The Lutheran Hour: December 1, 2013




-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 11/30/2013 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: December 1, 2013



 
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Sermon Text for December 1, 2013

 
"Where There's a Way, There's a Will" #81-13
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on December 1, 2013
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(How Can God Forgive Me?)
Copyright 2013 Lutheran Hour Ministries

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Text: Revelation 22:1-5

Grace and peace to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and in the certainty of the coming kingdom of God. Amen.

You've heard it said, "Where there is a will, there is a way!" But, I'm here to tell you today that with God and His work in the world, where there is a way, there is a will. You see, today, we're not talking about our ways or our wills, even about our cultures or our kingdoms; today we're talking about God's will in action for you, for all; that God has a kingdom, here, now, for you; that God's blessing of life and salvation are available here and now for all who put their trust in Him.

The Bible proclaims that God is at work in this world. In Him there is a way for life because there is a will for your salvation. Jesus Christ Himself says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and He invites us to trust in Him and to pray, "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name! Thy kingdom come, thy will be done!"

So the question for today is not "How can I make God's kingdom come into this world;" no, God's kingdom has come, on His terms, His way, through a suffering servant Savior and a message that is the power of God for eternal life.

The big question for today is "How can you and I be a part of the eternal kingdom of God that has come into this world for real, for all?" And, how can we be active participants in His kingdom so that others might receive it for themselves as well? 

The Kingdom of God has come; the victory of God has been won. This is the time of repentance and faith, this is the time to receive the gracious invitation of God's eternal kingdom; this is the time between the end of the fighting and the ultimate declaration of victory day.

Sometimes in the reality of victory, there are those who refuse to believe that the war is over. Why? Because there are still some battles going on because people haven't heard.
For instance, in WWII, even after President Truman bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing the immediate surrender from the Emperor of Japan, there were still battles raging in the South Pacific, battles that the Japanese army was willing to fight to the death. The proclamation of "Nike, Nike, American victory," hadn't fully set in. 

You might say the kingdom of the west had come, the battle was done, the resistance was futile. The only question left was how would Japan receive it. Would they receive it as part of a future victory or stubbornly part of certain, ultimate defeat.

Historically, it is worthy to note that the Japanese culture received this foreign coming kingdom, making the best of it for their own people. 

They not only surrendered, but they regrouped, even receiving America's help with a little faith in what was yet to come. They allowed American technology to be used in rebuilding their country, and then, some say, in the automobile and electronics industries, they may have even beat the States at their own game. 

That's just one example in history of how people received a kingdom that was coming for sure, and received it for their benefit!

But today I'm not speaking about something so temporal as an earthly victory or an earthly kingdom. Such kingdoms, even when they are at their best, are flawed. 

Today Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of God; inviting you to pray for its coming into your life; to pray for its ultimate appearance when Jesus Christ comes again. 

He says, "Pray, Thy Kingdom come, Father, Thy will be done, Father, on earth as it is in heaven."

His Kingdom, His rule, the fact that all things are under His feet, in His hands; this Kingdom you can't stop it, but you can receive it. You can't thwart it, but you can offer it to others in His Name. 

In fact, it's the most important thing that you can belong to in your life. Don't believe that yet? Well, let the Apostle John give you a glimpse of what this Kingdom looks like eternally. He says, "The angel showed me a river that was crystal clear and its waters gave life. The river came from the throne where God and the Lamb were seated. Then it flowed down the middle of the city's main street. Never again will night appear and no one who lives there will ever need a lamp or the sun, the Lord God will be their light and they will rule forever."

What a picture; what a Kingdom. But things sure don't look like that just yet, do they? And, truth be told, St. John is painting a picture of what is coming, that's for sure. But the fact of the matter is this: the Bible proclaims that God's Kingdom is here, right now for you and me by faith in Jesus Christ. There is a way home to God, right now. There is a way for forgiveness with God, right now! There is a Kingdom in this world that can't be shaken with a Word that endures forever, with promises that will all be fulfilled, right now!

Where there is a way, a gracious way by faith in Jesus, there is God's will for your life, God's Kingdom as your home, now and forever.

So, make no mistake. Whether it looks like it at the moment or not, this kingdom is already established! And, it had nothing to do with your will or mine!

