Thursday, May 15, 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).
 

 

"History Revised"

May 15, 2014 
island roadAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Way back in grade school we had to memorize various short poems. Perhaps some of you remember one of those couplets: "In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue; And found this land, land of the Free, Beloved by you, beloved by me."

Of course, that was way back in the days when Columbus was regarded as a magnificent explorer and an exemplary human being.

Today, by every meaningful barometer, Columbus has been demoted. No longer do many people consider him to be a "good guy." More and more he is becoming thought of as a despoiler, a destroyer of civilizations, an enslaver of Native Americans, and a mass murderer of unprecedented proportions.

Perhaps that explains why, without a dissenting vote, the Minneapolis city council recently decided to jettison Columbus Day and, in its place, celebrate Indigenous People's Day. Now I can certainly understand why Native Americans might wish to see Columbus dethroned. Their argument, "Columbus couldn't discover this hemisphere because our ancestors were there to greet him," makes sense.

All of this means Columbus has now joined the pilgrims, and so many other historical figures, whose facts are no longer considered to be factual, whose truth is untrue, and whose legacy has been revised beyond recognition.

It gets to the point where many folks are pretty sure they can't be pretty sure about anything.

Now understand, this Daily Devotion is not designed to defend Columbus, or pilgrims, or how past generations looked upon and remembered them. Like you and me, these folks were sinners, and because they were sinners they messed up. Sometimes they messed up monumentally.

Still, there is a danger here.

That danger arises when Jesus is thrown in with the wrongdoers and He -- along with Holy Scriptures -- end up being dismantled, dissected and disregarded. When the Lord's blood-bought story of salvation is relegated to the realm of myth and legend, truth becomes suspect and the faith which the Holy Spirit wishes to bestow, seems to be a questionable thing at best.

St. Paul knew what he was saying when he told Timothy that the Lord's Word was designed to make us, along with out faith, complete. Such completeness cannot be based on that which is unsure and uncertain. Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (see John 1:29). His Name continues to be the only Name which saves.

And that is the truth, no matter what the deniers and doubters, the cynics and skeptics might think or say.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I always trust Your Word and be given an unshakable faith in Your Son whose life became my ransom from sin, Satan and death. 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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Today Read:
2 Samuel 15; Psalms 3; Psalms 69; John 4:27-54
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was King of Judah when Israel was taken into captivity? Ahaz (Not to be confused with Ahab)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How old was Hezekiah when he became king and how long did he reign in Judah?
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CALENDAR:
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- WORK DAY AT CHURCH 8-noon; Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school and VOTER'S MEETING 9:45; worship 11; Fellowship gathering at Schirrs 7pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Zoe Pezold  11- Jacob WInn
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean Up-- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp 11- Josh and Angie Scott
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Steve McDowell;  11am- Jacob Nagel
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Julie Schaumberg, 11- Sam Johnson
Sat pianist- Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:
OPEN BUILDING PROGRAM MEETING MONDAY, MAY 19 AT 7PM
This is a time to learn a bit about the history of the building program and where we currently stand.  It will also be a tie for you to present your ideas about how to move forward and maybe get it done quicker, as well as ask any questions you may have.
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BACCALAUREATE SERVICE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMONS AT 7PM TONIGHT.
All graduating seniors and their families are encouraged to attend.  Everyone is invited. 
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LAST SUNDAY'S WORSHIP VIDEO!!
In this video....  Tim Linke doing a great job reading, the choir singing beautifully, and Steve and Emily Speakman and Elise Morris becoming members!!  What a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day morning!
 
http://youtu.be/tgEbrbdcA8w
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TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR THIS SATURDAY, MAY 17 BEGINNING AT 8am!!!
List of projects:
1. finishing trim on front door
2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary
3. Addressing drainage issues
4. Painting
5. Other
They have also established a volunteer list.  Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!!
Come and hear about the many things we are working on and the progress and growth the church is experiencing!
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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!
Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.
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THE STORY: CHAPTER 16 "The Beginning of the End of the Kingdom of Israel" IS THIS WEEK!!!
Read all about the downfall of Israel which is the direct result of their sins of idolatry. 
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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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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 CHARLES HARGROVE, Dave's dad, who is in hospital with heart issues.
 
For ED KOHRS, who is recovering from cancer surgery on his face and mouth.
 
For BEN FRICK, who has also been dealing with pneumonia and weakness for the last two weeks at least.
 
For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been place on hospice care.
 
For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.
 
For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.
 
For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.
 
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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