Wed. Jan 22, 2014

DEVOTION:  15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died: 17 'Say to Joseph, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
 
I just love this little story.  It reminds me of all the times I remember old sins that God forgave long ago and has completely forgotten.  He has wiped those sins out of his own mind, yet Satan keeps bringing them back up in our minds. 
 
Joseph's brothers thought that he was only being nice to them on account of his father.  Now that his father was dead, there was no reason to be kind to them anymore.  Surely he would now take his vengeance.  The only trouble with that theory is that Joseph actually meant it when he forgave them 17 years earlier.  He actually did forgive them.
 
We need to remember this story when it comes to our own forgiveness.  We can't hold grudges.  We can't plot our own vengeance for later.  For our own sake we need to forgive just as God forgives us.  There is nothing more liberating than that.
 
Let us pray:  Lord God, help me to forgive as Joseph truly forgave his brothers.  Amen.
 
 

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TUESDAY'S QUIZ:  What did Joseph do right before he revealed himself to his brothers when they came begging for food?

Joseph put silver in the sack of the youngest brother.  He sent his men to bring back the thieves.  When they were
returned, Joseph said he only wanted the youngest brother, the one who stole from him.  The oldest brother
Judah, pleaded to take him instead because the loss of Benjamin would kill his father.  At this time Joseph ordered
all to leave his presence.  There was no one left in his presence but his brothers.  This is when Joseph began to weep loudly and revealed who he really was.
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Name Joseph's brothers.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Choir 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- The Story Chapter 3 Study 4pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school  and Adult Bible class on The Story Ch. 3 9:45; High School Bible Study at Imo's 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Austin Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
Altar guild- Set up Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; Sun- Alan Hofeldt
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
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NEWS:
THE STORY: CHAPTER 3  "Joseph, From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh"
 
Learn all about the amazing story of Joseph and how God used him and his trials to bring about salvation for His people.
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STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 BEGINNING AT 6PM!! 
Tickets are on sale in the narthex before and after worship or you can call the church office during the week to get yours!  Come and enjoy a wonderful time, wonderful food, and get lots of good deals and on stuff that you will really use and need!!
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TRIVIA NIGHT THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 STARTING AT 6PM!!!
Form a team of eight and call Marilyn  in the office to sign up or just come by yourself and we will add you to a team!!   Cost is $5 per adult and $2.50 for kids 18 and younger.  Bring your own snack and beverages. 
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WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 BEGINNING AT 8AM! 
To connect the new lighting fixtures in the preschool room, and to work on a few other odds and ends that need to get done. 
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HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORY
A 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

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NEW BIBLE STUDY DAY AND TIME ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE
In 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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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
 
DAVE CALLIES, undergoing knee replacement surgery on TODAY.

JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.

MARY AUBUCHON who is back home and recovering from pneumonia.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 
WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to recover from pneumonia and other complications due to brain surgery. 
 
PAMELA, a friend of Kathy Fischer, who is suffering with a different types of cancer and is recovering from surgery. 
 
 
         








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