Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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). 




"Pretty Snaky, No Sneaky"

June 11, 2013
Bridge over Water(Jesus said) "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

It wasn't the crime of the century.

The thieves knew after their robbery was completed the Mona Lisa would still be safe in the Louvre; Fort Knox would still hold its treasury of gold, and the crown jewels would remain out of harm's way in the Tower of London.

Even though this was not a major heist, Jeremy Lovitt and Gabriel Gonzales made sure their getaway car was running and their pistols were loaded when they entered the Stockton, California, Burger King to demand the eatery's cash. As management had trained them to do, the staff began to fill the robber's bags with the money.

All except for one.

This fellow saw, and took, a chance to slip out unnoticed.

I just love what that unnamed escapee did next. The very first thing he did was get in the robber's car and move it. He moved it around the block where it could neither be seen nor accessed. When the successful robbers burst through Burger King's doors, they found, well, they found they were going to have to make their escape on foot. End result: Lovitt and Gonzales were arrested and the money was recovered.

In short, the Burger King hero was as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove. When the robbers came in, he (or she) didn't get all macho and oppose them; he didn't refuse to hand over the cash. On the contrary, he faded into the woodwork and then did the one thing that would foil the heist.

As I look at Jesus, that is what He did. When Satan challenged Him to turn stones into bread or to float down from the temple spire or worship him, Jesus turned aside those temptations with a simple word of Scripture. When witnesses lied about Him at His trial; He didn't defend Himself. When His accusers hit Him, He didn't name the person who had rained down the blows. When they nailed Him to the cross and challenged Him to come down, He could easily have done so.

But Jesus didn't do any of those things. What Jesus did do was resist temptation, fulfill the Law, carry our sins, and die on the cross so that all who believe on Him would be saved. In doing as the Father had asked and not as Satan suggested, Jesus showed Himself as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove.

We can learn from His example. Too often Christians get suckered into shouting matches and trading verbal insults with the world. When the story is told, often we end up looking silly, stupid and inane. Far better for us to wait until the right moment and then do or say that unexpected Christian thing, which will turn the tables on the devil and make a positive witness for the Christ.

When this happens, we will be doing as Jesus encouraged, for we will be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world expends a great deal of time trying to tempt me and trip me up. Grant that I may have the wisdom to identify their shenanigans and then do that which will make a powerful, positive witness to Jesus who has saved me. 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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MONDAY'S QUIZ:  What army was Naaman the commander of?  He was the commander of the army of Aram (Syria)  He was the guy who contracted leprosy and was healed by God by washing in the Jordan river 7 times.  Good job Pam and Dianne!
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Hazael?
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting 7pm
Fri- Pastor leaves on vacation; Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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PASTOR PRINCE WILL LEAD A ONE WEEK BIBLE STUDY ON MORMONS THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!
 
 
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Summer Sunday School will be 9:45am -10:45am with Mrs. Hoelscher this Sunday!

This Sunday they will be talking about the fruit of the Spirit that is PEACE!
Like last year with a fun mini VBS type theme.
 
We will be doing the Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
  
  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Parents do you see a quality you would like your child(ren) to have more of. Come join us for some fun lessons, games, and snacks.

We will meet in the preschool room the whole time.

Also I will take any big kid helpers who want to show up too!!!
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NEW BIBLE STUDY on JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IS UNDERWAY!
Have you ever wondered what Jehovah's Witnesses truly believe and why we are so against them?  Do you want to be able to actually invite them in and witness to them?  Then come to our Bible class starting this Sunday at 9:45 to learn everything there is to know!
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NEXT MEN'S BREAKFAST HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 13 AT 8am!!
Rich Boeger, Steve Robine, Kent Jacobsmeyer, and Dave Callies will be our cooks!
 
Come and enjoy a hearty  breakfast, fellowship, and Bible Study as we grow together as men in the faith!  We would like to get a good head count of who will be there, so please RSVP by replying to this email!  Thanks! 
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LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMP
Our Little Lambs is offering four week long summer camps this summer for 3-5 year olds.  You may call the church office this week for more info or to register.  The first week of camp is June 3-7!!  Call 456-2888 for more info!!
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL   "TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN"  WILL BE JULY 8-12!!!
Kid friendly dinner is served at 5:30.  Fun and festivities begin at 6pm and go to 8pm!
 
