DEVOTION: 24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
One trouble we as Lutherans often have is that we hear the words of Christ and we do not put them into practice. By this I mean that we are so focused on getting to heaven that we forget to live out our faith here on the earth. We know that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and that God doesn't count our works as a means to salvation, and so we fall into the temptation of being lazy Christians. We forget that we have a loving God who cares for us enough to send His Son to die for us. Instead of thinking about God and His love we become selfish and only think about what we have to do.
I hear people say things all the time like, "I can be a Christian without gong to church." Or "I don't need to give an offering to be saved." Yes, believe it or not, I, your pastor, have heard people say these things to me on numerous occasions. I can only imagine what people say when I'm not around. I don't want to imagine it.
It breaks my heart when I hear people say these things. It breaks my heart to know that people are often thinking these things and worse.
James says "Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by what I do." Jesus is saying here that if we don't put our faith into action it will soon be wiped away. It's not based on anything solid.
Those who know what true faith is all about are in worship on a regular basis. Those who know the value of the church are in it and among it as often as they are able. Those who know what it takes to run a church and grow a church give as much as they are able as often as they are able. IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEARD THE WORDS OF JESUS AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE!
Once again, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir today, because those who are reading this are usually those who have heard God's Word and are putting it into practice. But on the off chance I'm not just preaching to the choir and there is someone reading this who really needs to hear these words, I urge you to take Jesus' words to heart today. Put His words into practice! Live in the love of Jesus, and let that love flow through you in every way!
Let us pray: Lord God, help me to put your words into practice. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who baptized Jesus and what was his relationship to him? John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, baptized Jesus.
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One trouble we as Lutherans often have is that we hear the words of Christ and we do not put them into practice. By this I mean that we are so focused on getting to heaven that we forget to live out our faith here on the earth. We know that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and that God doesn't count our works as a means to salvation, and so we fall into the temptation of being lazy Christians. We forget that we have a loving God who cares for us enough to send His Son to die for us. Instead of thinking about God and His love we become selfish and only think about what we have to do.
I hear people say things all the time like, "I can be a Christian without gong to church." Or "I don't need to give an offering to be saved." Yes, believe it or not, I, your pastor, have heard people say these things to me on numerous occasions. I can only imagine what people say when I'm not around. I don't want to imagine it.
It breaks my heart when I hear people say these things. It breaks my heart to know that people are often thinking these things and worse.
James says "Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by what I do." Jesus is saying here that if we don't put our faith into action it will soon be wiped away. It's not based on anything solid.
Those who know what true faith is all about are in worship on a regular basis. Those who know the value of the church are in it and among it as often as they are able. Those who know what it takes to run a church and grow a church give as much as they are able as often as they are able. IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEARD THE WORDS OF JESUS AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE!
Once again, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir today, because those who are reading this are usually those who have heard God's Word and are putting it into practice. But on the off chance I'm not just preaching to the choir and there is someone reading this who really needs to hear these words, I urge you to take Jesus' words to heart today. Put His words into practice! Live in the love of Jesus, and let that love flow through you in every way!
Let us pray: Lord God, help me to put your words into practice. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who baptized Jesus and what was his relationship to him? John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, baptized Jesus.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Jesus do to raise the widow's son?
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Praise band practice 6pm
Fri- Chili Supper 5-7; TRUNK OR TREAT 5-8
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Jack Bunge 11- Jacob Cluver
Altar guild- Set up- ????; Clean Up-- ????
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Rich Boeger; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Lynn Figura, 8:30- Sandra Perricone, 11- ????
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Projectors- Sat-- ??????????
Pianists/organists Sat- Barb Dreyer; Sun- Melissa Pedersen 11am- Doug Walters
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Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Jack Bunge 11- Jacob Cluver
Altar guild- Set up- ????; Clean Up-- ????
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Rich Boeger; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Lynn Figura, 8:30- Sandra Perricone, 11- ????
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Projectors- Sat-- ??????????
Pianists/organists Sat- Barb Dreyer; Sun- Melissa Pedersen 11am- Doug Walters
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NEWS
PROJECTORS ARE NEEDED!!
We need some new folks to take some of our projector spots, especially on Saturday night.
Please consider helping in this very beneficial way. It requires no experience, just one finger to push a button, and a brain that can pay attention to worship and follow along. Please reply to this email if you are willing to help in this much needed way!
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TRUNK OR TREAT ON HALLOWEEN!!!
Bring your kids, bring a pot of chili, and your carved pumpkins to our 3rd annual Trunk-or-treat!! THis is a fun and safe environment to have your kids go trick-or-treating and it's fun for the whole family. We will also be having a chili cook off and a pumpkin carving contest! There will be prizes for thw inners. Event starts at 5pm with chili judging and then we will serve al the chili till 6:30. If you plan on being in the chili contest; please calling the church office, or emailing Kelsey at koverbeck@live.com. Trunk or treat will go until 8pm.
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ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST (OAFC) will be here November 7-9!!
This is a group of high school age kids who spend one weekend a month at a church doing outreach and evangelism and sharing fellowship with one another and the congregation that hosts them.
We are in need of the following help:
1. People to house kids and their adult leaders and provide breakfast for them.
2. A couple people to take care of lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday.
3. Kids in 7-12 grade AND ADULTS to come out and participate along with the OAFC kids.
Please consider this wonderful opportunity to affect your community for Christ and grow in your own faith at the same time.
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HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 8am-2pm!!
If you have a business that you run from home or you would like to sell your wares at a place where tons of people are sure to come, please consider being a part of our 3rd annual Vendor Fair. The Ladies Aid will be serving lunch and selling baked goods as well!
Make plans to come out and get your Christmas shopping done early!!
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QUILT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUILTERS!!
$1 each or 6 for $5!! The qult will be awarded to the lucky individual on Saturday, November 15!! Proceeds are given to several local charities!
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY GUIDES AND BUSINESS DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX
Support your local businesses! Pick up a directory and use it to call on your friends and neighbors to do the things you need to get done!
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PATRIOT PACKAGES WILL BE PACKED AT THE WARRENTON ARMORY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 9am-noon!!
You may donate small travel size personal hygiene items, gum, comic books, magazines, or cash. A full list of needed items will be available soon. These packages are sent to troops out on the front line and battle fields around the world.
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Kelsey updates our website weekly! Check it out!! www.stjohnwarrenton.org
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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 BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.
A prayer of thanksgiving For my aunt, LOIS RICHARDSON, as she has been able to go home and is recovering slowly.
For THOSE IN DANGER, THOSE SUFFERING, AND THOSE MOURNING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES DUE TO EBOLA, that the Lord would find a cure and an antidote for it.
For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.
For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.
For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.
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