Thursday, June 26, 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). 

 

"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.)
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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
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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
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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!!
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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!
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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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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!!!

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 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 .