Daily Devotion: Monday, November 17, 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).
 

 

"
Penalized for Praying"
November 17, 2014 
Daily Devotions spider web(Jesus said) "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9
Sam Turner is a senior who plays football for Fort Myers High School in Florida.

At a recent game, Turner caught a 27-yard pass and scored the team's first touchdown of the game and the first of his career. Immediately, he knelt down in the end zone and said a twofold prayer. The first part of the prayer was offered in appreciation. Turner said, "Lord, I thank You for this talent with which You've blessed me." The second part of the prayer was to pay respects to a teammate, JoJo Brunson, who had been killed in a drive-by shooting.

Even as Turner was praying, one of the refs threw a penalty flag.

The ref's call was Turner had shown unsportsmanlike conduct when he knelt down to pray. The ref said Turner was "calling undue attention to himself." Turner tried to explain that the ref was wrong. He was just trying to thank the Lord. The explanation may have been honest, but the ref's decision to negate the touchdown and slap the team with a 15-yard penalty was not rescinded.

Over the years I've seen all kinds of things happen on high school football fields:

* I have seen players being hit long after the whistle was blown.

* I have seen entire teams whose coaches had taught them how to cause, and get away with causing, great physical damage to their opponents.

* I've seen players do a pretty nice dance, along with a back flip or two after they had scored.

Yes, I have seen those things and worse, but this is the first time I have seen someone being penalized for praying. Well, I suppose, with the war on religion which is being raged, we can expect to see more penalties being thrown at Christians in various arenas. Maybe the best candidate for a position won't get the job because he was seen praying before his interview. Maybe some woman won't get asked out for a second time because she prayed before dinner when she was out on a date.

I suppose there will be all kinds of places where Christians are going to be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the face of such persecution, Christians can respond a number of ways. Many will become timid and keep their faith all to themselves. In the passage above the Savior said, silence and denial aren't the way His people should go.

Far better is the option Turner has selected for the next time he gets a touchdown. Since he doesn't want his team to be penalized again, he has decided to be more discrete and say his prayers from the sidelines.

Smart lad.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You gave Your life for my salvation. Grant I may always glorify and give thanks for Your sacrifice. Grant courage and wisdom to the next generation of believers so the world may be touched by the greatness of You. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.
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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Today Read:
Ezekiel 5-7; 1 Timothy 4

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YESTERDAY'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?" 
 
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."
 
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who put the crown of thorns on Jesus' head before he was crucified?
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5pm
Tues- Quilting 9-2pm; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid meeting noon; NO CHOIR PRACTICE
Thurs- Ladies Bible Study 7pm
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- Gus Klaustermeier 11- Isabella Linstruth
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean Up-- Cheryl Bettlach and Betty Schirr
Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- ??????
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone , 8:30- Amber Vossen, 11- Kailyn Blechle
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Projectors- Sat-- Pam Bueltmann; Sun 8:30 Kailyn Blechle   11-- Cara Klaustermeier

Pianists/organists Sat- Kathy Barrow;  Sun- Melissa Pedersen  11am- Videos
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NEWS:
ST. JOHN'S NEW MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission statement need to be updated to reflect our emphasis, our goals, and what we are all about. 
 
Here it is:
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing....
UP in God's Word and Sacraments
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual needs
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
 
Memorize it!  Get used to it!  Live it!  It is YOUR mission statement as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church!
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A VOLUNTEER IS NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16
All voting members (men or women) are eligible.  In order for our congregation to have a complete voice we need to have complete representation!  Please call me or reply to this email if you would like to serve your church in this way!!
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WE STILL NEED A FEW PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND TAKE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS!!

 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 CARA KLAUSTERMEIER as she will be undergoing a Cardio stress tests today to check if her malformed rib cage is affecting her heart and lungs.
 
For the CLODFELTER FAMILY AND THEIR FRIENDS, as a month ago they lost an infant daughter and this past Friday they lost their teenage son.  
 
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 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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Let's try that again: GREETINGS FROM UGANDA AND THE NECKLACES AVAILABLE.


Sorry, pictures weren't attached.  Here it is again.
 
 
Below is a message from Pastor Simon Peter Waako, a missionary pastor in Uganda that I have been communicating with for over two years now.  His wife and he make beaded jewelry and bags for purchase, and she is now teaching kids in their school to do the same.   Please read the message below and act according to the Holy Spirit's moving in you. 
 
The pictures attached are of Simon Peter holding some of the jewelry, his wife with some of the handbags and purses, and the kids holding jewelry they have made. 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is the message: 
 
Attached are the photos of what Alice has got in stock right now.  She is also doing some voluntary work to teach the children in schools how to do this. 
 
If you can also get some group of women who can be partner in supporting her work in schools it will be wonderful.  Her aim is to enable the school kids to be able to sustain themselves after school. 
 
Send my greetings to your family and May God bless you.

 
Simon Peter.

GREETINGS FROM UGANDA AND THE NECKLACES AVAILABLE.

Below is a message from Pastor Simon Peter Waako, a missionary pastor in Uganda that I have been communicating with for over two years now.  His wife and he make beaded jewelry and bags for purchase, and she is now teaching kids in their school to do the same.   Please read the message below and act according to the Holy Spirit's moving in you. 
 
The pictures attached are of Simon Peter holding some of the jewelry, his wife with some of the handbags and purses, and the kids holding jewelry they have made. 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is the message: 
 
Attached are the photos of what Alice has got in stock right now.  She is also doing some voluntary work to teach the children in schools how to do this. 
 
If you can also get some group of women who can be partner in supporting her work in schools it will be wonderful.  Her aim is to enable the school kids to be able to sustain themselves after school. 
 
Send my greetings to your family and May God bless you.

 
Simon Peter.