In fact, our will often gets in God's way, doesn't it? This is because, apart from the work of God's Spirit, our will is a sinful one, a broken one; one that repeatedly fails even when it is trying to do what is right and good. For we, as sinful people, don't have the capacity to really do things as God intends, the way my neighbor really needs it done. And, truth be told, all too often we actually love what is sinful, harmful, and destructive in our lives. Our will when it comes to the things of God, is often eager to rebel first, to accept no blame, to arrogantly puff out our chest and sing boldly, "I did it my way." Have you ever noticed that about yourself? I've noticed it in my life, that's for sure. But, that's why the grace of God in Jesus is so special, so wonderful.
When we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done," we are praying as those who cling to the way and the will of God for our lives, in our lives. 

We're praying Lord, we know that Your will, in fact, will be done; we can see the way that you have already set it into motion; from that first promise to Adam and Eve, to the promise for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for all; to the Kingdom of David finally realized in the Babe of Bethlehem, the Christ of the cross, the resurrected King of all Kings.

Lord, we have heard of it. We have seen it. Please, Lord, let Your will be done, Your Kingdom come into our lives today.

So, when the Bible talks about will, there's our sinful, fallen will and there's God's will. 

There's bad will rebelling and there's God's good will hunting in the cross of Christ for those who don't deserve it at all. When Christ said, "It is finished," the gracious, eternal Kingdom of God was established forever in this world. On the cross of Calvary; Satan, the world, and our flesh, they were defeated by the gracious will of our God in action. And now, right now, Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, who has risen from the dead, He has begun His reign. He is seated at the right hand of God and is coming again to judge the living and the dead; and His Kingdom will have no end! What is true by faith 100% now is also going to come crystal clear one day soon before our very eyes! Get ready, He's coming.

In Max Lucado's book the "Applause of Heaven," speaking about the invitation to this Kingdom, he says, "Even though by the book I'm guilty, by God's love I get another chance. Even though by the law I'm indicted, by mercy I'm given a fresh start,

'For it is by grace you have been saved ... not by works, so that no one can boast.' 

No other world religion or man-made philosophy offers such a message. They all have some form of do this or don't do that and only if you do all things well, will you be blessed. The demands never end, and those who take life seriously, either are crushed by the expectations or arrogant in the false notion that we have somehow risen to the tasks.

God doesn't play those games. His will, His way, His Kingdom, they're radically different that any we can imagine. It is a Kingdom for the broken, the crushed-in spirit, the poor, the powerless. It's a Kingdom where joining is not within one's grasp, but given fully nonetheless as a gift. It's a Kingdom that comes with adoption papers and full rights as sons and daughters because there is a way established by the will of God for you and for all! Arrogance and fear, those things are replaced with thanksgiving and joy!

Martin Luther says, "God's Kingdom comes without our prayers." In this prayer we pray, "Lord, let it come among us!"

That's why the Lord's Prayer is a prayer of faith. We pray not to some generic god who we hope will bless us, and guard us, and maybe even love us. No, we pray to the Father whose love we trust, in the Name of the Son who made a way of salvation possible for us, in the power of the Holy Spirit who empowers us even when our words and will give out.

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer for real life, for when the rubber hits the road for us all. No matter the circumstance, no matter the trouble we face, no matter the hurt we've endured, there is a way through, because there is God's eternal will of grace at work in this world for you.

Nike, Nike, the victory is won, receive the Kingdom of God.

Lord, teach us to pray. And He says, "Pray this way, Thy kingdom come, Father, Thy will be done, Father, on Earth as it is in heaven."

So, will you accept Christ's teaching and learn with me to pray this way? Will this prayer continue to be an important part of each of your days and nights? These are simple, yet powerful words because one can see God's will and God's way in them for us all and for our salvation.
In fact, please take note of how this invitation to pray is offered, how this Kingdom is made available to you and me. 

It is not the edict of a monarch, but the invitation of a Friend. It's not the fiat of a dictator, but the gentle call of One who truly cares for you. 

In fact, this eternal invitation to this unparalleled Kingdom is truly unique in all the world. This invitation comes through a servant-King with a word of forgiveness, a status of true freedom (not bondage) with an answer of justice and a real offer of mercy, for all, forever.

Nike, Nike, the victory is won. So, my friend, receive this kingdom of grace through faith, know that your Father loves you and forgives you in the work of Jesus Christ as your Savior. Won't you talk to the One who invites you to pray to Him in the power of His kingdom in His gracious will for your life?

