into disrepair. Keep us ever mindful of the work You have given to us. Then, wishing to share the Savior, may we do that work with glad hearts. In Jesus' Name. Amen. |
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who had it in his heart to build a temple for the Lord, but the Lord would not allow it? David 1 Chronicles 28:1-3
(Good job Dianne!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How long did it take Solomon to build his palace?
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CATECHISM
Question: What does God do to take care of me?
Answer:
a. He gives me food and clothing, home and family, work and play, and all that I need from day to day.
b. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
QUESTION #2: Why does God do this for us?
ANSWER: ALl this He does out of Fatherly, divine goodness without any merit or worthiness in me.
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CHURCH CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Alpha 6:30
Wed- Bells 6:30; Little Lambs end of the year program 7pm
Thurs- Pastors Circuit meeting at Immanuel Wentzville
Fri- nothing
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; VOTER'S MEETING!!! 10:15; worship 11am
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NEWS:
Roger Boeger passed fromd death to life on Saturday evening. He now enjoys eternal life with his Lord and Savior!
Visitation: Wednesday, May 16, 4-8pm, Martin funeral home
Funeral: Thursday, 10am , St John's
Luncheon: 11am- immediately following the funeral
Burial: Mt Lebanon Cemetery on the Rock Rd.
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VOTER'S MEETING ON SUNDAY, MAY 20, at 10:15!!
Two important items are on the agenda.
1. The building committee will present their newest ideas and findings, and the plan for the future.
2. First we will vote whether or not to keep the 11am service (In January it was only decided that it would be temporary until this May meeting whenw e would decide whether or not to make it permanent.) Then, if and when we decide to keep the 11am service, we will decide how to best change the service times so that we have enough time for fellowship and Sunday school between services.
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ALPHA CLASS CONTINUES THIS WEEK AND EVERY TUESDAY at 6:30pm!!!
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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