Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 

 

"Big Differences"  
April 14, 2015  
clouds trees... the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:19b
Watch a pride of hunting lions in Africa and you will see they go after the weak, the young, the sickly.

Watch a pack of wolves in North America and you will see they often do the same.

Both groups, separated by an ocean, go after those who are least able to defend themselves. Yes, the pride or the pack could probably bring down a large, strong, healthy victim, but they choose the easy way, the safe way, the way that will produce the fewest injuries to them.

It makes common sense -- for lions and for wolves. In a sick sort of way, it makes sense for some of America's less courageous criminals too. To prove that statement's validity allow me to point to the recent rash of crimes where men stole from ... are you ready for this ... from Girl Scouts who were selling cookies.

* In New Hampshire, a crook grabbed the cash box of the Girl Scouts who were selling to the patrons of a Walgreens drug store.

* Across the country, in California, one coward ripped a cash box out of a Girl Scout's hands.

* In Michigan, in our nation's heartland, a thief stole more than $600 from a Girl Scout who had worked doubly hard for her money. She has cerebral palsy.

Looking through Scripture, you can see the forces of evil also seem to sneak up and prey upon those who are least able to defend themselves. The devil stealthily slithers his way through God's garden and slyly speaks his suggestions, which are designed to separate humanity from its Creator.

Look to the children of Israel who are wandering in the wilderness. Listen to their disobedient complaining, and you will soon realize that evil uses circumstances and situations to drive a wedge between the loving Lord and His people.

What a contrast there is between the forces of evil and God's great goodness.

Evil works in the dark, while Jesus not only brings the light, He is the Light of the world. The devil speaks lies while Jesus is the Truth. Evil works secretly and stealthily, while the Lord is always upfront and open. The devil comes to kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that we might have life and have life abundantly.

These differences will show themselves most clearly after the judgment where those who have aligned themselves with Satan will find their eternity spent in damnation, while Jesus' followers will be granted eternal life.

With the fact thus presented and evident to all, it is amazing that anyone would love the darkness. By God's grace may the Holy Spirit use us to reach them and bring them into the Lord's marvelous light.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the eyes of the lost be open so they may see the great differences between Jesus' sacrifice which saves and Satan's enticements which damn. In the Savior's Name I pray. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    Who was Shimei?  Shimei was a man of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin who held a grudge against King David who was of  the Israelite tribe of Judah.   King David had come to replace King Saul who was of the Benjamin tribe. 
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Hushai?
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CALENDAR: 
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Thurs- Praise band 6pm
Fri- Jr/Sr Hi Lock in 7pm; Bible study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Lock-in ends at 7am; LWML Zone Rally All Day; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Gus Klaustermeier; 11- Isabella Linstruth
Ushers-  Don Hancce, Rich Boeger, Don Tate, Doug Walters

Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean up- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Steve Mc Dowell; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- 8:30- Roy Bohning 11- Kailyn Blechle
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg; 11- Terry McKenzie
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NEWS: 
PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE COMING UP THURSDAY, MAY 7!
Wonderful continental breakfast 6:30-7am
Half hour prayer service 7-7:30am
 
Enjoy the company of your brothers and sisters in Christ, some wonderful food, and a beautiful time of prayer to start your day!
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MORE ALTAR GUILD MEMBERS AND LAY READERS NEEDED!!!
There is a need for some more ALTAR GUILD members especially cleaning up after the late service on communion Sundays
 
There is also a need for some more LAY READERS for all of our services but especially the Saturday service and  11am service on Sunday.
 
If you feel as though you could help your congregation in either of these ways, please reply to this email and we'll give you any training you need and put you on the schedule! 
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FAITH, FOOD, AND FAMILY NIGHT EVERY MONDAY NIGHT at 6PM!!
 What a wonderful way to grow with your church family!  Just a bring a dish full of your favorite food to share!
 
BRING YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS TOO!
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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP TO THE CLYDESDALE FARM AND THE JEFFERSON CITY STATE Penitentiary LEAVES AT 7:45!!!!  Please be on time!
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6-12 GRADE LOCK IN THIS FRIDAY-SATURDAY 7pm-7am!!
We'll start off with a movie at the theater and then spend the rest of the night in fun and games!  We will play Minute to Win It! and enjoy some pizza and other junk food! 
 
We need some chaperones please! 
 
Let Kelsey know if you can chaperone, even if it is just for a little while, if you are youth who is coming, and how many friends you are going to bring.  573-803-7826
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PASTOR IS BIKING ACROSS MISSOURI JUNE 21-26!
As much as I need to get in shape, this is more to raise money for www.leadachild.org.   If you'd like to donate to this most worthy cause, go to the website, click on the donate button, find the space that says "Lead a Child Bible club, enter your amount and enter my name.  Then you can pay by check, e-check, or credit/debit card.
 
Thank you for your support!
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QUILT RAFFLE
The quilt is hanging in the church basement and will be awarded to some lucky person at 1pm on Saturday, May 2!!  You may purchase tickets from a quilter or from the church office.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5!! 
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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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LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!
Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.
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$5 MOVIE COUPONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE MOVIE "Do You Believe" playing at Warrenton 8 Cinema right now. 
Coupons are on the table in the narthex.  Feel free to take as many as you need.
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DID YOU HAVE FUN WITH THE TRAVELING FELLOWWSHIP GROUP THIS PAST SATURDAY? 
Well the next trip is already in the works!  They will be taking a trip to Rocheport and Arrow Rock, MO on August 22!!  They will have dinner at the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock and then enjoy the play "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Lyceum Theater.  Cost will be determined by number of people going.  It should run between $60 and $70 per person.  Sign up soon as there seems to be a lot of interest. 
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NINTH ANNUAL TAILGATE SALE AND VENDOR FAIR WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 2!! 
Tailgate sale starts at 7am and inside vendors will open at 8am and continue till 3pm.  The Ladies Aid will hold their luncheon and bake sale from 8am-3pm as well.  We are looking for vendors for indoor booths at $25 a stall and tailgaters to rent spaces outside at $10 a double parking space. There will also be PREMIUM rental space under the pavilion.  Rent the entire pavilion for $75 or we will divide into four spaces for $20 each. 
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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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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!  We have no one signed up till May 16!!  Please sign up!
Apr 19- Pam Bueltmann
Apr. 26- Gary and Joanna Hoelscher
May 3-
May 10- Ava Campbell w/ help from Gary and Teresa Scott
May 17-
May 24-
May 31-
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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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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For CAROL KOHRS who is hospitalized after surgery to remove a blockage near her gall bladder.

 

For DANIELLE MEINE who is hospitalized with complications due to her chemo treatment.  Even though her cancer is in remission she still has to do treatment for another year and a  half.

 

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments and has placed himself on hospice care.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is spending some time in Delmar Gardens for rehab.


For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

 

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

 

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