Thursday, April 23, 2015

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). 

 

"Rewrite Holy Writ" 
April 23, 2015  
usm_devo_gs_rochfallsAs we have said before, so now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a Gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:9-10
For five years, Frank Bruni was the chief restaurant critic for the New York Times. Since I wasn't eating a lot in New York City, I never read his reviews. Apparently, Bruni did a good job as a critic. I say that because, in 2011, he was promoted to be the fellow in charge of the prestigious Opinions and Editorials page of the Times.

To be honest, I still didn't read what Bruni was writing because I wasn't especially interested in the causes he was espousing.

That all changed when Bruni's recent column told the world it was time to rewrite the Bible.

Yup. That's what he said. The Bible should be rewritten so it might be more accepting of the gay and lesbian community. There were a number of reasons that forced Bruni to this conclusion.

1. The Bible is based on "ancient texts" founded on the "biases and blind spots of their authors, cultures, and eras." That, he says, keeps Christians stuck in ancient beliefs.

2. The Bible ignores and disregards humanity's advances in science and knowledge.

In contrast to the op-ed writings of Frank Bruni, I have the inspired thoughts of St. Paul. By the Holy Spirit's inspiration, Paul seems to have anticipated and responded to both of Bruni's logical points.

First, are Christians stuck in an ancient belief system? To that St. Paul would say, "You bet we are." Ours is an unchanging system based on the unchanging love of the Lord. Ours are beliefs which are the same yesterday, today and forever, because they tell of the salvation plan God put into effect to save humanity from the condemnation of our sin.

Second, does the Bible ignore humanity's advances? Not at all. We rejoice that the Lord has given wisdom to brilliant men and women. But when humankind tries to usurp the Lord's position of leadership, when they wish to rewrite the Word to make it more accepting of whatever sin might happen to be in vogue at the time, then Christians just say, "We don't think so."

That opinion is expressed beautifully by Paul who says we aren't trying to please men; we are dedicated to serving the Savior who gave Himself to destroy the penalty of sin -- not pretend sin doesn't exist.

Now I most certainly wish Frank Bruni well. On the other hand, I say to him and all who agree with him that now and forever we Christians "must obey God rather than men" (see Acts 5:29).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we live in a world where sinners are very outspoken in their challenges against You. In so doing they show how clearly their thoughts are not Yours, and their ways are not Yours. May the world see the Savior's sacrifice and realize He alone is life, light and salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 
 
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:     Who was the "disciple whom Jesus loved"? John calls himself that in His Gospel instead of using "I" or "Me".
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CALENDAR: 
Thurs- 8th grade questioning and reception 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; 8thh grade confirmation service
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- George Pezold; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers-  8:30- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure---  11- Marv Hendershot, Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Charlie Figura

Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Cheryl Bettlach and Betty Schirr
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Randy and Patty Sweet
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Tim Linke  11- Randy Sweet
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Tim Sherman
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- ????; 11- Terry McKenzie _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 

 

8TH GRADE CATECHISM QUESTION AND ANSWER NIGHT IS TONIGHT AT 7PM!

All are invited to hear pastor and the eighth graders discuss the things they have learned from the catechism.  Come and join us!

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National Day of Prayer Breakfast & Prayer Service  Thursday - May 7, 2015

Breakfast:  6:30 AM - church overflow area

Prayer service:  7:00 AM in the sanctuary

If you would like to help with our National Day of Prayer Breakfast, there will be a FOOD "sign up" sheet in the narthex this Saturday & Sunday (April 25th & 26th) during all 3 worship services.  Please sign your name by any item that you can donate to the breakfast.   If you have ANY questions at all, please contact Sandy Robine direct, at 636-456-4061 or by email at snsrobine@centurytel.net.  All donated items are requested to please be brought to church ON Wednesday, May 6, 2015 for maximum freshness.(Refrigerated items can be put in the refrigerators in the church kitchen - the others on the island in the church kitchen)  Items should be plainly marked: "FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST"
Thank you for your generosity & help EVERY YEAR!   This time for prayer and breakfast has been such a blessing to all who attend.  It is for our community, so please invite any of your friends to join us.  All are welcome!!
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FAMILY NIGHT WILL START A HALF HOUR EARLIER NEXT WEEK!!  IT WILL BEGIN AT 5:30pm!! 
 
