DEVOTION: Then the Lord said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:1-2
Maybe you've noticed it lately. The days seem to pass by quicker and quicker. Each year seems to go by in the blink of an eye. The older you get.... well.... the older you get.
When Adam and Eve sinned it set off a chain reaction that would continue to the end of time. It resulted in death, not eternal death, mind you, but physical, earthly death. Mankind became mortal. None of us from that time forth will live forever on this corrupt, sinful earth.
We try to hide it. We try to shield our eyes and our hearts from it. But there is no colder, harder fact than death. And the quicker we face that fact, the better off we will be.
Now, here's the good news about all of that. That death doesn't last. It too goes by in the blink of an eye. One moment you are here on this earth breathing through lungs and the next moment you are in peaceful, eternal rest with Jesus. One moment you are in this sinful mortal body the next moment you are free of it.
God had, had enough of man living the 900+ years and continuing in his corruption. He didn't want that anymore. So part of his judgment would be that human beings wouldn't live any longer than 120 years.
And believe me, most 100+ year olds that I have known, would rather be done with this earth and be in heaven. They've lived enough life. So at the same time it is both a blessing and a curse.
It is a curse that we have to go through this most awful of curses called death with all of its pain, suffering, and loss, but it is also a blessing in that we get to throw off these sinful restrictive bodies and put on Christ forever.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to face my death with both disdain and peace at the same time. Help me to know more surely every day that when I die, however it may happen, I will be with you forever. Amen.
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Why did God send the flood?
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CATECHISM:
Question: Are people reborn in bodies or forms?
Maybe you've noticed it lately. The days seem to pass by quicker and quicker. Each year seems to go by in the blink of an eye. The older you get.... well.... the older you get.
When Adam and Eve sinned it set off a chain reaction that would continue to the end of time. It resulted in death, not eternal death, mind you, but physical, earthly death. Mankind became mortal. None of us from that time forth will live forever on this corrupt, sinful earth.
We try to hide it. We try to shield our eyes and our hearts from it. But there is no colder, harder fact than death. And the quicker we face that fact, the better off we will be.
Now, here's the good news about all of that. That death doesn't last. It too goes by in the blink of an eye. One moment you are here on this earth breathing through lungs and the next moment you are in peaceful, eternal rest with Jesus. One moment you are in this sinful mortal body the next moment you are free of it.
God had, had enough of man living the 900+ years and continuing in his corruption. He didn't want that anymore. So part of his judgment would be that human beings wouldn't live any longer than 120 years.
And believe me, most 100+ year olds that I have known, would rather be done with this earth and be in heaven. They've lived enough life. So at the same time it is both a blessing and a curse.
It is a curse that we have to go through this most awful of curses called death with all of its pain, suffering, and loss, but it is also a blessing in that we get to throw off these sinful restrictive bodies and put on Christ forever.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to face my death with both disdain and peace at the same time. Help me to know more surely every day that when I die, however it may happen, I will be with you forever. Amen.
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Why did God send the flood?
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CATECHISM:
Question: Are people reborn in bodies or forms?
Answer: Reincarnation, the belief that when people die they are reborn in other bodies or in a series of other bodies, is contrary to Scripture.
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CALENDAR
CALENDAR
Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30; Alzheimers support group 1pm
Sat- worship 5pm; Installation of board members and officers in all three services this weekend
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; TAKE DOWN DECORATIONS noon
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; TAKE DOWN DECORATIONS noon
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NEWS
NEWS
INSTALLATION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS THIS WEEKEND!!!
If you are a board member or officer for 2013 please make sure you are at worship this weekend to be installed. Thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord in this way!!!
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HELP NEEDED TO TAKE DOWN DECORATIONS AT NOON SUNDAY!!
If you have an extra hour, please help us get everything taken down and put away! Thanks for your help!
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COMPUTERS AVAILABLE
The trustees will be removing old computers from the old computer room soon. If you want one, come to church and get it!
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COME GET YOUR POINSETTIAS
If you ordered a poinsettia and would like to have it at home, make sure you take it home with you this weekend!! They will be in the sacristy (the room right next to the altar area).
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TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP GROUP MEETING JANUARY 13 at 9:30am. This is the first meeting to decide what trips to take in 2013! Everyone is invited!
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TWO USHERS ARE NEEDED!!!
We need two ushers to complete our teams of four. If you can help with this, please call Bob Linke 456-2332 or Walt Schirr 456-1526
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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:
PRAYERS:
For the SCHIEN FAMILY, as both Ken and Joyce have moved to Jonesburg nursing home, Jennfier Berryman has moved ot Elsberry, and Joy and Brian will soon move to Pendleton.
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. .
