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).
"An Act of Valor"
July 3, 2014
(Jesus said) "... I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. ...." John 10:17b-18aPastor's Note: On the Fourth of July we would normally share a devotion that deals with God and country. Since our Friday Daily Devotions are written by volunteers from our international ministry offices, we have shared that patriotic devotion today. Pastor Klaus
William "Kyle" Carpenter was a dead man.
It's true. Carpenter was declared "dead" by the officials at an Afghan field hospital and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Although he was revived by the medical teams, he should have breathed his last because of the wounds he sustained on November 21, 2010.
It was on that day that Carpenter and another Marine were stationed on the roof of a building during a firefight with the Taliban in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. Manning his machine gun, Carpenter saw an enemy hand grenade land near their position.
Rather than running away from the grenade, Carpenter ran toward it and used his body to shield his comrade. The blast collapsed one of his lungs, destroyed his jaw, cost him an eye, and shattered his body in a horrible manner. His injuries kept him in the hospital for almost two-and-a-half years.
Still, it should be noted this once-dead man is now leading a most exceptional life.
Carpenter says, "The enemy killed me. I came back, ran a marathon, completed a mud run, and jumped from a plane."
He didn't mention the fact he has also thrown out the opening pitch at a Padres baseball game, and he has also stopped by the White House where the president has bestowed on him the Medal of Honor, the highest military award America can bestow.
Reading Carpenter's story, I was reminded of our Savior who sacrificed Himself so that those who believe on Him would be forgiven and saved. Rather than running from death and saving Himself, Jesus dedicated Himself to the cause of offering His life so we might live.
Now, because of the risen Redeemer's gracious and selfless sacrifice, believers are freed from sin's condemnation and are given new lives -- lives that are filled with blessing and hope. Looking past His resurrection, Jesus shared the purpose of His work when He said in John 10:10b, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
And if you're wondering how we who have been given an abundant life ought to respond to this great blessing of salvation, I would reply that our thanks will not come in the form of a most honored medal. No, our response ought to be shown when we join our voices with the multitudes in heaven who say, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (See Revelation 5:12.)
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there are times when humans will be willing to lay down their lives for a comrade or friend. Your sacrifice is especially gracious because You died and rose for sinners whose actions had made them enemies of heaven. Now may we offer up thanks for the gracious life of salvation You have won. In Your Name. 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
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was John the Baptist? He was Jesus' cousin and also the one who made straight the way for the Lord. He prophesied and proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah and baptized Him to begin His ministry.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What disciple was Simon Peter's brother?
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- Sat- Tony and Sandra Perricone 8:30- Julie Schaumbberg; 11-????? (Still need people to run projector at our 11am services)
Sat pianist- Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:
THANKS TO JULIE SCHAUMBERG, TERRY MCKENZIE, DON AND ANN PANHORST, SANDRA AND TONY PERRICONE, AND PAM BUELTMANN!
We are still in need of projectors for our 11am service especially this Sunday! Please volunteer!
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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 PAT PUCKETT recovering from shoulder replacement at home and doing very well!
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LORENA CROUCH, Allan Dreyer's aunt, whose memorial service is today.
For THOSE WHO CONITNUE TO DEAL WITH FLOODING UP NORTH, especially farmers who have lost A LOT of their crops.
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.
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