Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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). 




"An 'A' and an 'F'"

October 23, 2013
Washington MonumentWoe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21
The Washington Cathedral in, where else, Washington, D.C., is a pretty impressive structure. It also happens to be one of the places I have not been asked to speak.

Considering the theological position of the present dean, I doubt if an invitation will be coming soon. That's because there appears to be a great theological gulf between what the dean preaches and what I read in the Lord's Holy Word.

Case in point: on October 6th, during his weekly message, the dean made some statements about homosexuality. That's no big deal. Today it seems everybody and his brother is making such declarations. Usually I don't share those comments with you.

This time it's different.

That's because, the dean has broken new ground. Listening to what he said, I give him an "A+" for creativity and an "F" for faithfulness. That's because the dean has said, "It is a sin to oppose homosexuality."

That's right. He believes churches are sinning; pastors are sinning; you are sinning if you oppose homosexuality. Now the dean has a right, no matter how wrong he may be, to have his own opinion. But when he says such a thing from the pulpit and indicates his message is based on the Word or what the Lord wishes, he is out of line ... way out of line.

He has joined the ranks of those who "call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness ... who are wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own sight."

Please understand this devotion is not about homosexuality. It is about pastors, priests and preachers who wander far from God's path and substitute their "wisdom" for what God has told us. That is something the Lord doesn't like. He didn't like it when self-made prophets opposed His spokesmen; He didn't like it when critics undermined Moses, and He doesn't like it now.

God's people and God's preachers have an obligation to condemn what the Lord condemns, to allow what the Lord allows, and remain silent where the Lord is silent.

Following in the footsteps of the prophets and apostles, our job description has remained unchanged. Basing what we say on the Bible, we are to tell sinners they are wrong and invite them to the Savior who lived His life and died our death, so we might be forgiven and saved.

That's it: very simple. Oh, here's one more simple thing: if you have a pastor, preacher or priest whose words and life are based on God's Word, please thank him. He's taking a stand which pleased God rather than man. It is a stand which can be lonely.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I pray in the words of Luther's hymn: "Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word; Curb those who fain by craft and sword would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son And set at naught all He hath done." In Jesus' Name I ask 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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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Jesus' cousin?  John the Baptist and his parents
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Who were the first two disciples?
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CALENDAR
Wed- Choir 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; SERVICE DAY begins with potluck at noon!!
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FITNESSS GROUP MEETS TOMORROW AT 5:30 PM!!!
Dress warm as we will be taking advantage of the outside until it gets too cold.  We will walk to the high school track, do a short workout there, and then walk back!!
 
Reply to this email if you are going to be there.
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SERVICE DAY AT ST. JOHN'S  SUNDAY OCT. 27 AT NOON!!!

 

We will start with a potluck.  Meat and desserts will be provided.  Please bring a side dish or salad to share.

 

 

PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE SHEETS IN THE NARTHEX THIS WEEKEND!
List of projects includes--
At Church---
Cleaning and polishing of pews and altar/communion railing
Cleaning of storage rooms
Minor Repairs around church-- electrical,
Cards to shut ins and soldiers
 
In Community---
Yard work and Minor repairs at people's homes
Visiting people at nursing homes
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HELP OUT AGAPE

 Items that Agape is in need of…

 

Food Pantry:

Spaghetti noodles (or any pasta)

Sauces

Peanut Butter

Cereals

Toilet Paper

Bar Soaps

Canned Soups

Meats

 

Winter items:

Coats

Hats

Gloves

Socks

Blankets

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BELL RINGING AT WALMART!!!!!  SIGN UP TODAY AND SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED!!

Also, St. John's is signed up to ring the bells at the north door (food side) for Agape (Salvation Army) on Saturday, December 14 from 8am-8pm. 
 
Here is the schedule.  I am breaking it up into one hour time slots.  If you would like to do more than one hour please feel free to sign up for two or three. 
 
It is always fun to do it as a family!  Or if a bunch of kids want to get together and do it, that is fun too.  Bring your songbooks and sing Christmas carols, do dramatic readings of something, whatever you want to do.    SIGN UP TODAY!!!
 
 
Thanks!
 
 
8am-
 
9am-
 
10am-
 
11am-
 
12noon-
 
1pm-
 
2pm-
 
3pm-
 
4pm-
 
5pm-
 
6pm-
 
7pm-
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GOOD NEWS CLUB AT REBECCA BOONE NEEDS ANOTHER HELPER!!
They meet every Wednesday from 3-4:15!!  If you can help even just once a month please call Mary Aubuchon at 314-581-5824.  It is a very rewarding thing to do!!
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CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ALREADY????
Let's get ready for the Christmas Program! I know we haven't even had Halloween and Thanksgiving yet!!! We have to start on the program now because we only have NINE more Sundays to practice before the December 15th Program. We will be holding the program at the 11am church service. Now if you are a Sunday school age student and wish to be part of the program, please come to Sunday school as much as possible for the next nine weeks.

Besides the traditional songs we will sing as a group we will also be doing the ushering, offering, and readings for the service. Any age students may participate in the background support rolls. We are also looking for students to play their instruments and/or sing a special piece. If you are interested please contact Karin Klaustermeier or Donna Sherman.
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POSSIBLE TRIP TO THE CREATION MUSEUM NEXT SPRING OR SUMMER
 
Hey parents of Sunday School Students!
We have a grand idea to take the kids to the Creation Museum! This would be a trip we would raise the money for the expense. We have a starting fundraiser idea and hope to get matching funds from Thrivent.

Are you interested in having your kids take a learning journey that may be the cornerstone of their faith for the years ahead? Parents are welcome to come along. We are in the early idea stages, but we would take the six hour trip by motor coach to the museum and plan to spend the night near by in order to take advantage of the special tickets you can use two days in a row.

http://creationmuseum.org/assets/layout/museum/logo.gif
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. For WILMA WEIGLE as she is having surgery TODAY to repair an aneurysm.
2. For, PATTY, a friend of Denise Schlesselmann, who has recently been diagnosed with breast caner.
3. For JENNIFER, daughter of John and Mary Jo Fahrni, who is recovering from a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. 
4. For STEPHEN DELANEY a friend of the Fahrnis, who is dealing with lung cancer. 
5.  For MICHELLE WOOLF as she is trying new and different medicines to get better from a prolonged illness due to thyroid problems and struggle with chronic fatigue.
6.  For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from bladder surgery due to cancer.
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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