Sermon from 1/18/15

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Devotion and News: Tuesday, January 20, 2015

 
ST. JOHN'S MISSION STATEMENT
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing...
UP in God's Word and Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ

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DEVOTION:  
"So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed.  Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children."  Genesis 47:11-12
 
After you forgive someone how should you treat him?  Should you still treat him with contempt?  Should you forgive but not forget?  Should you still treat him like dirt to make him pay for what he did?  Should you make him remember what he did every day for the rest of his life?  Should you bring it up every time he gets a little "too" comfortable? 
 
Of course all of these are a big fat NO! 
 
The best earthly example we have of this is in the passage above.  Joseph could've made his brothers his slaves.  He could have brought it up every time he saw them.  He could've treated them like dirt for the rest of their lives.  Instead, he showered them with love and with gifts.  he showed them he loved them.  he didn't just SAY that he forgave them, he actually showed them that all was in the past and that the future looked wonderful for all of them. 
 
The best heavenly example we have of this is how Jesus acts toward us.  He doesn't bring our sins up over and over again.  He doesn't make us pay.  He doesn't hold bitterness and hatred against us for the hell he had to suffer for us.  He showers us with His gifts of love, mercy, and grace! 
 
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for truly forgiving us.  Thank you for not holding our sins against us anymore.  Help me to appreciate that more and more each day.  Amen.
 
 
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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ ANSWER:     
Who was Joseph's only full blood brother and the youngest of all the brothers?  Benjamin
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TODAY'S QUIZ:   How many were in Jacob's (Israel's) family when they left their homeland and entered Egypt?
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CALENDAR:  
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Council meeting 7
Wed- Pastor's circuit meeting 9-3; Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5:30pm-7:30pm; Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting 6pm
Fri- Newsletter assembly
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Kelsey @ Concordia, Seward for midyear conference
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Sophie Tinnin
Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer  11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Jo Fahrni; 11- Jim Rahn
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:  
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!
Officers and board chair people please be there!!! 
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FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT WAS GREAT LAST NIGHT!!
Kelsey did a terrific job of leading the Bible study!  The food was great!  And we were all done by 7:15!! 
Come and join us every Monday at 6pm for a great time of food, fellowship and God's Word!!
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SPECIAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 6PM!!
The Garms family, a southern gospel music group from Minnesota (I know the two don't go together, but you gotta hear them!!),  will be at St. John's on Thursday evening February 19th at 6pm!   It is a family of eight with wonderful voices and a tremendous desire to share the love of the Lord in music!  Mark your calendars right now to come on out for a night of music!!
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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!!
Make sure you get them and use them for tax purposes, but also to take stock in how much you gave versus how much you had decided in your heart to give last year!
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HOME CARE AIDES NEEDED IN WARRENTON--- 
Day shift-- part time.  Pay is $9 per hour. 
If interested contact Star Resource, Beth Murray at 314-432-7827
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YOU CAN BRIGHTEN UP THE SANCTUARY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!
Altar flowers are a wonderful way to share joy at a birthday or anniversary or to honor someone's memory!  Altar flowers are $25.  Call Marilyn if you'd like to brighten up the church and honor someone you love at the same time!  456-2888!!  Or you can sign up on the flower chart in the narthex located on the bulletin board. 
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STEAK DINNER/AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE!!
Tickets are $25 a piece!!

Raffle Tickets for the $500 drawing are also available.  1 ticket for $10 or 11 tickets for $20. 
 
It is always a BLAST!!!  Get your tickets this weekend before or after one of our worship services or contact your favorite youth to buy them from one of them.  
 
For years this event has become known as a great place to get good deals on things and help out our youth program at the same time!! 
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PROJECTIONIST SCHEDULE:  Thanks to the many who signed up.  There are just a few left!  Let's get some new folks who want a way to help to participate in this!!  Here are the dates and times that are left.
Feb 1- 8:30-                            
 
Feb 15- 11am-
 
Feb 22- 8:30-                           11
 
Mar 29- 11am-
 
Apr 5- (Easter) 10-
 
Apr 12- 11am-
 
Apr. 26- 8:30-                         11-
 
May 3- 8:30-                           11-
 
May 10- 11am-
 
May 17- 11am-
 
June 21- 8:30-                        
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YOUTH SNOW TUBING OUTING THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 AT HIDDEN VALLEY IN EUREKA
All kids in grades 1-12 are welcome to come along with their parents!!  Cost is $11 for members of St. John's and $22 for friends and other nonmembers. 
 
They will leave at 11:30 from church!  Depending on the number of people going there will be a big need for drivers. 
 
Deadline to register is Tuesday January 20!! 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ.
 
For JASON CLUVER as he recovers from heart surgery to put in a stent in a major artery. 
 
For CAROL KOHRS as she recovers from a blood infection and gout in her hand and wrist.
 
For PAISLEY CHRISTOPHENE who was hospitalized this past week for extremely low hemoglobin levels due to prolonged illness, but is doing better today.
 
For DANIELLE MEINE, a senior at WHS, a friend to many kids at St. john's, and a rider on Karin's bus since kindergarten, who has a very serious form of cancer.
 
For ELTON TEMME, Harold Temme and Lois Frick's brother, who has had many seizures and is dealing with many other health problems.
 
For THE PEZOLD FAMILY as they have the memorial service for Lisa's dad this coming Saturday. .
 
For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes.  He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.
 
For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.