DEVOTION: At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. The he fell on the ground in worship and said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job 1:20
I usually get my readings for these daily devotions from my daily Bible in chronological order. Today's reading is the beginning of Job.
If you know the story of Job, you know that it is not a happy go lucky story. From the very beginning, Job is under fire. He loses everything including his children. He is inflicted with boils. His life is in complete and total disarray. And yet, as you read the passage above, you see Job.... worshiping.
It seems like a cruel thing. Job never did anything wrong to deserve what he got. In fact, from what we read, it was only because Satan thought that he could get Job to curse God and God knew that Job wouldn't do it, so he let it all happen as a test.
Yet, it is a perfect example of how things happen to us. The bad things that happen to us aren't always a direct result of our sin. Sometimes we are just going along just fine and serving the Lord and bad things happen out of the blue.
This is a perfect lesson to us because it shows us and tells us that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It is HIS to give and it is HIS to take away. Even our own life is HIS. And so we worship him no matter the circumstance. When he gives us he does so in mercy. When he takes away he still loves us and gives us more grace. His presence never goes away. His love never fails.
When bad things happen, don't curse God, don't blame God. it is ok to tear your robes. It is ok to feel bad and to let your emotions show. it is ok to grieve! But in your pain and grief worship! Worship the Lord in your grief! Give glory to God in your pain. May the name of the Lord be praised in your circumstances no matter what they may be.
Let us pray: Lord, you give and take away. Blessed be your name. Amen.
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LAST TIME'S QUIZ: Who are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
They were friends of Daniel and believers in God who defied the king's decree and were thrown in the fiery furnace. The Lord saved them and made them witnesses to the king of God's mighty power.
I usually get my readings for these daily devotions from my daily Bible in chronological order. Today's reading is the beginning of Job.
If you know the story of Job, you know that it is not a happy go lucky story. From the very beginning, Job is under fire. He loses everything including his children. He is inflicted with boils. His life is in complete and total disarray. And yet, as you read the passage above, you see Job.... worshiping.
It seems like a cruel thing. Job never did anything wrong to deserve what he got. In fact, from what we read, it was only because Satan thought that he could get Job to curse God and God knew that Job wouldn't do it, so he let it all happen as a test.
Yet, it is a perfect example of how things happen to us. The bad things that happen to us aren't always a direct result of our sin. Sometimes we are just going along just fine and serving the Lord and bad things happen out of the blue.
This is a perfect lesson to us because it shows us and tells us that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It is HIS to give and it is HIS to take away. Even our own life is HIS. And so we worship him no matter the circumstance. When he gives us he does so in mercy. When he takes away he still loves us and gives us more grace. His presence never goes away. His love never fails.
When bad things happen, don't curse God, don't blame God. it is ok to tear your robes. It is ok to feel bad and to let your emotions show. it is ok to grieve! But in your pain and grief worship! Worship the Lord in your grief! Give glory to God in your pain. May the name of the Lord be praised in your circumstances no matter what they may be.
Let us pray: Lord, you give and take away. Blessed be your name. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
LAST TIME'S QUIZ: Who are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
They were friends of Daniel and believers in God who defied the king's decree and were thrown in the fiery furnace. The Lord saved them and made them witnesses to the king of God's mighty power.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was the first bad thing that happened to Job?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees 7
Wed- Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5-7:45
Fri- Set up for carnival
Sat- Carnival 11am-7pm; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school RALLY DAY!! 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- George, Gary and Ben Holescher and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Don and Ann Panhorst
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn 8:30- Tim Linke 11- Steve McDowell
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; Sun- 8:30- Panhorst
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school RALLY DAY!! 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- George, Gary and Ben Holescher and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Don and Ann Panhorst
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn 8:30- Tim Linke 11- Steve McDowell
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; Sun- 8:30- Panhorst
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
CARNIVAL IS THIS SAUTRDAY!!!! Come and enjoy it from 11am-7pm!!!!!!!
Work Schedule is being updated and will be out later today or tomorrow.
NEEDS
VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!! Whatever you can do and whenever you can show up is greatly appreciated!!! Call Karin at 314-691-7283!!!
Pop up canopies for stations
Coolers for ice and drinks
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CHOIR RESUMED THIS PAST WEDNESDAY!! EVERYONE IS STILL WELCOME TO JOIN THEM ON WEDNESDAY AT 7PM!!
They are looking for more voices! Only qualifications are that you need to be high school age or older and have a heart and soul that loves to praise the Lord!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR SEPTEMBER IS CANNED FRUIT!!
Many children in our community are very poor. They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends. Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids.
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item. At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school. The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item. At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school. The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.
Throughout the month of September we will be collecting canned fruit . All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted. The fruit will be delivered to the schools October 1. We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.
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SHOP WITH SCRIP!! A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!!
A new fundraiser was unveiled at our last voter's meeting!! You may purchase gift cards from church to be used as you would any other gift card. The only difference is that you purchase it from church and St. John's gets a percentage of the sale. Order forms are on the counter in the narthex. The first order will be place next Sunday, August 30. Place your order for, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. For additional information or to get your questions answered, call the church office. 456-2888.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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GENERAL PRAYERS:
For HILDE HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized with several illnesses including a bladder infection and congestive heart failure.
For MARIANNE LINKE who is home from the hospital and is doing much better.
For THE SYRIAN REFUGEES and those that are caring for them that they would find shelter and that those receiving refugees would be favorable and God pleasing toward them.
For SANDY ROBINE as she continues to recover from her knee replacement.
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering well from illness and has moved to Whispering Pines.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is back int he Czech Republic to continue her mission work.
For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who may get to go home soon after spending a couple months in the hospital and rehab after a severe motorcycle accident and becoming paralyzed from the waist down.
For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.
For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.
