DEVOTION: John 16:23-33 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.[a] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
29 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Remember the song "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"? Every time I read or hear Jesus' words in this reading I can't help but think of that song. Truth is that Jesus never promised us prosperity or financial stability in this world. He never told us that everything would be peachy while we live here on this earth. In fact, he really promises just the opposite. He promises hardship, trouble, persecution, and He even promised the disciples that they would die for His name's sake.
Another way to put it is that God doesn't always calm the storms of our lives. he doesn't always fix our circumstances. He isn't necessarily going to get rid of the bullies. He isn't necessarily going to make your job more enjoyable or your boss more favorable toward you. That's why when you ask for these physical earthly things you always should ask them with the statement "If it be Your will." to remind yourself that not everything you want is always what God wants. He may just want you to suffer, or to go through a tough time so that He can grow your faith and make you stronger. Also, none of us is going to escape this world alive, so to think that it is always God's will to deliver us from injury and disease is just silly. Ultimately He will deliver us all from these things through physical death which leads to eternal life!
Let this be a lesson to you. When you don't know how to pray, pray the Lord's prayer. In everything know that, "In this world you will have trouble, but TAKE HEART, I (Jesus) have overcome the world!"
Prayer: Lord, bless help me to realize that You aren't ever against me when things go wrong, but that sometimes it is Your will that I go through them to grow. Amen.
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.[a] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
29 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Remember the song "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"? Every time I read or hear Jesus' words in this reading I can't help but think of that song. Truth is that Jesus never promised us prosperity or financial stability in this world. He never told us that everything would be peachy while we live here on this earth. In fact, he really promises just the opposite. He promises hardship, trouble, persecution, and He even promised the disciples that they would die for His name's sake.
Another way to put it is that God doesn't always calm the storms of our lives. he doesn't always fix our circumstances. He isn't necessarily going to get rid of the bullies. He isn't necessarily going to make your job more enjoyable or your boss more favorable toward you. That's why when you ask for these physical earthly things you always should ask them with the statement "If it be Your will." to remind yourself that not everything you want is always what God wants. He may just want you to suffer, or to go through a tough time so that He can grow your faith and make you stronger. Also, none of us is going to escape this world alive, so to think that it is always God's will to deliver us from injury and disease is just silly. Ultimately He will deliver us all from these things through physical death which leads to eternal life!
Let this be a lesson to you. When you don't know how to pray, pray the Lord's prayer. In everything know that, "In this world you will have trouble, but TAKE HEART, I (Jesus) have overcome the world!"
Prayer: Lord, bless help me to realize that You aren't ever against me when things go wrong, but that sometimes it is Your will that I go through them to grow. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Kalene Masters 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat-- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Tom and Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Sandy Robine
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat and Sun Piano- Molly Hendershot
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg 11- Gus Klaustermeier
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Name a Psalm that will give you comfort after you have sinned and have received God's grace.
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study 9:45; Worship 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Kalene Masters 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat-- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Tom and Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Sandy Robine
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat and Sun Piano- Molly Hendershot
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg 11- Gus Klaustermeier
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Name a Psalm that will give you comfort after you have sinned and have received God's grace.
Nobody answered this, so I'll leave it up for another day.
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NEWS!!!!
OUR NEXT GUN GLUB MEETING WILL BE TUEDAY, MAY 17 at 7pm!!. IT WILL BE A "GET ACQUAINTED WITH ALL SORTS AND TYPES OF GUNS" EVENING.
Paul Brockfeld and Jason Cluver will bring a wide variety of guns (shotguns, rifles, and handguns) for us to look at and learn how to operate. We will all get to handle the guns. No shooting.
This will be a great opportunity check out all sorts of guns so you can be more confident and sure of your ability and knowledge, and even learn which one would best fit you!
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THERE ARE NOW TWO TUBS IN THE NARTHEX. ONE IS FOR OPERATION BACKAPCK AND THE OTHER IS FOR AGAPE!!
Keep bringing the monthly stuff for Operation Backpack. (This month it is soup and ramen noodles.)
Bring stuff for Agape canned and boxed food of all sorts, toiletries (toilet paper, diapers, toothpaste, soap, etc.)
bring perishable items (meat, milk, eggs, etc.)directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. Warrenton
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LUTHERANISM 101 EVERY THURSDAY AT 7pm!!
