How bold are you? Do you like to tell the truth no matter what even if it means you will get punished for it? Wouldn't you rather just tell a little white lie so you don't get in trouble? Isn't it better just to go along with the crowd to save face?
Imagine you are a Christian in a part of the world that is hostile to Christianity. You are caught. You are brought before a tribunal to pleads our case. What are you going to do? Are you going to denounce your faith to save your life? Or are you going to give a good defense of your faith and proclaim Christ?
That is exactly what Paul had to do. He was arrested and brought before the crowd to speak. What did he do? he told them his story of how he was a persecutor of Christians, but how the Lord Jesus came to him in a vision and completely changed his course. he told about the love of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. He didn't back down. He didn't wuss out. He was bold and courageous about his faith.
Now you probably won't be brought before a tribunal during your lifetime (although who really knows). But you will be given many opportunities to share your faith and to witness about Christ and His salvation. Are you going to wuss out? Are you going to remain silent? Or are you going be bold about your faith?
Prayer: Lord, help me to be bold like Paul! Help me to share my faith no matter what the circumstances or consequences. Amen.
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MONDAY'S QUIZ: When Paul went back through Macedonia, because the Jews had made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, who accompanied him? (I'll leave this up for another day since no one answered it yesterday.)
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CATECHISM:
Question: Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins?
Answer: God offers the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel.
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting at Good Shepherd 7pm
Wed- Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon noon; Advent Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir 7:15
Thurs- nothing
Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS
GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!
Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!
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GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!
1. 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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SECOND ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12
SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is DAVE WINTER, JIM RAHN, or STEVE MCDOWELL 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!!!
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LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS 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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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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PRAYERS:
For the DREYER FAMILY, as Barb's dad's funeral was yesterday.
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 SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN, as she continues to deal with her heart issues.
For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.
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. .
