AFTERNOON DEVOTION: From the five14 Team -- June 30, 2014

An excellent devotion about sharing the Gospel and our timing versus God's timing:

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Delayed Timing

TEXT: Matthew 27:54 - When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely He was the Son of God!"

It is interesting the soldiers at the cross of Jesus didn't believe He was the Son of God, until after He was dead. During His life He healed the sick, calmed storms, fed thousands of hungry people, and brought dead people back to life. All these miracles weren't enough for this group of soldiers to believe in Him. It wasn't until they saw the events after His death that they recognized Him for who He is.

Sometimes the impact of our Christian witness may have a similar timing. People may reject the message we are sharing time and time again. We may be mocked for our Christian lifestyle and dismissed as unintelligent for our faith. When we don't see the results of our witness our work may seem useless and ineffective. All that rejection can leave us feeling frustrated and ready to give up.

When you feel like your efforts to share the love of Christ are useless, remember the soldiers at the cross. The timing seemed to be delayed; the disciples may never have even known that those at the foot of the cross finally believed, but that doesn't matter. All that matters is that the soldiers eventually did believe. God doesn't promise that we will see the impact of our witness; He just calls us to be faithful and give it. All the work for our salvation was done by Jesus. His death on the cross made it possible for us to be forgiven, washed clean from our sins, and perfect in the eyes of God. That kind of message is worth sharing!

You may never know how your Christian life makes a difference in the faith development of those you are witnessing to. It may not be until years later that they come to faith in Christ. What a fantastic surprise it would be for you to see them in heaven!

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, even the perfect witness of Your Son was rejected by many of those around Him until after His death. Please help us not be discouraged in our Christian witness, even if we don't see results. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness in Christ, and enable us to share that message over and over again! In Jesus Name. Amen.

Written by Jessica Bordeleau

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Monday, June 30, 2014

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Video shot by Meteorologist Tony Laubach Part of a severe weather and tornado outbreak. INCREDIBLE VIDEO OF TWO significant tornadoes at once crossing US-275 east of Norfolk near the town of Pilger,…

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Lutheran Hour Ministries

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).

"Losing Heart"
June 30, 2014
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
This winter and spring my travels have taken me to many different congregations. While those churches differ in size and location, they have all shared one thing in common: an altar prayer for suitable and seasonable weather. As of this writing, there are droughts and fires in many places and ongoing flooding in others. It was my intention to write a Daily Devotion on the weather, but Mick Onnen, the previous president of Lutheran Hour Ministries, beat me to the punch. In this devotion, used with his permission and with minimal changes, he shares a most personal story. Pastor Klaus

"I do."

With those words, Nila and I exchanged wedding vows 37 years ago, last week, in a small church in Pilger, Nebraska.

Two weeks ago, we received word that that little church, many homes, and the entire business center of Pilger were destroyed by an unusual and powerful twin tornado. For those who wish, they may see the storm-chaser video at the following location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9d7DDQawVE.

Fortunately, those of Nila's family who still live a few miles outside of town are safe, and damage to their property was generally slight. That is not the situation for many. These last days we have been remembering the church where many family baptisms, weddings and burials took place. We are thinking of the mourning families and the community, which adopted as its slogan, "A town too tough to die!"

While the folks at Pilger have been bruised by an especially tragic demonstration of bad weather, they are not alone. Many others, in many different communities, are also carrying crosses brought on by unanticipated, unprecedented and unwanted climactic conditions.

We are praying for all of these folks as they find themselves forced to make decisions as to what they will do next.

It is particularly at such moments that Scripture provides direction. In 2 Corinthians 4, the Lord inspired Paul to write these words of encouragement: "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Despite the trouble and pain this world dishes out, fixing our eyes on temporal things only leads to disappointment. That is why, as Christians, we have been given something more secure on to which we can hold. We are blessed to have the nail-pierced hands of the crucified and risen Savior, who has given His very life to assure that our eternal home is secure and unmovable.

