Tuesday, June 3, 2014

 DEVOTION:  Ezra 1:1-4 (The Story p. 263)

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”    
 
It is amazing what God can do.  He promised that at the end of the 70 year captivity the people of God who were left, referred to  in the Scriptures as the remnant, would return to their home in Jerusalem and the surrounding country of Judah.  He  kept that promise as we see here, by moving the heart of the mighty king of Persia to let the people go back.  he had no real reason to do it other than that God moved him to do it. 
 
A lot of times when we think things are hopeless God moves.  Sometimes he moves things out of the way.  Sometimes he puts things in the way.  Sometimes he moves people's hearts.  Sometimes he even makes the heart of a person hard and stubborn.  Every time he moves great things happen.  People are changed and often times saved.  Nations are defeated.  A whole earth is created.  When God moves great and wondrous things happen. 
 
Sometimes God moves quickly and drastically in our lives and his movement is clearly seen.  Other times his movement is slow and deliberate, like a turtle crossing the road.  At the fast times we wish God would slow down and in the slow times we wish God would speed up.  At all times God's timing is right and perfect. 
 
I urge you today to take a step back and see how God is moving in your life.  Is he moving in your life to get you to do something or to keep you from doing something?  Is he moving to draw you closer to him or to draw someone else closer to him through you?  Is he putting something in your way or taking something out of your way?  Watch how God is moving, thank him for his movement, and respond in whatever way God would have you respond, knowing that he is taking care of things every step of the way and he will give you his grace.  And then enjoy the ride that is God's movement of grace through the rest of your life!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me to step back, relax, and let you do the moving in my life!  Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Who was king of Persia when the Jews were allowed to return home to Jerusalem and Judah?
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  How many articles of gold and silver were brought back to Jerusalem for the temple?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Building committee meeting 7pm
Wed-  Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30; Choir practice 7pm
Thurs- Alzheimer's Caregivers support group 1pm; Marilyn begins vacation
Fri- 7-12 grade camp out at Mim Dunn's house beginning at noon
Sat- Men's breakfast and Bible Study 8am; Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Ian Brunson  11- Alaina Heitgerd
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up-- Wanda Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- none
Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg;  11am- Jacob Nagel
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Projectors- Sat- ????, 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Ian Brunson??? 
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:
SET UP AND CLEAN UP HELPERS NEEDED FOR POTLUCK ON JUNE 22nd!!
We are in need of some helpers to set up before and clean up after the potluck to welcome our DCE intern on Sunday, June 22. 
Our previous volunteers, Linda Callies and Denise Schlesselmann will not be able to be there that day. 
Please volunteer by simply replying to this email and letting me know.  Thanks!
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DENISE SCHLESSELMANN LEAVING FOR SUMMER MISSION TRIP THE WEEK OF JUNE 16!!
Please pray for her as she goes to the Silesian province on the eastern side of the Czech Republic. 
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YOUTH CAMP OUT RESCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 6, BEGINNING AT NOON!!!
Current 6th graders (those going into 7th grade) through those going into college are invited to join us for a night of camping, with a bonfire, s'mores, swimming, canoeing, and many other adventures. 
 
If your child is younger, he or she may come too, but a parent has to come with him or her!! 
 
Let me know if you are coming and if you have a tent BRING IT! 
 
I have men's breakfast early Saturday morning.  So I will be leaving by 7am.  I need a parent or two to be there in the morning when the kids wake up.  Someone please help! 
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KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!!  There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!
 
Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.
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THE STORY: CHAPTER 19 "The Return Home" IS THIS WEEK!!!
70 years have passed.  A whole generation has come and gone.  Yet God is faithful and keeps his promises.  He makes a way for the tribe of Judah to come back to Jerusalem and rebuild that city so that He can fulfill his promise of a Savior from Bethlehem. 
 
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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WHY AM I BIKING ACROSS KANSAS????
I greatly value and appreciate our relationship and want to let you know I have taken on the physical challenge with 23 other riders from LeadaChild and around 800 other bikers, of biking across the state of Kansas to raise awareness and financial support for LeadaChild CCCS.
 
Pray that I make it. Emoji I will be biking June 11-13, and going about 220 miles, the rest of the group will be biking the whole week and going a total of 550 miles.  If you are interested in seeing what and where we will be biking go to: www.bak.org
 
As you may know, LeadaChild provides Christian education to over 26,000 children in 30 countries. The website is: www.leadachild.org.  Would you consider sponsoring my ride by sending in a check directly to CCCS or you can give the money to me and I will get it to the right place. Make checks out to CCCS, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. 66604. 
 
Any amount will make an impact, but our 23 bikers for LeadaChild CCCS is trying to raise $100,000 and I am trying to raise $25,000.   I currently have $5,650 raised toward that goal. A long ways to go however,
 
With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.
 
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29: 11
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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 8- Dave and Linda Callies
June 15- Dave and Lil Winter
June 22- Dane and Jodi Baldwin
June 29- Jim Rahn
July 6-
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 BEN FRICK, who has been placed on hospice care and is in Warrenton Manor.
 
For LIBBY PAILER, who is recovering from extensive surgery yesterday to repair a broken pelvis. 
 
For RICK SPINIOLAS as he recovers from a fever at home.  He was hospitalized this past weekend.
 
For RON WILLIAMS, who should be going home today after a nine day stay in the hospital.
 
 For ED KOHRS, who had to have a feeding tube put in so that he would be able to receive enough nourishment.
 
For JAMES FISHER, a little brother of a preschooler at Little Lambs and future Little Lambs student who is dealing with sever complications due to strep throat and an eye infection.
 
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. 






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