Daily Devotion: Wednesday Dec. 3, 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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DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 15:12-19
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
 
Have you ever said or heard someone else say, "Believe in yourself."  Or, "You just have to have faith in yourself."  While this statement is usually used to cheer someone up or to give someone confidence, here's what happens....you fail, I fail, everyone fails.  So, if we believe in ourselves and we fail it is a false belief, isn't it?  I can't trust myself all the time, because I know that I am a weak and sinful human being.  To trust and believe in myself is just foolishness.  I can't and I won't do it. 
 
There is something and someone so much more sure, trustworthy, reliable, and believable than me.  It is Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead.  He died on the cross just like He said He would.  He rose from that death three days later just like He said He would.  He always keeps His promises.  I don't.  He has already defeated sin, death, the devil, and hell, not me.  He is God!  I am not.
 
Doesn't that relieve the pressure?  Doesn't that get the load of performance anxiety and the stress of success off your back?  It sure does or me.  It makes me keep things in perspective and gives me relief to know that the success of the church and my own success as a pastor is not based on my performance but on God's will!  I know that when tons of visitors come to church, join, and become active, that it is not my doing, it's God's.  And I know that when there are times that the church isn't growing as fast as I'd like, it's no one's fault either.  It is just the ebb and flow, the life of the church.  The tide comes in and the tide goes out. The sun rises and sets.  The wind blows where it wills and no one knows where it comes from and where it goes. Correction: GOD KNOWS! 
 
Instead of believing in yourself why don't you today believe more and more in the resurrection instead?  Believe that just as Christ died and rose again you too will die and rise!  Live in that fact and the trustworthiness of the love and grace of Christ!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, keep me from trusting too much in myself.  Make me to trust more in You instead so that I may live in real peace.  Amen. 
 


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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Fill in the blank:  "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the __________  __________.    HOLY SPIRIT
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What kind of bodies will we have after the judgment day?
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Advent Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15;  GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE 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- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel  11- Rich Boeger
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine, 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Sandy Robine
Ushers- Wed- Alan Hoeldt. Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure ;  Sun- Scott Heitgerd, Alex Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Bob Linke
Projectors- Sat-- Pam; Sun 8:30- Sophie Tinnin  11-- ???????????

Pianists/organists Wed-Melissa Pedersen;  Sat- Barb Dreyer; Sun- Melissa Pedersen  11am- none
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NEWS:
GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK TONIGHT (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)
For the Catron family, Brenda Catron passed suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday 11/30/14.  She was the lead custodian at Rebecca Boone Elementary, and had been employed by the school district for the last 13 years.
 
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. 
 
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.  Her visitation and funeral will be Saturday at Pitman funeral home:  Visitation is from 9-11, Funeral is at 11, and luncheon will follow at St. John's immediately following the funeral.
 
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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