Of course, we also know that Jesus' assistance is not just for the time of death. When He was with us, the Savior said, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Relying upon the Redeemer, may those who find themselves enduring difficult times -- and difficult weather -- find the Holy Spirit will give them the ability to overcome.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today we come and speak to You for all those who are suffering because of adverse weather conditions. We pray You will modify that which is wrong and bring about something good. Let hearts be turned to You for help and hope. This we pray in the Name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

All too often the job of reaching others is left to others. That can be unfortunate. After all, there are times when YOU may be the best person to reach someone who is lost or wandering. If you have always wanted to know how to do such a sharing of the Savior, you may want to attend Lutheran Hour Ministries' SENT Outreach Conference which is July 24-27 in Detroit. For more information, visit www.lhm.org/conference.
Pastor Klaus In 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: What was Mary's cousin's name? (The lady she would go and visit to tell her about being pregnant with Jesus.)
Elizabeth

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was John the Baptist?
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CALENDAR:
Mon- MN trip meeting 6pm
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home Worship 10:30am
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm
Fri- Independence Day (office closed)
Sat- No men's breakfast; Bible Study 4; Worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Youth leave at Noon for MN
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Bella Linstruth 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Altar guild- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up-- Don and Ann Panhorst
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell ; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Boeger; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Lois Boeger; 11am- ????
8:30 Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
Projectors- No projectors scheduled--- I will take any volunteers
Sat pianist- Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:

MEETING FOR THOSE GOING ON THE MINNESOTA MISSION TRIP TONIGHT, JUNE 30 AT 6PM!!!
If you are going or are a parent of a kid who is going you are EXPECTED to be there!

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5-12 GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL WAS GREAT YESTERDAY MORNING! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KEEP COMING EVERY SUNDAY!!
Kelsey is a great teacher and she has a lot of info in her brain and heart that she wants to get out to you!!

This week is chapter 23 "Jesus' Ministry Begins".
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HELPERS NEEDED FOR VBS COMING UP JULY 14-18!!!
Calling all BIG KIDS (6th-12 graders) AND/OR ADULTS,
We need you to help us out with VBS! You will be responsible for getting groups of kids from place to place and making sure they are participating in activities and staying out of trouble!! Please call Kelsey at church to volunteer 456-2888!!!
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THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE JULY 7-11 LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMP FOR 3-6 Year olds!!!
The theme for that camp is COOL SCIENCE!! They will be doing some cool science experiments and learning all about the science of God's creation!!
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FRIENDSHIP TREKI!! VBS IS COMING UP JULY 14-18!! "Kid Friendly" Supper at 5:30; VBS 6-8pm

The theme is friendship and the Bible stories will revolve around different "friend" relationships throughout Scripture!!

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6TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN'S GOLF OUTING IS SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 at Country Lakes Golf Course

Flyers with all the information necessary are on the counter in the narthex.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 23 "Jesus' Ministry Begins" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Learn all about the beginning of Jesus' ministry, including His introduction from His cousin John the Baptist!!!

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!! I know it is difficult, but make time! It is very important!

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

If you are willing to sign up for a Sunday let me know by replying to this email and I will add you!! Thanks

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6- Cal and Betty Tameler

July 13- Rich and Lois Boeger

July 20- John and Joanne Hachtel

July 27- Don and Ann Panhorst

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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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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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For EMILY BRUNSON, who is having a cyst removed from near her eye at Cardinal Glennon Tuesday.

For PAT PUCKETT recovering from shoulder replacement at home and doing very well!

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LORENA CROUCH, Allan Dreyer's aunt, who passed from death to life on Saturday.

For THOSE WHO CONITNUE TO DEAL WITH FLOODING UP NORTH, especially farmers who have lost A LOT of their crops.

For WENDELL ROEHRS as he has been released from the hospital and is recovering well at his daughter's home.

For LIBBY PAILER, as she got to go home from the nursing home yesterday and is recovering well at home. `

For ED KOHRS, as he is recovering from blood clots in his legs and lungs and as he mourns the loss of his wife as well.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN, as she is well into her summer mission trip to the Silesian province of the Czech Republic.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she has begun her work at St. John's that the Lord would make a big impact through her .

Denise Schlesselmann's June newsletter

Enjoy!

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: June 29, 2014

-------- Original message --------

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:06/28/2014 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: June 29, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for June 29, 2014

"Making God In Our Image" #81-43

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on June 29, 2014
By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
(Preaching on Politics)
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Matthew 10:34-42

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! The world will deny God's truth; it will mock and deride that truth, but that changes nothing. God's Son has died and risen so all who believe on Him as Savior might be granted life eternal. God grant such faith to us all. Amen.

AFV. The initials stand for America's Funniest Home Videos. Most people have seen that program and they have laughed at its segments. If you happen to be among the half-dozen or so folks who haven't managed to catch an episode, I can describe the show's concept.

Nowadays most people have a video camera or are able to use their cell phones to capture movie clips of things which they think are important. With the amount of video being shot every day it is not surprising that, every once in a while, somebody manages to capture something which is amusing or embarrassingly unexpected.