But, Jesus is still not done with us yet. There is even more good news in this petition.
Praying for His will, for His Kingdom, is praying in the power of His Kingdom alive in your life today!

Praying, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done" moves us from talk of God's Kingdom to action, to how we get to live in His Kingdom that lasts forever.

God's will for you in Christ is not only that you belong to His Kingdom, but to live in that kingdom. There is a way, by the power of His Spirit, through His Word and sacraments, for His will to transform your very life. 

Praying this petition by faith, your life gets to change.

Author Phillip Yancy says, "The people of God are not merely here to mark time, waiting for God to step in and set right all that is wrong. Rather, they are to model the new heaven and the new earth, and by so doing awaken longings for what God will someday bring to pass."

And even as we wait for that, we get to let God do with us what is best and blessed, for us and for others.

Maybe you've sung the popular hymn, "Just As I Am Without One Plea." But, do you know the story of how and why that was written?

Charlotte Elliott was a sickly English woman who had developed a long history of refusing to do the things she was asked to do because of her illness. Her brother, who was a pastor, had been particularly persistent in trying to get her out of herself, to try to get her involved in doing something positive. But Charlotte had always refused. "I'm not feeling up to it," she would say. "I'm an invalid, you know. I just don't think I can."

In 1834, her brother asked one more time. They were trying to raise funds for a school for young women. Charlotte Elliott was asked to help or at least to just go to the event and do something, anything. But again she refused; again she spoke of being too tired, too sick. And so the family all went off and left her home alone.

That night, Charlotte Elliott began to think about how sickness was literally taking over her life. She realized that her brokenness had become the most important thing, maybe the only thing, in her life. And that night Charlotte Elliott heard the call of God. Out of her restlessness, out of her self-hatred, she wrote, "Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, 0 Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not... just as I am, with many a conflict, many a doubt. Yes, just as I am, poor, wretched, blind... just as I am, I come." Yes, I'm a mess, Lord, but I am coming. No more excuses. Without one plea.

Charlotte Elliott saw through her sickness the very way and the will of God for her eternal life and her work has blessed millions with her personal, prayerful, melodic adaptation of "Father, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done!"

With faith in Jesus Christ, life in God's kingdom becomes not my kingdom, but yours surround me; not my will, but yours direct me; not my life, but yours be my provision and strength. 

Jesus teaches us to live as we pray; to live for others as He lives for us; to love others as He loves us; to forgive others as He forgives us; to show others the way home for them by the gracious will of God for them; to pray a prayer of grace with them because there is a kingdom for them that never ends.

Jesus Christ challenges our will, our personal kingdoms. He challenges us to give up the false notion that we are in control of our own destiny and then He invites us to receive His Kingdom, follow His will, and, ultimately, let His future become our own. 
That's why Jesus says, "When you pray, say, 'Father, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done!'" Lord, we pray may it be done to us as you have said!

Amen!


LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for December 1, 2013
Topic: How Can God Forgive Me?

ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions. I'm Mark Eischer. Today a listener says he feels guilty for his sins and wants to know how can God really forgive him. 

SELTZ: Wow. Guilt, especially during the holidays, even in our modern world, it's a real issue, a real problem. And forgiveness is not always easy to grasp or believe, Mark. 

ANNOUNCER: Even in the "Lord's Prayer," forgiveness is a main theme, isn't it?

SELTZ: It sure is, and we're going to talk about that in 2 weeks right here on the Lutheran Hour. So, tune in. But our listener's problem is everyone's problem...the need for forgiveness is very real in life. When people have a clear sense of their own sin and guilt, the gravity of their wrongs, it's easy to wonder how anybody could ever forgive them, let alone God.

ANNOUNCER: That's a heavy weight, when you realize you really do deserve God's punishment, not His forgiveness, especially during this season.

SELTZ: Right. But, that's why Christmas and the Christmas and Easter message of forgiveness is so remarkable. God is doing the forgiving. In fact, that's why there is joy in the world! 

ANNOUNCER: You have to admit, though, that kind of talk is so foreign today in our culture. We're often so quick to criticize and to condemn.

SELTZ: Right. And that's why the church needs to keep proclaiming real repentance and mercy as God's solution for our guilt-ridden lives. Our listener asked how God could forgive. The simple answer is because He loves us so much.

ANNOUNCER: We think here of that timeless verse, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 ESV). 

