Total for Lead a child from pastor's bike campaign

 The total raised to date for Lead A Child from my bike campaign is... drum roll please...........
 
$3,103.45!!!!!
 
Thanks so much everyone for your very generous support!  I appreciate your willingness to donate to this very worthy cause! 
 
God bless the kids in the 29 countries that Lead a Child serves! 
 
THANK YOU ALL!
Pastor 

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

DEVOTION: 
" I will praise you, O Lord.  Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; and he has become my salvation."  Isaiah 12:1-2
 
This past week was quite an adventure and a difficult one at that.  It was 245 miles of hills, hills, and more hills.  We went through heat advisories, 20 mph head winds, rain, lightning, and some even had hail.  Some of the other, more experienced, riders in our group said it was the hardest ride they have ever been on.  We were all very tired at the end of the day which also included flooding rains and damaging winds. 
 
At this same time this week was also full of many wonderful things as well.  We saw a lot of God's wonderful creation.  Beautiful scenery, waterfalls, majestic hills and valleys, lakes, ponds, streams and wildlife surrounded us throughout the week.  There were also around 1,000 other people who were riding with us, both young and old, who we got to know and spend time with.  We got to share the love of Jesus with them and enjoy God's creation with them as well. 
 
On some of those hills I wondered if God was angry with me.  Why was he making this ride so difficult?  When I got to the end and realized what I had done, the many miles I had gone, and the hills I had climbed, I realized that God wasn't angry with me, but was right there with me all along.  He was keeping me safe, he was guiding me, he was giving me both the physical and the spiritual strength to make it through each day.  he was not angry with me, but knew what kind of an experience this would be for me, that it would make me stronger, and that it would give me extra resolve to do his will I my life from that point forward. 
 
And so with Isaiah, and with all of you, I say, "I will praise you, O Lord!  Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation!"  Amen and amen!
 
Let us pray:  Lord help us to see those times of great struggle and testing as times that you are molding us into the people you want us to me.  Amen.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How many chapters are there in the book of Isaiah?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; NO BIBLE STUDY
Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Youth leave at noon for MN

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Lydia Miller; 11- John Pezold
Ushers-  Dae Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat-  Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura

Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke
Lay readers- Sat- Randy Sweet 8:30- Lois Boeger  11- Steve Robine
Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: ??????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER AND 10 YOUTH WILL BE LEAVING SUNDAY AT NOON TO PROVIDE WORKS OF SERVICE TO LUTHERAN ISLAND CAMP IN HENNING, MN
We will be repairing buildings, cleaning up trails, building things, cleaning and grooming horses, witnessing to people in the community, and having all sorts of fun. 
 
Please pray for our safe travel and for a productive week.  We will return in the evening on Friday. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 AT COUNTRY LAKES!!!  SIGN UP TODAY!!
 
Cost is $50 per person
 
Format is a 2 TWO person scramble this year. 
 
Registration at 7am
 
Shotgun start at 8am
 
Lunch and prizes at 1pm
 
Holes can be sponsored for $50 each.
 
All proceeds go to benefit our wonderful Little Lambs preschool.
 
Flyers are available on the counter in the narthex for those wishing to participate.
Call Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070 or the church office at 456-2888 to sign up you and 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE HERE AT CHURCH ON TUESDAY, JULY 28!!
Volunteers are needed before the drive to make calls and set up appointments and the day of the drive to help out.  DONORS are also needed of course!  If you can help in any way call 456-2888 to let Marilyn know.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP GROUP'S NEXT ADVENTURE IS TO ROCHEPORT AND ARROW ROCK, MO.
They will have dinner and the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock and then enjoy a live play "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Lyceum Theater.  Cost will be determined by number of people going, but should run between $60 and $70 per person.  SIGN UP SOON!  A $25 deposit is due by this Sunday!! Please give your deposit to Marilyn or put it in her mailbox or on her desk.  Don't put it in the offering plate.
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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!! 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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 event.  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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS: 
For LIL WINTER as she recovers from her colostomy reversal and continues to get stronger daily. . 
 
For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.  He is able to move his arms but beyond that cannot move anything.  
 
For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER, who is recovering from surgery.  She is doing very well. 
 
For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are now BOTH on hospice care.
 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

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

 


prayer request from Dave and Linda Callies

 Please pray for MINDY JONES, daughter of Dave and Linda Callies, who had a large kidney stone removed in an emergency surgery yesterday.  She is doing well and recovering.

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: June 28, 2015 "You Aren't Perfect"



-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 06/27/2015 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: June 28, 2015 "You Aren't Perfect"

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The Lutheran Hour

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Email Us button greenSermon Text for June 28, 2015 

"You Aren't Perfect" #82-43

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on June 28, 2015
By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
(ISIS and Exodus)
Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries

The Lutheran Hour audio button

 

 

Text: Matthew 5:43-48

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Today the living Son of God invites us to be transformed by His victory. May we gladly be brought to Him whose sacrifice forgives our sins and makes imperfect sinners whole again. God grant this to us all. Amen. 

The Arizona mother told the news media that her son was a "good boy." That kind of talk coming from a mom is hardly a surprise. Moms are supposed to say things like that about their children... it's in their job description. What was surprising about this situation is that this son, after saying, "I want to give you a kiss, mom," got in her car and, without any kind of warning, slashed at her throat numerous times with a box cutter. When that method of murder appeared to be too slow, he tried to strangle her. He would have finished the job if a Good Samaritan hadn't heard the mother's screams and shot the young man. Actually he had to shoot the son a number of times before the drugged-up boy was finally stopped. Amazingly, in spite of what her son had done to her, the mother could still maintain her boy "was a good boy." To that all I can say is, "In her mind he may have been 'good,' but to me he was a far cry from being perfect." 

It was a fair many years ago that I was doing some marital counseling for a couple who were having problems. During the course of our second session I asked the wife to describe her husband and the husband to describe his wife. She began "He's a good man, really. He doesn't go out during the week to get drunk like his friends do; he's only had one affair that I know about, but that was year's ago. He hasn't hit me in over a year; he spanks the kids with his belt, but he doesn't beat them. His complaining about my home cooking has slacked off over the last year and he doesn't swear at me anymore... at least in front of the kids." I asked, "Did I hear you say that you thought he was a good man?" She immediately replied, "Absolutely." The husband didn't like it much when I commented, "Ma'am, what you've just told me, he's not a good man... he's just not a terrible man. You haven't told me any good things he has done; your list was made up only of the bad things he wasn't doing... at least as often as he used to." You, who are listening, probably agree with me when I say that husband was a far cry from being perfect.