That's the premise of the program. It is a premise which has resulted in AFV's audience seeing talking cats and dogs, groomsmen who faint at a wedding, a bride's veil which catches fire, people dancing on collapsing tables; ice skaters, skateboarders, and sled riders crashing into immovable objects; tired children falling asleep with their face in supper's spaghetti, and athletes who forego the thrill of victory so they might show the world the agony of their defeat. AFV is an interesting program and I enjoy watching the new episodes when I get the chance. Apparently you do, too. I say that because the show has been on for a quarter of a century.

You know, I've often wondered how our all-knowing, all-seeing Creator sees us when He looks down from heaven. Although there is absolutely no Biblical support for the idea, I've been amused by the thought that He sees individuals and nations as a long-running television program. For example, there would be a program entitled Ken Klaus' Funniest Home Videos. There would be the segment when I said a prayer of thanksgiving at church for a lady and her newborn. How was I to know the lady was 81-years-old and she had been put in the maternity ward because there was no other bed in the hospital? Then there was the episode when I typed in the Sunday bulletin: "Now the congregation will boldly sing." The only problem was, I forgot to put the "g" on the word sing and Spellcheck didn't catch my mistake. The congregation caught it and had a good laugh at their pastor who had told them to 'boldly sin.' I have had many other such segments which probably have given the Lord a good laugh.

I think He would laugh at you, too. I think He would laugh at the man who gets angry at his wife for her cooking and then goes on a fishing trip where he swallows half-fried potatoes, burned fish, and gritty creek-water coffee from a rusty gallon bucket and then muse, "It doesn't get any better than this." He would be amused at the fellow who knows the line-up of every team in the American League but can't remember his anniversary; who knows the win-loss record of every NFL team but can't recall the words of our nation's anthem.

There would be other channels, national channels, which also would appear on the Lord's viewing list. Looking at the U.S., whose birth we celebrate this week, don't you think God would be fascinated by our great silliness? Wouldn't He smile at the car dealer who advertises, "BE AMERICAN, BUY AMERICAN," and then promises if you purchase a vehicle from him, you will be registered for a chance to win a Japanese motorcycle. Wouldn't He chuckle at a nation who has weight-loss diet programs sponsoring TV shows where people are being taught how to cook? What would He think about movie stars who speak strongly against cruelty to animals but speak in favor of abortion? Well, He wouldn't smile at that one, would He? That would bring sadness, not a smile.

There are other things which would sadden God as He watches us live out our short, sin-saddened lives. He made the world perfect and told us to use it wisely. That man-made pollution forces children in some countries to wear masks when they go to school is a disgrace and the great dead zones of our world's oceans is a tragedy. The earth God gave us was one of peace and harmony where the lamb had no fear of the lion. How the Lord must despair to see so many species in His creation being driven to extinction. The pain of that loss would be only slightly less than seeing how the fundamental fabric of the family is being endlessly reformed and revised; of seeing how selfishness and self-centeredness is shattering the vows made by husbands and wives. What could grieve God more than to see nations tear and rend each other through hatred, hostility, and war or to watch how each passing year adds more rows of graves to military cemeteries around the world.

I can tell you what would grieve Him more. The Lord's greatest heartache is the disregard, disdain, and disrespect humankind directs toward Him. Our disobedience began simply enough in the Garden of Eden. There God had given our first ancestors only one law: don't eat from the forbidden tree. It didn't take too long before Adam and Eve concluded that the Lord's command was too restrictive and entirely inaccurate. They allowed themselves to be seduced by Satan's sly suggestions and decided they, not their Creator, knew what was best. They disobeyed, they ate, and introduced sin, damnation, and death into a no-longer perfect world.

In spite of what they had done, the Lord promised forgiveness and salvation would be coming in the Person of His Son. It was a promise which was well-received... at least for a while. In less time than it takes to tell, brother was killing brother and families forced into slavery those who were weaker. Evil became so widespread, so all-encompassing, so infectious that the Lord decided to give humanity a second chance and begin over. The beginning over process began with a flood which was God's response to our sins. It was a flood which was well-deserved and overwhelming.

But that flood was not powerful enough to stop us from trying to show God that we, not He, ought to be in control of our lives. With a snub in their hearts and a sneer on their faces those in the new world began construction of a tower and city which they felt would be able to defy any disaster or catastrophe which God might send upon those who had rebelled and rejected Him.

