Wed., Dec. 11, 2013

Daily Devos 

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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 





"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?"
December 11, 2013
snowleafNow there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him. Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 2 Samuel 12:4-6
How low can a person go?

In the parable the prophet Nathan told to King David, a rich man went low enough to make a barbeque banquet out of a neighbor's pet sheep. In the real story of multi-married King David, the monarch went low enough to lust after and seduce another man's wife. When she became pregnant, the adulterous king devised a plan to remove her warrior-husband from the equation.

How low can a person go?

Talk to the police in Ronks, Pennsylvania. They will tell you of an Amish family who was driving a horse-drawn buggy home around 9 p.m. on a Sunday evening. The husband, wife, and the children ages 12, 9 and 7, heard a "loud noise like a firecracker." They heard that noise as a car passed them.

When they got home, the family found their horse was bleeding from its mouth. When the animal's harness was removed, they discovered a bullet hole in the animal's side. The horse died before the veterinarian was able to get to their home.

I've tried to figure out why somebody would do such a thing.

* If the shooting was meant to be humorous, it failed.

* If the shooter in the auto was angry at the Amish family, why did he take out his upset on a dumb animal? His cowardly act has succeeded in killing an animal, endangering some children, and making himself the pitiful subject of this devotion.

* If the shooter wanted to show he had the power to cause great grievance and personal pain, he succeeded. At the same time, he placed himself by the side of King David and showed to the world just how sick, how sinful, how petty, and pitiful we humans can sometimes be.

Oh, there is one other thing the stories of David and our shooter show us. They show us how very much we need a Savior. We need a Savior who is everything we are not.

Look at the Gospel narrative and you will see how Jesus endured prejudice, lies, mockery, mistreatment, rejection, abuse and character assassination. Yes, He suffered these things and then He responded with a loving call to repentance, forgiveness and salvation. Look at Jesus and see how not the sheep, but the Good Shepherd, was sacrificed so we might be redeemed and restored. Look into His empty tomb and be assured it is He -- not the world's people of power -- who shall ultimately prevail. The risen Redeemer rules and because of Him we who were low are lifted up.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the worst this world can do was balanced out by the wonderful sacrifice of our Savior. May we be thankful for the change He brings about in redeemed hearts. In His Name I pray it. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 
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Zechariah 11-12; Revelation 2
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MONDAY'S QUIZ: Paul was going to visit Rome on his way to what country?  Spain  (Good try Dianne)
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Felix?
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CALENDAR
Wed- Ladies Aid Luncheon noon; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Fri- Bible Study @ Hendershots 7pm 
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Bell Ringing at north door of Walmart 8am-8pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program at 11; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm
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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!!!
 
 
After breakfast we will be putting up new lights in the preschool room. 
 
Pancakes, sausage, eggs, and Bible Study!!  Please get the word out and invite your friends and neighbors. 
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE TABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
I have noticed that a lot of you who have been in church have not picked them up.  If you are a confirmed member of the church you have your own offering envelopes.  Make sure you pick them up next time you are at worship!!
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ADVENT SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP AT 6:30 TONIGHT!!!
If your elder is Jim Rahn, Dave, Winter, or Steve McDowell you are on to bring food!!  Fried Chicken and worship!!!!  You can beat it!!
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LADIES AID CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON TODAY at NOON!
For all ladies aid members and their spouses.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM WILL BE THIS SUNDAY AT OUR 11AM WORSHIP. 
Come and check it out and enjoy the wonderful Christmas story from the mouths of our wonderful children!!
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STILL QUITE A FEW ORNAMENTS ON THE GIVING TREE!!!
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!
 
Each Family also gets a nativity set and we are still in need of a few of them, so when you find one get it and bring it to church!!  Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. 
 
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MANY OF YOU STILL NEED TO BUY YOUR BOOKS FOR THE STORY!!!
The beginning of THE STORY  is less than a month away!!  Are you excited?  Do you have your books yet? 
 
Adults may buy their books for $6 a piece before or after worship!! 
 
Kids will get their books at Sunday school, but if they miss Sunday school they can get them after worship as well!!!
 
There are about 70 adult books left.  Get them while they are still available!!
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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.
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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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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For SHELLY HUDSON who is hospitalized with sepsis.
 
For Marilyn Foster's sister MARCIE, who is not doing well.  She has fluid on her lungs and is in great pain. 
 
For WILMA WEIGLE who is back at Delmar Gardens.
 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she continues to recover from hip replacement surgery and is doing very well. 
 
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is dealing with bad cancer in his lungs.
 
For RICK SPINIOLAS as he continues to battle his pancreatic cancer.
 
 For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.
 
 

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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