FW: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 (revised)

DEVOTION:  (from Pastor)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all.  Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one who preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: if anybody preaches to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned.  Galatians 1:6-9
 
I am so thankful I have this congregation to preach to and to care for as a shepherd for Christ.  I am eternally grateful that I am able to bring the Gospel to so many in both the Word and the Sacraments!  I am so thankful that I have this body of believers who is sticking to the truth.  I am so thankful that I was born into the church body I was, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. 
 
Sometimes we seem like stick in the muds.  Sometimes we may seem a bit too old fashioned and not quite with the times.  We may not seem as flashy or as fancy or as popular as the rest, but we are most definitely in the truth!  One thing is for certain, the GOSPEL is never in question at or in our church!
 
How important is it to stick with the truth no matter what the cost?  Read the passage above again.   Does "Let him be eternally condemned" sound very serious to you? 
 
It is good to be a welcoming church.  It is important to be a loving church!  It is important that we reach out to the community with the Gospel.  It is important that we are loving everyone around us.  But not just for loves sake.  For the GOSPEL'S SAKE.  For the eternal salvation of souls!  Let us never be ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of salvation for all who believe! 
 
When we don't take the Word of God and the Gospel seriously, and when we water it down or make it less important than it should be we risk losing our very identity.  We risk losing our own Christianity.  We risk losing our lives for all eternity. 
 
In all of the ways that we are making the church modern with websites, a casual worship service, Facebook pages, and so much more,  we must never lose sight of the good, old fashioned, 2,000 year old GOSPEL!  It is what makes the eternal difference in the lives of people.  It must always remain about the Gospel!!! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me to remain true to the Gospel no matter what the cost, that in the end You may find me faithful and so that, through my own proclaiming of the real good news many might be saved.  Amen.
 

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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was the first person to "preach" at Pentecost?  Peter  Acts 2:14-26p
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CATECHISM:
Question:  Where is the holy Christian church to be found? 
Answer: 
It is to be found where "the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.  The Gospel and the Sacraments are called the marks of the church. 
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CALENDAR: 
Mon- confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Thurs- Pastor on KFUO AM 850 and kfuoam.org 11am
Fri- assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Vendor Fair Christmas Shopping 9am-3pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am
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NEWS:
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT THIS SATURDAY AT CHURCH 9am-3pm
Come support your St. John's members as they sell the wares  at church. 
The Girl Scouts will be there to wrap any gifts you buy for a donation. There  will be hot cider, coffee, hotdogs, desserts, and other refreshments for sale.  It is just going to be a fun, festive time!  Come and check it out!!
 
Tables are also still available for anyone else interested in selling their items.  $20 a table to rent and all proceeds go to the building fund. 
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE
We understand if you cannot make all of the practices, but we would appreciate your child attending as many as possible.  We will also practice during our Sunday chool hour each Sunday as well.  
 
Friday, November 30- 5-6:30pm  Pizza party and practice  (Come hungry!!)
 
Saturday, Dec. 1- 10-11am
 
Saturday, Dec. 8- 10-11am
 
Saturday, Dec. 15- 10-11am,   Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!!  (Come hungry!)
 
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
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CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 6:30pm 
When Advent starts it will be after worship probably around 7:15. 
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WARREN COUNTY BOOKCASE CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!
The Warren County Bookcase Club is all geared up for another season of making and assembling bookcases for kids in need in Warren County.  They need donors to contribute $50 per bookcase. 
 
Please contact Rich Lagemann at richlagemann@hotmail.com if you would like more info.  Checks can be made to "Warren COunty Bookcase Club" and be sent to First State Community Bank in Warrenton: 1022 North Highway 47. Warrenton, MO 63383.
 
Please let me know if you are going to donate ot this worthy cause!
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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!!!
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STILL HELP NEEDED FOR GOOD NEWS CLUB AT REBECCA BOONE
They still need more helpers!!  26 kids showed up for the first week last week!  It is a wonderful way to bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it!
 
Denise Schlesselmann and Mary Aubuchon have graciously volunteered to help get this wonderful opportunity to bring lost children to Christ and to strengthen the faith of those already in Christ!!  They need some more helpers though!
 
It is every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15.  If you can help, even if it is just once or twice a month, please call me 359-1061, and I will direct you to the proper place.
_______________________________________________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. 
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TWO BEAUTIFUL QUILTS FOR RAFFLE AND BID!!!
Two queen size quilts are hanging in the church basement.  The blue one is being auctioned off.  The starting bid is $300. 
 
The green one is being raffled off.  Tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5. 
 
Both quilts will be awarded on December 1 at the end of our vendor fair. 
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY--- DECEMBER 3 at IMO'S AT 6pm
Please sign the list on the counter in the narthex by Wed, Nov 28 so rexervations can be made.  Bring a wrapped $10 gift for a fun gift exchange.
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HURRICAN 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. 
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IS THE LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
LHF translates, publishes and distributes Lutheran materials throughout the world.  It is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body, but is dependent on individual donations.  If you care to make a donation, make your check payable to St. John's and place in a deisgnated envelope, clearly marked "Lutheran Heritage FOundation".  As usual, these donations should be over and above your normal tithes, commitments, and offerings to St. John's.   
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PRAYERS: 
For the family of ED, neighbor to the Fosters, as he passed away this past Thursday night.
 
For GARRETT SPOEDE who is recovering from having parts of his toes and feet amputated.  He is at home and doing well.
 
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 Dave and Carol Kohrs' daughter BETH RITTER, who is suffering from a very low white blood cell count, liver failure, pneumonia, and sores in her mouth and throat.  .   
 
For BARB DREYER'S DAD as he is dealing with many physical illnesses and weaknesses and her mother as she cares for him.
  
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. .