Daily Email: Tuesday, August 9, 2016

DEVOTION: Jeremiah 23:16-29 (ESV)

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, 'It shall be well with you'; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, 'No disaster shall come upon you.'"

18 For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see and to hear his word,
    or who has paid attention to his word and listened?
19 Behold, the storm of the Lord!
    Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest;
    it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back
    until he has executed and accomplished
    the intents of his heart.
In the latter days you will understand it clearly.

21 "I did not send the prophets,
    yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
    yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
    then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
    and from the evil of their deeds.

23 "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

 

Let's face it, we don't like bad news.  We don't like to hear, nor do we like to give it.  It usually causes us stress, pain, and grief.  At the same time, bad news needs to be told. 

 

Think of the family who lost a loved one in the war.  What if no one ever told them that their loved one had died.  They'd just be left wondering.  What happens when you sin against someone, but instead of that person coming to you and telling you your sin, they give you the silent treatment or the cold shoulder, or worse yet, they leave all together?  Is that better? 

 

Or, on a lighter note, what if you went to the bathroom in the morning and got some toilet paper stuck to your shoe, but no one told you, and you walked around all day seeing tons of people?  Wouldn't you have wanted the first person who saw you to tell you that you had toilet paper on your shoe, as embarrassing as it may have been?

 

Certainly, it is much more pleasant to hear good news.  It is much nicer when you hear things that are pleasant for your ears.  But will those pleasant things really help you when you have something going wrong in your life or need to be confronted with your sin so that you can repent? 

 

There were many false prophets who spoke lies to the people telling them that everything was ok when it wasn't, and the nation crumbled.  Jeremiah was speaking the truth as God gave it to him, and they hated him, exiled him, and several times threw him in prison. 

 

You may not be liked when you speak the truth in love, but your conscience will be clear and you will know that you love the person you spoke to.  Even better, when you speak the truth of God's love, it never returns to him void.  It always does the purpose for which he sent it from your mouth. 

 

So we are called as Christians to speak the truth!  It is not acting in love when we hide the necessary truth from a person.  It is to no good end when we keep from speaking the truth in love to those who need to hear it. 

 

Stand firm and steadfast in God's Word, even when it's not popular.  Live in the truth of God's Word!

 

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear your word of truth when I need it, even when it hurts, and help me to speak your word of truth with love to those who need it, even when it is uncomfortable, awkward, or painful, so Your truth may be heard. Amen.

 
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Open houses for school in Warrenton; First day of school in Montgomery County
Thurs-First day of School in Warrenton and Wright City; Little Lambs Orientation house 8:30-11
Sat- Gun Club Outing at Whetstone Conservation Area 9-noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elders meeting noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold  11- Dawn Sherman

Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover

Altar-  Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel

Elders-  Sat- Dave Winter;  8:30- Don Turnure;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin;  11- Joan Sexton

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier  8:30- Lois Boeger; 11- Jim Rahn

Piano- Sat- Barb Dreyer
 
Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Fisher; 8:30- Schaumberg

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ   What were Hananiah's, Mishael's, and Azariah's names changed to by the chief official?

Again with these easy-peasy quizzes!
 
First off – according to the New Living Bible – Handkerchief was changed to Shadrach. Missile was changed to Meshach, and Ashtray was changed into Abednego.
But, "why?" you ask! Well, because Handlebar, Misled and Apricot didn't work for the song Johnny Cash sang. No! So, he had to rename them. No lie!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Where and who is Moab?
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NEWS!!!! 
BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY AT 7PM!!
We know it is short notice, but the building planning committee is going to meet this Thursday at 7pm
 
Here's some things to know for the meeting:

1.  Kent Jacobsmeyer has  2 master plans to present and discuss the potential course of action and timeline in moving forward. 
 
2. Elmer Wind will not be attending Thursday's meeting, I believe we need to make some decisions independent of his guidance to make sure we are going in the correct direction. 

 

3. Kent is  excited about the master plans that we have been given to look at, if we need an additional meeting with Elmer he would be available next week.

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SERMON FROM SUNDAY
 Enjoy it for yourself and then share it with others who need the good news of being save by grace through faith in Jesus!
 
https://youtu.be/XQ6yMJvtFsI
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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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ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP COMING UP LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 5!!
Would you like a relaxing and peaceful day on the river in God's creation?  Do you want to grow in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Come and join us!
Here are the details:
1. Meet at 9:30am at Ozark Outdoors www.ozarkoutdoors.net
 
2. PRICES
canoes $20 per person
kayaks- $28 per person
rafts- $29 per person
tubes are $25 per person
If you have your own equipment it is $30 per craft to ride the bus.
Children ages 7-12 are $15 and 7 and under are free
 
3. What you will need:
sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, food, beverages, a good attitude. 
 
4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up
cell- 636-359-0274
work- (Schraer HVAC) 456-5041
 
Remember, this is a float, not a race.  It is a leisurely float down the river with lots of stops along the way!
 
If you choose to spend the weekend, please make camping, motel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors or with Onondaga State Park www.mostateparks.com.  Hiking and cave tours are also available in Onondaga State Park. 
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T-3 MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP SEPTEMBER 23-25 AT MARK TWAIN LAKE!
Go to www.t3mensretreat.org for details or give me a call at 636-359-1061.
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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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GENERAL PRAYER 
 
For LENA OWENS as she recovers from knee replacement surgery at home.
 
For BOB RUHL, who is at Barnes Hospital recovering from sepsis due to a perforated bowel, and also recovering from a heart attack.  He is on the mend.  
 
For DON BRAZEE as he is in failing health and is now confined to a bed on hospice care.   
 
For the HARGROVE FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Dave's dad Charles.  (His memorial visitation and service will be Saturday, August 20, 1-3pm.
 
For LAW ENFORCEMENT EVERYWHERE, that we would keep the 4th commandment and honor those who serve and protect us from evildoers. 
 
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 begins her work as a teacher of English as a second language in the Czech Republic and transitions to regular life there. 

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