Daily Devotion: Friday, November 14, 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).
 

 

"
God's Doing"
November 14, 2014 
Latvia, map(Jesus said) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good work and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour


It is always interesting to see how the Lord can spread His "good news of great joy" message (see Luke 2:10).

Working with Lutheran Hour Ministries in Latvia I have found that He, not we, is the One who accomplish His purposes. For example, there have been times when we have put a lot of energy in dreaming, planning and thinking about a witnessing project. We were sure things would blossom.

They didn't. They never took off because something was missing.

On the other hand, there were those times when we never expected to see any success and the Lord blessed the project far beyond anything we could have imagined.

Allow me to share an example. Some time ago we began a program in Riga, which we called, "Pandamania." It was something we had never done before, nor had anyone else. I remember how we began our plans to implement the children's program. We did a great deal of background work, including translating the songs that were to be used.

Never did we expect any of those songs would become so very popular.

The Lord surprised us. The beginning of that surprise began when one little boy who liked our song so much couldn't stand still while singing it. He danced and sang and asked us to play the song again and again. We smiled when we saw his joy and involvement in singing that song. Before too long other children began to sing the song. Soon hundreds of young voices joined in singing the praises of a God, who is always good and always comes to help you.

At the Lutheran Hour office in Latvia we are trying to promote family.

This program has also been blessed. I can remember how the mother of a little child came to tell us how much she appreciated the opportunity to participate in sports games together with her children. She had never thought about such a thing before, but now she intended to play games with her children on a regular basis. That was because she had found out how much joy a Christian activity can bring, not only to the children, but also to her.

Of course, there was a little boy didn't want to take part in the "Pandamania" activities.

He decided anything to do with Jesus was boring. "I know already all this God stuff," he said. But before the end of the program the Holy Spirit had touched him, and he was excited. When we asked him why he had changed his mind, the answer was, "I didn't know this God thing can bring so much joy!"

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help us bring Your light to the dark places of this world. Thank You for all the gifts and skills You have given to us. Help us be Your children, who show others Your love and grace. Grant us Your guidance so that our words, teachings and examples may be used by the Holy Spirit to bring souls into Your Kingdom. This I pray in the Savior's Holy Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Ilze Abraha. She once worked at the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in Latvia, but now she is employed as a bookkeeper at an international company. Even though she no longer collects a paycheck from LHM, Abraha is still committed to sharing the Savior's story. This she does as she regularly volunteers herself to the work of telling the folks in this former Soviet Union country about the joys that come from having Jesus as your Savior. In this European country of nearly two million people, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Latvia, known in-country as Lutheran Hour Mission, supports the efforts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. Through Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops it trains Christians to be outreach-minded in respect to their faith. It also uses four different Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), which are tailored to both adults and young people, either individually or in study groups. Beyond that, LHM-Latvia connects with communities through radio programming, movie night/discussion events, vacation Bible schools, and it even features a seminar series on Christian living: the "School of Spiritual Survival."

Staff and volunteers from LHM-Latvia, along with members from three congregations, took part in a "Warm up Your Neighbor" event in October, which included quilts supplied from the U.S.-based Orphan Grain Train. You can stop by and click here to visit LHM-Latvia's blog.

To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 
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Daniel 11-12; 1 Timothy 1

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ   What did the Prodigal son long to eat in the parable of the Prodigal Son?  The pods that the pigs were eating
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What did Jesus say after Thomas said, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
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CALENDAR:
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
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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
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NEWS
PATRIOT PACKAGE PACKING TOMORROW AT THE ARMORY BEGINNING AT 9am!!
Just show up!  They can always use more help!
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HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR TOMORROW, 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!!
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LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE QUILT RAFFLE!! 
Ticket will be drawn tomorrow!  Call the church office today or stop by the vendor fair tomorrow to buy your tickets!!!
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UPDATE ON BOARD AND OFFICER POSITONS 
 
STEVE MCDOWELL has volunteered to be an elder again!!
 
RUTH WALTERS has volunteered to be on the board of outreach and evangelism!
 
JOAN SEXTON has volunteered to be on the board of stewardship!!
 
We still need the following!!!

 One person 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. 
 
 One person 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. 
 
 
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.  
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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 LEEANN MCLAUGHLIN'S DAD who is awaiting results of a biopsy and possible cancer. 
 
For CARA has she will be undergoing more tests because of a malformation of her rib cage. 
 
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 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.
 
 
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. 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Pastor's sermon from last Sunday

 Watch!  Listen!  Share!
 
http://youtu.be/JNhHozT7_ow