SELTZ: And that verse directs us to exactly how the forgiveness of our sins was accomplished. You see, God is holy. Sin and impurity cannot stand in His presence. Sin is rebellion against God and His holiness and the consequence of all of that sin is death. 

ANNOUNCER: And that's why animals were sacrificed back in Old Testament times. 

SELTZ: Yes, God accepted substitutes in our place--animals that received the death we deserved. The Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." That's Hebrews 9:22. But those animals could never pay the ultimate price. Their power to forgive was their connection to the Lamb of God who was to come. And so, as you quoted from John 3:16, in His love, God incredibly sent His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for the whole world.

ANNOUNCER: Jesus was then, also the perfect substitute because as both God and Man, He could literally pay the price for sins.

SELTZ: Well said. The Bible does proclaim that through the death of the Babe of Bethlehem on the cross, our sins were completely paid for. Jesus fulfilled God's just demands in our place. When God the Father looks at those who trust in Christ, He sees completely forgiven people. 

ANNOUNCER: Forgive means "to let go," "to release."

SELTZ: Right, and that's exactly what God does just that as the Bible says: "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us" (Psalms 103:12 ESV). 

ANNOUNCER: Now, for our listener, how does he receive this forgiveness?

SELTZ: The amazing thing about God's forgiveness is that it is a gift. Ephesians 2 tells us that. And then the Bible goes on to tell us that God delivers this gift through His gracious means. Romans chapter six tells us: "all of us who were baptized into Christ were buried into his death....We were buried therefore by baptism into His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4 ESV).

ANNOUNCER: So, then, baptism is one way in which God delivers to us what Christ earned for us on the cross. 

SELTZ: Right. God saves us by grace, and He even graciously delivers His grace to us, through words we can understand, water we can feel, bread and wine we can taste. Titus chapter three declares: "He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-6 NIV).

ANNOUNCER: Our listener, then, can trust in the kindness of God shown to us in Christ.

SELTZ: And that's the point. Through God's gifts of Word and Sacraments, the work of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem, the gift of His earned forgiveness, is offered to us for our very own. So, our listener can take heart that, just as the Bible says, "In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7 NIV). That's very good news especially at times when we struggle with why God would forgive us.

ANNOUNCER: And it comes as a real Advent and Christmas blessing for us and for our listeners. Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.


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Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"Savior of the Nations, Come" performed by Erin Bode. From Be Still My Soul by Erin Bode (© 2013 Erin Bode)

"The Advent of Our King" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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Daily Devotion: Tues., Nov. 26, 2013

 
DEVOTION: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.  Galatians 1:6-9
 
It is so easy to hear the Gospel and believe it.  It can even happen to an infant.  It only requires a heart that is open to receiving the good news.  On the other hand, it is way too easy to fall away from the Gospel as well.  All it takes is one false teaching or a heart that has been hardened to the good news either by someone else's teaching infecting the person or by their own minds taking precedence over the Gospel.
 
As a pastor my heart aches for those that I have seen fall away or simply just quit coming to receive Christ's body and blood and hear His Word.  I can only imagine how much the Lord's heart aches for those same people and millions more who refuse His grace. 
 
So I urge you today that if you are falling away from the Gospel, if you are questioning God's grace in your life, if your soul and mind are being polluted by a different "gospel" which is really no good news at all, or if you are simply heading in the wrong direction, TURN AROUND!!!  Repent!  Turn to the Lord of grace. 
 
There is only one Gospel!  There is only one grace!  There is only one truth.  So if anyone teaches anything that is not the true Gospel, even if I were to teach something other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified, don't listen!  It's not the truth.  Jesus is the way and the truth and the life!  No one comes to the Father except through Him!! 
 
Let us pray:  Lord God, help me to turn away from false teachings and from worthless idols of silver, gold, or stone and to turn to you for the real and true mercy and grace!  Amen.
 
 
 

 

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MONDAY'S QUIZ:  Who went with Paul on his first missionary journey?  Barnabas
______________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Why did Paul rebuke Peter?
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Thanksgiving Eve worship 7pm
Thurs- Thanksgiving
Fri- GIVING FRIDAY (Instead of amassing more junk for yourself think about giving some of it away.)
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- ADVENT BEGINS with worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRING SQUEEZABLE JELLY  (all flavors are acceptable) FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!! 
Please put them in the proper receptacle either upstairs or downstairs.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas.  57 kids need gifts!  Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
_________________________________________________________
THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it?  THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it.  The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible.  It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.  
 
