DEVOTION: We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6
The 80-year-old woman, a member of Sanctuary of Mercy Catholic Church in Zaragoza, Spain, was upset.
She was upset because moisture was playing havoc with a beloved church fresco of Christ, which had been painted by the famous artist Elias Garcia Martinez. Without asking for permission, and with the best of intentions, the lady scraped away at the paint -- a scraping which left the underlying white plaster show through.
Seeing the painting was not any better for her efforts, the lady -- still with the best of intentions -- grabbed her paintbrush and painted over the old painting with her rendition of the Christ.
As I said, it was all done with the best of intentions, but since the lady could hardly be called an "artist," the picture is now a disaster. That's terribly tragic because money had just become available to restore and protect the fresco.
Experts are discussing whether such a restoration is possible, or if the church will be forced to hang a picture of the painting to cover the ruined original.
I guess it all goes to show that sometimes even the best of intentions is not good enough.
That's a lesson the Bible teaches again and again. Wanting to be like God, Adam and Eve had good intentions when they ate the forbidden fruit. Abraham had good intentions when he fathered Ishmael. If we could visit with Judas, he might even claim he had good intentions when he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
The truth is our best intentions and efforts aren't ever good enough to save us. Knowing we are helpless is really a shot to our human egos and intelligence. That's because we want to be in control and will do just about anything to avoid having to depend on the Lord for our salvation. The best we can do will never improve on God's plan. That's what Isaiah was saying when he was inspired to write, "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment."
Still, salvation and reconciliation will only be completed when a repentant heart trusts in the substitution and sacrifice of the Savior. Only by faith can we be saved.
That's the great truth of Scripture. It is God's truth which cannot be improved upon, even if someone thinks he has the best of intentions.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive our hearts, which although well intentioned are often arrogant. Forgive us for thinking we can do better in the work of salvation than You. Finally, let us give thanks for the Savior whose blood-bought salvation is ours. In Jesus' Name. Amen. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the vision of Ezekiel about in Ezekiel 40-43? The temple (Thanks Dianne and Sandy)_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who were the descendants of Zadok? __________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISM: Question: Why is Christ's descent into hell part of His exaltation? Answer: The Scriptures teach that Christ, after He was made alive in His grave, descended into hell, not to suffer punishment, but to proclaim His victory over His enemies in hell. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CALENDAR: Thurs- 8th-12th graders and their parents meet about the National Youth Gathering 6pmFri- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30Sat- worship 5pmSun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; CHURCH PICNIC AT STARKS Noon__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING MEETING FOR ALL 8th-12th GRADERS AND THEIR PARENTS TONIGHT at 6pm!!!
It is imperative that you be there for this meeting. We have a lot of stuff to discuss, forms to fill out, and things to decide. ______________________________________________________________________________________________PASTOR IN DUNK TANK SATURDAY AFTERNOON If you ever wanted to dunk your pastor becaus eyou thought he was ALL WET to begin with, here's your chance! Come to the Warrenton High School band boosters fundraiser this Saturday at the Warren County Fairgrounds. Gate fee is $10 and all proceeds go to support the band and their trip to Florida. I will be in the dunk tank around 2pm!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY THIS SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 9:45!!It's time to get back into Sunday school!!! If you have been neglecting it throughout the summer, now's your chance to get back into it! We will be celebrating with a balloon launch, some fun song and dance, and learning all about Jesus and what He has done for us. Sunday school goes from 9:45-10:45 and late worship begins at 11am! Classes are available for 3-14 year olds!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PARENTING COURSE "From Me to We" STARTS THIS SUNDAY at 9:45!!Hey parents, please come to this course! You will enjoy it immensely! You can drop your kids off for Sunday school and then head right up to class! It is a video based class with time for discussion and encouragement. Come and check it out. All parents are invited!!
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CHURCH PICNIC THIS SUNDAY BEGINNING AT NOON!Come out and enjoy a lot of good food, fun, an fellowship! Games, a zipline over the pond, lots of wonderful outdoors, and so much more!
Directions: From downtown Warrenton (Main Street) Go west Main St. to Hwy U, Turn left on Hwy U and go 2.2 miles. Turn left on Firetower Rd. Go 1.3 miles and turn Right on Sky Dr. There will be a big painted leaf on the corner, the sign says Maple Leaf Farm. Watch for balloons on the corner of Fire Tower and Sky Dr. Bring your own chairs and either a vegetable, salad, or dessert to share.
Please call the church office, 456-2888, if you haven't signed up yet, to let us know how many are coming and what kind of food you are going to bring!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP SEPTEMBER 28-30!!!! REGISTER TODAY!The 10th annual T-3 (trap, tackle, and tees) retreat is coming up September 28-30!! The cost is $45 for lodging and meals. (You can get a hotel room or bring your own camper or tent if you wish to have your own lodging.) $35 for our 2 person scramble golf tourney. There is also a fishing tournament, skeet shooting, a guided tour of Mark Twain Lake and forest, hiking, biking, and much, much more. All that plus some of the best food you can eat and the best Bible studies and worship times you can have at a camp! It is a time that you will never forget!
I will give the first one besides me to sign up my special (pastor) room that I get every year. I (pastor) am going! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Let me know if you want to go.
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS LCMS Global MissionsGo to LCMS.org to learn more about what our Synod is doing in the way of spreading the Gospel globally!!__________________________________________________________________________________________________________PRAYERS: For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she is hospitalized at Progress West receiving treatment for blood clots in both lungs.
For LIL WINTER'S SON RAYMOND, who is recovering well after gastric bypass surgery.
For PEGGY KOHRING who has stage 2 breast cancer & its in her Lymph Nodes. She is Diabetic. They will give her 4 wks of Chemo and then decide which type surgery to do. She is Lil Winter's granddaughter's mother in law.
For DON TURNURE who is going to have to have his hip replaced on October 22.
For PAUL BRENDEL, Barb Dreyer's dad) who is recovering from internal bleeding.
For CLYDE SPRICK, grandfather of Shawn and Sierra Jaeger, who is dealing with severe cancer complications.
For BRENDA ROLOFF, daughter of Cal and Betty Tameler, who is dealing with complications and a fever after her hysterectomy.
For ERNA VANHORN who is recovering well from surgery at Delmar Gardens
For BILL MCKENZIE as he recovers from a stroke at home.
For JOYCE SCHIEN as she recovers from a stroke. She is at the DePaul rehab hospital.
For BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, as his treatment is doing some good, and as he is starting a new treatment for his liver cancer.