Come and join us for lively discussion and lots of learning! Refreshments will be provided!
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COMPLIMENTARY PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON COUNTER IN THE NARTHEX!!
If you didn't order any other pictures, your complimentary picture is on the counter n the narthex. Come and get it! If you ordered pics, yours came or will come in the mail.
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LADIES AID AND PALS MEMBERS PLEASE MAKE BAKED GOOD FOR THE BAKE SALE ON MAY 7!!
Please remember that we have a bake sale table at the vendor fair and flea market on May 7. Please bring them the day before or the morning of the bake sale. We need LOTS of baked goods to sell!! Thanks in advance for participating!!!
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE IS NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 5 AT 7AM!!
The National Day of Prayer is next Thursday, May 5. We will have our annual breakfast beginning at 7am.
This year's menu is a little different. We are going to have biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit.
Prayer and worship will begin at 7:30 and will be done close to 8am.
Please RSVP to this message if you plan to come so I know approximately how much food to buy and make.
Go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more about it.
This year's menu is a little different. We are going to have biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit.
Prayer and worship will begin at 7:30 and will be done close to 8am.
Please RSVP to this message if you plan to come so I know approximately how much food to buy and make.
Go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more about it.
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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!
We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we? I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.
Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year, I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization? In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!
LeadaChild provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:
Guatemala Chad Honduras Palestine Haiti Uganda
Gambia Ivory Coast El Salvador Nigeria Panama Nicaragua
Burma Ghana Chile Venezuela Bolivia Mexico
Liberia Uruguay Sri Lanka India Guinea Sierra Leone
Bangladesh Cambodia South Africa Togo Thailand
These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.
Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike
Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously. Please remember all of the riders in your prayers! Thank you much for your support!
Biking For Kids Together,
Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier
LeadaChild is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
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HELP LITTLE LAMBS GET SOME NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT!!!
Order some Avon "Skin So Soft" from Little Lambs to help them raise money for new playground equipment! Call Karin at 314-691-7283 to place your order!
_________________________________________________________________________________INSIDE SPACES ARE SOLD OUT!!
Join us as a vendor inside, have a tag sale on the parking lot, or craft items for sale. Outside spaces are available for $10 for a double parking spot.There will be a sale under the pavilion if you would like to donate items. The youth will be raising money for their National Youth Gathering trip under the pavilion and at the concession stand.St. John's Lutheran Church, 950 S Hwy 47 in Warrenton. Please call the church office for more info. 636-456-2888.
Vendor spots are being held for: Tupperware, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, 18" doll clothes by PJ'S Patterns, Perfectly Posh, Paparazzi, Damsel in Distress, It Works Global, Mary Kay, Norwex, Tastefully Simple, Pink Zebra, Lilla Rose, Usborne Books & More, Cindy Rust handmade Jewelry, Avon, Park Lane, scroll saw art, Young Living Essential oils, Amy Flores Handmade Jewelry and custom / personalized key chains. More to come...THE QUILTERS WILL ALSO BE RAFFLING OFF THE QUILT THAT IS HANGING DOWNSTAIRS!!_____________________________________________________________________________________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!_____________________________________________________________________________OPERATION BACKPACK FOR APRIL IS CANNED SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES(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.)___________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYERS:For BETH a daughter of a friend of the Fosters, who was in a very severe bicycle accident and has broken ribs, and punctured lung and a broken shoulder.For MY MOM, DEBBY KLAUSTERMEIER, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.For LARRY AND LIBBY PAILER as they have finally sold their house and moved back into St. Louis this past Saturday.For TERESA BROCKFELD AND HER FAMILY as they mourn the death of her brother.For BRIAN MC LAUGHLIN who is recovering from very complicated and serious surgery.For DON BRAZEE who is hospitalized with a possible blood clot in his leg.For CAROL BRAZEE who is struggling with severe bronchitis and is seeing a pulmonologist today.For LYNN FIGURA who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home and is doing great.For LOIS FRICK who fell and fractured her back last week and is going for an MRI today.For EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, Lois Boeger's mom, who is dealing with severe back pain and has been moved to a rehab nursing home. .For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
