Daily Email: Tuesday, July 12, 2016

 
DEVOTION: Genesis 18:1-14 (ESV)

18 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks^[a] of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, "O Lord,^[b] if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs^[c] of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. ⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

⁹ They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent." ¹⁰ The Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' ¹⁴ Is anything too hard^[d] for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
 
Sometimes we think things are too hard for the Lord.  Our feeble, simple minds forget that God is omnipotent and omniscient.  He knows the whole span of your life from beginning to end and he has your whole life in your hand.  Yet you think that there is something you can do to help God out?  You think that he is just sitting and waiting for you to be a good little boy or little girl?  Does that really make sense? 
 
I heard someone say yesterday that God does miracles today just to remind people that he is around.  Indeed, He is still around!  He is more than just hanging around though.  He is active in your life and mine.  He is working everything out for our good.  His will is being done as we live and move in this seemingly endless world. 
 
It is when we finally realize how active God is in our lives and how much we truly rely on him that we are able to step back, take a deep breath and relax.  Or as God himself says it, "Be still and know that I am God." 
 
Don't laugh when God says he's going to do something in you or through you.  Don't laugh When you are thinking that God can't remove your sin from you.  Don't laugh when he takes you as feeble, or old, or young, or busy, or whatever you are; and uses you to do His will and perform miracles.  Don't laugh at God, because He might just do what he says. 
 
Instead, when god says "go".... go!  When God says "stay".... stay!  When God says "be still"..... be still.  When God says "get to work".... get to work.  Follow His direction.  Don't give him directions.  Listen to Him. 
 
Prayer: Lord, help me to surrender, to know that you can do all things, and that everything has been done for me in Christ.  Amen.
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CALENDAR
Tues- Little Lambs Summer Camp 9-noon; Youth BBQ, Bible Study, and meeting 6pm; No trustees meeting
Thurs- Long Term Care Seminar 6:30pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm in overflow
Fri- Youth leave for NYG 6am
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver   11- ???? (Alaina Heitgerd will be in New Orleans so I need someone to volunteer)

Ushers- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Doug Walters, Don Tate

Altar-  Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- John Hachtel;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Randy Fischer
 
Greeters-  8:30- Don and Donna Sherman;  11- Doug and Ruth Walters

Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel  8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- ???????

Piano (Saturday and Sunday)- Barb Dreyer

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30-????? (Schaumbergs will be in New Orleans so I need someone to volunteer); Faerber

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Who did Isaiah prophecy against? 

 

(From Pat King)

First of all, these quizzes are open to EVERYONE. Just sayin'.

 

But to answer this question, Isaiah was originally aiming his prophecies against the nations surrounding Israel and Judah, that did not serve the Lord. Since, Israel and Judah were both, at that time, basically giving God the proverbial finger, by going their own idolatrous ways, it was also a warning to them to either repent and return to God, or be prepared to face His wrath. (the Babylonian exile)

Anyway, since God's word is eternal, it can also be seen as an indictment against our nation today. We too, are basically doing the same things the Jews did. So unless we return to the founding principles of our nation, we should be prepared to face God's judgment on us as a nation

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Name a chapter or verse in Isaiah that talks about the coming Messiah, namely Jesus.

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NEWS!!!!  (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)

 

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING BBQ, BIBLE STUDY, AND MEETING TONIGHT AT 6PM!

All NYG participants (youth and adults) who are in town must be there.  Very important!  Bring your $60 and your insurance card. 

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LONG TERM CARE WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY, JULY 14 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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LUTHERANISM 101 WILL BE IN THE OVERFLOW THIS THURSDAY!!

Due to the long term care seminar being in the basement, we will meet in the overflow or in one of the Sunday school classrooms.

 

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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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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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 MARIANNE LINKE, who is recovering from surgery to open up a major artery in her leg so there will be increased circulation.  She is in the hospital.

 

For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from surgery and a problem with fluid on his lungs. He has also been dealing with hiccups for the last week.  He went home from the hospital yesterday.  

 

For LIL WINTER who is home from the hospital and is awaiting word on possible shoulder surgery.

 

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.