By confusing the languages of humankind God put an end to the tower and to our unified rejection of His authority. Repeated humblings should have given us a lasting and profound respect for God and His authority. It should have, but it didn't. Instead each family, each group, each tribe, each nation invented gods which were to their personal tastes and preferences. During the days of creation the Lord had said, "Come, let us make man in our own image;" now our rebellious hearts changed that to "Come, let us make God in our image." The terrible consequences of that decision are unimaginable as God's perfection and attributes were replaced by our own degenerate qualities.

Take a tour of the world, visit the cultures and the peoples. Look at their religions, their beliefs, their gods and you will find little resemblance between the god which sprang from their minds and the goodly and gracious God of the Bible. God is merciful but the Aztecs took their thirst for blood and claimed god demanded human sacrifice. God is holy, but the ancient Greeks took their propensity for licentiousness and created an Olympus populated by deities who were immoral, jealous, erotic, and erratic. The Triune God is One but the people of India created a million gods to give order to every aspect of their lives. In spite of how we had perverted the Lord and His plan of salvation, God was not deterred, discouraged, or dissuaded from His promise to send a Savior who would be sacrificed to save sinners. Both promise and prophecy come to fulfillment with the birth of Jesus. Isaiah had described the Redeemer as being the "Prince of Peace." When the angels announced Jesus' coming to the shepherds of Bethlehem, they agreed. Before they returned to heaven they signed off with the words, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14 (KJV). What a wonderful thought that was.

A Baby who brings peace on earth and gives good will to men, that's the kind of Savior the world can applaud and appreciate. A cute, cuddly little, non-threatening Baby is the kind of deity which makes all of humanity feel good. After all, a Baby has no doctrines to divide or defend; a Baby gets in no philosophical or theological arguments; a Baby has no moral demands or ethical stipulations; a Baby calls for no crusades. A Baby expects nothing other than to be kept full and fed, warm and dry. If these basic needs are supplied, we can be pretty sure Baby Jesus would be content to lie comfortably in His manger, looking perfectly precious in His swaddling clothes.

Many think that is a grand idea. Such a Divinity would allow merchants to use His birthday to sell their wares and balance their books. Such a Deity would allow governments to decorate courthouses and main streets with stars and angels and Santas because such things are part of our historical heritage and devoid of any religious significance. Such a Deity will be glad to lend His name to educators who put on a December children's program wherein songs about Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch, and the Christ Child are all interchangeable. Such a Newborn would allow wise men and TV producers to tell us that family, or love, or giving, or togetherness, or a break in military hostilities are the true meaning of Christmas and the real purpose the Baby Jesus was born. Such a Newborn would let us create Him any way we would like and then recreate Him as situation and circumstance demand. That is what happens when God is created in humanity's image.

But, Jesus is not ready to be made in man's image. Now you don't have to take my word; Jesus can speak and show that for Himself. Look in the Gospels and you will see when Satan promised Jesus all the wealth and power of the world, Christ rejected the offer. When the multitudes wanted to make Him their King and free-meal ticket, He declined. When Herod wanted Him to do a bit of magic or a small miracle, Jesus refused to comply. Again and again Jesus would not let Himself be remade or His mission shaped into what humankind wished. Again and again He told people He had come to seek and save the lost; to heal the sin-sick soul, to bring light to those who were in darkness; to be the Good Shepherd who would give His life for the sheep, to offer His life as a ransom for many. Jesus refused to be deterred: He was about the Father's business and that business was to fulfill the law for sinners; to resist temptation for sinners; to die for the lost and to rise from the dead so all who believe on Him might be saved. It was a job which began with an initial promise to the lost of Eden and it is a job which continues on today. It continues as the Holy Spirit works blood-bought, saving-faith in the hearts of those who once were lost.

I can tell you that our world likes what Jesus said and did no more than did that of 2,000 years ago. In Jesus' time His remarks, His call to repentance and salvation were so frightening the world's leaders considered Him too dangerous to let live. That's why He was crucified. Today, without the Lord physically present, the world hates Him by persecuting the people whom the Holy Spirit has called to salvation. That's why Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." It was a promise and prophecy which has been fulfilled in every generation and in every corner of the world.

Go to North Korea and see how the government there has fulfilled those words by doing its best to stamp out the Savior and the salvation He has won on Calvary's cross. Visit China or Viet Nam and watch how they struggle to make the Savior and those who would share His story of life comply with the party platform. Go to the churches of the Mid-East where the homes of Christians are burned, churches are bombed, and fanatical Islamists consider it a good work when they persecute, murder, and martyr those who cling to the Savior who has forgiven and opened heaven's doors for those who believe.

