Monday, December 3, 2012

DEVOTION:  Now, brothers, I wanted to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmily to the word I preached to you.  Otherwise you have believed in vain.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,. that he was buried, that he was  was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, ten to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one untimely born. 1 Corinthians 5:1-9
 
Is Jesus' life, death, and resurrection just a made up story?  Well, let me ask you this, if you had over 500 witnesses to something wouldn't you deem it to be true?  Would you stop questioning it?  I imagine you would believe it wholeheartedly. 
 
The resurrection is a fact jack!!  It is proven by eyewitness testimony after eyewitness testimony.  And these eyewitnesses were not all people who were sympathetic to the cause.  Paul (Saul as he was known before his conversion) was a persecutor of Christians.  He hated the people of "The Way", until Christ appeared to him, then he couldn't deny it or doubt it any longer. 
 
There is no need for you to walk around as a Christian with doubts in your heart or mind.  You don't have to succumb to the pressure and the doubters and haters out there who want to put down your Christianity as some kind of fantasy or myth.  Have confidence in your faith!  have confidence on your Christ!  Have confidence in your salvation!  Stop being a mealy mouth Christian and stand up for your faith!  Share it! Live it!  Believe it! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, I believe, help my unbelief!  Make me a strong and confident Christian for you!  Amen
 

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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the Thessalonians in their faith?  (No one answered.  I will leave it up for an extra/ day.)  Timothy
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Monday's Quiz:  Was Apollos willing to go to Corinth at first?
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CATECHISM:
Question:  What do the Scriptures teach about your life in the church?
Answer: 
They teach that
a. We should seek always to be and remain members of the invisible church, Christ's body, by sincere faith in Christ, our Savior;
b. we should be faithful to that visible church, or denomination, which professes and teaches all od the Bible's doctrine purely and administers the sacraments according to Christ's institution.
c. we should avoid false teachers, false churches, and all organizations that promote a religion that is contrary to God's Word;
d. we should maintain and extend God's church by telling othes about jesus, by personal service, and by prayer and financial support.
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15- Ladies Christmas Party 6pm
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Advent Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir practice after worship
Thurs- Jonesburg worship 10:30; Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group 1pm
Fri-
Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; elders meeting noon
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NEWS
ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY TONIGHT AT IMO'S AT 6pm
  Bring a wrapped $10 gift for a fun gift exchange.
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GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS
 
1. SNACKS:  St. John's is sponsoring the Good News Club at Rebecca Boone this year.  One of the responsibilities is that we provide snacks for the kiddos.  There are at least 35 kids participating so far and will probably be more.  If you would be willing to help out by making or buying a snack I would greatly appreciate it.  Please call me for more information!  359-1061.
 
2. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 
 
3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!
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FIRST ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is Don Turnure, John Hachtel, or Dave Tinnin please bring two of the following:  vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!________________________________________________________________________________
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.  
 
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 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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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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HURRICANE 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 DECEMBER IS ST. JOHN's GIVING TREE. 
Please take a red ornament off of the tree.  Buy a gift or two listed on the ornament, and bring back the WRAPPED gift with the red ornament attached to it by December 16.    
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PRAYERS: 
For BARB DREYER'S DAD as he has been placed on hospice care.
 
For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.
 
For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.
 
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 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. .