Veterans Day

A good tribute to all of our Veterans and active military men an women:


The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other.
He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

Veterans Day

A good tribute to all of our Veterans and active military men an women:


The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other.
He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

Daily Devotion: Wed., Nov. 7, 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). 




"Different but Similar"
November 11, 2013
yellow flowers, seminary wall(Jesus said) ... to them, "Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them ..." And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:14b, 16
It's been some time since I came across a candidate for my "How low can humans go?" category.

With great sadness, I must report one has surfaced in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The day was a Saturday, and the place was First Baptist Church. There the family and friends of 28-year-old Krystle Flaherty were saying their earthly farewells to this young mother.

It's true. Flaherty left behind a three-year-old daughter.

To help provide for the child, a donation box had been set up at the church. The money was going to be put into a trust fund for the little girl. Those of you who read my words carefully will have noted that I said, was going to be.

Past tense.

You see, while the service was being held, someone stole the checks, the cash, everything except for one $50 check. Nobody knows just how much money was in that box. The only thing we are sure of is some heartless soul ripped off a three-year-old child, while she was at her mother's funeral.

So, I ask you, can anybody get any lower than that?

Well ... actually, they can.

Back when I was in the parish, we had an annual event called, "The Children's Sunday School Christmas Service" (the CSSCS). To be ready for the CSSCS the youngsters practiced their songs, their parts, their standing-ups and their sitting-downs during December's Sunday school time. If we needed the extra-practice, a Saturday morning was set aside for that purpose.

The CSSCS was one of the best-attended worship services of the year. It was the only service for which relatives arrived early and vied with each other for an unobstructed view in the front pews.

Now this is where things get sad. Every year there were a few children dropped off who had never been to any of the practices. They had never learned any songs or parts and were totally unprepared for the CSSCS. Indeed, these children had not been to Sunday school or church for months.

The only reason they were there was because the parents were looking for a photo op or because grandma and grandpa wanted to see their grandkids in the CSSCS.

The teachers did their best to help the kids fit in, but they could only do so much. Watching the CSSCS we were embarrassed for those kids who not only didn't know what to say, they had no idea how somebody should behave in church. As those children grew older, they also were embarrassed. To the best of my recollection all those children eventually fell away from the church.

How low can a person go?

I've seen pseudo-Christian parents take their children and steal them away from their Savior. Today those children have little ones of their own and the sins of the fathers are being visited upon a new generation.

Yes, it's a terrible thing to steal money from a mourning child, but it's worse to steal a child from a loving Lord. This is why I pray, this devotion may, at least for one individual, change this year's CSSCS and, at the same time, change the direction of a young child's life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You loved little children. You blessed them and gave Your life for them. May we do all we can to make sure our youngsters know the depth of Your love. In Your Name. Amen.

P.S. - I normally don't do this, but if you want to help Krystle's little girl, donations can be sent to Krystle's child at The Bank of Belleville, 720 West Main Street in Belleville, IL 62220.
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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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  How many people did Jesus send out all together when he sent them out two by two ahead of him?  72.  Good job Dianne and Doug!
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MONDAY'S QUIZ:  Of all the commandments which one is the most important according to Jesus? 
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilters 9-2; BIble Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- NEWSLETTER DEADLINE; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Pastor in KC at CCCS meeting
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Annual Voters meeting 9:45
 
 
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL HOUR
We will elect officers, approve a budget and learn all about "The Story". 
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ST. JOHN'S WILL HELP OPERATION BACKPACK WITH PEANUT BUTTER
You may have read in the Warrenton Record that Operation Backpack is in desperate need of food items. 
 
Operation Backpack is a program that provides food for needy children on weekends.  Most of these kids are able to get reduced or free breakfast and lunch at school daily, but since there is no school on weekends they often don't have enough food to make it through the weekend.   The food gets brought to a central location and then disbursed to the most needy of children in our area schools.  It is done discreetly without any other kids knowing about it. 
 
A few Warrenton area churches have teamed up to provide the food.  Each church is taking a different food item (kind of like we used to do for the Ditty bags for soldiers). 
 
St. John's is in charge of peanut butter. 
 
Please bring jars of peanut butter to church within the next two weeks so we can get them to the kids who need them asap.  Any jars of peanut butter will do as long as they can comfortably fit in a backpack

 
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY, MONDAY, DEC. 2, 6pm at BREWSKIES.
There is a choice of two entrees, apple smoked pork loin or chicken marsala.  Sign up sheet is in the narthex  Cost is $18.  Bring a $10 wrapped gift to exchange.
 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For PATTY SWEET who is having minor surgery today
 
For SANDY ROBINE'S DAUGHTER as she is having minor surgery on her hand today.
 
For The family and friends of DANA OELSEN, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who passed away suddenly last week at age 45. 
 
For WILMA WEIGLE as she is recovering slowly but is improving.
 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she should be moving to St. Luke's rehab today.
 
For The FELDKAMP FAMILY at the death of Dianne's mother.
 
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.
 
For STEPHEN DREYER, nephew of Allan and Barb Dreyer, who is in ICU with severe illness.
 
For the FAMILY of CASEY KOHLMEIER an officer who was struck and killed by a drunk driver.
 
For LISA RAUSCH'S FRIEND, ISABELLE, who is dealing with severe illness.
 
For LIL WINTER who is still dealing with pain in her foot after foot surgery.
 
For DON, FRAN, and JUDY all friends of the Robines who are dealing with health problems of various kinds, and for their friend SHEILA who is doing well and recovering.
For, PATTY, a friend of Denise Schlesselmann, who has recently been diagnosed with breast caner.
For JENNIFER, daughter of John and Mary Jo Fahrni, who is recovering from a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. 
For STEPHEN DELANEY a friend of the Fahrnis, who is dealing with lung cancer. 
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.

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!