Twenty years ago (Reader's Digest, April 1994) former Secretary of Education William Bennett wrote, "Today, much of society ridicules and mocks those who are serious about their faith. America's only respectable form of bigotry is bigotry against religious people. And the only reason for hatred of religion is that it forces us to confront matters many would prefer to ignore." Bennett then shared the results of what happens when a nation tries to minimize and muzzle those who follow their faith. He said, "Since 1960, while the gross domestic product has nearly tripled, violent crime has increased nearly 560 percent. Divorces have more than doubled. The percentage of children in single-parent homes has tripled." (Excerpts from What Really Ails America, condensed from a speech by William J. Bennett, delivered December 7, 1993 at the Heritage Foundation, Washington, D.C., reprinted in Reader's Digest, April, 1994) Does this sound too complicated or deep? Then allow Mr. Bennett to say it In terms everybody can understand. He said, "In 1940, teachers identified the top problems in America's schools are: talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise and running in the hall. In 1990, teachers listed drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, suicide, rape, and assault." Today, 20 years after Mr. Bennett drafted those words, we could add to that list, "the fear of mass murders by classmates or total strangers."

Recreate God in our image. Dear Lord, may it not be so. Far better to share the Savior as He comes to us. Far better to tell the lost that the Lord loves them and wants nothing more from them than to save their souls. Far better for us to join with St. Paul and say, "it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jew and Greek, Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor. 1:21-25).

Yes, we join with Paul in saying, 'we preach a changeless Christ to a changing world; a Savior for sinners; a Lord whose love does not change; whose story cannot be improved upon, a Lord who alone can give us life.' If this is the Jesus for whom your heart longs, then we want nothing more than to help point you to the crucified and risen Lord. To that end we extend this offer, "Please, call us at The Lutheran Hour." Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 29, 2014
Topic: Preaching on Politics

ANNOUNCER: Now, Questions and Answers once again with our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I'm Mark Eischer.

KLAUS: Hello, Mark. This week, the U.S.A. is celebrating its Independence Day. Did we manage to come up with a question which might touch upon that fact?

ANNOUNCER: Good question. I think so. Probably. Yes.

KLAUS: So it sort of does and it sort of doesn't.

ANNOUNCER: That's maybe the best way to describe the question. A faithful church-goer writes, "My pastor preaches politics from the pulpit. Not only do I not like it, I think it's against the law."

KLAUS: Does he give any indication about what kind of politics the pastor is presenting from the Lord's pulpit?

ANNOUNCER: No, nothing like that. To our listener, it just sounds like politics. Would it make any difference?

KLAUS: Yeah, it kind of does... but before I get into that, let's answer some of the easier questions the man asked.

ANNOUNCER: Sounds fair. I imagine you will answer that part about whether it's against the law. That would be pretty straight forward.

KLAUS: And so it is. The answer is... for the vast majority of U.S. history there was no law governing what a pastor said from his pulpit. Pastors preached about slavery, and alcohol, and political candidates, work hours, welfare, and just about anything else you could imagine. Anyone reading some of the strongest of those messages might readily wonder if the preacher even knew Jesus or the story of salvation. There was a whole lot of political rhetoric, but not too much theology.

ANNOUNCER: And when did that all begin to change?

KLAUS: I would say the pulpits began to be muzzled right around 1954. Senator Lyndon Johnson was running for office and he thought some of the more prominent clergy back home were undermining his re-election efforts. So, Johnson introduced some legislation that became known as the "Johnson Amendment." That's an Internal Revenue Service regulation which limits pastors from participating in the political process. It prohibits churches from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. If they do, they run the risk of losing their congregation's tax-exempt status.

ANNOUNCER: All right. Now that may be the law, but it seems to me whenever election time rolls around we still hear this sort of thing going on, at least in some parts of the political spectrum. Has it ever happened that the IRS took away a church's tax exemption because of a sermon the pastor preached?

KLAUS: It's possible, but to the best of my knowledge that has not happened. Yes, churches have lost their exemption, but not for a sermon.

ANNOUNCER: Still, it is technically against the law. I would think that that fact, in and of itself, would militate against a pastor using the pulpit for political purposes.

KLAUS: It does. The vast majority of preachers I know have never espoused a specific political candidate or a non-Scriptural program from the pulpit. They believe that when they speak to the congregation, they wish, as much as is possible, to speak for the Lord.

ANNOUNCER: Are there other reasons why a pastor shouldn't preach politics?