Most of us know we aren't perfect. Last week, in preparation for this message, I went online and took a "Niceness Test." The test asked me, "Have you ever gossiped about others?" I had to admit, "Yes, I had. Hopefully not often, but I had." The test asked "Have you ever felt envious of a friend who succeeded at something when you had failed?" "Yes," I admitted, "I have done that." The quiz kept asking and I kept squirming. It wanted to know if I had ever hurt someone intentionally? Ever? Well, yes, I can remember a few times when I had done that. It asked, "Do you always say, 'please' and' thank you'?" I had to confess that while I work hard at being polite, there are times when I've forgotten. Eventually I had answered the last of the questions and was able to submit my answers. The results came back almost immediately. I was told I was hardly a perfect person. Actually, the test score told me I wasn't 'a nice person and I ought to try harder." When my wife saw the test, my answers, and the results, she said, 'You could have saved yourself the time. I could have told you... you're not a perfect person." 

We aren't perfect. All of us know it... or at least we should. We aren't perfect. Upon those three words, billions of advertising dollars are spent every year by companies as they do their best to convince imperfect people that they and their lives will be infinitely better if they use the company's product. Do you have imperfect breath, there's a mouthwash which will help you become kissable. Do you have an imperfect smile, there are invisible braces which can correct your bite. There are deodorants which can make sure others will be able to stand downwind of you without wincing and shampoos which will give your hair the shine, the bounce, the gloss, the glimmer that you so desperately need. 

Is your life less than perfect, then change it. All you have to do is drink the right beer, drive the right car, wear the right clothes, go to the right restaurants, move into the right neighborhood, and find the right mate by using the right online dating service. 

We aren't perfect. People are only too glad to tell us that. You knew you weren't perfect when you weren't accepted by your first-choice college or didn't get hired at an unbelievable salary by any of the companies to whom you had sent your resume. 

2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus spoke about our imperfections. In Matthew 5, He spoke to a great crowd of listeners and said: "You have heard ... 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" Let me interrupt and ask, "How are you doing on that one? Do you love all your enemies? Are you praying for the drug pusher or the swordsmen of ISIS? Do you wish the best for the person who steals your parking place?" I didn't think so. Jesus continued, "if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

Did you get that last line... when Jesus says we are to be as perfect; perfect as God? Well, good luck. Common sense, as well as Scripture tells us that none of us, not even the best of us, is perfect. Noah built an ark, but he also drank a bit too much. Abraham was a great patriarch, but he was known to tell a lie or two. Moses delivered God's people from slavery, but he couldn't resist the temptation to modify God's orders. David was a mighty warrior and king, but he still became an adulterer and murderer. The Bible is filled with stories of God's heroes of faith, but none of those folks are heroes because they were perfect. They were heroes because they had faith in the forgiveness and grace of God.

The Bible doesn't pull any punches when it says there is not a single person who has not sinned. Jesus' words remind us of that truth. Back when I was a parish pastor, I often visited people in their homes. Often I just happened to be in their neighborhoods and dropped by unannounced. I would go up to the door and knock. What happened next was usually hilarious. Somebody would pull back the curtain, see my car, and whisper in a loud voice: "It's the preacher!" Another voice would ask, "What does he want?" The first voice would take control and start shooting out commands: "Somebody, pick up those papers, put away those books. Whose socks are these? What is this doing here?" 

The house would vibrate as people ran in every which direction to get things straightened up for the preacher's entrance. After about 30 seconds, the door would swing open and I would be invited in and somebody would apologize: "Pastor, I'm so sorry for the condition of the house." Of course, by now, the house was immaculate...except for the corner of the newspaper sticking out from under a sofa cushion. 

As I waited at those doorways and listened to the commotion going on in the house, I often wondered, what would it be like if Jesus had been standing there and not me? Would the residents of the home be able to go to the door and invite Jesus in immediately or would they have had to change some, maybe a lot of things, before the Savior could be admitted? Would they feel the need to hide the magazines, switch what they were looking at on the computer, change the TV channel; clean up their language, along with picking up their dirty clothes? Could they continue on with their normal dinner table conversation without long gaps which normally would be filled with gossip? Would the prayer before the meal come easily or would they struggle and search for the unfamiliar words of thanks? Would they find themselves secretly hoping Jesus would leave so they could get their lives back to a normal, and sin-filled routine? I wonder, would being in the presence of the perfect Son of God make them uncomfortable? Would they be able to introduce Him to their closest friends without fear of embarrassment? 

Folks, the sad news is we aren't perfect. The sadder news is we sinful souls are helpless to change our situation. We can clean our homes and make them spick and span, but we can't do the same with our hearts. We can curb what we say, but we can't stop the sad, the sinister, the sinful thoughts we think. We simply don't have that kind of self-control. On a spiritual level we are, like Reynald, a portly, 14th-century Belgian duke who was overthrown by his brother, Edward. Rather than having Reynald killed, Edward took his brother to a remote castle and had a room built around fat Reynald. Edward promised his brother freedom, title, and property the day he walked out of that room. Escape shouldn't have posed much of a problem since the room had an unlocked door. But Reynald didn't leave that room...not for 10 years. Why? Because every day his brother offered him a food feast. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Reynald grew fatter and made his incarceration ever more sure. Isn't that like humanity, isn't that like us? Satan, this world, our own sinful hearts, daily offer us delectable choices which keep us imprisoned. Like Reynald, we aren't perfect and we can't change things.

Now I know secular humanists want us to believe that the world is improving and we are successfully climbing the stairway to perfection. Abortions, drive-by shootings, religious persecution, corruption, and prejudice say, "They're wrong." Educators tell us: "Learning will usher in a new and golden age of civilization." Yet, even though our children know more than we did at their age, a great many of them seem bored, jaded, discouraged, and depressed. Education alone can't change things. Social theorists want you to think that a great society can be attained by throwing money at our problems. But history's richest country has not succeeded in making improvements. False prophets and misleading religions tell us we must work our way to perfection, being recycled until we become holy. Unfortunately, every generation repeats the same sins which were committed by those who had gone before. We aren't perfect and we can't change. That's the message of common sense and Scripture.

