Daily Email: Thursday, July 7, 2016

DEVOTION: Luke 10:25-37  English Standard Version (ESV)
 
"The Parable of the Good Samaritan"
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
 
Contrary to popular understanding, this parable isn't necessarily about how to be a good person.  The point of the story is truly the fact that the man was a Samaritan and not a true Israelite and yet, he helped his enemy.
 
You see, a lot of times, church people think they are good with God just because they are church people.  They go to worship.  They do all the right things as far as volunteering and giving.  yet, when the rubber hits the road, or when their faith is tested they are found lacking. 
 
Notice that the first two guys who happen upon the man who was hurt were church folks, one a priest and the other a Levite (of the family off the priests and often thought as more holy than everyone else.)  Yet, when they see the man, they do nothing to help him, thus showing that their faith, at best, is shallow and selfish, and at worst is nonexistent. 
 
The Samaritan, a half breed, on the other hand, probably still a faithful believer although not thought of as one, and certainly not thought of as holy because he wasn't of the "right" family, did stop and take care of the man. 
 
My friends, this passage isn't just a good moral story about how to treat others.  It's about Jesus, who, although he wasn't of the priestly family and in fact was from Nazareth and an outsider to say the least, was and still is our great High Priest.  It's also the fact that, while we were still his enemies, he died for us.  He is the one who finds us along the road dirty, beaten, and left for dead; and picks us up, heals us, and MOST IMPORTANLY, pays everything for us! 
 
JESUS IS OUR GOOD SAMARITAN!!  And because He lives in you by virtue of your baptism and faith, he works through you to do His will and to bring others to faith so that you can show the love of Jesus in your own life. 
 
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for being my good Samaritan, for finding me, though I was as good as dead, and for bringing me back to life.  Amen.

 


CALENDAR
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group 1pm; Lutheranism 101 resumes 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm; Pastor out of town helping sister move, Pastor Grund will be here
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Jack Bunge   11- Jacob Cluver


Ushers- Brett Nordwald, Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Erv Yoder

Altar-  Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Wanda Turnure

Elders-  Sat- Steve Robine;  8:30- John Hachtel;  11- Dave Winter
 
Greeters-  8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell;  11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier  8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Sandy Robine

Piano (Saturday and Sunday)- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  No projection this week

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ Who did Isaiah prophecy against?  (Still no answer.  Where are you Pat?)

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NEWS!!!!  (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
 
LUTHERANISM 101 IS BACK AT IT THIS THURSDAY AT 7PM!!
Come and learn more about your faith and grow in fellowship with other Christians at the same time.  I'll bring dessert! 
 
Every lesson is a stand alone lesson, so you can come and know that you have not missed a thing if you haven't been there. 
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ONE LAST DOOR OFFERING THIS WEEKEND TO HELP OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO MAKE IT TO NEW ORLEANS AND BACK!!
Please help them out and give as you are able!  They are leaving on Friday, July 15 and will be back on Thursday, July 21!
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THE FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SHEET IS BLANK.  THE DONUTS DON'T JUST MAGICALLY SHOW UP SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY. 
If you have benefitted from these refreshments, but haven't done your fair share, please think about signing up for a Sunday in the near future.  Call 456-2888 to sign up for this Sunday or any of the following Sundays.
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NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT CHURCH THIS WEEKEND AND AT BIBLE STUDY NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT 7PM!!!!
1. Your congregation has supported you in a lot of wonderful ways and they want to pray for you and wish you well as you prepare to depart!   Please make every effort to be there for worship so they can pray for you and so you can thank them for their generosity and support!
 
2. You've had a lot of physical and material preparations for the gathering (fund raising, packing preparations, etc.  Now it's time to prepare your hearts for it.  Pastor will be leading a Bible study on what it means to have a "Vacation with Jesus".   I will grill hotdogs and hamburgers for us!  Please bring your insurance cards and your $60 activity fee to this meeting!
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GUN CLUB OUTING COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 13!!!
 Our next Gun Club outing will be at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Gun Range on Saturday, August 13, from 9am-Noon.  You can either bring your own guns and ammo to shoot at the range or we will have a whole range set up for a special "fam fire" (armed forces code for familiarization fire) on a separate range for those who don't own a gun but would like to learn to shoot and learn about various types of firearms.  Paul Brockfeld and others will have several different firearms and ammo to use for $20 per person.  Please sign up on the sheet on the counter in the narthex so we know how many are coming and who is or is not bringing their own guns and ammo. 
 
