AFTERNOON DEVOTION: From the five14 Team -- June 30, 2014

An excellent devotion about sharing the Gospel and our timing versus God's timing:

Delayed Timing TEXT: Matthew 27:54 - When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely He was the Son of God!" It is interesting the soldiers at the cross of Jesus didn't believe He was the Son of God, until after He was dead. During His life He healed the sick, calmed storms, fed thousands of hungry people, and brought dead people back to life. All these miracles weren't enough for this group of soldiers to believe in Him. It wasn't until they saw the events after His death that they recognized Him for who He is. Sometimes the impact of our Christian witness may have a similar timing. People may reject the message we are sharing time and time again. We may be mocked for our Christian lifestyle and dismissed as unintelligent for our faith. When we don't see the results of our witness our work may seem useless and ineffective. All that rejection can leave us feeling frustrated and ready to give up. When you feel like your efforts to share the love of Christ are useless, remember the soldiers at the cross. The timing seemed to be delayed; the disciples may never have even known that those at the foot of the cross finally believed, but that doesn't matter. All that matters is that the soldiers eventually did believe. God doesn't promise that we will see the impact of our witness; He just calls us to be faithful and give it. All the work for our salvation was done by Jesus. His death on the cross made it possible for us to be forgiven, washed clean from our sins, and perfect in the eyes of God. That kind of message is worth sharing! You may never know how your Christian life makes a difference in the faith development of those you are witnessing to. It may not be until years later that they come to faith in Christ. What a fantastic surprise it would be for you to see them in heaven! THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, even the perfect witness of Your Son was rejected by many of those around Him until after His death. Please help us not be discouraged in our Christian witness, even if we don't see results. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness in Christ, and enable us to share that message over and over again! In Jesus Name. Amen. Written by Jessica Bordeleau   Visit whatsfive14.com Videos  Events Contact Us subscribe / unsubscribe / visit our website 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. • St. Louis, MO 63141 • 1-800-876-9880

Monday, June 30, 2014

Play video Video shot by Meteorologist Tony Laubach Part of a severe weather and tornado outbreak. INCREDIBLE VIDEO OF TWO significant tornadoes at once crossing US-275 east of Norfolk near the town of Pilger,… 00:01:45 Added on 6/16/14 902,132 views

 

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By 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).    "Losing Heart" June 30, 2014  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 This winter and spring my travels have taken me to many different congregations. While those churches differ in size and location, they have all shared one thing in common: an altar prayer for suitable and seasonable weather. As of this writing, there are droughts and fires in many places and ongoing flooding in others. It was my intention to write a Daily Devotion on the weather, but Mick Onnen, the previous president of Lutheran Hour Ministries, beat me to the punch. In this devotion, used with his permission and with minimal changes, he shares a most personal story. Pastor Klaus "I do." With those words, Nila and I exchanged wedding vows 37 years ago, last week, in a small church in Pilger, Nebraska. Two weeks ago, we received word that that little church, many homes, and the entire business center of Pilger were destroyed by an unusual and powerful twin tornado. For those who wish, they may see the storm-chaser video at the following location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9d7DDQawVE. Fortunately, those of Nila's family who still live a few miles outside of town are safe, and damage to their property was generally slight. That is not the situation for many. These last days we have been remembering the church where many family baptisms, weddings and burials took place. We are thinking of the mourning families and the community, which adopted as its slogan, "A town too tough to die!" While the folks at Pilger have been bruised by an especially tragic demonstration of bad weather, they are not alone. Many others, in many different communities, are also carrying crosses brought on by unanticipated, unprecedented and unwanted climactic conditions. We are praying for all of these folks as they find themselves forced to make decisions as to what they will do next. It is particularly at such moments that Scripture provides direction. In 2 Corinthians 4, the Lord inspired Paul to write these words of encouragement: "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Despite the trouble and pain this world dishes out, fixing our eyes on temporal things only leads to disappointment. That is why, as Christians, we have been given something more secure on to which we can hold. We are blessed to have the nail-pierced hands of the crucified and risen Savior, who has given His very life to assure that our eternal home is secure and unmovable. Of course, we also know that Jesus' assistance is not just for the time of death. When He was with us, the Savior said, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Relying upon the Redeemer, may those who find themselves enduring difficult times -- and difficult weather -- find the Holy Spirit will give them the ability to overcome. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today we come and speak to You for all those who are suffering because of adverse weather conditions. We pray You will modify that which is wrong and bring about something good. Let hearts be turned to You for help and hope. This we pray in the Name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen. All too often the job of reaching others is left to others. That can be unfortunate. After all, there are times when YOU may be the best person to reach someone who is lost or wandering. If you have always wanted to know how to do such a sharing of the Savior, you may want to attend Lutheran Hour Ministries' SENT Outreach Conference which is July 24-27 in Detroit. For more information, visit www.lhm.org/conference. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries   Print this devotion Subscribe to this podcast! Through the Bible in a Year Today Read: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Acts 10:1-23 The Lutheran Hour Sign up for LHM news Pastor Klaus bio Change my email address

