Daily Email: Wednesday, August 24, 2016

DEVOTION: Hebrews 13:1-17

13 Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we can confidently say,

"The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?"

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹ Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. ¹³ Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. ¹⁴ For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
 
As a pastor, verse 17 stuck out to me.  It is a great privilege to be a pastor.  I get to be the one who brings the Gospel to people when and where they need it.  I get to speak God's Words all day every day.  What a wonderful privilege it is.  I get to be there at the most important moments in people's lives, in times of great joy and times of great sorrow.  I get to distribute God's gifts through preaching His Word, through baptizing his children, and through handing out his body and blood in the Lord's Supper.  There is nothing more satisfying for me than being able to do these things. 
 
At the same time, it can also be a great burden, especially when the members of the church do not respond to God's Word and the Sacraments as they should. 
 
It give me great heart burn and causes me grief when the members of God's church keep themselves away from Him. When a person stays away from worship he or she is in grave danger of losing faith.  The longer they stay away the more chance there is of it.   
 
It gives me sleepless nights when brothers and sisters in the church are in conflict with one another, and special grief when a person is in conflict with me.  
 
Please understand, I'm not complaining.  God chose me for this calling and I have accepted it.  I love it!  Even after 15 years I still love almost everything I get to do every week.  But it would give me great joy to see those in worship who have been neglecting it.  It would give me great joy if those who were in conflict reconciled with each other.  It would give me great joy to know that there is no one in the church who is against the church and that we are all moving forward in faith to build up God's kingdom!
 
If you want to make me happy there are three things you can do:
1. Come to worship.
2. Be reconciled to each other (Forgive and be forgiven)
3. Get on board with the mission of St. John's which is to "make disciples of all focusing on the next generation.)
 
Thank you and God bless your day with peace!
 
 
Prayer: Lord, bless my church with peace, growth and forgiveness and help me to be an agent of all three of these.  Amen.

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CALENDAR
Wed- Worship at Oak Pointe 10am
Thurs- Lutheranism 101
Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am; Wedding rehearsal 5pm; Concessions at football game 6-10pm
Sat- Peery/Polston wedding 2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kids Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; High School Youth Night 6-7:30
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Jack Bunge  11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar-  Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- John and Anna Hoenig

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Charlie Figura
 
Greeters-  8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters;  11- Charlie and Lynn Figura

Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone  8:30- Allan Dreyer; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Piano- Sat- Molly Hendershot

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Find a verse or verses in Jeremiah that speak about the Messiah.

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NEWS!!!! 

BUILDING COMMITTEE AND BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

We have accepted the Master Plan for the building program, now what?

 We need to properly staff the Building and Finance Committees.  Here are some of the expectations and tasks these committee members will be responsible for. 

 

Please look over these job descriptions, pray about it, and volunteer if you are interested and are excited about seeing this project to fruition!

 

Our next meeting will be next Monday, August 29 at 7pm!

 

Building Committee requirements:

·         Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the building process and other St. John's members. 

·         Understanding of project management, (not necessarily construction experience), but have the ability to understand all phases and processes needed to complete building project.

·         First task will be research, evaluation and selection of the architect for the building project.

·         Much of the task will be less about solving the specific problems of construction, but rather communication with others in the church so concerns / ideas are explored and information is shared.

·         Require 1 to 2 year time commitment and 100% attendance at meetings 

 

We are looking for 4 to 6 members to serve.

 

 

Finance committee requirements:

·         Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the finance / fund raising process and St. John's` members. 

·         Working knowledge of finance, accounting, or banking is a great plus.

·         Task will include working with fund raising campaign, working with concerns of congregation as well as making sure building project stays on budget.

·         Require 1 to 2 year time commitment, 100% attendance at meetings

 

We are looking for 2 to 4 members to serve.

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SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

The Saints Joachim and Ann Food Pantry, which serves many of our families in crisis in Warren, Lincoln, and St. Charles Counties,  is in need of the following items.  Please bring them to pastor's office and Barb Hargrove will collect them to bring them to the pantry. 

 

Canned meats

Jelly

Condiments

Toilet paper

Kleenex

Pancake syrup

Peanut butter

Shampoo

Conditioner

Manwich

Condensed milk

Tomato paste

Tomato sauce

Spaghetti sauce

Granola bars

Peanut butter crackers

Finger food snacks

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UPDATE ON DCE FUND AND OFFERINGS

As of last week there is enough money to pay Kelsey through December plus $9,542.68 for 2017.

 

Our offerings have increased by 6,800 from last year. 

 

We are gaining ground but have a long way to go. 

 

Please remember that the voters approve a budget at our November meeting.  We need to continue to see a significant increase in offerings in order to do the ministries here!  In the words of Rich Boeger, "I know we have the money to do everything we need to do.  We all need to pray, think about where we can make sacrifices, and give!" 

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CHOIR PRACTICE BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 AT 7PM!!

Anyone high school age or older is welcome!!!  They need more singers.  Please consider it and at least show up to the first practice to check it out!  Call Barb Dreyer at 359-1906 for questions or concerns.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CONCESSIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

St. John's members have been asked by leaders of the Big Red Boosters to help with concessions at the home football game on Friday, August 26. 
 
When? 5:45-9pm
 
Where? Warrenton Football Concession stand
 
What?  Selling all sorts of concession stand food and drink.  (No previous experience necessary)
 
Who?  Any member of St. John's (Don't have to have a kid at the high school to help)
 
Please reply to this email or call/text me at 636-359-1061 to volunteer! 

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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

tscott@usmo.com

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 the WINTER AND SLAYDEN FAMILIES AT THE DEATH OF LIL AND DAVE'S NEWBORN INFANT GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER MACKENZIE.  She passed from death to eternal life yesterday afternoon.  (Funeral arrangements are pending.)

 

For THE THOUSANDS IN LOUISIANA DEALING WITH FLOODING AND THE THOUSANDS IN CALIFORNIA DEALING WITH FIRES.

 

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer.  She is at home.

 

For DENNIS PERREY, who is recovering at home from a very serious tractor and brush hog accident.  He has 6 broken ribs, both lungs were punctured and, 2 vertebrae were cracked.

 

For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from heart surgery and infections at New Florence Care Center for the next month.

  

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.