Daily Email: Monday, February 29, 2016

DEVOTION:  Psalm 32

32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

 

 

I get a kick out of verse 9 in this passage.  In other words, don't be a dummy.  Get some understanding!

 

It really chaps my hide when people who have never read through the Bible or studied it, think themselves experts on what the Scripture says about a certain topic, whether that be homosexuality, marriage, the purpose of the church, or even God himself. 

 

Once you've studied it and learned, once you've gained REAL knowledge FROM THE SCRIPTURE ITSELF, on something then you can speak about what the Bible says about it as an expert. 

 

It's almost like a politician who is asked a question about a certain topic that he should know something about, but really knows nothing, and instead of simply telling the truth and saying he doesn't know, he spouts off something that he heard from someone else without having any knowledge himself. 

 

Now, I understand, all of you have very busy and full lives, and so you don't have time to actually study God's Word to the point that you can become an expert.  That's why you called me as your pastor almost 15 years ago.  You called me to be your advisor, just like your doctor is your advisor about your health, or your CPA is your advisor about your taxes and finances, so I am your advisor about spiritual things and about Scriptural knowledge.  I know the Scriptures!  I went to school for eight years (4 in college and 4 in seminary) to study the Scriptures so that I can help others understand and know the Scriptures.  I still study the Scriptures a couple hours a day to keep up my knowledge and to continue to grow in it. 

 

At the same time, it is very important if you want to live a life in that peace that passes all understanding, that you keep working on learning the Scriptures too.  It's important so that

1. You don't make mistakes of going against God's will and mess up your life simply because you don't know what God's will is. 

 

2. Because in the Scriptures you will find Jesus!  Jesus means peace!  Jesus means love!  Jesus means forgiveness!  Jesus means eternal life!

 

If you've been absent from worship or Bible Study,  want to encourage you to get back into worship so that you can hear and learn God's Word for you life!   Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding.  Jesus loves you too much for that!  He wants you to understand what it really means when he says "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." that it means eternal life and peace on earth for you!

 

Prayer: Lord turn those who don't care whether they understand or not, to become people who long for and are eager for God's Word of truth!  Amen.

 

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:3-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir practice 7:15
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group

Sat-  worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; basement reserved @1pm

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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- Wed- Jacob Cluver 8:30- Sarah Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd


Ushers-   Wed- Figura Family Sun- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Doug Walters, Don Tate

Altar-  Wed Candles- Terry McKenzie; Sun Set up- Lucille Luebke ; Clean up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Sweet

Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson

Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30-  Tim Linke; 11 -  Kailyn Blechle

Pianist- Sat- Kathy Barrow

 

Organist- Wed and Sun-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- Bueltmann  8:30- McKenzie; 11- Lydia Miller
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ   On what day was every Israelites boy supposed to be circumcised after he was born? 8th day (Thanks again Don Nolte)

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was a city of refuge in the OT?
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NEWS!!!! 
THIS WEDNESDAY IS GOING TO BE FANTASTIC!!
Taco bar for Dinner @ 5:30!!  (Free will offering is strongly encouraged to support our youth!!!)
 
Learning more about our relationship with God through the book of Job at 6:30!!
 
What could be better than that?  Come out and partake of God's goodness!!!
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SIGN UP FOR CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS!!
The photographer will be here March 16-19.  Sign up after worship or online through the church website www.stjohnswarrenton.com  Go to the website and click on the text link to the photographer's scheduling site.  For assistance or questions contact Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070.
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SIGN UP FOR EASTER LILLIES!
A sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex.  Sign your name and if in memory of someone or for a special occasion.  Price is $14.50 each.  You will be able to take them home after Easter Services.
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LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR STARTING TOMORROW FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS!!!  OPEN REGISTRATION FOR EVERYONE STARTS APRIL 1.
Registration forms are available from Little Lambs or the church office.  All registration forms must accompany the $45 nonrefundable registration fee.  Children should be 3 or 4 by August 1.  For more info talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
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SATURDAY PIANIST NEEDED
We could use another pianist on Saturday night since Tim and Kathleen Sherman have moved to Wentzville and transferred their membership there.  Please let me know if you or someone you know is available one Saturday a month.  You get paid.
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PLEASE SUPPORT LITERACY IN WARREN COUNTY!!
Warren County Literacy Inc. (of which I am a member and on the board along with Allan Dreyer)  is going to be giving away 70 bookcases stocked with books in April to children who are in the head Start Program in Warren County.  This is the fifth year for this wonderful event.  What we need is people to sponsor a bookcase for $50.  If you are able and willing, please reply to this email or call/text at 636-359-1961.  Make checks payable to Warren County Literacy Inc.   The ceremony at which the kids get their bookcases is on Sunday, April 10 at 2pm at Wright City Middle School.
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LENT DINNERS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING LENT AT 5:30!!
Over the last many, many years your Jr. and Sr. high youth and their parents (mostly their parents) have been serving dinner on Wednesday nights during Lent.  While this is a good way for the youth and their parents to serve and give back to the congregation, it is also supposed to be a way for them to raise money for their service projects and trips. 
 
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:
 

 
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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 DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THIS DAILY EMAIL?
If you know of someone who isn't currently receiving my daily emails but would like to, please reply to this email with their email address and I will add them to the list.  THANK YOU!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MARCH IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL!! 
 
(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)
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GENERAL PRAYERS:
For PAT MANESS, a former member off St. John's and friend to many, who is hospitalized with severe leg troubles.
 
For SHARON GARRETT a friend to some at St. John's, and soon-to-be member, who fell and broke both of her ankles and is recovering at Delmar Gardens, O'Fallon.
 
For DON BRAZEE who continues to recover from a tick bourn illness that came on very gradually and has caused severe swelling and water retention  which has caused him to be so weak that he can't stand on his own.
 
For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, who has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.
 
For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.
 
For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.
 
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
 

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