But, thank God, human helplessness is not the only message of Scripture. God's inspired Word also says that the journey of our imperfect life does not have to lead to damnation and destruction. Although our sinful nature condemns us, God's Son saves us. When Adam and Eve were devastated by their sin, God gave them hope that He would crush the devil. When Abraham was without expectation of ever having home or family; God extended the promise of a son, a country, and a nation. Even though David was a murderer and adulterer, God did not leave him without hope, but promised that one of his descendants would establish an everlasting kingdom. 

As humans, we are hopeless, but with faith in Jesus, we are given hope. Saint Paul says it: God has, by the blood of the cross, reconciled all things to Himself. We were without family, but by God's great grace, we have been adopted into His household. Because of Jesus, we who once were poor, are now rich. Because He was hungry, we know God will feed us; because He was stripped, we now have a robe of righteousness; because He was forsaken, we now have His Divine company throughout our lives; because of Jesus' sadness, we can be glad; because Jesus died, all who believe on Him will live forever. Because Jesus took our sin with Him to Calvary's cross, those who have faith are made clean before God. Because of Jesus' saving blood, our sins have been washed away and, on Judgment Day, the Lord will look at our forgiven souls and say all requirements have been fulfilled and we are welcomed into heaven. Today the cross and the empty tomb of our Redeemer is God's good news which sets us free forever from condemnation and tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

Now because Christians are forgiven that doesn't mean that they shouldn't try to lead a life which is God pleasing. This they do not out of fear of Divine reprisal or because some pastor says to do so over the airwaves. We try to lead a perfect life because that is the way we glorify the Lord. We strive for a perfect life because the world all too often judges the Savior by what His people do or do not do. Years ago, a wealthy Christian was living in Nairobi, Kenya. In her employ was a young African who worked as a domestic servant. After three months of faithful service, he asked the lady to give him a letter of reference, addressed to a Muslim businessman who also lived in that town. 

Naturally, having gone to the work of training the man, the lady was somewhat reluctant to see him leave. She offered the young man an increase in wages. At that, he smiled, and shared that he was not leaving her to get more money. He was on a quest to decide whether he would become Christian or Muslim. For three months he had worked for her to see how Christians acted. Now he wanted to work for three months for a follower of Islam to observe how he lived. From their examples he would make his choice. The lady was stunned as she remembered the many mistakes and errors this man had seen her commit over the last few months. She knew her journey had hardly been holy or perfect. 

My Christian friends, how has your journey been? Have you lived as someone made perfect by Jesus? Do not underestimate the number of people who watch to see if you strive to live that way. It is the little things we do and not the great things that bear witness to Jesus. It is little words, not eloquent speeches or sermons; little actions, not mighty miracles that make up the lives of God's children. That is why, today I encourage you, my Christian brothers and sisters who have been made perfect by the blood of the cross, to strive to live that way as well. 

And to you who do not know Jesus as Savior, I can only say, look at your imperfect life and know that in love God wishes to forgive you, save you, and give you a new life both in this world and the next. If you wish to meet this Savior, we are glad to help you. To you I extend this invitation, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen. 




ACTION IN MINISTRY for June 28, 2015
Guest: Rev. Gregory Seltz

ANNOUNCER: You're listening to The Lutheran Hour and this is Action In Ministry, a call to action in response for all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ. And Pastor Gregory Seltz now joins us.

SELTZ: Great to be here. Great to be here.

ANNOUNCER: Pastor, this is a week of civic celebration coming up for our listeners. We have listeners in both the U.S. and Canada. July 1st is Canada Day and the 4th of July is Independence Day in the U.S. And you have some thoughts you'd like to share.

SELTZ: Well, especially we need to be thankful for the blessings that we have of freedom, peace, and the civic order and I think both the United States listeners and our Canadian listeners, we should cherish the fact that we lived in relative peace for quite a long time and that's an unusual thing in a sinful, sinful world.

ANNOUNCER: I mean, just look at the news and what's going on in other parts of the world.

SELTZ: Right. So, whatever you're doing this weekend, don't just celebrate it but give thanks to God for the fact that we've lived under this peace because some people actually fought for this, some people actually dedicated their lives to these principles. And a lot of it has blessed us who now are sharing and enjoying these things on these weekends.

ANNOUNCER: Let's talk a little bit about how God is at work even in something like a civic celebration. Where's God in all of that? 

SELTZ: Well, what's interesting is Jesus is the One Who makes this very clear upfront. He just says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Give to God what is God's." So, He's the One Who talks about two realms and it comes from the Bible. And that means that God is at work even through the civic realm, and Caesar was no Christian. He was called to standards of morality, and ethics, and things like that to keep the peace. That's actually God at work. Now, God's greater work is to come to bring salvation to all people in His Son, Jesus Christ, and we call that the work of the church now proclaiming that. So, church and state; this is really something God has been doing. So, He's involved in both of these arenas and guiding them. The civic realm, our state senators here, or our president, or any of these kinds of things; I don't know the magistrates in Canada, the Parliament; there's certain principles and moral issues that are going on there that God has defined as things they should do even if it's just doing it when their heart's not in it.

ANNOUNCER: In that case, God is working through the rule of law.

SELTZ: Rule of law.

ANNOUNCER: And even forced to maintain order and to keep the lid on things.

SELTZ: Right, to keep the lid on things, or I like to say, it can get a lot worse and all hell can break loose and God would rather the civic realm be relatively peaceful, even when run by sinful people.

ANNOUNCER: God wants to establish a framework of stability so that the church can proclaim His message of grace and the Gospel to all people.

SELTZ: Right, I think that's an incredible thing to say because, also, it's not just the state, but the family structure; all these structures that we have, that framework is there to keep the peace and the stability so the church can be about its business of sharing the eternal good news of God. So, what an incredible thing that God's at work in both realms for all people. So you've got to keep these things distinct so you can see how God is uniquely at work so everyone can be blessed.

ANNOUNCER: And what encouragement or advice would you give for our listeners this week?

SELTZ: Well, I would celebrate this and give thanks to God for the peace you celebrate this weekend and if you want to know more information about this, we have a resource called "The Intersection of Church and State." It's unique to the American experiment but it has a lot of principles that are Biblical that apply even to our Canadian listeners. So, why not call in and get that and use that as part of your celebration?

ANNOUNCER: And we'll give that phone number in just a moment. 




LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 28, 2015
Topic: ISIS and Exodus

ANNOUNCER: Did the Old Testament promote genocide? That's our question today for our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I'm Mark Eischer.

KLAUS: And hello to you, Mark. You've really got my attention with that one! 

ANNOUNCER: This question comes to us from listeners in the UK, responding to a recent message in which you spoke about the Israelites conquering the Promised Land. These listeners work side-by-side with Muslims from Iraq who ask how that is any different from what ISIS doing today? 

KLAUS: A surprising question. I do know a comparison of the Children of Israel with ISIS is not what I was shooting for in that broadcast message. Even so, since it is a question which IS being asked out there, we will respond the best way we can. 

ANNOUNCER: They are referring to passages such as we find in the Old Testament in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 7. It says: "When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and ... when the LORD your God gives them over to you and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them." 

KLAUS: No question about it... that's a devastating command and it most certainly appears to be a divine order for God's people to commit genocide against the native population of the Promised Land.

ANNOUNCER: How do we explain this?

KLAUS: Let's see how it plays out in practical terms, shall we? The first city which the Children of Israel conquered was...

ANNOUNCER: Jericho... where the walls came tumbling down. 

KLAUS: Yeah, they were supposed to destroy everything and everybody, right? 

ANNOUNCER: That was God's command. 

KLAUS: And one of the Israelite soldiers broke that command, didn't he?

ANNOUNCER: His name was Achan. He helped himself to some expensive robes, as well as silver and gold. 

KLAUS: And how did that work out?

ANNOUNCER: Because of Achan's disobedience, the Israelites were defeated in their next battle. After this, the culprit was exposed and punished; the things he had taken were destroyed, and then the process of conquest moved forward. But what point are we trying to make here?

KLAUS: Okay. Let me ask, was there anything in all of Jericho that escaped destruction? Did anything--or anyone--survive?

ANNOUNCER: Yes. Rahab, the harlot, she had helped Moses' spies; she and her family were all spared. 

KLAUS: Excellent. If you read the story, and you'll find that in Joshua, chapter 2, you will see she makes quite a statement of faith and the spies say, if you keep our visit a secret, "when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." Now, Mark, let me ask, were the spies punished for sparing Rahab's life?

ANNOUNCER: Not so far as we know. 

KLAUS: They weren't punished. She wasn't punished. In fact, in Matthew's genealogy she is listed as an ancestor of Jesus, the Savior.

ANNOUNCER: So that order to destroy the people was not all-inclusive. 

KLAUS: Not at all. The reason God commanded them to destroy the Canaanites was because He knew that if He let them live, the Canaanites would corrupt His people and lead them astray. In fact, that's what happened to strongman Samson. But there doesn't seem to be any problem for those Canaanites who were willing to become followers of the Lord. To that list I might add Ruth, who was a Moabite, a Canaanite. She not only wasn't killed on account of her race... in sequence she married two men who were Israelites and she also became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. 

ANNOUNCER: So, can we say anything else to these listeners who are making a defense of the faith? Are there any other differences we could cite between God's people and ISIS? 

KLAUS: Absolutely. With the coming of the Savior, many things changed. The political and the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, they were put aside. No longer were God's people required to slaughter and kill, or even sacrifice animals. 

ANNOUNCER: St. Paul says that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

KLAUS: One last difference, Mark. The followers of Islam point to the excesses of the conquest of Israel by God's people and the Crusades and they say, 'That is who you Christians are." Well, that's not who we are. The Crusades were a black spot on our history--and they took place 1,000 years ago. The Crusades were designed to reclaim what had been stolen from the Byzantine Empire. They were not wars of aggression and conquest like that being waged today by ISIS. And those are important distinctions. 

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.





Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"In the Very Midst of Life" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

 

 

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Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: June 21, 2015 "God's Ballast of Blessing"



-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 06/20/2015 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: June 21, 2015 "God's Ballast of Blessing"

The Lutheran HourSend to a FriendFacebookTwitterVimeoBlogDonate

The Lutheran Hour

The Lutheran Hour Speakers B/W

Email Us button greenSermon Text for June 21, 2015 

"God's Ballast of Blessing" #82-42

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on June 21, 2015
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(Should Christians Be Politically, Publically Active?)
Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries

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Text: Mark 4:35-41

"And it happened, a great, angry storm of great wind arose and the waves threw themselves into the boat, so that it was already filled! And He, (Jesus) was on the stern, sleeping on the headrest! And they woke Him thoroughly! And said to Him, 'Teacher, is it no great concern to you that we are perishing?' And being awakened, He rebuked the wind, and He said to the sea, 'Silence. Be still!' And He muzzled the wind and there was a great calm. And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have not faith?' And they feared a great fear and (the disciples) said to one another, 'Who then is this one, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'"

In the Name of the One who is, who was, and who is coming again! Amen!

Did you catch the question by the disciples in the text? Ready? "Teacher, is it no great concern that we are perishing?"

I find this one of the most astounding and ironic questions in the whole Bible. It's one reason among many that I know the modern skeptical view of the Bible, you know, supposedly that it is a made-up story, one written by the disciples, why it's just plain wrong. Why, who would ask such a foolish question if they had made the Jesus story up themselves? And who would admit to being so foolish if they were to be the leaders of this movement of faith in Him?

You see, in spite of them, the Bible proclaims that the whole point of Jesus' coming to this planet was because He cared that we were perishing. Read the pages and you'll hear, incredibly, that the Lord of the universe leaves His heavenly throne to enter our sinful, destructive, disastrous world. He experiences hunger, want, rejection; He cares for the sick, the poor, and the outcast, and many of them give Him no thanks. The upper-crust of society had no use for Him and they plot to kill Him. And, yes, everyone finally turns against Him, even His followers, as He is hung on a cross for the sins of the world! Why, to rescue those who are perishing!

In view of all that, they ask, "Hey, Jesus, we'd like to know, doesn't it bother You that we are perishing?" "Hey, Jesus, our boat is rocking and it's going down. Don't You care?

How could these disciples ask such a question? Even more incredibly; wasn't He in the same boat as they? How could they not realize that He loved them? Well, that's sinful people for you. Not only does our sin tempt us to doubt God's love, tragedy allows sinners even to cast the blame God's way.

Philip Yancey, in his book "Reaching for the Invisible God," describes the way God gets blamed for things in this way.