Every family has received as flyer in their church newsletter to give to a friend.  Make sure you use it!!
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GOLF OUTING  (4 person scramble) TO SUPPORT LITTLE LAMBS IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY MORNING AUGUST 10th. 
$60 per person includes- 2 mulligans, Special hole contests, Cash prizes by flight, Lunch with pork steaks and sides.
7am- Registration begins
8am- Shotgun start
1pm Lunch and awards
 
$15 per person for Lunch only
 
Hole Sponsorship (tee box sign) $50 per hole
 
Entry flyers with all of the details are available in the narthex or  the office!!
 
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Habitat for Humanity project day June 15!
Habitat for Humanity, St. Charles, along with corporate sponsor Thrivent Builds, has scheduled the volunteers from St. John's Lutheran Church and the Warrenton community for a work day on Saturday, June 15.

Approximately  6  people from Warrenton will be needed to help install doors, windows, and siding.  Lunch and beverages will be provided.  In addition to our volunteers, we will be paired up with Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wentzville, to get a full crew.

Please contact Ron Harper, the Habitat volunteer coordinator, if you are able to participate on Saturday, June 15 from 8:00am-3:30pm. 
Ron Harper's contacts:              (H)  636-300-1633
                                                (C)  314-420-6512
Directions to site:             I-70 to US 79 South  ( 79 turns into Birdie Hills south of Mexico Rd.)
                                                Go past the Church on the Rock
                                                Turn Right on Eisenhower
                                                Left on Nixon
                                                Left on Clinton and look for the construction area.
If using GPS, use the house across the street at 113 Clinton.
Thank you for helping.
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OKLAHOMA TORNADO RELIEF
The LCMS asks for prayers and financial gifts to help those affected by the disaster.  The needs are going to be huge.  TO support the relief efforts, you may send your contributions directly to the LCMS or make it easier for you, make checks payable to St. John's and mark it "Oklahoma Tornado" and it will be forwarded. 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For BONNIE FRENZIA who is having knee surgery TODAY (Tuesday) at Barnes, St. Louis.
 
For the SPOEDE FAMILY at the loss of Mike's dad Ralph.
 
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH, who will be having surgery this Friday, June 14 to remove his bladder due to cancer
 
For JOHN KOPP, friend of the Robines who took a huge fall last week and is recovering from many broken bones.
For JESSE ULERY as he is suffering from a very painful muscle strain.
For DAVE CALLIES who is recovering at home from a brief hospitalization due to severe back pain.
For ROSETTA JONES who is back in the nursing home because of severe weakness.
For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will be beginning chemotherapy on Monday. 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS, his wife, who is dealing with severe back pain due to many years of using an artificial leg.
For DOMINIC GENTILE, a friend to many at church and in the community, who is suffering with brain cancer and is recovering from surgery.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, and Pat King's cousin on your prayers today as well. .   
 
PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN
I have been compiling a list of servicemen who are members of St John's so that we can pray for them.  Below is a list of them and where they are currently stationed.  Please note that their stationing changes quickly, so this may not even be up to date, but it is the last known whereabouts that I have of these guys. 
 
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!
 
 
Pray for these guys.  Some of these guys are in harm's way right now, others are training to put themselves in harm's way.  All of them have volunteered to serve and protect their country (which is you). 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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A little humor to start the day thanks to Don Nolte

 
A good funny for your Tuesday morning! 
 
 

 
 
 
The Young Priest....
 
The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, ''You had a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theater seats. It worked like a charm.  The front of the church always fills first now.''
 
The young priest nodded, and the old priest continued, ''And you told me adding a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock 'n roll gospel choir.  Now our services are consistently packed to the balcony.''

''Thank you, Father,'' answered the young priest.
 
''I am pleased that you are open to the new ideas of youth.''
''All of these ideas have been well and good,'' said the elderly priest, ''But I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-thru confessional.''

''But, Father,'' protested the young priest, ''my confessions and the donations have nearly doubled since I began that!''

''Yes,'' replied the elderly priest, ''and I appreciate that.  But the flashing neon sign, 'Toot 'n Tell or Go to Hell' cannot stay on the church roof!"