85 Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
After we have hurt someone and been found guilty of it, and after we ourselves feel the guilt and shame of what we have done, confessed it, and turned from it, all we really want to hear is the words "I forgive you." We don't want to hear more condemnation. We don't want everyone to pile on with their words of correction or advice. We don't want to fight about it anymore. We have already said and expressed with actions that we are contrite and truly sorry for our sin. All we want to hear and experience is words of forgiveness and healing.
Our world is full of people who have been beaten down by their failures and mistakes. You may be one of them. If a person already knows their guilt and has repented of it, there is no need to keep beating them down. The only reason we would do it is for our own satisfaction, as if we are the ones who are dolling out the punishment upon the person. We want the person to hurt and so we think that we are the ones who are allowed and even have the responsibility to make them hurt.
Our Lord tells us in several different places throughout Scripture that He alone is the one to take vengeance and that he will repay according to our deeds. Everywhere in Scripture, but especially throughout the New Testament, we are called to forgive and reconcile! No where in Scripture are we called to hold a grudge, to make the other person hurt like we do, or to heap sin upon sin and guilt upon guilt. If anything, there is swift, certain, and complete punishment and when the punishment and restitution is over the sin is forgotten.
So it is with us! Jesus has paid the price! He has reconciled us to God. He has taken the guilt upon Himself. Let's live like it! Let forgiveness and reconciliation reign fully and completely!!!
Prayer: Lord, when I sin help me to freely confess it, turn from it, and live in your grace mercy and peace. When someone sins against me, help me to deal with it according to your will with mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Visitation for Betty Schirr 2-5; Funeral 5; Building Planning Meeting 6:30
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Fri- Assemble Newslettter 9am; (30 Hour Famine postponed)
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Voter's meeting 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Dawn Sherman 8:30- Hailey Blechle; 11- Jack Bunge
Ushers- Wed-George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher and Brent Davis; Sun- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Wed (Fill Candles) Terry McKenzie Sun Set up- Don Hance; Clean up- Elaine Schauer and Lynn Russell
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11 - Sandy Robine
Pianist- Sat- Molly Hendershot
Sun Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: What was to happen to anyone who sacrificed to anyone other than the one true God? He or she was to be DESTROYED (Thanks for answering Pat and Don!!)
We'll be looking at different rough drawings of economical ways that we can accomplish what we want to do to accommodate our growing congregation and support the future of our church! EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING!!
2. Warrenton High School Band is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and concert on Sat, Feb. 27 at 6pm. It will be a casual dinner with music while you dine! Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for kids in advance. $10/$5 at the door. Let me know by next Tuesday if you want to go. It's perfect for Saturday night after church!!! There are five St. John's High school kids in band this year. Make checks payable to WHS Band Boosters.
Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners. The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets. Without that the youth would probably lose money.
It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.
I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!
Below is the Menu for each week:
Feb 24-
Turkey
Stuffing
green beans
apple sauce
desserts
March 2-
taco bar w/all the fixings
desserts
March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!
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