Daily Devotion: Thursday Dec. 11, 2014


 
 
ST. JOHN'S 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 Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
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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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).
 

 

"
No Time Like the Present"
December 9, 2014 
Asian moneyFor He (God) says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
The 80-year-old man showed up at the Chinese railroad station in the town of Yongkang.

It was his intention to take a railroad trip, and he knew the price of his ticket should be somewhere around 12.5 Yuan, which would be $2 American.

Expecting to get a handful of change, the old man handed the cashier a 500-yuan bill. Taking a look at the currency, the ticket master quickly handed it back and said, "I can't accept this."

The old man was shocked. He wanted to know why. Was it because the cashier didn't have enough change for such a large bill? Was it because the old man's money seemed counterfeit? No, neither of those reasons were the reason the money wouldn't buy the ticket.

So what was the problem? The cashier tried to explain, "I can't accept this bill because it was printed in 1943. Seventy years ago the country's founder, Sun Yat-sen was president, and the nation was struggling to be a democracy. But those days are gone now. Simply stated, the cashier said, "I can't accept this money, because it no longer is money. The bill which once was valuable is almost worthless today. Now you may be able to sell the bill to a collector, but you can't use it to get you to where you want to go."

As this devotion is being written, the Lord Jesus continues to offer forgiveness and salvation to all who are brought to faith in Him as their Lord and Savior. The Christ has sacrificed Himself, has defeated sin, Satan and death, so all who believe might be brought into heaven.

But ... and there is a but ... but the day is going to come when some people are going to be surprised the doors to heaven are shut to them. On that day, Judgment Day -- Too-Late-Day -- folks will find they have missed the opportunity for heaven.

It is not the first time such a thing has happened.

Thousands of years before Jesus gave Himself for our salvation, Noah preached repentance to a sinful world. In those messages Noah warned of the disaster that was going to come, and promised life to all who listened. You know what happened then. Nobody listened, and the Lord shut the doors to the ark. From that moment on, no amount of pleading, no calls for help were successful. The time of repentance and believing had come and gone.

This is why St. Paul wrote the warning that serves as our text for today. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 the Lord tells us, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation."

Yes, now is the day to believe, and now is the day for us to share with the world the story of salvation, which comes through the Savior.

Now is the day, because there is a day coming when it will be too late.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I pray for the lost. While there is still time, may the Holy Spirit bring them to faith and forgiveness, which is freely given in Jesus. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.

Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of
The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

 
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Zechariah 5-8; Jude

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What was the name of the boy who fell out of the window when Paul was preaching? Eutychus
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who warned Paul of the conspiracy to kill him by 40 men who had taken an oath?
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Little Lambs Christmas program 2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; worship 11; elders meeting noon; LL program #2 2pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK

Acolytes-   8:30- Dustin Toedebusch  11- Jacob Winn
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Joan Sexton
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Don Turnure  11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn, 8:30- Jacob Nagel, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers- Sunday: Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Projectors- Sat-- Pam; Sun 8:30- Schaumberg      11-- ???????????

Pianists/organists: Sat- Barb Dreyer; Sun- Gene Hilgendorf      11am- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:
PROJECTIONIST NEEDED FOR 11am THIS SUNDAY!
Who's willing?
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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!
Come and join us for some good breakfast and Bible study following!!
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START MAKING PLANS AND INVITING PEOPLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY WORSHIP!!
Christmas Eve worship is at 7pm and 10pm
Christmas Day worship is at 10am
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BEVERLY WAALEN VISITATION AND FUNERAL IS THIS COMING MONDAY MORNING, Dec. 15.
Visitation-- 10-11am
Funeral-- 11am
Burial at Jefferson Barracks to follow
Memorials may be made to St. John's. 
 
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FINAL ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17!!
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!  You 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 our Lord Jesus to come INTO US. 
 
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Please go by your name, not your old envelope number.  All numbers have changed.  Make sure you get yours next time you are at church!!!
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POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY!!
The sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn to order yours.  You can take yours home with you after Christmas Day!!  Please sign up by December 14.  Cost is $13.50 each. Many purchase them in honor or in memory of a loved one.
 
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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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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For TOM and AMANDA MILBURN who lost their baby girl Jaina this morning due to a congenital heart defect.
 
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BEVERLY WAALEN as she passed from death to eternal life Sunday evening. 
 
For MARIE HARVEY, sister in law of Lil's daughter  Cheri, who had stage 4 cancer and is only 56.
 
For Tony Verme, father in law of Lil's daughter  Cheri, who is still dealing with severe illness and may be nearing the end of his life
 
For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes.  He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em
 
For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it at Delmar Gardens.
 
 
 
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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