Wed, April 23, 2014

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 Ultimate Battle"

April 23, 2014
empty ringThen Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." Acts 10:34-35
His real name was James Brian Hellwig, but most of the folks who follow the entertainment which is commonly called Championship Wrestling knew him as "The Ultimate Warrior."

During the 80s and early 90s, The Ultimate Warrior was big, buff, and an incredibly popular star. He was also good enough to go up against Hulk Hogan for the World Championship title. (He lost.)

A number of years back The Ultimate Warrior stepped out of the squared circle and retired from the sport that had made him famous. Indeed, until last week, he was pretty much incommunicado.

Then, in the twinkling of an eye, he was back. On a Saturday night in April his two teenage daughters brought him to the stage for his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Then, on Sunday, he was interviewed at WrestleMania XXX, and the next day he appeared on the TV wrestling program Monday Night Raw.

Yes, The Ultimate Warrior was back, and there was every reason to think he was planning on staying. His nostalgia-filled fans rejoiced when The Ultimate Warrior shared he had accepted a new job, a job which called upon him to be a goodwill ambassador for World Wrestling Entertainment.

The next day, walking with his wife outside an Arizona hotel room, James Brian Hellwig fell to the ground and died. At the age of 54, The Ultimate Warrior was "counted out." He serves as a reminder that death doesn't always wait until you are a 93-year-old Mickey Rooney, and it doesn't always give a warning of its arrival as it did for Annette Funicello.

The reality is this: because death is not a respecter of persons it can come any time, any way it wants. Sooner or later, death comes calling on the rich, the poor, the famous, and the forgotten. Sooner or later, it will stop by to see each of us. On that day there is only one question that will have any significance: "Was Jesus in our corner?"

Please understand: Jesus most definitely wants to be in that corner. The Savior, who also is not a respecter of persons, was born, lived, suffered, died and rose to save us all. Now, through Word and Sacrament, the Holy Spirit gives us faith, which will guarantee Jesus will win our final fight for us.

This is why, even before that battle takes place we can give thanks to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:57).

THE PRAYER:Dear Lord, it doesn't make any difference how big, how buff, how smart, how wise, how good-looking, how rich, or how popular we are. If Jesus is not our Savior, we will lose the ultimate battle against death. Thankfully, Jesus is my Savior, and I know, because of Him, there is hope and life eternal in heaven. For this final victory over death, I give thanks in His Name. 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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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Besides Proverbs what other books did Solomon write? Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  How long did Solomon reign as king?
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Confirmation questioning and reception 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- LWML Spring Rally at Zion, Harvester; Bible study 4pm; worship 5pm
Sun-  Worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible Study 9:45; 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION 11am
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg  11- Sophie Tinnin
Altar guild- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Brett and Amanda Nordwald  11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jo Fahrni;  11am- Jacob Nagel
8:30 Ushers- Don Hance, RIch Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate

Projectors- Sat- Terry McKenzie, 8:30- Julie Schaumberg, 11- ?????
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NEWS:
THE STORY: CHAPTER 13 "THE KING WHO HAD IT ALL" IS THIS WEEK!!!
We are back at it and won't have another break for quite some time so get to reading and studying!!  Read it and learn about the rise and fall of King Solomon, how his wisdom led to his rise, but how his sin and weakness led to his downfall. 
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8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION FESTIVITIES THIS WEEK!!
1. Questioning and Reception Thursday 7pm--- Everyone's invited
 
2. Confirmation Service Sunday 11am--- The kids will read their essays!!  Everyone's invited!
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS MAY 1 BREAKFAST IS AT 6:30AM and PRAYER SERVICE IS AT 7AM!!
 
All items for the breakfast are spoken for!  For ultimate freshness please bring items up to church on Wed, April 30. 
 
Thank you everyone!
 
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VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!!  SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm
 
Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office.  Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for.  First come first served!! 

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JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!
The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish. 
 
The three year old class still has several spaces available.  If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!! 
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A LETTER FROM OUR DCE INTERN KELSEY OVERBECK
My name is Kelsey Overbeck and I will be your DCE intern this year from Concordia University Nebraska. I am from a little town called Pocahontas, Missouri

which is in the southeast part of the state with a population of 114 people. I live on a 70 acre farm where we raise angus cattle, a few chickens, a brittany spaniel named Brownie, and a boston terrier named Cooper. My parents are Pat and Doug Overbeck; my dad is a line technician for Proctor & Gamble and my mom is disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, I also have a 16 year old sister named Lindsey who is a sophomore at

Saxony Lutheran High School.

I attended grade school at St. Paul Lutheran School and then I attended high school at Saxony Lutheran High School. I am from St. Paul Lutheran Church in

Jackson, Missouri. I have been involved in my church praise band for 8 years playing acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I was a member of the Missouri District LYF Team during high school where I helped plan and lead retreats in the state of Missouri and I continued to help with the Jr. High retreats in the fall and spring while in college. I love being at retreats and serving on missions trips. I have been to New Orleans six different times helping with hurricane Katrina relief, I have helped with the Joplin tornado relief two different times, and I have worked with UKANDU missions in inner city Chicago

teaching VBS to kids living in poverty.

While at Concordia University Nebraska I majored in psychology with a youth emphasis. I fulfilled my practicum experience at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln,

Nebraska alongside DCE Rod Lane. At school I was involved in two different praise bands each year and was able to travel to different churches throughout the state of Nebraska on Sunday mornings; I have also had the opportunity to play at the NYG in San Antonio, Texas and at the LEA Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also while at

Concordia I was the Bulldog mascot for a year. My passion is working with youth and helping them on their faith walk with Christ.  I strive to be a positive role model to them as well. One of my biggest strengths that I

bring into youth ministry is a listening ear because a lot of times they just want someone to be there to listen and talk to. I am very excited to be a part of your church during my internship experience! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at St. John’s

Lutheran Church!


In Him, For Him,


 
Kelsey Overbeck

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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
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PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 220 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.


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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.
 
For DENNIS ORF, 12 year old boy who has a bad head and brain injury from a 4 wheeler accident last Friday and is slowly recovering.
 
For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern. 

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.


 








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