"When Princess Diana died," he said, "in an automobile accident, a reporter asked this question of a minister about the tragedy. The question, 'How can God allow such a terrible tragedy?' And I loved his response. He said, 'Could it have something to do with a drunk driver going ninety miles an hour in a narrow tunnel? Just how, exactly, was God involved?'"

Years ago, boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini killed a Korean opponent with a hard right to the head. At the press conference after the Korean's death, Mancini said, "Sometimes I wonder why God does the things he does." Nothing to do, of course, with fists and repeated blows to the head, I guess.

In a letter to Dr. Dobson, a young woman asked this anguished question, "Four years ago, I was dating a man and became pregnant. I was devastated. I asked God, 'Why have you allowed this to happen to me?'"

Then there's Susan Smith, the South Carolina mother, a couple years ago, who pushed her two sons into a lake to drown them and then blamed a fictional carjacker for the deed, she wrote in her confession: "I dropped to the lowest point when I allowed my children to go down that ramp into the water without me. I took off running and screaming, 'Oh God! Oh God, no! What have I done? Why did you let this happen?'"

Now the question remains, exactly what role did God play in a boxer beating his opponent to death, a teenage couple giving into temptation in the back seat of a car, or a mother drowning her children?

Is God responsible for these acts? To the contrary, they are examples of incredible human free will being exercised on a fallen planet. And, it seems even then our mortal, frail, fallen humanness would rather lash out at our Creator and Redeemer, rather than take responsibility for ourselves. 

When the storms of life come, sadly we often doubt God's love first. When the boat of our life is rocking for whatever reason, instead of trusting in His clear promises of guidance and protection through the storm, our griefs, and terrors, and insecurities, turn us fearfully inward that we fail to see that the Lord of the wind and the waves loves us and is in control of our lives even in the midst of the great, angry storms that may come our way.

Today, Jesus wants you to put your trust in Him, in the middle of the storms you may be facing. He doesn't enjoy the terror. He's the One who can see you through it. He can help you overcome it. If you must face it, He can even make it a blessing to you and to others in spite of it. In fact, He promises that nothing in this life will separate you from Him, from His love, from His life and salvation. 

In the middle of despair, that's when faith in Jesus holds! And that's the power that God wants for your life today; the power of faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is ruler of the wind and the waves, the One who is your Lord and Savior, and mine as well. 

The text says, "And being awakened, He rebuked the wind, He said to the sea, 'Silence, be still!' And He muzzled the wind and there was a great calm. And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have not faith?'"

How many of you have ever felt like the disciples in the text; felt the terror that these disciples felt that day? They were experienced fisherman. They had been on rocking boats before. But, this was more than that. This was beyond their best efforts and they were scared to death. They were so frightened that they shook Jesus awake. No self-respecting fisherman would have done something like that unless they were terrified.

Now, I've been on the Sea of Galilee in a boat much like the one that the disciples were in and let me tell you, if the tempest raged, I wouldn't have had much confidence in those boats either. The Sea of Galilee is like a cereal bowl where winds can suddenly whip up and overwhelm, where waves can quickly become killer waves, where your life can be in danger no matter how experienced you are. That's what they were facing. They were overwhelmed, fearing for their life! In spite of all their experience, they were helpless!

How many of you have ever been in the midst of a crisis and felt that it was as though Jesus were unconcerned, even asleep? We all have! That's why this text is so meaningful, so powerful in our lives. Have you ever felt like the ship of your life was going down, that the water was filling up the boat faster than you could bail it out, and there was no hope of staying afloat? 

You see when you face crises in life, a crisis about your life, about its meaning, its purpose, it can overwhelm you. It can unnerve you. When you feel a crisis at work, maybe you've been fired; wow, it feels like you're under water with no hope of getting to the surface for air. When your wife or husband says those cutting words, "I want a divorce," it can feel like the heart in your chest has been ripped out, like you can't make your lungs pull in any more oxygen at all. 

Sin, brokenness, hatred, evil, selfishness, and just the feelings of inadequacy that we all have from time to time, such things can shake us to the core, even "shaking the Savior," wondering if He cares about a life so troubled as yours or mine.

They said to Him, we say to Him, "Teacher, is it no great concern to you that we are perishing?" They said what we all would have said!

Yes, the crisis, the terror, dismay that brought them to the point of a decision; they realized that they'd better do something about the situation. And, you've got to give them some credit here; they were deathly afraid, but they brought that fear to Jesus! They realized they couldn't do anything about it so why not go to God and give Him a shot.

But, let's also not give them too much credit. Sadly, they do what we all do. God only gets their attention when everything else fails. It's as if we think that life is about what we can make it, and when we really screw it up, well, then let's bring it to God. That misses the whole point. Don't you realize how wrong it is, how much of life you are missing even when things are going well?

God is in the life-giving business. He's not the One who brings sin and guilt into our lives, we do. He is the One who brings abundant, joyful life to people. He's the One who brings peace beyond any human understanding. He's the One who seeks your eternal best right now and forever. Why wait? Why wait?

Jesus Himself had already said as much to these guys. He told them that when they got into the boat. He said, "We're going to the other side." Listen, if God tells you that you will make it to the other side, you will! But, they quickly forgot His clear words. 

Notice too, Jesus amidst the terror of the moment. After all, He was on the boat too! He was comfortably asleep. That's a sleep of faith, a sleep of confidence that this temporary trouble is just that, momentary, for a time, not forever! When He rebukes the wind and the waves, He looks, then, at the disciples and says, "Where's your faith? If you think the wind and the waves are a big deal, wait until I tell you about the fact that I'm going to the cross and I'm going to be resurrected on the third day so that you might live forever!"

Jesus is saying it loudly; I'm the only Answer to real crisis!

The Christian faith, then, is faith in this Jesus! It's not some Pollyannish, wishful view of life. It is not grit your teeth and bear it. It is not hang in there buddy, hope it gets better. No, the Christian faith is that there still is another more sure thing in life besides death and taxes. It is the resurrection; the resurrection of the Savior who was Crucified for you and for me! It's His promise that "because He lives, you will live also!" It's the bold, unbridled statement of the ruler of the wind and the waves to trust in Him, now and forever!

Hear Jesus' question, "Why have you no faith? Didn't I just tell you about the power of the Kingdom? Have you not seen demons cast out, people healed, and sins forgiven? Where is your faith?" 