KLAUS: At least one other reason. Our listener is not alone. Most people, and by that I mean about 2/3 of people in the U.S. don't like their pulpits being used that way.

ANNOUNCER: I suppose that gets into the separation of church and state.

KLAUS: Yeah, and I imagine, most of the time that is the case. We should also point out that the law deals with specific candidates running for office and not moral issues, per se. Last time I checked, we still have freedom of speech.

ANNOUNCER: You also added a few qualifiers. You said, "Most of the time." Or you talked about "non-scriptural programs." You seem to be implying something else here.

KLAUS: Yeah, I am. As a preacher, I recognize that all governments have been placed in their position by God. That does not mean, however, that all governments are Godly. There comes that point in time when the government begins to meddle around in areas that are just as much theological as they are political. When that time comes, a pastor may not only speak to that issue, he may feel obligated to speak to that issue using directives taken directly from God's Word, not just opinion. In short, there are times when it becomes a matter of obeying God rather than man.

ANNOUNCER: Example?

KLAUS: In the 1800s, the big issue was slavery. Today we see assaults being made upon marriage and the family. Speaking to such issues, it is right for a pastor to say: "The Lord tells us in the Bible...." and then he takes it from there.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"The Lord Is Our Light and Our Salvation" by William Wingfield. © 2014 William Wingfield. Used by permission.

"Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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Denise Schlesselmann' s blog from the Czech Republic

Please keep praying for Denise. She is doing a very bold and wonderful thing. http://sharingoursaviorinsilesia.blogspot.cz/?m=1

Pastor's sermon from last week

Check it out! Pass it on!

http://youtu.be/U0WRDAKRl48

Prayer request for Emily Brunson

Emily is having a procedure done Tuesday at the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. She has a cyst near her eye lid that needs to be removed. She would love any prayers to be sent her way as she is very anxious about the procedure and is worried about scarring.
>
> Thank you,
> Angela
>

Prayer request

Please pray for Allan Dreyer's Aunt Lorena as she has had four seizures/strokes in the past 24 hours and is not responsive. Pray that the Lord's will be done.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

"Unfactual Facts"
June 26, 2014
... But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12b
Some things don't change. Long ago, when I was in grade school, I was fascinated by dinosaurs -- just like my grandchildren are today.

A month or so ago I had a conversation with them about the giant beasties. Remembering my education, I commented on how big those dinosaurs were. Very politely, my grandchildren informed me there were a lot of small dinosaurs too. Remembering my textbook's pictures, I noted how dinosaurs were all gray or green in color. Apparently, the textbook was wrong. My grandchildren shared that while some dinosaurs may have been gray or green, they could have been many other colors too.

Trying not to be a dinosaur myself, I shared the one fact about which I was positive: "Dinosaurs were all cold-blooded."

I should have stayed silent.

Speaking for the others, one of my grandkids said, "But Grandpa, don't you know the latest findings show that dinosaurs were probably warm-blooded?" That was when I remembered I had to rotate my tires and left the room.

Friends, I can't wait until I see those grandkids again. That's because a new study says dinosaurs weren't warm-blooded and they weren't cold-blooded, they were something in the middle: they were mesothermic. Somehow or another, the scientists checked out the growth rate of the bones and linked that information to the beasts' metabolic rate. Their calculations showed dinosaurs were in a whole new category.

Now this vignette from my family life is not without a point.

The point is this: once upon a time, the experts assured us that dinosaurs being cold-blooded was a fact so certain you could take it to the bank. Then, not so long afterwards, the experts assured us they were pretty sure that dinosaurs were warm-blooded. That was a fact. Now there is enough supposed evidence for the experts to tell us dinosaurs fit somewhere in between being cold- and warm-blooded. This, they assure us is also a truthful fact.

The only comfort I derive from this ever-changing bunch of facts is this: someday my grandchildren will grow up and have grandchildren of their own. Those new grandchildren will correct the adults and say, "The experts tell us dinosaurs were polka-dotted and did the waltz."

Now the reason I tell you this is just to say the truth of man is a pretty shaky thing. This past week I read an article about how scientists were wrong about the earth's age by some 40 million years. I read another story of how Columbus lied when he said his ship, the Santa Maria, was sunk. Facts keep coming fast and are dismissed even faster.

This is why I am thankful we have an unchangeable God whose Word is truth.

There aren't many facts in this world I am sure will remain the same year after year and century after century. Those facts which make the cut of confidence are those which tell me humankind is sinful, and the Lord unilaterally devised a plan to rescue us from the punishment, which was sure to come. I know I am saved because, 2,000 years ago, God's Son, according to prophecy, lived a perfect life, carried my sins, was crucified, died and rose from the dead.

