Daily Devotion: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 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 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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DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (ESV)
17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."[c] 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
 
Evidently the Corinthian Christian church had some problems and misunderstandings.  First it had divisions, probably between poor and rich people.  Secondly, they treated the Lord's Supper like any other meal.  They all went ahead and ate as much as they wanted to fill their bellies instead of treating it as a sacred meal, set apart for the purpose of the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith. 
 
The main thing here is what Paul says about the real presence of the body of the Lord.  He says, "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." 
 
This is why, to this very day, we practice closed communion in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  We don't want anyone, whether willingly or unwillingly, to sin against the body and blood of the Lord.  We don't want anyone to eat and drink judgment on himself.  We want everyone who partakes of the body and blood of Christ to receive God's forgiveness, life, and salvation in and through this sacrament. 
 
So if anyone asks you why we treat the Lord's Supper like we do, and why we take it so seriously, and why we don't let everybody take it right away, point them to the passage above and understand it for yourself as well. 
 
Prayer:  Lord help us to treat your supper how you want it to be treated, as the means of grace and the holy meal that it is.  Amen.


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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:      What is the reason Paul gave that it is good for a man not to marry? (Hint: It's in 1 Corinthians)
"I would like you to be free from concern.  An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs-- how he can please the Lord.  But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-- how he can please his wife-- and his interests are divided.  An unmarried woman is concerned about the Lord's affairs.  Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.  But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of the world-- how she can please her husband.  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."  1 Corinthians 7:32-35 
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Fill in the blank:  "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the __________  __________.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Advent Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15;  GIVING TREE GIFTS UE BACK!!!
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm; Karate 5pm; Praise Band 6pm
Sat- TFG leaves at noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK

Acolytes- Wed- John Pezold; 8:30- Patrick Schaumerg  11- Dawn Sherman
Altar guild- Set up- Terry McKenzie Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover; 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:
GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY, DEC 3)!
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ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, 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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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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LADIES AID INVITES ALL LADIES TO JOIN THEM FOR A CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT NOON AT DENNY'S.  This is in place of the regular ladies aid meeting.
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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP LEAVES AT NOON ON SATURDAY FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE!!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE PRATICING FOR THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME!
If you want your child to be part of the program they need to be in Sunday school!  The program will be at the 11am service on December 21. 
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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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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)
Prayer of THANKSGIVING For CORA CLUVER.  Her biopsy came back negative.  It is not cancerous.
 
For ELTON TEMME, brother of  Harold Temme and Lois Frick, who had a seizure this past Tuesday.
 
For the DREYER FAMILY at the death of Allan's mom.
 
For SAFETY, PEACE, AND THAT COMMON SENSE AND COOLER HEADS PREVAIL in the trouble in Ferguson.
 
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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