DEVOTION: "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. The Story, Pg. 4
What if instead of putting on clothes one day, you just went to work naked? What do you think would happen?
1. You would be very cold, especially today.
2. You would be very self conscious because everyone would be looking at you.
3. You'd probably get arrested, fired, or sent to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Being naked is not normal. It is frowned upon. It is called indecent exposure for a reason. Yet, that is not the way God meant it. Did you ever wonder why it took till Adam and Eve sinned for them to realize that they were naked? Could it have been that, before they sinned their bodies were perfect? Maybe. Could it be because they had no reason to be ashamed of their nakedness? Maybe. Could it be that the sin that they committed not only affected that one instance but everything around them and in them, including their now mortal bodies. Most definitely!
Truthfully it is all three. It is only indecent for us to be naked because our bodies are full of sin both the sin we are born with (original) and the sins we commit (actual). We are only ashamed of our nakedness because of the sin that is in us.
Truthfully, if we weren't sinful we could walk around naked all day long and no one would care. It would be normal. One day it will be normal again!! We will throw off these sin filled bodies and our bodies will become like His glorious body..... sinless and perfect.
Until then we continue to "cover" our sin with the blood of Christ and wash it away as we remember our baptisms! Thank the Lord that he covers you with His grace and mercy.
Let us pray: Lord God, we are afraid because we are naked and so we hide, just like Adam and Eve did. Help us to "come clean" with our sins before you so that you may truly cover us with your love, mercy, and grace. Amen.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What did God create on day four?
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CALENDAR:Tues- Quilters 9-2; The Story 11:30-12:15
Wed- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10am; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Confirmation 5-6:15; Parents meeting for Steak Dinner 6:30; High School Bible Study 7
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- Bible Study 4pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45; Elders meeting noon; Widows group 1pm; High School Bible Study 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Ian Brunson; 11- Jacob Winn
Altar guild- Set up Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean up Joanne Hachtel
Greeters- 8:30- John Fahrni; 11- Joan Sexton
Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; Sun- Jo Fahrni
Sat. Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Ushers- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate
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NEWS: HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORYA big part of The Story experience is that the whole family grows together in it as each person in the family reads it, you will all literally be on the same page. yet, it may be hard to get discussion going or to help you get started together. Are you looking for a way to connect with your kids as they and you read The Story together? There's help!
If you click the link below you will find parent pages for all age groups that you can use to connect with your kids at least once a week. Whenever your "together" time is, make it productive. It is a .pdf file of parent pages that goes from lesson one all the way through 31. Check it out and tell me what you think. I think they are excellent!!
https://assets1.mytrainsite.com/501196/the_story_parentpages_weeks1_31.pdf?r=1438 _______________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IS RESCHEDULED FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND!!Please make plans to attend and receive a blessing from God as you either begin a new assignment or continue on in your service to the Lord!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________NEW BIBLE STUDY DAY AND TIME ADDED TO THE SCHEDULEIn order to give everyone a chance to participate fully in The Story we have added a Saturday afternoon Bible study at 4pm. This is especially good for those who normally attend worship on Saturday evening, but is for EVERYONE who wants to attend!!
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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY, JAN 11, AT 8AM!!!Get the word out! Come and enjoy biscuits and gravy, sausage, and scrambled eggs! Stay for some good fellowship and time in Scripture and prayer!!________________________________________________________________________________________________ANY INTEREST IN STARTING A SMALL GROUP TO STUDY THE STORY?????If anyone is interested in starting a small group Bible Study, please call, text, or email me. I am ALWAYS OPEN FOR NEW IDEAS!!____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ELDER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT NOON!!Please be there so we can start the new year off on the right foot!
______________________________________________________________________WIDOW'S GROUP IS MEETING AT 1PM THIS SUNDAY!!All widows of the church are invited to join! They will meet for lunch an then come back to church for a game of UNO. Contact Evelyn Sherman at 456-4734 for all the details!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________CONFIRMATION IS THURSDAY AT 5PM!!Make sure you are ready for your test over the Apostles' Creed and that you have read chapter one of the The Story!!
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YOUTH PARENT'S MEETING AT 6:30 TO PLAN THE STEAK DINNER AND AUCTIONAll parents of seventh through twelfth graders are expected to be there for this VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!! Be there!!
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HIGH SCHOOL KIDS MEETING AT 7PM THURSDAY!!Bring your book with you as we begin our study of The Story!!!
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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)DONNA HEITGERD recovering from a broken hip at St Joe's Hospital St. Charles Rehab.
WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to recover from pneumonia and other complications due to brain surgery.
LOUIS GOETZ, Linda Ketterer's dad, who is dealing with pneumonia.
PAMELA, a friend of Kathy Fischer, who is suffering with a different types of cancer and is recovering from surgery.
