Daily Email: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016

DEVOTION: Isaiah 35

"The Ransomed Shall Return"

35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
² it shall blossom abundantly
    and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
    the majesty of our God.

³ Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
⁴ Say to those who have an anxious heart,
    "Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
    will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
    He will come and save you."

⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
⁶ then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
    and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
    and streams in the desert;
⁷ the burning sand shall become a pool,
    and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
    the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

⁸ And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.^[a]
9 No lion shall be there,
    nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
    but the redeemed shall walk there.
¹⁰ And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
    and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
    they shall obtain gladness and joy,
    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Wow!  There were a lot of things I was concerned about and beginning to worry  and fret about this morning and then I read this passage from Isaiah. 

How exciting is it that the Lord is going to take us from this veil of tears, from this world of trials and trouble, from this world of tests and failures.  How freeing and joy filling is it to know that there is going to be an end to paying bills, going to the doctor, having to say your sorry, and all the pain and regret that goes with living and breathing in this world?  There will be an end!

Until then, we wait eagerly, but we also wait peacefully, because He has already put an end to your guilt and shame.  No one can take away your joy.  The devil can't steal your soul.  It is already secure in Christ. 

Give to God whatever is getting in the way of your joy.  Throw it off.  Whatever is causing you anxiety or depression, let it go, it isn't worth it.  If you need to go and forgive someone to their face, go do it.  If you need to go to someone and ask forgiveness to their face go and do it!  Then, whatever the outcome, rest in the knowledge of the certainty of Christ's grace! 

Let us pray: Lord, remind us of our eternal inheritance and that no matter what happens here on earth our  is safe with you.  Amen.

CALENDAR

Tues- Quilting 9-noon; Ladies Christmas lunch at Denny's noon

Wed- Women's work day 9:30; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm

Sat- Sunday school Christmas program practice 10-11am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Elder's meeting noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- Wed- Abby Vossen 8:30- Sarah Cluver  11- Cameron Faerber

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

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

Altar-   Wed- Terry McKenzie  Sat  Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel

Elders-  Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning  11- John Hachtel
 
Greeters-   8:30- Randy and Patty Sweet;  11- Al and Karen Benton

Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- John Hachtel

Piano- Kathy Barrow

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; Sun- Yoder
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Here's a "what do you think" question:

What does it mean when Paul says, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial .  Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything."?

(Pat King finally answered it!  YAY!)

Okay, since no one is bothering to answer this, I'll give it a try. This is sort of, like our 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech. Under the law, we can say whatever we want. We can burn our flag, disrespect our military, taunt our police, and spout all kinds of hatred. This is our protected "right." But just because we can legally do all that, doesn't mean we should. Or that it is helpful. Preaching intolerance? Sure we can do that, but it hurts others. So, even though it is our "right," under our law, doesn't mean that it is good – or helpful, or something we should do.

 

When Paul said these words, he was talking to one of the churches, who had begun practicing sexual immorality. Their reasoning was, Jesus paid the price for their sins, so being "dead to sin" in Christ, they were free to do whatever their little twisted minds wanted to. The debt was already paid. But just because Jesus paid the price, and we have forgiveness through Him, it doesn't mean that we can toss out God's law with the dirty dishwater, and do whatever we want to. God expects us – when we become His baptized children - to take on Christ and live our lives accordingly. Sure, we can engage in bad behavior and God will forgive us – if we are sincere in our repentance. But just because we know God loves us and is willing to forgive, doesn't mean we should put Him to the test. Nor should we let immoral things rule our lives. We should seek to emulate our Lord.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: In what year (approximately) did Paul write his letter to the Romans?

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NEWS!!!! 

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE STILL HAS LOTS OF ORNAMENTS ON IT!!

If you haven't take one yet to buy a gift for a child in need, please stop by church this week, or come to worship Wednesday night and take one!  Take the red ornament with you and sign your name on  the white ornament and leave it on the tree. GIFTS NEED TO BE RETURNED BY THIS COMING SUNDAY!!!

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LADIES LUNCHEON TODAY (TUESDAY) AT NOON  AT DENNYS!!

If you're coming, please bring a "White Elephant" gift to exchange.

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WOMEN'S WORK DAY IS THIS WEDNESDAY AT 9:30!!

They will be cleaning the church sanctuary for Christmas. Bring your cleaning supplies!

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YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE HERE!

Come to church and pick them up !  Then USE THEM!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE IS THIS SUNDAY 10-11am!!

Make sure your child is there for it!

The program will be during the 5pm  Saturday service on Dec. 17

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JOHN THE BAPTIST WILL BE PREACHING THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEEK ADVENT SEASON!  Come and hear what this fiery preacher has to say!

WEDNESDAY ADVENT FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK DINNER 5:30

WORSHIP AT 6:30

1.  Bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share when it is your week to do so. Your elder will call you and let you know when it's your turn.

2. If it's not your week to bring food, just come and enjoy supper with your brothers and sisters in Christ

3. Stay for worship and hear what John the Baptist has to say about Jesus!

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BIBLE STUDY AT THE HENDERSHOT'S WILL BE ON DECEMBER 9th INSTEAD OF THE 16th THIS MONTH AS INDICATED ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR.

Marv and Molly will be out of town on the 16th.

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AGAPE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS AT BOTH THE THRIFT STORE AND THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER!!

Hours are 8-4.  Call 456-4645 to volunteer!

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SHOE COLLECTION AT CHURCH!!  BRING YOUR NEW OR SLIGHTLY WORN SHOES TO THE CHURCH OFFICE!

The tub is right outside the office door!

Our high school is collecting new or slightly used shoes to raise money for those in need in Warren County through the "Care to Learn" Program.  Bring your slightly used and new shoes to church! 

 

DON'T BRING WORN OUT OR OLD SHOES!!

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RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE FOR SALE FROM THE LADIES AID ON THE COUNTER IN THE BASEMENT FELLOWSHIP HALL

Prices are marked on the bottom of the box.  You may purchase them from any Ladies Aid member or from the office.

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES

Any size can, and any kind of vegetable is appreciated.    Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.

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SCRIP ORDERS ARE ALWAYS PLACED ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH!!

You can place your orders anytime before that!  Order forms are on the counter in the narthex or you can get them in Marilyn's office.  If you want another retailer on the list let Marilyn know!

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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!

Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!

 

Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.  Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.

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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

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GENERAL PRAYER

For BARB PERRICONE who is being placed on hospice care today and tomorrow.

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.

For BETTY TAMELER who is having surgery on Friday

For MIKE PUCKETT who is having surgery on Friday.

For DAVE CALLIES who is having surgery on his hand this Thursday.

For LEO BADER as he recovers from surgery.

For ERV YODER who is taking antibiotics for a very tough infection in his stomach and intestines. 

For PAT GERDING, Vickie McRae's brother in law, who is paralyzed, but is recovering at a nursing home.

 

For NORM BELINSKY, a friend of Jim and Vickie McRae, who is on hospice care and is nearing the end of his life.