Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour MinistriesBy 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). 
"Borders, Fences and Chasms"February 26, 2014
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. Luke 16:26In his poem, "Mending Wall," Robert Frost quotes his neighbor as saying, "Good fences make good neighbors." Mr. Frost doesn't much agree with that idea, and there was a time in my life when I didn't either.
Still, there is some truth in the idea that good fences and good borders make for good neighbors.
Sometimes, like the borders between Israel and the countries which surround her, they can mark real differences in religion, morality, philosophy and geographical claims. Then there are borders like that which separates North and South Korea. That border keeps separate two nations with two completely different political systems. And if you're wondering just how different are they ...?
Well, they are so different that for months those divergent nations have been
thinking about
talking about the
possibility of allowing
controlled reunions between a
few of the families, which were separated when the border went up in the 1950s. Everyone involved with this process understands such a gathering is not guaranteed nor certain. Even so, the talks provide hope for members of the older generation who wish to see loved ones one last time before they die.
Of course, not all borders are earthly. Scripture speaks of another border: the chasm which separates heaven from hell. That border has been in existence longer than any other. To the best of my knowledge that chasm has only been crossed once, and that was on Resurrection Sunday when the Christ, having descended into hell, rose from the dead.
It would be impossible to list the differences that exist between those two places. One is filled with joy and jubilation, the other with sadness and sorrow. One echoes with songs of praise, and the other the moans of those who are in agony. The inhabitants of one place acknowledge the great love and grace of God, which has brought them there, and the other has souls that eternally long for a second chance, a second chance which will never come.
Understand, it is not the Triune God's fault that those lost souls languish as they do. It was His desire that all people be called to faith in His Son, who gave His life so all of humanity's sins might be removed and they might be forgiven. Not only did the Lord sacrifice His Son for our salvation, He also extended an invitation to "Believe, be baptized, be saved." (See Mark 16:16.)
It was an offer made without cost to the recipient and remains in effect as long as that individual is alive. Yes, God made a long-standing, but not an everlasting, offer to us. To share that offer to the world is why your denomination, your church, your school, Lutheran Hour Ministries does what it does.
We want to make sure no soul has to spend eternity contemplating and cursing the chasm that separates them from heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that by Jesus' blood I have a home in heaven. Now may I reach out to those who are headed for the other side of the chasm. Bless my words and let these people see, while there is time, how bad things are on the other side. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of
The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: How many men went with Gideon to defeat their enemies? 300 men divided into three companies. ________________________________________________________________________WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: How did Delilah take Samson's strength away?________________________________________________________________________________CALENDAR:Wed- Choir 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter
Sat- Bible class 4pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school (The Story Chapter 8)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Natalie McDowell; 11- Devin Miller
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean up- Pam Linke
Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Alan Hofeldt; 11am- Isabella Linstruth
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
8:30 Ushers- Charlie, Jason, Caleb, and Colton Figura
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NEWS: CHRISTIAN FAMILY SKATE DAY AT SKATE QUEST IN MONTGOMERY CITY ON SUNDAY, APRIL 6!!I would like to gather as many FAMILIES together to go roller skating on Sunday, April 6. If we get 20 people or more we can get a group rate of just $5 per skater.
We would all meet there around 1pm and skate as long as we want!
Let me know if you want to participate!!!
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PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org. Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries. It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places. Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world! As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!!Even if you haven't been there before, come and enjoy a hearty breakfast, some good fellowship, and even learn something about How We Got the Bible. Let me know if you are coming ASAP!!
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ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5!!!! Make plans to attend SUPPER at 5:30 and Worship at 6:30!!! Our theme is "Forgiveness and Peace in the Psalms"
Come for supper! Our jr and sr hi youth are hosting the dinners!! All proceeds go to help the youth help others and be witnesses to the world!
Menu: Fried chicken and all the fixin's on Ash Wednesday!
___________________________________________________________________________________________ THIS WEEK: THE STORY: CHAPTER 8 "A Few Good Men and Women" Come to Bible Study on Saturday night at 4pm or Sunday morning at 9:45 to get all your questions answered and to learn more about the time of the Judges and the constant back and forth between faithfulness and falling away.
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10 ST. JOHN'S KIDS AND 5 OF THEIR FRIENDS PARTICIPATED IN THE 30 HOUR FAMINE IS THIS WEEKEND!!! If you see the following kids around town or at church tell them you want to donate to the 30 Hour Famine Fundraiser: Or you can call pastor at 636-359-1061 or stop by church to donate.
ALL MONEY RAISED GOES TO FEED STARVING CHILDREN AND HELP PEOPLE SUSTAIN THEIR OWN WAY OF LIVING THROUGH FARMING, EARNING A LIVING, OR FINDING CLEAN WATER SOURCES!!Cara Klaustermeier
Isabella Linstruth
Ian Brunson
Emily Brunson
Shawn Jaeger
Siera Jaeger
Sam Johnson
Austin Heitgerd
Kailyn Blechle
Conner Figura
Make checks payable to "World Vision"
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ DCE PLACEMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY!! You may be wondering what is going on with that DCE Intern we voted on last year. The application has been received and now the director of placement from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska will be here to visit with us Thursday night and Friday during the day. We are drawing closer to the day when we will have more ministry help!
___________________________________________________________________________________________ LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON MARCH 1ST! There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee. Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1. Enrollment for the community will be gin April 1. For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061) WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who lost their home in a fire this past Friday night.
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's who is due to have a baby girl on the 17th, but it may come sooner due to frequent contractions.
COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck. He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
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