Wednesday, August 5, 2015

DEVOTION:  "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it?  Or an image that teaches lies?  For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.  Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!'  Can it give guidance?  it is covered with gold or silver; there is no breath in it.  But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.  Habakkuk 2:18-20
 
The airwaves are already filled with talk of presidential candidates and debates and it is 15 months before any election will take place.  It is as if they are waiting and looking for a savior to choose from among I don't know how many men and women.  Hopes and expectations are high, but the field, at least so far, is found wanting. 
 
There are whole cable TV stations that are dedicated to money and finances, each one of them trying to predict the next boom or the next downfall.  It is as if our hopes and dreams are riding on the waves of the markets.  It is as if we are putting all our trust in the financial advisors, some of whom know only a little more than we do. 
 
Then there are our sports heroes.  We admire them and want to be them when they are at their highest.  We can't get enough of them.  Again, our hopes and dreams, our happiness often lies with how good they do on any given night of the week.  We skip worship to go and see these people.  We push our kids to become one of them, someone to be admired, dare I say, a "god"? 
 
How foolish we are.  I guess it is easier to admire something we make out to be god instead of the one true God.  I guess it is more comfortable for us to have a god we can control, mold, and form.... and then be disappointed in, than it is to surrender to and have faith in the one true God, our creator, redeemer and sanctifier. 
 
Thanks be to God that he does not even count this against us.  He doesn't treat us as our idolatry deserves.  Instead, he gives us more grace.  While we run after things to fill our bellies, our minds, and our empty spaces, Jesus instead fills them with himself.  He loves us that much. 
 
Instead of spending an extra hour running after empty things, why not spend an hour at worship this weekend, and if you want to get really filled up with goodness, why don't you come to Sunday school and Bible class too!  You won't regret it. 
 
Until then, fill up your heart and mind with thoughts and with knowledge of God's unending grace.  Pray, read Scripture, care for others, love them, forgive them, and then you will know the true worth of Christ. 
 
Let us pray:  Lord, I am an unworthy sinner, chasing after things and filling my mouth and belly with things that will neither satisfy me or do me any good.  Please fill me with your love and forgiveness instead.  Amen.

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LAST TIME'S QUIZ:    Who was the king of Babylon during Jeremiah's time? Nebuchadnezzar
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who is Habakkuk? 
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm
Sat- Golf Outing Registration starts at 7; Shotgun start at 8, Lunch at 1; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; elders meeting noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge ; 11- Jacob Cluver
Ushers-  Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Tate, Doug Walters

Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie ; Clean Up- Don and Ann Panhorst
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Talbert; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Randy Sweet

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Lois Boeger 11- Randy Sweet
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun- 8:30- Terry McKenzie
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NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
 
SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 AT COUNTRY LAKES!!!  SIGN UP TODAY!!
 Cost is still ONLY $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!
 
INSTALLATION OF KELSEY OVERBECK ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 @ 11AM !  NOON LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW!
Kelsey will be officially installed on Sunday, August 23rd at 11am. 
 
While she has been working here for over a year now as an intern, this will make it all OFFICIAL!!  She will be a rostered, commissioned church worker in the LCMS.
 
WE INVITE YOU ALL TO COME AND BE A PART OF IT!!
 
After the service we will have a celebration luncheon. It will be a taco bar, drinks, and desserts! 
 
Please let us know if you plan on attending the luncheon!

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UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!
You'll have to come to church to pick them up!
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FLOAT TRIP!  FLOAT TRIP!!  FLOAT TRIP!!! FLOAT TRIP!!!!
Do you enjoy the outdoors?  Do you like to float down lazy rivers with friends?  Do you enjoy rafts and coolers filled with all sorts of beverages and snacks?  Then sign up and join us for the fourth annual Labor Day float trip! 
 
DETAILS:
1. We will once again go through Ozark Outdoors. 
A. Canoe rental is $20 per person.  A child can ride for free as the THIRD person in the canoe. 
B. Single person kayaks are available at $28 per person. 
C. Rafts are available at $29 per person.  Children 7-12 yrs old can ride for $15 and children under 7 are free if raft minimums are met. 
D. Tubes are $25 per person
E. Rides on the bus are $30 a person if you have your own equipment. 
 
2. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IS IT IS A FLOAT AND NOT A RACE!  Float a little, stop, have a snakcc and a drink, wait for the rest of the group and then move on. 
 
3. What will you need?  Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, cooler, drinks, lunch, and a positive attitude. 
 
4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up tscott@usmo.com , 359-5041, or Schraer Heating and Cooling at 456-5041.  When signing up please provide your email address and BEST contact number.
 
5. If you choose to spend the weekend down there, please make camping, hotel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors, www.ozarkoutdoors.net or with Onondaga State Park.  Currently there are reservable basic sites available for the weekend at Onandaga. 
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CARNIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 12 from 11am-7pm HAS A FEW NEEDS
The carnival committee is in need of the following items for our carnival on Sept. 12!!
1. POP UP CANOPIES--  for stations and coolers.  Make sure yours is marked clearly with your name so you get it back.
 
2. EMAIL ADDRESSES-- If we have your email address you will get an invitation to share with others and a coupon to use for free food.   This email list will not be used for any other purpose. 
 
#. VOLUNTEERS!!!  It will take a small army to make this the huge success we want it to be!!  Please sign up on the counter intthe narthex or call the church office! 
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UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 

 
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PRAYER REQUESTS: 
FROM DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR:
For Bryan and Christina Benke, that they can be good parents, keep working hard to provide for their family, and continue to grow in their faith.
 
For Ron and Sherry Beasley as they have moved to Alabama, that they can both find steady jobs and work on getting involved in the Lutheran church there. 
Tomorrow: 
For Isabel and Sophia Benke as they go back to school and are also involved in a lot of sports activities that they remain safe and healthy. 
 
For Nathaniel and Nichole Bentley, children of Kody and Sarah Stevens, as they go back to school soon and that they would remain happy and healthy.
 
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For MARILYN FOSTER'S SISTER MARCIE, who has cancer and is having a double mastectomy Friday. 
 
For the CHRISTOPHENE FAMILY as baby Piper was born yesterday and as mom recovers.
 
For OLIVER LANDWEHR AND SHAWN JAEGER as they take a trip to the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Convention at Michigan State University.  It is quite an honor to be picked to go to this.  Be proud of our young people!!!
 
For SANDY ROBINE who is recovering well from knee replacement surgery 
 
For GENE HILGENDDORF who had a motorcycle accident last Tuesday.  He has 5 fractured ribs, bad road rash on his arm and a badly bruised kidney.  His helmet saved his life. 
 
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the USA for a short furlough and as she travels to gain more support for her mission work.
 
For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.  
 
For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are 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.  


  

 




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