DEVOTION: (From Lutheran Hour Ministries) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 The truth does set people free. At least that is what happens when people know the truth. Let me explain why I put the qualifier on the Savior's words. In 1982 Alton Logan was convicted of killing a security guard at a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago. The police said he was guilty; three eyewitnesses said he was guilty. It's not surprising the jury, having heard the evidence, sentenced Alton Logan to life in prison. There is only one problem. Alton Logan didn't commit the crime. The murder had been perpetrated by Andrew Wilson who had also killed two policemen. Andrew Wilson confessed to the murder of the McDonald's guard. He was found with the gun he took from the McDonald's guard. But ... and this is a big but. Andrew Wilson confessed the crime to his lawyers. Tragically, because they were his lawyers, Wilson's confession was privileged information. The lawyers were not allowed to go to Alton Logan's trial and share the truth. They had to keep silent. They had to let Logan be convicted. They had to let Logan, an innocent man, spend 26 years in prison. It was only when their client died that those lawyers were able to tell the truth. That truth has set Alton Logan free. Apparently, a Chicago police chief also knew the truth, but he ordered his underlings to keep quiet. That chief did some jail time for his acts, and the city of Chicago has now paid Alton $10.25 million for the injustice done and the lies which had been told. So what does that have to do with Christianity? Simply this: you and I have the truth. We know that God's Son, Jesus Christ, came into this world to offer Himself up as our substitute. We know Jesus carried our sins and resisted every temptation. We know He died the death we deserved and rose on the third day, after He had been buried. We know the truth which says all who believe on Him as their Savior will not perish but have everlasting life. This is the truth that sets people free. Sadly, there are millions of people who have never heard this truth. They have never been told about the wonderful sacrifice made by our Savior. And that is a tragedy. It is a tragedy far worse than that which was done to Logan. This is why we who have the truth must be dedicated to sharing that truth. There are billions of people on the wrong road, which leads to hell. We have the truth, which can set them on the right path. All we need do is share that truth, as the Savior asked. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, somebody has shared the truth of salvation with me. That truth has freed me of my sins and brought about my release from the eternal fires of hell. Now may I share that truth with others, and may those others believe Your truth, which sets souls free from sin. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen. _______________________________________________________________________________________ MONDAY'S QUIZ: What is the third commandment? (Depending on who does the numbering.... The third commandment can either be YOu shall not tak ethe name of the Lord your God in vain. or Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. If you are going by the Lutheran way of numbering them you would have "Remember the Sabbath Day". Thanks to Dianne Hance, Doug Herzog, and Denise Schlesselmann for answering!! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the Mercy Seat for the tabernacle? __________________________________________________________________________________ CALENDAR: Tues- Quilters 9am-2pm; Bible study 11:30-12:15 Sat- worship 5pm Sun- LIFE SUNDAY; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEWS: SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS STARTED A NEW EXCITING AND FUN CURRICULUM CALLED "CROSS EXPLORATIONS". If your kids have been neglecting Sunday school for a while consider coming back as it has changed quite a bit!! It is in more of a VBS format with science experiments, hands on activities and lots of fun!!! This coming week they are going to be learning about blubber gloves!! There are also several servant events being planned for the near future! The kids who are there are seriously missing their friends!!! We'll see you Sunday! _______________________________________ A NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS IS STARTING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!! A video based Bible study by Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, will begin this coming Sunday. It begins with a study on the "Relevance of Genesis". Each study is about a half hour of video followed by a half hour of discussion. If you have been neglecting Bible study for a while, because of the subject matter, or for whatever reason, please consider coming back and joining us! You won't be disappointed! __________________________________________ BABY BOTTLES FOR ADOPTION Did you know that it can often take $20,000 or more to adopt a child. That makes it very hard for most people. Yet you can help those who are trying to adopt! Baby bottle banks were handed out yesterday to do just that. For the next two weeks we will be filling up those bottles with all the change we can find and even putting in paper money too. On February 10 we will collect all of those bottles at church and then forward the money to our Lutherans for Life Chapter so the money can be used to help those wishing to adopt children. If you would like a bottle but didn't get one yesterday, you can stop by church any day this week between 8 and 4:30. If you don't have time this week, you can still collect the money and get a bottle to put it in this coming weekend! A big thanks to Denise Schlesselmann for volunteering collect these monies and take it all to LFL in St. Charles! ______________________________________________________________ YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY!! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! The youth will be selling tickets after church after church the rest of this month so get yours as soon as you can. Every year is more exciting than the last, so don't miss out on a good time while helping the youth in their ministry!! If you have any questions about ticket, please call Barb Hargrove at 456-2235, or Christy Winn at 314-479-5543! ____________________________________________________ TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP (TFG) IS GOING TO THE CREATION MUSEUM IN CINCINNATI!!! A great time is planned for August 23-25 as we head to the Creation Museum just south of Cincinnati, Ohio. We will be making a stop at the Abraham Lincoln National Historic Site in Kentucky on the way. Along with the creation museum on Saturday, we will also enjoy a comedy on the Showboat majestic in the evening. On Sunday we will tour the national museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. As usual, cost will depend on the number of people going. As of now it should run about $350 per person, plus meals, or $506 a couple. If you are interested in this trip, please sign the sheet on the counter in the narthex. Again you may invite your friends and family to join us. __________________________________________________________________ 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. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRAYERS: For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS of GENE SIEBOLD, as he passed from death to life yesterday afternoon. For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized at the VA hospital with pneumonia. For JEANETTE KOEHLER who at The CEDARS nursing home in Chesterfield. For ERNA VANHORN who is recovering from pneumonia in the hospital. For ANITA ALTHEIDE, a friend of the Klaustermeiers, who is fighting pneumonia but not responding to medications. For MIKE WADE, a missionary St. Johns has sponsored for at least 12 years, as he has had to take leave because of severe migraine headaches. For JEFF WINN AND AMBER VOSSEN as they mourn the loss of their grandpa. For DENNIS PERREY AND HSI FAMILY at the loss of his mother. For JASON FIGURA that God would keep him safe as he has to work on the east coast and be away from his family. For RUTH WALTERS BROTHER, as he is undergoing tests for heart problems. For JENNIFER, a friend of CHRISTINE WINN, who lost her brother last week. For THANKSGIVING for the blessing of a grandson to the ROBINES last week. For KIM, a friend of the Robines who undergoing a very difficult pregnancy. For NORMAN AND MARIAN TEMME, brother and sister in law of Harold Temme and Lois Frick, as Norman is dealing with dementia and Marian is nearing the end of her life on hospice care. For MARCUS HENDERSHOT, son of Marvin and Molly, as he goes through interviews to get a job closer to his family. |