And those are facts which aren't going to change ... ever.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks Your love, Your grace, Your Son, and His resurrection are facts in which I can believe and be saved. No matter what else I believe in this world, may I cling to the truth of salvation by Your grace. In the Name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

The Savior asked His followers to share His story of salvation. Sadly, doing so can be frightening and intimidating. If you would like to learn how to be more comfortable fulfilling the Lord's request, Lutheran Hour Ministries is holding a SENT outreach conference in Detroit, covering the dates of July 24-27. For more information, see www.lhm.org/conference.

In 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: (A bit harder question again today.) Why was Joseph's plan to divorce Mary quietly actually an honorable thing and one that would be somewhat good for Mary?

(A great answer from Pat King) When the marriage between Joseph and Mary was arranged by her parents, and they became engaged, it was considered the same as being married – just without the fringe benefits. So, for all intents and purposes, Mary was a married woman. If it was discovered that she was pregnant, as a married woman, she could have been stoned to death for adultery. So, Joseph decided to divorce her, so that she wouldn’t be stoned to death.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Mary's cousin's name? (The lady she would go and visit to tell her about being pregnant with Jesus.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Bible Study 4pm; worship 5; Adult Dinner at Donatelli's Bistro in Wenztville, Cocktails at 6; Dinner at 6:30
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Oliver Landwehr 11- Sam Johnson
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean Up-- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover ; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- ????; 11am- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Don and Ann Panhorst, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat pianist- Kathy Barrow
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
5-12 GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!
Kelsey will be celebrating Christmas in June with the all of the older kids! ALL 10-18 year olds should make every effort to attend and get to know Kelsey and get back into The Story if you've been neglecting it lately!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
MEETING FOR THOSE GOING ON THE MINNESOTA MISSION TRIP ON MONDAY, JUNE 30 AT 6PM!!!
If you are going or are a parent of a kid who is going you are EXPECTED to be there!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE JULY 7-11 LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMP FOR 3-6 Year olds!!!
The theme for that camp is COOL SCIENCE!! They will be doing some cool science experiments and learning all about the science of God's creation!!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FRIENDSHIP TREKI!! VBS IS COMING UP JULY 14-18!! "Kid Friendly" Supper at 5:30; VBS 6-8pm

The theme is friendship and the Bible stories will revolve around different "friend" relationships throughout Scripture!!

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RIVER CITY RASCALS BASEBALL GAME, SUNDAY, JULY 13 at 5:05 pm!!!

Box seats are $9 per person!! Get your tickets from John Hachtel today! Don't delay!

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6TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN'S GOLF OUTING IS SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 at Country Lakes Golf Course

Flyers with all the information necessary are on the counter in the narthex.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 22 "The Birth of a King" IS THIS WEEK!!!

COME CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US THIS WEEK!!!

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!! I know it is difficult, but make time! It is very important!

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

If you are willing to sign up for a Sunday let me know by replying to this email and I will add you!! Thanks

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6- Cal and Betty Tameler

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

For PAT PUCKETT recovering from shoulder replacement surgery and is planning on going home today.

For WENDELL ROEHRS as he has been released from the hospital and is recovering well at his daughter's home.

For LIBBY PAILER, as she got to go home from the nursing home yesterday and is recovering well at home.

For RANDY AND PATTY SWEET as they celebrate the birth of their 10th grandchild.

For ED KOHRS, as he is recovering from blood clots in his legs and lungs and as he mourns the loss of his wife as well.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN, as she is well into her summer mission trip to the Silesian province of the Czech Republic.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she has begun her work at St. John's that the Lord would make a big impact through her .

Prayer of Thanksgiving request

From Patty Sweet,

Randy and I are blessed to welcome another grandson which makes a total of 10 grandkids~!

Thank You!