How will it work?  As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book.  There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children.  You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5.  Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions. 
 
Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page.  The materials are excellent.  It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel! 
 
What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter?  We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.  
 
How do we get the books?  Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6.  A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.  
 
What about the kids?  All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund.  There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books.  Kids will get theirs in Sunday school . 
 
What kind of help is needed to make this a success?  We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one.    I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week. 
 
Can I order books for family members who are not members?  There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.  PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.
 
Where can I go to get more info?  Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP AT 7PM WEDNESDAY
There will be no Thanksgiving Day worship.

 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY, MONDAY, DEC. 2, 6pm at BREWSKIES.
There is a choice of two entrees, apple smoked pork loin or chicken marsala.  Sign up sheet is in the narthex  Cost is $18.  Bring a $10 wrapped gift to exchange.
 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For SCOTT CLARK, a soon to be new member of St. John's, who is hospitalized with pancreatitis.
For WILMA WEIGLE as she is still in the hospital.
For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she is home and recovering well from hip replacement.
 
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.
For STEPHEN DELANEY a friend of the Fahrnis, who is dealing with lung cancer. 
 

PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN
CALEB FIGURA- Army national Guard- just completed basic training.
 
Danny Dreyer-  Army- 2nd Lieutenant- Ranger, GERMANY
 
Sam Hargrove- Army- 2 Lieutenant- Ft Rucker, Alabama, will be going through helicopter flight school and other training
 
David Mincemeyer- Army- Army Specialist- Ft. Carson, CO
 
Jon Rahn- Navy- Hawaii, not sure of his rank at this time
 
David Tate- Air Force- 2nd Lieutenant- Jacksonville, Florida
 
Alex Walters- Navy- E4- Guam
 
Ryan Woolf- Air Force- Airman 1st Class- Buckley Air Force Base, near Denver, CO
 
 
If there are more out there that I just don't know about, please let me know, and I will include him/her on the list. 
 
Also, if you would like your family member or friend included in this list, please reply to this email with all the information!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Update on volunteers needed to sell "The Story"

Thank you Linda Callies!


-------- Original message --------
From: Linda C <lindacallies@centurylink.net>
Date: 11/25/2013 1:37 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: volunteers needed to sell "The Story"



 
I need a few volunteers to sell The Story after Saturday service and after late service this Sunday.  
 
And then also for all three services on the following dates and times.
 
Please let me know your willingness to help and when!!
 
Sat, Dec. 7 
 
Sun, Dec 8
8:30 Linda Callies
 
11
 
 
Sat. Dec. 14
 
Sun, Dec 15
8:30- Linda Callies

11- 
 
 
Sat, Dec 21
 
Sun, Dec 22-
8:30-
 
11-
 
 
Sat. Dec 28-
 
Sun. Dec 29-
8:30
 
11-  

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volunteers needed to sell "The Story"

I need a few volunteers to sell The Story after Saturday service and after late service this Sunday. 
 
And then also for all three services on the following dates and times.
 
Please let me know your willingness to help and when!!
 
Sat, Dec. 7
 
Sun, Dec 8
8:30
 
11
 
 
Sat. Dec. 14
 
Sun, Dec 15
8:30-
 
11-
 
 
Sat, Dec 21
 
Sun, Dec 22-
8:30-
 
11-
 
 
Sat. Dec 28-
 
Sun. Dec 29-
8:30
 
11- 

Operation Backpack: Squeezable Jelly for December

Now that they have all the peanut butter they need for a while let's do jelly!  Please bring squeezable jelly to church for the month of December to help out Operation Backpack!!

Sermon hymn, Sermon, and Choir singing "Give Thanks"

In case you missed worship yesterday, here is the sermon hymn "When I behold Jesus Christ", the sermon, and the choir singing "Give Thanks" 
 
Enjoy!
 
 
http://youtu.be/t-jlAEkyvdo

Daily Devotion: Mon., Nov. 25, 2013

 
DEVOTION:  Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.  Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.  Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you.   Acts 13:39-40
 
What do you want people to know about you?  Do you want them to know what you like and don't like?  Do you want them to know that you are a nice person and that you care about them?  Do you want them to know who your family is?  Do you care if people know anything about you at all?  What about Jesus?  Do you want them to know about Jesus in you?  Do you care if people know whether or not you are a Christian? 