Mine is in the Lord and He is the One who can be counted on in your storms too. Why? First of all, this text tells us that He is with you in the midst of the storm. Let me say it this way, when the wind and waves of this broken world rock your boat, make sure that the Rock of Salvation is in your boat. 

That's the Ballast that blesses. Let me explain that. If you are a sailor, you know the importance of ballast, or counterweight, to ensure smooth sailing or to ensure that the boat remains upright in the midst of a storm. Sometimes when a cargo ship is sailing without any paid cargo, the crew needs to find something to counterweight the boat for the voyage. It matters what's on board. If you don't have the right cargo, the ship is helpless on a stormy sea.

Well, I don't know what the fisherman disciples had on board for ballast that day, but I do know that when Christ is on board, you don't have to worry about the seaworthiness of the vessel. That's the point of this event. No matter what storms break loose, when Christ is in the midst of it, the travelers with Him will get to the other side, to the destination appointed for them with Him. That day especially, He said, "Count on it!"

Even more, though, in the days to come, the disciples would learn that His promises hold then too. Think of it this way, Jesus is the One who can take the often destructive waves of life and use that same water to baptize you and me, wash us in His life-giving water with forgiveness, life, and salvation that holds through the storm.

Robert Morgan tells a story that took place on the Sunday after the Titanic sank. It happened in Belfast, where the great ship was built. Naturally, the townspeople were devastated. Men met on the city's streets, grasped each other's hands, burst into tears, and parted without saying a word.

Morgan told about one church that lost 16 men to the icy waters. All were mechanics on the Titanic. On that dark Sunday, the pastor read the Scripture, the one we're reading today, from Mark, chapter 4.

That Sunday, while the pastor read these words of terror and finally trust, it was as if this text came alive just for them. Finally, with a tear in his eye, the pastor then said to his heartbroken, troubled church that only one vessel in all of history had truly been unsinkable: the little boat occupied by the sleeping Savior. And, the preacher added, "The only hearts that can weather the storms like the ones of today are hearts with Jesus inside."

It is especially during times of despair when our statement of trust in Jesus makes all the difference. The late Andre Crouch once said, "If I never had a problem, I'd never know that God could solve them. It is when we respond to the storms in life with faith, that we see God's power most visibly, and we sense His presence most intensely. I'd never know what faith in God could do." 

It is the power of God for you this day, my friend, then to say, "No, I will not fear, for I trust in Jesus. I am a child of Christ, the One who is the ruler of the wind and the waves. And is now right in the middle of my storm. I know He cares about me. 

If we're going to get the most out of this text, we need to see that it isn't ultimately about wind and waves and a miracle to still a storm. This text is about the power of faith in the midst of the storm, the faith that trusts in Jesus, the One in our life to bless and sustain us no matter what we're facing at the moment. The Bible teaches that faith is the key to life. Not some generic faith. Not some trumped up faith in yourself; no, just a little storm can flatten faith like that. The faith that lasts is the faith to trust in the Savior who died on the cross, who rose again, and lives and reigns to all eternity. Bring your fears to Him, in faith, and live life boldly in His Name.

General Douglas MacArthur wrote: "People grow old by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest, wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith and as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." 

I would add, all that is true when your ideal, no, your ballast of blessing reality, is Christ and your faith is in Him.

The disciples really had no reason to fear because they had the very presence of Christ, the power of Christ, and the promise of Christ at their disposal. And that's what you and I have today too, by faith in Him. Get to know this Jesus, not in fear, but in faith. He is the One that even the wind and waves obey. He is the only One who can conquer sin and the grave, and He does all things well for you and for your life and salvation. 

When the waves of this life rock your boat, make sure that the Rock of Salvation is in your boat. For, when He is in your life, you have His resources to make it through your storms, to live boldly now and forever. Amen.




ACTION IN MINISTRY for June 21, 2015
Guest: Alphonsus Claimett

ANNOUNCER: You're listening to The Lutheran Hour and this is Action In Ministry, called to action in response to God's love for us in Jesus Christ. The recent Ebola outbreak killed thousands of people in Africa. It spread fear and panic worldwide. The epidemic seems to be subsiding and today we're going to look at how Christians in Liberia are ministering to the ongoing needs in the aftermath of Ebola. We spoke recently with the Director of our Ministry Center in Liberia, Alphonsus Claimett; however, the phone connection was not the best and the audio quality was such that we're not able to use that interview here on the air so we've transcribed what Alphonsus said and our colleague, Eric Gates, the Regional Director for Africa and Middle East, is joining us now to help relay those comments to us. Eric, thanks for joining us.

GATES: Thank you very much.

ANNOUNCER: What did Alphonsus have to say about how the Ebola crisis affected Liberia and what is the current situation? 

GATES: Well, he explained to us, he said, in general in Liberia, going on after nine months, the economy went down. Prices of essential commodities skyrocketed out of sight. Foreign companies shut down and laid off employees. Even agriculture, which is the most important sector of the economy, became unproductive as many roadblocks were put up and roads were closed. The health care system itself was totally unreliable and nurses and doctors were afraid of the disease.

ANNOUNCER: And, I understand, that many health care workers actually came down with Ebola and died as a result.

GATES: That's right. That's correct.

ANNOUNCER: Wow. Wow. What else?

GATES: Well, there was also a total closure of all schools throughout the country. The entire country itself was paralyzed. As Claimett explained to us, we're just grateful to God that people are now trying to pick up their normal lives again since the pronouncement that Liberia has become Ebola free.

ANNOUNCER: Now, Eric, in the middle of this chaos, how has LHM Liberia been responding to the ongoing needs?

GATES: We've been involved by prayerfully reaching out to families whose lives have been hit by the Ebola epidemic assuring them of the love and care in the absence of the loved ones that have gone to be with the Lord as the result of this strange disease. We are continuing to broadcast messages of hope to mend the broken spirits of those families who have been in the path of this nightmare.

ANNOUNCER: Back while the crisis was at its height, our office there organized soccer tournaments and they used that as an opportunity to share information about Ebola and hopefully save some lives as a result of that.

GATES: That's correct. We did hold sporting events and also we did a lot of door-to-door evangelism and teaching. We would take small groups of volunteers and explain to people just real practical health care tips about how to avoid contamination and infection. We also, even, at times, on our national radio program; we invited speakers, medical doctors affiliated there with the U.N., to get on the air and really speak to people again also how to prevent contamination and infection.

