Daily Devotion: Tuesday, November 11, 2014

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).
 

 

"The Power of Blood"

November 11, 2014 
seminary rosette... The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
Thomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is "golden," that is, it has the ability to save lives.

Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person's complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.

The key word in that last sentence is almost.

You see, there are a very few folks -- a very few folks -- who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person's blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.

His blood often spells the difference between life and death.

Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?

It's true you know. Jesus' Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:

* 1 John 1:7b, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

* In the book of Revelation, John sees those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14b).

* St. Peter tells us we have been ransomed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).

* And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to "remember that you were ... without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:12-13).

Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior's blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 
Print this devotionSubscribe to this podcast!Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Daniel 3-4; Titus 2

The Lutheran HourSign up for LHM news
Pastor Klaus bioChange my email address


 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ    What did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week?  Hosanna to the Son of David
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:  What did the Prodigal son long to eat in the parable of the Prodigal Son?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues-Thurs- Pastor gone at church worker's conference (Kelsey gone Wed-Fri)
Tues- Quilting 9-2; NO BIBLE STUDY; Trustees meeting 7pm
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Praise band practice 6pm
Fri- Vendor Fait set up 5-7pm; December newsletter deadline
Sat- Vendor Fair 8am-2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; voter's meeting
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK

Acolytes- 8:30- Hannah Johnson 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up-- Pam Linke
Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke; 11- ??????
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave WInter; 8:30- Steve Robine; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier, 8:30- Steve Robine, 11- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers-  George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Projectors- Sat-- Pam Bueltmann; Sun 8:30 Schaumberg   11-- Kailyn Blechle

Pianists/organists Sat- Tim Sherman;  Sun- Barb Dreyer  11am- Molly Hendershot
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS
 
HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 8am-2pm!!
If you have a business that you run from home or you would like to sell your wares at a place where tons of people are sure to come, please consider being a part of our 3rd annual Vendor Fair.  The Ladies Aid will be serving lunch and selling baked goods as well!
 
Make plans to come out and get your Christmas shopping done early!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VOTERS MEETING THIS SUNDAY!! 
Items for the agenda:
1. Budget
2. Elections (We still need people for the boards of evangelism, stewardship, and trustees.  One person for each board.)
3. New Mission Statement
4. Approval of liquor license for possible Spring picnic
 
ALSO, YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, YOUR CHURCH,  AND I REALLY NEED HELP!!
 
If you feel that you have the gift of leadership and the time to commit to it, please consider one of these opportunities to serve! 
 Below are the positions that are open and a brief description of duties and responsibilities of each according to our constitution:  
 
 One person for the Board of Stewardship
1. Plan, promote, and carry out a Christian stewardship program in the congregation
2. Assure all members of the congregation understand that every good thing are gifts from God.
3. Assist all members in finding ways to use their time and talents to support the building of God's kingdom.
4. Appoint individuals as necessary to assist in implementation of goals.
5. Be an example of good Christian stewardship
 
 Two people for the board of elders (positions still open from last year)
1. Assist the pastor in all matter pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
2. Consider complaints and grievances of members of the congregation according to Matthew 18:15-20
3. Make every effort to induce members who have been negligent in their worship attendance and in their financial support.
4. See to it that all service are conducted rightly and in order.
5. Assist the pastor in arranging for pulpit assistance.
6. Prepare a list of candidate when there is a pastoral or staff vacancy
7. Consider annually whether the material needs of all staff members are being adequately met
8. Be an example of good Christian conduct including regular attendance in worship and Bible study. 
 
 Two people for board of trustees--
1. Be authorized to select custodial employees
2. Be concerned with the well being of all real and personal property
3. Maintain such properties
4. Keep congregation informed as to the state of such properties
5. Keep the congregation properly insured
6. Set all policies and fees for rental and use of property.
7. Enlist work crews for special repairs and improvements. 
 
 One person for the board of evangelism and outreach
1. Plan, promote and carry out an evangelism program in the congregation and community.
2. Plan and supervise religious surveys of the community
3. Arrange for the maintenance of record files
4. Enlist aid in visiting prospective members of the congregation.
5. Assist pastor in evangelism training
6. Consider the needs of individuals in the congregation, of aged, sick, poor7. Call the congregation's attention to social welfare agencies
7. endeavor to publicize the Gospel
8. Monitor pastor's discretionary fund.
9. Be an example
 
Vice President--  (Vacant for last two years)
1. The VP shall occupy a seat on the church council and preside at all its meetings (They meet on every month in which there is not a voter's meeting (7 meetings in all as we do not meet in December). 
2. During absence of the president, the vp shall perform the duties of the office of president.  In the event of a vacancy on the office of president, the vp shall succeed to the office for the remainder of the term.  In such an instance the office of vp shall be filled by presidential appointment. 
3. The vp shall be an example of Christian conduct and conversation, including regular attendance at Sunday worship and Bible study.  
 
 Board of Education--  Note:  There is a spot on the board of education.  Lisa Rausch has agreed to be on that board.  
 
Please reply to this email if you are willing to serve or if you have questions!!!  Thanks for your consideration!!
_________________________________________________________________________________
QUILT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUILTERS!!
$1 each or 6 for $5!!  The qult will be awarded to the lucky individual on Saturday, November 15!!  Proceeds are given to several local charities
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PATRIOT PACKAGES WILL BE PACKED AT THE WARRENTON ARMORY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 9am-noon!!
You may donate small travel size personal hygiene items, gum, comic books, magazines, or cash.  A full list of needed items will be available soon.  These packages are sent to troops out on the front line and battle fields around the world.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Kelsey updates our website weekly!  Check it out!!  www.stjohnwarrenton.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For LIL WINTER, this morning they found out that it wasn't actually pneumonia but bronchitis and scar tissue that they saw in her lungs.  She is going home this morning.    
 
For dear friends of the Perricones, the  Hubbs family, Leslie is having shoulder surgery on the 18th and  Mark is donating a kidney to his son Trevor and the transplant will take place on the 20th.
 
For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it.
 
For TONY VERME who fell and broke his hip and was having seizures after his surgery.
 
For my AUNT LOIS RICHARDSON, as she is in the hospital ICU again after her heart stopped while having dialysis.
 
For BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.
 
For LORI DAVOLT, a friend of Karin Klaustermeier, who is dealing with complications from cancer.
 
THANKSGIVING for CHARLIE SUE CLEVELAND, who was baptized yesterday and as her mom and dad become members soon.
 
THANKSGVING FOR LANDON DREYER, born to Blake and Stephanie Dreyer this past Friday.
 
For THOSE IN DANGER, THOSE SUFFERING, AND THOSE MOURNING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES DUE TO EBOLA, that the Lord would find a cure and an antidote for it.
 
For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.
 
For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.
 
For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.