Thursday, March 5, 2015

 
DEVOTION:  Leviticus 19:9-10  Love Your Neighbor as Yourself "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
 
The Lord has always had provisions for those who are in need,, because there have always been people in need.  Because we live in a sinful world, and because all people to one extent or another are selfish, and because there are many who squander what God has given them, and I could go on and on, there will always be the poor and needy among us. 
 
The Lord then doesn't say, give the money to the government so the government takes care of them.  He says, YOU take care of them.  All over the place do we see the Lord giving us instruction as to how, when, and where to care for those in need.  Why?  Because he knows that ALL of us are in need in one way or another.  He also knows that we are able to find satisfaction in giving.  He also knows that as we give we are partaking in God's giving which is the biggest blessing we can receive.  As the old saying goes, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 
 
It is also so that we, as missionaries of Christ, are able to have opportunity to share His love with others that they too might believe and grow.  It is a wonderful thing to be able to give freely without giving it a second thought, because then we know that we are giving according to God's will and for His purposes, without any need or desire to be recognized for it, and without any need or desire to be repaid in any way. 
 
More than all of these reasons is the simple reason is that God said so.  We do things as Christians because we want to do the will of God!  We want to love and give, because God first loved us and gave Himself for us!  That's it!
 
If you don't like what I'm saying today, if you don't like talk about giving, whether it be an offering, or whether it be giving the shirt off your back, or whether it be giving your cash to a stranger, you better check yourself, before you wreck yourself. 
 
That is all God has given you to do:  GIVE, LOVE, FORGIVE......  REPEAT!  Live in god's grace!  Rest in it!  And you will give and love and forgive!  And all God's people said......  AMEN
 
Prayer:  Lord forgiven our selfishness and our hoarding tendencies and make us to give, love, and forgive over and over again.  Amen.
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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 Sacraments
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual needs
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What kind of fish was considered "clean in the Old Testament?  Those that had fins and scales.  So no shellfish, and no catfish.  Good thing that went away when Jesus fulfilled the law!!
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What was to happen to a child who cursed his father or mother in the OT?
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CALENDAR: 
Thurs- Alzheimers Support group 1pm; Karate 5:30
Sat- Worship 5pm; Turn clocks forward one hour
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; Worship 11; Elders meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers-  Sun-Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Sun Set up- Lucille Luebke, Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Pam Linke 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn 8:30- Christy Winn; 11- Steve Robine
Sat Pianist- Barb Dreyer

Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun 8:30- Perricones  11- Jacob Cluver
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NEWS: 

MIDWEEK LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP NEXT WEDNESDAY, SUPPER 5:30; WORSHIP 6:30!!
 
Menu:  TACO BAR!!! and DESSERT
 
Worship Theme:  "Calling Us Home..... Suffering"
 
Invite your friends and neighbors!!  Enjoy some good food, great fellowship, and God's Word all in the span of two hours!!
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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!
Here's what we have so far:
Mar 8- Perricones
Mar 15- Fosters
Mar 22- Luebkes
Mar 29-????
Apr 5-  EASTER BREAKFAST
Apr 12-???
Apr 19- ???
Apr. 26- ???
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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!___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Voters Meeting Concerning our Building Project, Sunday March 15th, 12:30pm
(Immediately following the late service.)  Let your voices be heard!!!  We will begin with a potluck meal.  Please bring a dish or two to share!We will be discussing the following:
1. Where we have been.
2. Where we want to go.
3. The roadblocks we have encountered, and ways to deal with these roadblocks.
4. Forming a planning committee to move forward
5. Forming a finance committee to provide checks and balances as we move forward
 
Join us to share your own positive ideas concerning our future building project and the direction it is heading.  ALL members are encouraged to attend and participate!!!
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SEMINARY JOBS AVAILABLE!!
There are both full and part time jobs open at Concordia Seminary in Clayton.  (My school).  Please submit your resume in confidence to humanresources@csl.edu,
 
or fax it to 314-505-7339
 
or submit it via US mail to Concordia Seminary Human Resources 801 Seminary Place, St Louis, MO 63105
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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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NOTES FROM THE TRUSTEES
1.  If you see (or hear) a property item that needs fixing, tell one of your trustees or let Marilyn know in the office.  We have plenty of guys who have the ability to do the work necessary!
 
2. A WORK DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 28!!  8am-noon!!  Mark your calendars and gather your tools!!
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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP TO THE CLYDESDALE FARM AND THE JEFFERSON CITY STATE PENITENTIARY ON SATURDAY APRIL 11!!
We will visit the Warm Springs Ranch, World headquarters of the Budweiser Clydesdale OPERATION.  After the tour of the ranch and some refreshments compliments of Budweiser, we will enjoy lunch at Settler's Inn.  After that we are on to Jeff City for a tour of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary.  An ICE CREAM BREAK us scheduled at Central dairy to round out the day.  Reservations and tickets have to be purchased so it is NECESSARY that you SIGN UP NOW!!!  Complete cost will be determined by number of people going. 
 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For DAVE KOHRS who will begin chemo treatment as his cancer from a few years ago has returned. 
 
For DAVE TINNIN'S MOM, JANE, who remains in the ICU to control her seizures and to give her the rest she needs.   She has been unresponsive for a week.
 
For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with many health problems relating from a stroke.
 
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 DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .
 
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