DEVOTION: Because they lead my people astray saying "Peace" when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it up with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?" Ezekiel 13:10-12
Smoke and mirrors, fluff and stuff, that's all it is. When someone only tells you what you want to hear they often cover up the truth or deny it all together. There are way too many people who are simply denying the truths of God's will in favor of what makes people feel good. People will like you more if you tell them that they can do whatever they want without consequences. People will flock to you when you have only good things to say to them.
No one likes a Debby downer. No one wants bad news blues. We want to hear good stuff. We only want to be uplifted and not to have to face the cold, hard truth.
This is exactly what is happening to the Israelites today in our reading. The false prophets have been blowing smoke for so long that they are paying no attention to the truth. In fact, they don't even recognize the truth anymore. They are going down to destruction because they will not acknowledge the truth and face up to it.
Sound familiar? In our own nation we have millions of people who simply cannot face the truth and deal with it. They would rather bury their heads in the sand and ignore it than deal with it. They would rather have someone continually tell them that they are right and ok. They would rather deny that there is a God and that his word in the Bible is true than face reality and deal with their sins.
Maybe you are one of them. If you are then I warn you as God, through Ezekiel, warned the Israelites, that you whitewashed flimsy wall is going to get blown down. You can't keep up the charade forever. God knows your sins and he wants you to confess them and repent of them so you can live a free life!
The good news is this, "If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do you want to be free? Do you want to be cleansed? Then get the monkey off your back! Come clean! Confess, repent and be forgiven! I will pray that this happens for you today!
Let us pray: Lord, tear down the whitewashed walls that people have set up between you and them so that they may know the truth and the truth may set them free. Amen.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
LAST TIME'S QUIZ: Jeremiah was the prophet to Judah as they went into exile. Who was the prophet to Israel? Ezekiel
_________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What did God tell Ezekiel to do to show the Israelites that they would soon be going into exile?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- First day of Little Lambs four year old class; Family Night 6pm
Tues- First day of Little Lambs three year old class; Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Newsletter deadline
Thurs- Hellebusch/Neeley wedding rehearsal 6:30; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Bus trip leaves 1pm; Wedding- 1:30; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- John and Anna Hoenig; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone 8:30- John Hachtel 11- Steve Robine
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun- 8:30- Terry McKenzie
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
KELSEY OVERBECK WILL BE INSTALLED THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, at 11am FOLLOWED BY A TACO BAR LUNCH AT NOON!!!
Come and show your support for her and give her God's blessings.
Call church or Karin Klaustermeier to let us know you're coming for lunch!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Thrivent is no longer financially supporting Lutherans for Life. This was a huge portion of their yearly income. Therefore they are in need of your help. They need the congregations and individuals within the congregations who support Lutherans for Life to give an extra offering to them to replace the funds that Thrivent has taken away.
Yesterday we had a door offering for this cause and many of you gave generously! Thank you! If you weren't here or were unable to give yesterday you can still give. Just go to www.LutheransforLife.org and click on the "Give" tab. You can also find all the information you need to know on their website.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR WILL BE ON 850 AM and www.KFUOAM.org THIS WEDNESDAY AT 11AM!!!
He will be doing a Bible study on 2 Corinthians 13 "Final Warnings". Tune in to hear him!
____________________________________________________________________________
WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE CARNIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 12 from 11am-7pm
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 in the narthex or call the church office!
Here is the link to find out more about it.
warroomthemovie.com
It is called "First Step Back Home. It is run by Paul and Lana Kruse.
Attached you will find their newsletter and a flyer for a concert coming up at Warrenton Christian Church to support them.
Here's a link to their website.
www.firststepbackhome.net
Check it out and see if this is an organization that could use your help as a volunteer or as a donor
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!
You'll have to come to church to pick them up!
____________________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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!
________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Dave Callies-
Mark Christophene- began a new job and is away from his family during the week because of work
Tuesday:
Charlie Sue Cleveland-
Wednesday:
Jason Cluver
Thursday:
Hailey Coleman
Friday:
Kendra Coleman
Saturday:
Sharon Cunningham
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For the GLASTETTER FAMILY (Marcella Linke's family) as her brother TONY died in a car accident yesterday morning.
For NINA BRENDEL, Barb Dreyer's mom, as she is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
For JOYCE SCHIEN as she is being placed into hospice care today. (She and Ken moved down to a nursing home in Oklahoma close to their son a year and a half ago.)
For GENE HILGENDDORF as he continues to recover from a motorcycle accident.
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.