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:     What was Mary's cousin's name?  (The lady she would go and visit to tell her about being pregnant with Jesus.)
Elizabeth
 
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was John the Baptist?
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CALENDAR:
Mon- MN trip meeting 6pm
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home Worship 10:30am
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm
Fri- Independence Day (office closed)
Sat- No men's breakfast; Bible Study 4; Worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Youth leave at Noon for MN
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Bella Linstruth   11- Cara Klaustermeier
Altar guild- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up-- Don and Ann Panhorst
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell ; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Boeger; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Lois Boeger;  11am- ????
8:30 Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
Projectors- No projectors scheduled---  I will take any volunteers
Sat pianist-  Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:

MEETING FOR THOSE GOING ON THE MINNESOTA MISSION TRIP TONIGHT, JUNE 30 AT 6PM!!!
If you are going or are a parent of a kid who is going you are EXPECTED to be there!

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5-12 GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL WAS GREAT YESTERDAY MORNING!  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KEEP COMING EVERY SUNDAY!! 
Kelsey is a great teacher and she has a lot of info in her brain and heart that she wants to get out to you!!
 
This week is chapter 23 "Jesus' Ministry Begins".
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HELPERS NEEDED FOR VBS COMING UP JULY 14-18!!!
Calling all BIG KIDS  (6th-12 graders) AND/OR ADULTS,
We need you to help us out with VBS!  You will be responsible for getting groups of kids from place to place and making sure they are participating in activities and staying out of trouble!!  Please call Kelsey at church to volunteer 456-2888!!!
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THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE JULY 7-11 LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMP FOR 3-6 Year olds!!! 
The theme for that camp is COOL SCIENCE!!  They will be doing some cool science experiments and learning all about the science of God's creation!!
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FRIENDSHIP TREKI!!  VBS IS COMING UP JULY 14-18!!  "Kid Friendly" Supper at 5:30; VBS 6-8pm 

The theme is friendship and the Bible stories will revolve around different "friend" relationships throughout Scripture!!

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6TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN'S GOLF OUTING IS SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 at Country Lakes Golf Course

Flyers with all the information necessary are on the counter in the narthex. 

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 23 "Jesus' Ministry Begins" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Learn all about the beginning of Jesus' ministry, including His introduction from His cousin John the Baptist!!!

 

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!!  I know it is difficult, but make time!  It is very important!

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING  (pun intended)!!!

 

If you are willing to sign up for a Sunday let me know by replying to this email and I will add you!!  Thanks

 

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time.  Here are the dates:

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6- Cal and Betty Tameler

July 13- Rich and Lois Boeger

July 20- John and Joanne Hachtel

July 27- Don and Ann Panhorst

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.

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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.

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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 EMILY BRUNSON, who is having a cyst removed from near her eye at Cardinal Glennon Tuesday.

 

For PAT PUCKETT recovering from shoulder replacement at home and doing very well!

 

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LORENA CROUCH, Allan Dreyer's aunt, who passed from death to life on Saturday.

 

For THOSE WHO CONITNUE TO DEAL WITH FLOODING UP NORTH, especially farmers who have lost A LOT of their crops.

 

For WENDELL ROEHRS as he has been released from the hospital and is recovering well at his daughter's home.

 

For LIBBY PAILER, as she got to go home from the nursing home yesterday and is recovering well at home. `

 

For ED KOHRS, as he is recovering from blood clots in his legs and lungs and as he mourns the loss of his wife as well.   

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN, as she is well into her summer mission trip to the Silesian province of the Czech Republic. 

 

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she has begun her work at St. John's that the Lord would make a big impact through her .

 

 

Denise Schlesselmann's June newsletter

Enjoy!