Patty Sweet

Libby Pailer is home

-------- Original message --------

From: bimmyp@centurytel.net

Date:06/25/2014 10:18 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: Barbara Kernell ,Coleen Bottorff ,DAVID ,DOUGLAS PAILER ,Dawn DeBlaze ,Esther Peirce ,Floyd Cantrell ,Janice Lucas ,Jim Biggerstaff ,John Sander ,Judith Pailer ,Lucille Luebke ,Margaret Pailer ,Pamb ,Patricia King ,Scott Deblaze ,Shannon Tobben ,Sue Ruhl ,Sue Strider ,bruce Wibracht ,carole johnson ,charles stark ,dmeder9728@charter.net,jeanmoodie@aol.com,jeremy klaustermeier ,wilma weigle

Subject: Coming home

The great day was today! I brought the love of my life home from Rehab at 10:00 AM this morning. She is doing great . We visited , talked and many hugs. She and I sat on the swing on the patio and just enjoyed a pleasant day. Careful! Careful ! The all important watch from now on. I hover like a hawk but Libby does very well on her own. We celebrated supper with two great rib eye steaks, baked potato with trimmings , peas and pickled beets . Lib ate well. The dog was estatic to see her as well as I am. Tommorrow the therapy nurse comes to check the house. I will have to put up hand rails for her. It will be a labor of love. I know that all the prayers that all of you friends and family made this possible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I wish all of you could see the glow in Libby's face . It is wonderous to see,. Her joy at being home is awe inspiring. Thank you all. Love Lib and Larry P

Prayer request from Ron Williams

Please pray for Ron Williams' cousin Tom Lancaster who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has just started treatments.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

DEVOTION: "How will this be,: Mary answered. "Since I am a virgin." The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled."  Then the angel left her. The Story, p.310

For hundreds of years people have been trying to understand this Virgin birth, and in order to understand they have instead ruined its meaning by trying to explain it away, or by using their own human reason to say something other than what the Word of God plainly says.

Truth is, it doesn't make sense to our common brains. Virgins can't have children. It is not scientifically or biologically possible. So people have said things like, "The word virgin doesn't really mean 'virgin' in the sense that we know it today. It should mean 'young woman'." Or they will try to explain it in some other logical and scientific way so that it make sense to their finite human brains.

The real truth is that God is the creator and master of science. He created the biology we have. He knows exactly how everything works, because He started it all. So, since He is the master of it, He can also go above and beyond the rules of science when He wants to, and that is exactly what He did when He did what is commonly known as the Immaculate Conception. He literally came into and overshadowed Mary. He put baby Jesus into Mary's womb by supernatural means. She was a virgin. She didn't not have intercourse with anyone till after Jesus was born.   Both the word virgin and the context of the passage and others like it show this very clearly.

Why did God do it this way? Well, in order for the Son of God to be sinless He couldn't be the product of two human parents. If He was, he would have inherited the sin of Adam and Eve (original sin). Yet, because he was conceived of the Holy Spirit He was sinless from the beginning. We were sinful from birth, sinful from the time our mother conceived us, because of the sin we inherit, just like any other hereditary illness. Because of genetics, some are born with a propensity for heart disease, some for diabetes, others with other cancer genes. All of us are born with sin. We can't escape it.  All of us that is, except for Jesus.

Jesus had no sin, but He became sin for us, so that we might become His righteousness. He left perfection at the right hand of God, came down and was born perfectly, lived a perfect life, and died a perfect death so that He could take on our sin upon Himself.

That all began at the Immaculate Conception. Even that was part of God's plan from the beginning! All for you!

Prayer: Lord God, Your thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are Your ways our ways! Thank you for that, because if they were, we'd be really messed up. Amen.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    In what year (approximately) was Jesus born? ( A bit harder question for today.) It is estimated (no one is sure) that Jesus was born approximately between 6 and 3B.C.    It used to be thought that our calendar (the Roman calendar) was started with the year of Jesus' birth, but further investigation and evidence suggests that Jesus was born earlier than that.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: (A bit harder question again today.)   Why was Joseph's plan to divorce Mary quietly actually an honorable thing and one that would be somewhat good for Mary?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Bible Study 4pm; worship 5; Adult Dinner at Donatelli's Bistro in Wenztville, Cocktails at 6; Dinner at 6:30
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Oliver Landwehr 11- Sam Johnson
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean Up-- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover ; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- ????; 11am- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Don and Ann Panhorst, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat pianist- Kathy Barrow
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
5-12 GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!
Kelsey will be celebrating Christmas in June with the all of the older kids! ALL 10-18 year olds should make every effort to attend and get to know Kelsey and get back into The Story if you've been neglecting it lately!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
MEETING FOR THOSE GOING ON THE MINNESOTA MISSION TRIP ON MONDAY, JUNE 30 AT 6PM!!!
If you are going or are a parent of a kid who is going you are EXPECTED to be there!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE JULY 7-11 LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMPS FOR 3-6 Year olds!!! The theme for that camp is COOL SCIENCE!! They will be doing some cool science experiments and learning all about the science of God's creation!!