Daily Devotion: Monday, November 10, 2014

DEVOTION:  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, "Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus."   John 12:20
 
If you've ever been up on the pulpit at St. John's you've seen this verse attached to the pulpit in big metal letters so that you can't miss it.  I'm not sure who permanently put this verse in metal plates up there, but it is fantastic! (If someone reading this knows who did that I'd like to know.)  It is an excellent reminder of what a pastor should clearly preach every time he gets up into that place.  If a congregational member doesn't hear clearly that Jesus is the reason for their salvation and eternal life, the pastor hasn't done a good job. 
 
Sometimes, even the pastor gets clouded in his thinking as the devil tries to worm his way in to our brains and confuse us.  We need a constantly weekly reminder of our sinfulness and our need for a Savior.  It sounds overly simplified, and maybe it is, but that is the job of the preacher.  It is to convict each of the hearers of their sinfulness (preach them to the gates of hell) and then share with them the rescue from it (get them up off their knees and let the grace of Christ carry them to heaven.) 
 
Anything else is, as good of a life lesson as it may be, or as entertaining as it may seem, or as engaging as the story might seem, takes second to the life saving purpose of the pure, unadulterated Gospel!
 
I was reminded of that this weekend as OAFC was here.  Their sole purpose is to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible, and then let the Gospel do its work.  They aren't flashy.  They don't have trickery or salesmanship.  They are straightforward Gospel presenters.  They are ongoing ambassadors for Christ! 
 
Let's all be ongoing ambassadors for Christ to the point that when people see us they don't even see us as much as they see Jesus in us!  Let's represent HIM in all we say and do!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, they want to see you!  Let them see You in me.  Amen. 
 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   How many disciples did Jesus send out in pairs to every town and place where he was about to go? 72

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ:  What did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15

Tues-Thurs- Pastor gone at church worker's conference (Kelsey gone Wed-Fri)

Tues- Quilting 9-2; NO BIBLE STUDY; Trustees meeting 7pm

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Praise band practice 6pm

Fri- Vendor Fait set up 5-7pm; December newsletter deadline
Sat- Vendor Fair 8am-2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; voter's meeting
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Hannah Johnson 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up-- Pam Linke
Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke; 11- ??????
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave WInter; 8:30- Steve Robine; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier, 8:30- Steve Robine, 11- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers-  George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Projectors- Sat-- Pam Bueltmann; Sun 8:30 Schaumberg   11-- Kailyn Blechle
Pianists/organists Sat- Tim Sherman;  Sun- Barb Dreyer  11am- Molly Hendershot
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS

ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST (OAFC) WAS A HUGE BLESSING THIS WEEKEND!!

They visited with about 96 people who were home and  left Gospel literature at another 110 homes.  They found eight possible new members of St. John's that have asked for follow up with the pastor!!

 

I especially want to thank Molly Hendershot and Kathy Fischer for serving the food this weekend and all who helped them by bringing food or making food!

 

I also want to thank the Elcans and Kelsey for housing this wonderful group!

 

My only wish is that there would have been more people here to enjoy their ministries to us and to the community!

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR THIS 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!!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VOTERS MEETING THIS SUNDAY!! 

Items for the agenda:

1. Budget

2. Elections (We still need people for the boards of evangelism, stewardship, and trustees.  One person for each board.)

3. New Mission Statement

4. Approval of liquor license for possible Spring picnic

_________________________________________________________________________________

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

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey updates our website weekly!  Check it out!!  www.stjohnwarrenton.org

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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

For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it.

 

For TONY VERME who fell and broke his hip and was having seizures after his surgery.

 

For my AUNT LOIS RICHARDSON, as she is in the hospital ICU again after her heart stopped while having dialysis.

 

For BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.

 

For LORI DAVOLT, a friend of Karin Klaustermeier, who is dealing with complications from cancer.

 

THANKSGIVING for CHARLIE SUE CLEVELAND, who was baptized yesterday and as her mom and dad become members soon.

 

THANKSGVING FOR LANDON DREYER, born to Blake and Stephanie Dreyer this past Friday.

 

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.