Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 

 

"Out of Control"

March 18, 2015

"So the Pharisees said to one another, 'You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the whole world has gone after Him'" (John 12:19).
Read John 12:12-19.
The great Festival of Passover is near. Huge crowds make their way across the countryside toward Jerusalem, and our Lord Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, riding on a donkey.

The Pharisees throw up their hands in fear and frustration. They say to each other "You see that you are gaining nothing." The situation is totally out of control. But again they will not stop to consider Jesus' claims. They only react in frustration and fear of what Jesus might do with the huge Passover crowds gathering around Him in Jerusalem.

It is fascinating to compare their reaction to that of the crowds. The crowds cry out to Jesus, "Hosanna," which means "help" or "save." And they are right. The Lord Jesus is the mighty Son of God, who has come to battle Satan, sin, death and hell. He alone can save us from our bitter enemies.

As we begin this week of Jesus' suffering and death for our sins, we notice He is completely in control. We will notice He is in control through this entire week-clear up to and including His arrest, trials and crucifixion.

That's important to remember when we look at our own lives. Often we are as fearful and frustrated as the Pharisees, realizing situations in our lives are totally out of control. We can throw up our hands like the Pharisees, or call upon Jesus as the crowds do, remembering that Jesus is still in control, sitting at the right hand of the Father and guiding all things for our good.

THE PRAYER: Lord, please help and save us, especially when circumstances are at their worst and totally out of our control. Remind us that they are never beyond Your control. Amen.
Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer  
 
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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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TODAY'S QUIZ:     Who was Gideon?

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CALENDAR: 

Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30 (Pastor at circuit pastor's meeting all day)
Thurs- Karate 5:30

Fri- 7 and 8 graders and chaperones leave at 3:30 for Camp Windermere
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Pastor Jim Prince is here to preach and lead worship and Bible study this weekend.
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  Wed- Dawn Sherman 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch, 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers-  Wed- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure: Sun- Scott Heitgerd, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke, Tom Linke
Altar- Wed Candles Terry Mckenzie; Sun Set up- Ruth Walters, Clean Up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Jennifer Figura
Sat Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Projectionists: Sat- No projector this weekend
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NEWS: 

STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!

Stephen Ministry Leadership Training will be held April 12-18, 2015 in St. Louis at a hotel near the airport.  If anyone is interested in being part of this ministry, and wants more details, call Joanne Hachtel, 636-745-8711.

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RESULTS OF SPECIAL VOTER'S MEETING THIS PAST SUNDAY

After a presentation by Kent Jacobsmeyer, and a bit of discussion, It was decided by the voters that there would be two committees set up to move us forward in a timely manner with this bulding project.  Volunteers are welcome and needed for both committees, but especially the finance committee.

 

Brief Explanation and duties of committees: 

 

1. Planning Committee

Who/How many?  6-10 voting members

 

How long? Approximately 3-6 months

 

What to do? (Scope off work)-- Communicate with members of St. John's to determine what our needs and goals of a building are.  Work to develop "Scope off work" that is used to determine if current plan meets our needs or a new plan needs to be developed to meet the current needs of the church.

 

Attributes of committee members- creativity, communication, ability to network with all members of the church

 

Outside assistance: Elmer Wind, Wind architecture has volunteered his time to assist in helping the Planning committee develop a proper scope of work and the criteria to look at when selecting an architect.

 

2. Finance Committee:

Who/how many- 1-3 voting members

Term- beginning to end of project

 

Task- Provide the voice of fiscal responsibility  when determining the building project's needs vs. wants and be the checks and balances when decisions are made where capital is required and expenses are incurred.

 

Attributes needed- strong fiscal understanding, fund raising capabilities, analytical

 

Outside assistance, Dennis Klussmann with LCEF has worked with several church in the same situation as we are in now.  Dennis can work with us to help us determine the availability of financing as well as general guidelines of Capital Campaign programs.

 

 

Both of these committees will begin their work as soon as they can be established and a meeting date and time can be reached. 

 

Please pray for them as they work for the good of the church and as God guides them! 

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MIDWEEK LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP Wednesday, SUPPER 5:30; WORSHIP 6:30!!
 
Menu:  Mostaccioli, garlic bread, salad, 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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CHURCH WORK DAY SATURDAY, MARCH 28 8am-noon!!

 

The board of trustees needs your help!!

 

All sorts of work will need to get done!  Bring your tools, paint brushes, gloves, and whatever else you may have that would be useful for work!

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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!
Here's what we have so far:
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.
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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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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 OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

 

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

 

For DAVE KOHRS who began chemo treatment last Tuesday. 

 

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

For 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. .