Do you want them to know Jesus for themselves?  Do you care?  Sometimes we get too inwardly focused.  We want what we want and we want it now.  We are no different than a two year old throwing a tantrum.  We want people to know all about us without telling them one thing about Jesus in us.  Does that do any good?  Will that matter in the life to come?
 
This Thanksgiving week God wants you to think about doing things and saying things for your friends and family that will make a difference in their eternal life, because you want them to know that "through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."
 
Let us pray: Lord God, help me not to be shallow and self centered in my thinking, acting and speaking.  Help me instead to think of the salvation and eternal life of others since I am already saved.  Amen.
 

 

 


 
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: What did Peter say to the beggar when the beggar asked him for money at the temple gate called Beautiful? Silver and gold I don't have, but what I do have I give to you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  
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MONDAY'S QUIZ:  Who went with Paul on his first missionary journey?
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- QUilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Thanksgiving Eve worship 7pm
Thurs- Thanksgiving
Fri- GIVING FRIDAY (Instead of amassing more junk for yourself think about giving some of it away.)
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- ADVENT BEGINS with worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45
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GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas.  57 kids need gifts!  Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
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THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it?  THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it.  The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible.  It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.  
 
How will it work?  As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book.  There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children.  You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5.  Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions. 
 
Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page.  The materials are excellent.  It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel! 
 
What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter?  We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.  
 
How do we get the books?  Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6.  A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.  
 
What about the kids?  All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund.  There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books.  Kids will get theirs in Sunday school . 
 
What kind of help is needed to make this a success?  We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one.    I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week. 
 
Can I order books for family members who are not members?  There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.  PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.
 
Where can I go to get more info?  Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.
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THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP AT 7PM WEDNESDAY
There will be no Thanksgiving Day worship.
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ST. JOHN'S WILL HELP OPERATION BACKPACK WITH PEANUT BUTTER
You may have read in the Warrenton Record that Operation Backpack is in desperate need of food items. 
 
Operation Backpack is a program that provides food for needy children on weekends.  Most of these kids are able to get reduced or free breakfast and lunch at school daily, but since there is no school on weekends they often don't have enough food to make it through the weekend.   The food gets brought to a central location and then disbursed to the most needy of children in our area schools.  It is done discreetly without any other kids knowing about it. 
 
A few Warrenton area churches have teamed up to provide the food.  Each church is taking a different food item (kind of like we used to do for the Ditty bags for soldiers). 
 
St. John's is in charge of peanut butter. 
 
Please bring jars of peanut butter to church within the next two weeks so we can get them to the kids who need them asap.  Any jars of peanut butter will do as long as they can comfortably fit in a backpack

 
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY, MONDAY, DEC. 2, 6pm at BREWSKIES.
There is a choice of two entrees, apple smoked pork loin or chicken marsala.  Sign up sheet is in the narthex  Cost is $18.  Bring a $10 wrapped gift to exchange.
 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For WILMA WEIGLE as she is hospitalized with extremely slow sodium levels which causes very erratic blood pressure and other complications.  
For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she is recovering well at St. Luke's rehab.
 
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.
 
For LISA RAUSCH'S FRIEND, ISABELLE, who is dealing with severe illness.
 
For LIL WINTER who is still dealing with pain in her foot after foot surgery.
For, PATTY, a friend of Denise Schlesselmann, who has recently been diagnosed with breast caner.
For JENNIFER, daughter of John and Mary Jo Fahrni, who is recovering from a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. 
For STEPHEN DELANEY a friend of the Fahrnis, who is dealing with lung cancer. 
 

PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN
CALEB FIGURA- Army national Guard- just completed basic training.
 
Danny Dreyer-  Army- 2nd Lieutenant- Ranger, GERMANY
 
Sam Hargrove- Army- 2 Lieutenant- Ft Rucker, Alabama, will be going through helicopter flight school and other training
 
David Mincemeyer- Army- Army Specialist- Ft. Carson, CO
 
Jon Rahn- Navy- Hawaii, not sure of his rank at this time
 
David Tate- Air Force- 2nd Lieutenant- Jacksonville, Florida
 
Alex Walters- Navy- E4- Guam
 
Ryan Woolf- Air Force- Airman 1st Class- Buckley Air Force Base, near Denver, CO
 
 
If there are more out there that I just don't know about, please let me know, and I will include him/her on the list. 
 
Also, if you would like your family member or friend included in this list, please reply to this email with all the information!

 





































































 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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