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Daily Devotion: Tues., Dec. 3, 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).
"The Right Destination"
December 3, 2013
(Jesus said) "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13 In life a person can make mistakes he will never live down.
Included on my uncomfortably long list of never-forgotten errors is the time I congratulated a lady on the fact she was expecting. Then I asked her when the baby was due. Long story short: there was no due date because she wasn't expecting. Then there was the time ... but, enough about me. I'm sure you have such moments of your own.
High on the list of never-live-downs now belong to the pilot of a cargo-carrying jumbo jet who landed at a small Kansas airport instead of his intended destination: McConnell Air Force base in Wichita. After the landing the pilot and two air-traffic controllers tried to figure out which airport was currently hosting the jumbo jet. In the course of the conversation the pilot gave his coordinates, but in doing so he mixed up east and west. He apologized by saying, "I couldn't read my handwriting."
Now I'm pleased nobody was hurt and the jumbo jet eventually did reach its proper destination. Still, I imagine that pilot will never again be able to enter a room filled with airmen without seeing smiles breaking out and someone asking him, "Hey, pal! Where you goin' today?"
Yes, the story is an amusing one.
Amusing does not describe the situation of millions of souls in this world who, with a terrible pilot in control of their lives, are headed for a very bad landing. If things don't change, on Judgment Day these folks will find that their pilots, sin and Satan, have deliberately taken them to the undesirable destination we call eternal damnation.
And they will never, not through all eternity, ever be able to live it down.
Now the worst part of these sad stories is this: all the tragedies were totally unnecessary. More than 2,000 years ago God's sinless Son came into this world to do everything necessary to make sure our final landing would be in heaven.
So that God might once again take control of our lives, it was necessary for Jesus to carry our sins, resist every temptation, and die the death our transgressions had earned. It was a sacrifice that was unparalleled in commitment and unequaled in completion. Jesus' third-day resurrection from the dead shows He finished the work of redemption, which had been entrusted to Him.
Now all who believe on Him and trust in Him are forgiven and saved.
In other words, because of Jesus, we are going to land in the right place.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that by the Holy Spirit's power You are in control of my final destination. Today I pray for the many millions who are headed for a disastrous landing, a landing they will regret for eternity. Please touch their hearts, bring them to repentance, and take them safely to heaven. This I ask in the Name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
In 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: Where are the Words of Institution (the words I use before communion) found in Scripture? Hint: It's in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (Good job Dianne)
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: fill in the blank: If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is __________ and so is your ________. (NIV)
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30am; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Sat- Vendor, Craft and Bake Sale 9-3; Clark/Jordan Wedding 2pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; elders meeting at noon
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YOU'VE HEARD OF BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY. TODAY IS GIVING TUESDAY!!!!
Think about who really needs something today and give it. If it is money, then money, if it is food, then food, if it is prayer, then prayer, if it is forgiveness, then forgiveness. Whatever it is, give it today!!
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FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK SUPPER (5:30) and WORSHIP 6:30!!! THIS WEDNESDAY (TOMORROW)!!!! What could be better?
Come for supper at 5:30!! Stay for worship at 6:30!!
If you are in elder groups 1, 2, or 3, you are responsible for bringing the food!!
Our worship will focus on the theme "Beautiful Savior, King of Creation" showing us how Jesus is much bigger than the 33 years he spent on the earth!!
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CRAFT SALE, BAKE SALE, and VENDOR FAIR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 9-3!!!!
Come and get your Christmas shopping done and get some goodies to eat at the same time!!!
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MEN'S BREAKFAST CHANGED TO THE 14th!!!!
Since the Fair and Sale is going on this Saturday we are changing men's breakfast and Bible Study to the 14th. Please get the word out and invite your friends and neighbors.
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MANY OF YOU STILL NEED TO BUY YOUR BOOKS FOR THE STORY!!!
The beginning of THE STORY is just a month away!! Are you excited? Do you have your books yet?
Adults may buy their books for $6 a piece before or after worship!!
Kids will get their books at Sunday school, but if they miss Sunday school they can get them after worship as well!!!
There are about 70 adult books left. Get them while they are still available!!
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BRING SQUEEZABLE JELLY (all flavors are acceptable) FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!!
Please put them in the proper receptacle either upstairs or downstairs.
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GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas. 57 kids need gifts! Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
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THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it? THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it. The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible. It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.
How will it work? As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book. There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children. You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5. Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions.
Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page. The materials are excellent. It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel!
What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter? We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.
How do we get the books? Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6. A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.
What about the kids? All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund. There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books. Kids will get theirs in Sunday school .
What kind of help is needed to make this a success? We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one. I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week.
Can I order books for family members who are not members? There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.
Where can I go to get more info? Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY, MONDAY, DEC. 2, 6pm at BREWSKIES.