ANNOUNCER: And, Eric, what sort of actions could our listeners take that would be a blessing to our staff in Liberia and the people with whom they are ministering? 

GATES: Well, Claimett's asked us. He said first and foremost we ask people in the U.S. for their prayers. The Ebola crisis has really been a tragic situation in the country. There are orphans now out in the streets. We prayerfully look to our listeners, those who support our ministry, to see how they can provide some physical support to be able to help these orphans out of the street, into schools, and into homes where they can, once again, see the love of their family who have left them. We pray that God would keep using us the way He is to bring Christ to the nations and the nations to the church.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Eric. And those are the words of Alphonsus Claimett, our Director in Monrovia, Liberia. And to learn more about LHM's ministry in Liberia, we invite you to go to www.lhm.org, click on the Global Outreach tab, and look for the Liberia link. 




LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 21, 2015
Topic: Should Christians Be Politically, Publically Active?

ANNOUNCER: Should Christians be politically active in public? That's our question today for Pastor Gregory Seltz. I'm Mark Eischer. A listener says, "It's the summer, but it seems like politics are all over TV and radio. Some friends say we should be totally involved, others not at all. What does the Bible say about Christians and politics, if anything?" 

SELTZ: First of all, Mark, let me say I do think that there is political fatigue in our modern culture. With 24-hour news, minute-by-minute coverage of everything, there are people who think that the politics of whatever is happening is the most important thing in life. They really believe that attention to every political detail is going to save us.

ANNOUNCER: I think the Bible would address that issue pretty directly.

SELTZ: It does. I think I would summarize it this way. If you think that politics, namely the political leadership and policies of sinful people, is what's going to save us, the Bible warns everyone that this would be a big mistake.

ANNOUNCER: And even when our political involvement reflects Biblical principles, that could still be a mistake too.

SELTZ: Yeah, if you are talking about solving the big problems of today, and not just keeping the problems at bay, yeah, that would be a problem. That's not right because if all that was needed to save us from ourselves was merely the right laws and proper enforcement of those laws, there would not have been a need for Jesus' cross and His resurrection. You see, even when human beings know what is right and wrong, this is incredible, we tend to do what we want rather than what we should. Human history has proven that true over and over and over again.

ANNOUNCER: And in our sermon series on "The Footsteps of St. Paul," you spoke directly about that.

SELTZ: I did. Rome was a law and order place; it fell. Greece was a beauty in humanity place and it fell too.

ANNOUNCER: So, is the Bible saying that it is unimportant then, to be involved in such things?

SELTZ: Not at all. It's just putting all these things into perspective. And I think that's what's very much needed today. 

ANNOUNCER: How so?

SELTZ: First of all, think about when Jesus was asked such a question. He was asked about taxes.

ANNOUNCER: Now there's a topic that never goes away.

SELTZ: Some things never change, that's for sure. His answer, though, says it all. He says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's." So, let's get to the point. It's not that our decisions and policies are of no value. 

ANNOUNCER: Right. Politics is a part of life, just like business, family, and leisure. 

SELTZ: Right, and there is a lot of pain in the world due to bad politics, bad leadership, and corruption. Cleaning such things up, voting for what is right, getting involved in one's community, giving people freedom to do what is right, holding them accountable when the public trust has been violated; all that is necessary, it is beneficial.

ANNOUNCER: What's the other side of that?

SELTZ: It doesn't change a person's heart or make the problems ultimately go away. That's why Jesus puts things into perspective for us. While doing those political things might be beneficial for a time, His whole life demonstrates that such things still can't answer our deepest needs, nor solve our deepest problems. That's going to have to be God's business in our lives and in our world. That's where the Church is a radically different organization that God wants all people to be a part of too.

ANNOUNCER: Why is it so different?

SELTZ: The Church isn't merely about challenging people to do things morally right on the outside and then enforcing such things if they are broken. No, it's about calling people's hearts to account before God, calling all people to repentance and faith as the ultimate solution for our brokenness in our families, in our communities, even in our world.

ANNOUNCER: Being put right with God, then, is the most important issue.

SELTZ: Exactly, and there's only way that we're going to be able to start to do that, that's with Him, and by His grace. And that's how we can then also reconcile ourselves with others too. There has got to be an eternal foundation to our temporal issues or the temporal stuff merely is a game to be won, and lost, and won again with no progress or no ultimate hope; (which is one reason I think people are fatigued by all this stuff).

ANNOUNCER: Sounds like you're saying that getting involved in the political banter and discussions is important, but not ultimately so?

SELTZ: I think that's what Jesus says. So, yes, be informed. Vote your conscience especially as it is guided by the Ten Commandments, yes. But even more so, be reconciled to God by grace, immerse yourself in His hope and His power of His Word, and serve your neighbor to glorify Him, not just to win an argument; that will change things, if there is meant to be change this side of heaven.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.





Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"Evening and Morning" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

 

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Worship this weekend

This weekend Pastor Klaustermeier will be leading the liturgy and Pastor Mark Rabe will be preaching about why he and his family will be moving to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to be missionaries. 

Come to hear his story and give support!


Lead a Child story

Here's  just one story that shows why I'm biking across MO this weekď



Benjamin shares his story, "I had taken a trip to eastern Chad, specifically in ADE, the Chad Sudan border. In this city, there is no telephone network…the wife of the missionary that I had followed had been bitten by a snake. We thank God, now she is out of danger, but her foot is still swollen. In my family, my wife had experienced the dislocation in her right foot and lying for one month and it was also during this time thieves stole her goods at the market (she has a shop at the market and that his shop was completely stolen); my eldest son had surgery on his left leg with related diseases like typhoid and malaria. Despite all this, the Lord is wonderful. He supported me, my family, and ministry. I thank Him and told Him thank You for protection. I say also thank you for your support in prayer when I occasionally encouraged by your writings that mention that you pray for me and my family."

Benjamin's story is one of many that take place in every country LeadaChild serves. The trials and setbacks of those we reach are frequent and many. Things we can do so easily in America, are extremely time consuming in these indigenous parts of the world. The financial support you provide through LeadaChild helps in such a big way to alleviate some of the worries and challenges of hundreds of teachers, directors and most importantly thousands of students deal with.