Come and join us for some wonderful food and fellowship!  We will be learning the Bible through Bible Pictionary!!
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PROJECTIONISTS NEEDED!!
Thank you, Terry McKenzie, for volunteering to be projectionist at 11am this Sunday!!
I still need someone to do the 8:30 service?  Any volunteers? 
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MORE ALTAR GUILD MEMBERS AND LAY READERS NEEDED!!!
There is a need for some more ALTAR GUILD members especially cleaning up after the late service on communion Sundays
 
There is also a need for some more LAY READERS for all of our services but especially the Saturday service and  11am service on Sunday.
 
If you feel as though you could help your congregation in either of these ways, please reply to this email and we'll give you any training you need and put you on the schedule! 
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PASTOR IS BIKING ACROSS MISSOURI JUNE 21-26!
As much as I need to get in shape, this is more to raise money for www.leadachild.org.   If you'd like to donate to this most worthy cause, go to the website, click on the donate button, find the space that says "Lead a Child Bible club, enter your amount and enter my name.  Then you can pay by check, e-check, or credit/debit card.
 
Thank you for your support!
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QUILT RAFFLE
The quilt is hanging in the church basement and will be awarded to some lucky person at 1pm on Saturday, May 2!!  You may purchase tickets from a quilter or from the church office.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5!! 
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CALLING ALL BAKERS!!!
If you have never been involved in one of our church activities (and even if you have), here is a new challenge for you!!  There will be a cake/dessert booth at the carnival on September 12!  The carnival will be open from 11am until dusk!  Donations of baked good and workers to man the booth will be needed!!  Desserts needing refrigeration cannot be accepted.  Work shifts will be for two hours beginning at 10am and will go till closing time.  To eliminate many, many phone calls, a sign up sheet has been placed on the narthex where you can volunteer!! 
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LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!
Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.
 
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DID YOU HAVE FUN WITH THE TRAVELING FELLOWWSHIP GROUP AT THEIR LAST EVENT? 
Well the next trip is already in the works!  They will be taking a trip to Rocheport and Arrow Rock, MO on August 22!!  They will have dinner at the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock and then enjoy the play "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Lyceum Theater.  Cost will be determined by number of people going.  It should run between $60 and $70 per person.  Sign up soon as there seems to be a lot of interest. 
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NINTH ANNUAL TAILGATE SALE AND VENDOR FAIR WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 2!! 
Tailgate sale starts at 7am and inside vendors will open at 8am and continue till 3pm.  The Ladies Aid will hold their luncheon and bake sale from 8am-3pm as well.  We are looking for vendors for indoor booths at $25 a stall and tailgaters to rent spaces outside at $10 a double parking space. There will also be PREMIUM rental space under the pavilion.  Rent the entire pavilion for $75 or we will divide into four spaces for $20 each. 
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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!
Stephen Ministry Leadership Training will be held April 12-18, 2015 in St. Louis at a hotel near the airport.  If anyone is interested in being part of this ministry, and wants more details, call Joanne Hachtel, 636-745-8711.
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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!  We have no one signed up till May 16!!  Please sign up!
Apr. 26- Gary and Joanna Hoelscher
May 3-  Rich and Lois Boeger
May 10- Ava Campbell w/ help from Gary and Teresa Scott
May 17-
May 24-
May 31-
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ST. JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES
If you didn't get your business card in this month's newsletter get them in to the office for the April newsletter!! This advertising is free to members.  Many times members call and ask if there are members who are in a certain business or profession.  People would always rather do business with fellow church members when they can.

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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop. 
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SAVE THE DATE!!!!  OUR FIRST ANNUAL FALL CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 12, 2015!!!
We are looking for ideas for carnival games and also donations of carnival game prizes for the vent.  Please donate prizes into the cardboard box in the narthex.  Also, if any one has an idea for a carnival game, or a game itself they would like to donate please contact Joanna Hoelscher at 636-485-0635 or Karla Christophene at 314-397-1375.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who fell and broke her hip yesterday afternoon.

 

For JANE KESSEL (Freddie's wife) who is hospitalized with possible after a fall.  She is hospitalized because of continued shortness of breath.

 

For CAROL KOHRS who is recovering at home from an infection.

 

For DANIELLE MEINE who is home from the hospital recovering from chemo treatment.  

 

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments and has placed himself on hospice care.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is spending some time in Delmar Gardens for rehab.


For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord moves a congregation in need of her abilities to call her into full time DCE ministry.

 

For DAVE TINNIN'S MOM, JANE, as she continues to recover from several strokes and seizures.
 
For WILMA WEIGLE as she is having a lot of difficulty with congestion and possible pneumonia. .

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .
  


 


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