Daily Devotion: Tuesday, November 25, 2014

DEVOTION:  Luke 6:27-36
27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
 
I don't know what to make of things going on in Ferguson and the surrounding communities.  It is just sad.  I'm just saddened and angered by evil.  Evil will take every opportunity to do more evil and to get others to do evil.  There is more than enough evil to go around.  There is terror on every side.  There are people who know nothing of God, or grace, or forgiveness, or repentance. 
 
I learned a long time ago that you can't make people do what they are supposed to do.  You can't make people be good.  You can't make people believe in Jesus. Jesus himself couldn't do it, why do we think that we can?  And no amount of new laws, National Guard presence, right verdict, or anything at all is going to stop evil on the earth, Nothing but the love of JESUS! 
 
The question for you is how are you going to react?  Are you going to react in hate, anger frustration, racism, fear?  I have read some comments on Facebook already and I am ashamed at some of the comments made by supposedly Christian people.  As Christians we are called to be people of justice, peace, and grace.  We don't tolerate evil or excuse it, but we also don't take vengeance and we don't act out in hate or anger toward anyone. 
 
We pray, and pray, and pray, and pray.  We do good to those who hate us.  We bless those who curse us.  We give our cloak to those who need to take out tunic.  Lend, and do good, and expect nothing in return. 
 
I know it is hard.  It is hard for me too.  I can't stand to see evil win, ever.  But God has called us to something greater.  He has called us to live in the world but not be of it.  He has called us to bring grace and peace into every situation. 
 
Make no mistake, justice will be done.  GOD'S JUSTICE!  He will bring ultimate justice to those who do wrong and do not repent and believe.  Pray that those looting, and burning, and shooting, and whatever else repent so that they don't suffer the ultimate punishment of hell forever.  Pray that those who have done this junk will pay honestly for their actions according to the law so that they are caused to repent and turn from their sins.  Pray for yourself that you react according to God's will and that our conversations and your actions will be seasoned with grace and love.
 
Let us pray:  Lord, bless the law enforcement in Ferguson that they would remain safe and none get injured or killed.  Turn the hearts of all sinners to repentance and forgiveness.  Do Your justice in this and may Your will be done so that even through this more and more may come to know you as Savior and Lord for the day of salvation.  Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What was the name of the paralytic man who was bedridden for eight years and who was healed by Peter? Aeneas
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who said the words in the verses in the devotion above?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Little Lambs sharing meal 11am; Quilting 9-2
Wed- Thanksgiving Eve worship 7pm
Thurs- Thanksgiving Day-- office closed
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11;  DECORATE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS AT NOON!!  Lunch provided!!
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK

Acolytes- Wed- Devin Miller; 8:30- Lydia Miller  11- George Pezold
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri Hofeldt; Clean Up- Lois Boeger; Weekend-- Set up- Lucille Luebke Clean up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede; 11- ??????
Communion Assistants- Wed- Steve Robine;  Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Randy Sweet  11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn, 8:30- Randy Sweet, 11- Lynn Figura
Ushers- Wed- Figura family;  Sun- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate
Projectors- Sat-- Pam; Sun 8:30- Kailyn Blechle   11-- Bella Linstruth

Pianists/organists Wed-Melissa Pedersen;  Sat- Molly Hendershot; Sun- Melissa Pedersen  11am- Doug Walters
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NEWS:
Pastor's message from this past Sunday.
Watch, listen, share!
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THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP AT 7PM ON WEDNESDAY!!!  Be there to give thanks to God!
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CHRISTMAS DECORATING THIS SUNDAY AT NOON!!
Please help decorate our church for the Advent and Christmas Season!!  Pizza will be served for those who help!!  The more people we get the quicker it will go!!
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ADVENT DINNERS AND WORSHIP BEGIN DECEMBER 3!!
Supper at 5:30
Your elder will be calling you to direct you as to when to bring food!  Please come to all of the dinners though!  Yu can't beat fried chicken and tons of great sides every Wednesday night!  A small free will donation is appreciated to offset the cost of the chicken.  Please also make sure you bring your dishes home after supper!  And please be aware that they will not be washed.
 
Worship at 6:30
Our worship theme is COME, LORD JESUS! Focusing on the Lord's Prayer and the Common table prayer, we will talk about what it means that we want Jesus to come into the world, into our hearts, and into eternity!!
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SUPPORT THE LAYING OF WREATHS AT THE GRAVES OF OUR VETERANS WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE
Larry Schulze is selling wreaths to be used at a wreath laying ceremony at the graves of veterans with an organization called Wreaths Across America.  You can purchase/sponsor them for $15 each. 
 
Call Larry Schulze at 636-359-1069 to order yours or if you have questions or need more info. 

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ST. JOHN'S NEW MISSION STATEMENT
 
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing....
UP in God's Word and Sacraments
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual needs
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
 
Memorize it!  Get used to it!  Live it!  It is YOUR mission statement as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church!
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A VOLUNTEER IS NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16
All voting members (men or women) are eligible.  In order for our congregation to have a complete voice we need to have complete representation!  Please call me or reply to this email if you would like to serve your church in this way!!
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WE STILL NEED ONE MORE ELDER!!!
 
Elder duties- 
1. Assist the pastor in the spiritual matters of the congregation.
2. Consider complaints and grievances according to Matthew 18:15-18
3. Make every effort to get inactive members back to worship and supporting the church as they have pledged to God to do.
4.  See to it that all worship is held in an orderly and joyful manner.
5. Prepare a list of candidates during a vacancy.
6. Consider salary and benefits for all staff and make recommendations.
7. Consider those who are eligible for membership.
8. Be a good Christian example with regular worship and Bible study attendance and in their Christian conduct and conversation.
 
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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 CORA CLUVER as she recovers from surgery to remove a possible cancerous tumor.  Biopsy results will come back later this week or early next week.
 
For the family of JUDY WHEELER, (Sean Wheeler, Lindsay Smith and Matt Wheeler's Grandma and friend to many in the congregation).  Her visitation will be tonight from 4-8 at Martin Funeral Home.
 
For ELTON TEMME, brother of  Harold Temme and Lois Frick, who had a seizure this past Tuesday.
 
For Alan Dreyer's  mom VIRGINIA, as she deals with late  stage parkinsons. She is having trouble  swallowing and has developed a  fever.
 
For SAFETY, PEACE, AND THAT COMMON SENSE AND COOLER HEADS PREVAIL in the trouble in Ferguson.
 
For GUS KLAUSTERMEIER, as he recovers from influenza A.
 
For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it at Delmar Gardens.
 
For BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.
 
 
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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