Beginning Sunday, June 21 sixteen riders from the LeadaChild Bike Club are going to begin biking across the entire state of Missouri. The goal? To raise awareness and financial support for children like the ones Benajmin serves. Summer time in any of the countries LeadaChild serves is the busiest time of the school year because classes start in January. Will you consider making a donation to LeadaChild or sponsoring one of our riders? You can do so by clicking the links below. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers as LeadaChild works to continue taking the love of Jesus to children around the world through Christian education. Click Link to donate:
http://leadachild.org/bike_4_kids_nebraska1.aspx

Fwd: Frenzia funeral lunch




Ladies Aid will serve a luncheon following Bonnie Frenzia funeral at St. John's on Monday, June 29th.  Funeral,10 am, luncheon, 11 am.

 

We need donations of salads and desserts only.   No hot dishes.

 

If you would like to donate a dish Please let Linda Callies know by e-mail,  lindacallies@centurylink.net  or call her at 636-456-4228.

 

We could use some help with clean up after the luncheon since some of our ladies are unavailable to serve.

 

May God bless your day.

Friday, June 19, 2015

DEVOTION: (God, through the prophet Hosea says) "Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God.  Your sins have been your downfall!  Take words with you and return to the Lord."  Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips......'. "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."   Hosea 14:1-2 and 4
 
Next week I will be on a journey of 300 miles across the northern section of Missouri.  I have no idea how it will go.  I have been getting lots of miles in, and I feel ready, but who knows.  I'm certain there will be many hills to climb and many hills to coast down.  I know there will be lots of sweat and I will constantly be drinking water to replenish.  I know that there will be lots of people riding with me, over a thousand, so I won't be alone.  Yet, there are so many uncertainties.  What's the weather going to be like?  What's my tent going to be like?  What kind of food will be there?  How sore will I be at the end of the day and in the morning?  How much traffic will there be? 
 
There are so many unknowns, yet there is always one CERTAINTY!  I know that, no matter what happens next week, I have a God who will always forgive my sins, will always love me, and will never leave me.   I know that with each pedal stroke I take, God will be right there with me, not just in my thoughts or attitudes, but he will literally be there!
 
Wherever you go in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, know that the loving, almighty, gracious, and forgiving God is always with you, even throughout eternity!  Have peace, comfort and joy in that!
 
Please pray for me as I take this journey that all of us riders remain safe and secure throughout the week next week. 
 
(Note: I will try to email updates at the end of each day next week, but don't count on it.  I'm sure wifi will be scarce and my email on my phone only sends when wifi is present.)
 
Let us pray:  Lord God, thank you for this opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause such as Lead a Child.  Help me to make it through this 300 mile week.  Bless me and keep me safe.  Remind me and all of those reading this devotion that if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and will never leave us or forsake us.  Amen.
 
Go to www.leadachild.org and click on the donate button to support the cause!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Hosea?
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CALENDAR:
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Father's Day; Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45

Mon-Fri- Little Lambs Summer Camp; Pastor gone on bike trip through MO.
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat, June 27- worship 5pm
Sun, June 28, Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Building Presentation Meeting and Potluck at NOON
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Gus Klaustermeier; 11- Devin Miller
Ushers-  Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure

Altar- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat-  Randy Fischer; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Charlie Figura

Greeters- 8:30- John and Joanne Hachtel; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer 8:30- Randy Sweet  11- Kailyn Blechle
Pianist- Tim Sherman
Projectionists: Sat- Terry Mckenzie; 8:30 ????; 11- Lydia Miller
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NEWS:

PROJECTIONISTS NEEDED FOR THIS SUNDAY AT 8:30 AND NEXT SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 5PM!
If you're able to do either of these, please reply to this email or text me at 359-1061
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR MARK RABE WILL BE HERE TO PREACH AND DO A PRESENTATION DURING BIBLE STUDY THIS SUNDAY!!
He and his family will be moving to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to do mission work.  He will be teaching at the Lutheran seminary there, educating pastors for the fast growing Lutheran churches there. 
 
Please come and, if you are able, support his much needed ministry!!
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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER WILL BE LEAVING SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOR HIS BIKE TRIP ACROSS MISSOURI. 
We will start Monday morning in Rock Port, MO.  Our stopping points along the way will be Maryville, Albany, Unionville, Kirksville, and Canton.  Please pray for safe travel for all the riders and good weather for us as well. 
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MARILYN WILL BE BACK MONDAY, JUNE 22.
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A NEW DIRECTORY IS BEING PUT TOGETHER.  IF YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST DIRECTORY PLEASE WRITE IT DOWN ON THE ATTENDANCE SHEETS BY JUNE 21!!
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SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 AT COUNTRY LAKES!!!
Flyers are available on the counter in the narthex. 

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PASTOR IS STILL IN NEED OF MORE SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE-A-THON ACROSS MISSOUR!!
Thank you to all who have donated so far!!  I'm pretty close to $1,000!!!!  
 
My goal is to raise $1,500 for Lead a Child!  One of, if not the, best mission organization within the Synod.  We provide funds for kids in Third World countries to go to Christian schools. 
 
Go to www.leadachild.org and click on the "donate" button.  Or you can give me a check and I will send it to them. 
 
 
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NEXT PLANNING MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY,  JUNE 28 at NOON!  IT WILL BE A POTLUCK LUNCH!!!  EVERYONE IS INVITED!
 
WE WILL ANSWER TWO QUESTONS AT THIS MEETING:
1. What do we do well?
2. What do we need to improve our ministry?
 
The answers to these two questions will help us to focus our efforts and put together a master plan so that we can focus on building to fit our ministry needs and goals.
 
WE NEED INPUT FROM EVERYONE!!  THIS IS YOUR TIME!  BRING YOUR ANSWERS (along with a dish to share)!
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TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP GROUP'S NEXT ADVENTURE IS TO ROCHEPORT AND ARROW ROCK, MO.
They will have dinner and the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock and then enjoy a live play "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Lyceum Theater.  Cost will be determined by number of people going, but should run between $60 and $70 per person.  SIGN UP SOON!  A $25 deposit is due by this Sunday!! Please give your deposit to Marilyn or put it in her mailbox or on her desk.  Don't put it in the offering plate.
 
 
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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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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 the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BONNIE FRENZIA as she passed from death to eternal life Wednesday. 
 
For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.  He is able to move his arms but beyond that cannot move anything.  
 
For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER, who is recovering from surgery.  She is doing very well. 
 
For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are now BOTH on hospice care.
 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

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