Directions to the range: DO NOT follow the signs to Whetstone Creek.  If you follow the signs, you will not go to the firearms range.  From Warrenton take I-70 to the Williamsburg exit.  At the top of the ramp turn right and head north into Williamsburg.  At the first stop sign go straight (Sign will tell you to turn left to go to Whetstone Creek CA - do not turn left).  At the second stop sign go straight.  Road will turn to gravel as you leave Williamsburg.  Once road turns to gravel it is approximately 2.3 miles to the range on the right.  Parking lot is before the range.
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MEN'S RETREAT INTERVIEW AND INFO
Below is the link I did on KFUO AM 850 this morning about our men's retreat coming up on Sept. 23-25.  Go to www.t3mensretreat.org to register and mark your calendars today!  I want you to go!
 
 
 http://www.kfuoam.org/2016/07/06/ht-2016-07-06/
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DOOR OFFERING FOR SIMON PETER WAAKO RAISED $721!! 
A few weeks ago, we had a door offering for a missionary pastor in Uganda, named Simon Peter Waako and his family.  He is pastoring four very poor villages and most of the people he ministers to cannot afford to support him.  He will be able to do A LOT with the $721 he received from us today (a lot more than we could do with it here in the U.S.)!  Praise the Lord!   
Thank you all who donated!
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LADIES AID SUMMER LUNCHEON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 AT NOON AT DENNY'S!!!!
All ladies are invited!!  Make sure you sign the list on the counter in the narthex by Sunday, July 17 so reservations can be made.
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LONG TERM CARE WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY, JULY 19 AT 6:30PM!!
The choices have changed.   Are you confused about long term care?  Most people are.  You may have thought you didn't qualify.  Come explore the new face of Long Term Care and how it may benefit your family.
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VBS "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"  WILL BE HELD MONDAY, JULY 25-THURSDAY, JULY 28 
Supper begins at 5:30 each night.
Program begins at 6pm and goes till 8pm!
 
Volunteers and food is needed!  Please sign up on the donation and volunteers sheets on the table in the narthex or call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 to volunteer or donate.
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4!!
Help is needed for making calls and appointments, and also for the day of the drive we need strong people to move tables and chairs, a person to register donors, and another to serve refreshments.  The Red Cross has cut back on their help, which puts an extra load on the hosts.  Call Marilyn at 456-2888 to volunteer!!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES THROUGH THE SUMMER
Each week the children will play different board games which will be coordinated with the Bible lesson. Bring your kids to have some fun and to learn the Scriptures at the same time.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS MORE STEPHEN MINISTERS!!
Stephen ministry is a one on one caring ministry in which a person goes through 50 hours off training to be a better listener and care giver.  Even if you don't become an active Stephen Minister, this training is beneficial just for your daily life! 
 
Please consider going through the training!  It is very beneficial. 
 
And please consider becoming a Stephen Minister.  It has been a huge help and benefit to our congregation for the last 13 years, and I would love to see it grow! 
 
Call me at 636-359-1061 to let me know you're interested.  Or go to www.stephenministry.org to learn more about it.
 
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SCRIP PROGRAM CONTINUES!!
Here's how it works:
1. Pick up an order form from the counter in the narthex or from Marilyn in the office.
2. Mark how many cards you would like to order from each retailer you use, and fill in the totals.  (If you need help, stop by the office or talk to Marilyn or ask me after worship.)
3. Attach a check to your order form made out to St.John's.
4. Marilyn will place the order on a certain date each month.
5. Pick up your cards from your church mailbox.
6. Use your cards just like money at the various stores.
 
Please use this program!  It is an easy way for you to help YOUR church raise money for its ministries!
 
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND OATMEAL PACKETS!!!
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 PRAYER 
For BOB RUHL, who had gall bladder surgery yesterday and is recovering in the hospital.
 
For LIL WINTER who is hospitalized with sever pain in her neck and a torn shoulder.
 
For PAT MANNESS, who is recovering from hip replacement and pelvic reconstruction surgery at Delmar Gardens.   
 
 For BRIAN TAMPOW, a friend of Steve and Toni Mauch, who has an inoperable tumor near his carotid artery and will need to go through extensive chemo and radiation treatment.
 
For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 
  
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she finishes up her current mission work in the Czech Republic and makes her decisions for her future.



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