Wednesday, August 21, 2013

DEVOTION: At that time your mouth will be opened you will speak with him and no longer be silent.  So you will be a sign to them and they will know that I am the Lord.  Ezekiel 24:27
A lot of times the best thing you can do is be quiet and listen.  I have found that out as a husband, as a dad, and as a pastor.  We aren't always supposed to speak.  Sometimes the best witness we can be is a witness of the presence of Christ by just being there.
 
Ezekiel was often used by God in this way.  In fact, in our reading for today the Lord kept his mouth closed on purpose.  He wanted to show the Israelites that the Lord was not with them and that he wasn't even going to speak to them anymore.  But then, when it was time, the Lord opened Ezekiel's mouth again so that he could speak the Lord's word when they were ready to hear it. 
 
How is the Lord going to use you today?  Is he going to keep your mouth shut or open it  Is he going to fill you with His Words or is He just going to open your years so you can listen for a change?  The key is to let the Lord use you as He wants to.  Don't force it, but don't deny it either.  When you feel the Lord's prodding, go with it.  When you feel the Lord holding you back go with that too. 
 
In any case know that the Lord is with you and He is guiding you on His path. 
 
Let us pray:  Lord God, use me the way you want to.  Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who were the two promiscuous sisters who represented Samaria and Jerusalem? Oholah and Oholibah..  Oholah means "her tent", and Oholibah means "my tent is in her"  These names were puns for how the countries and cities were God's but how they had prostituted themselves to others.    (Good job Pam
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  When Jerusalem was to be taken captive how was Ezekiel to act?
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CALENDAR
Wed- Little Lambs meeting 6pm
Fri- assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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SUPPORT OUR MISSIONARY DENISE SCHLESSELMANN
She is still in need of about $8,000 (pledged or given) to be able to go!!!  Think of how you can support her today and DO IT!!!
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ADULT CHOIR STARTING NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 at 7pm!!!
If you are an adult (High school age and older) and you love to sing.  We have the perfect opportunity for you to serve the Lord and use your talents!!  Call Barb Dreyer at 359-1906 to tell her you want to sing and to get more info!  Practice begins Wednesday, August 28 at 7pm in the balcony. 
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FLOAT TRIP COMING UP MONDAY, SEPT 2!!!
What better way to celebrate Labor Day than with a 4 mile float down the river!  We will meet at the river at 10am!  The trip will be through Ozark Outdoors.  Please contact Teresa Scott to sign up.  tscott@usmo.com, cell 359-5041 or at Schraer H & C at 456-5041.  Remember, it is a float not a race.
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MEN'S RETREAT THIS SATURDAY AT THE SCHIRRS BEGINNING AT 8am
Make plans to join a bunch of guys for a time of relaxation, fellowship, and God's Word.  Call the church office TODAY to sign up.  Plenty of space still available!!
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RALLY DAY PICNIC COMING UP SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 at NOON!
 
Come out to Mim Dunn's house, 17488 Hickory Lick Rd, for a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and fun!  There are hiking trails, a picturesque lake for fishing and canoeing, and much more! 
 
We need help with hauling tables and chairs out there Saturday morning, and home again Sunday afternoon after the party, and we need a few more pop up canopies for shade and protection from the elements.  Call me at 359-1061 if you can help!
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MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE DIRECTORY TODAY!!!  Call 456-2888!!!
 
When you come to get your picture taken, bring some canned food items in and get $5 off your picture order.  jhm
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MAKE SURE YOU ARE HERE FOR YOUR GROUP'S PICS!!!
August 25, 8:10am- Greeters, Acolytes, and Lay Readers
9:35- Ushers, Youth Group, Pianists, Projectionists.
 
Sept 8, 9:35am--Stephen Ministry, Board of Outreach, Altar Guild, and Sunday School teacher
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For DAVE CALLIES as he is having kidney stones removed today and will be having double knee replacement surgery on Sept 17.
 
For GREG, a friend of Charlie Figura, who is suffering with MRSA, a rare infection that is untreatable. 
 
For the family and friends of ZANE HECHT who was killed last Wednesday while painting an old school house.  He accidentally touched a power line.  (He is a neighbor of the Fosters and many others in our congregation.)
 
For SAMANTHA AUBUCHON who is recovering from pneumonia and severe migraines.
 
For CAL TAMELER who is back at home and recovering from having 3 stents put in his heart. .
 
For WILMA WEIGLE who is recovering from a slight stroke and will have surgery on August 27.
 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS who is having severe back and hip pain .
 
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from bladder surgery due to cancer.  
For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and continues to go through treatments.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to fight a tough battle against cancer.
For TYLER WEST, a little brother of a preschooler, who is going to have to have a third surgery to remove a tumor on his brain. .   
 
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).