DEVOTION: Luke 3:15-22 (ESV)15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." A lot of times we talk about Baptism as the washing away of sin, and we should. That is PART of what baptism does, but that's not all. When we are baptized it is in the name of the Father, who created us, the Son who redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit who makes us holy. This means that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now live in us. We are reborn into their names. As Paul says, "Therefore it is no linger I who live but Christ who lives in me. So what does this mean for my life and the lives of my children who I baptized when they were less than a day old? It means that I must now live by the Spirit's prompting. If the Spirit says go, I go. If the Spirit says stay, I stay. If the Holy Spirit says listen to me and I Word, I listen. It means that I am no longer a slave to sin but now a slave to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His will is my will! What does it mean for my duty to my children and to those for whom I was privileged to be a sponsor (godparent). It means that I am responsible for making sure that their life in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is not negated by my laziness and sin. I am responsible that they too live by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, that they confess their sins, that they repent as the Spirit leads them, that they too listen to God's Word and believe it, and that they rest in god's grace every day of their lives. It truly hurts my heart when I see parents and sponsors not taking that job seriously. The kids are hurt because of the spiritual neglect of their parents and sponsors. I know that, at times, my children have even been hurt by it, as I have failed to pray for them, to share the love and forgiveness of Christ with them, and taught them God's Word as I should. If you are a parent who is failing in this way, REPENT! Turn from your neglect of your spiritual duty towards your children and live by the prompting of the Holy Spirit to love your children with all your heart, and to give them everything you can when it comes to the knowledge of Jesus as Savior. Don't wait till it's too late. Don't let your own laziness, or stubbornness get in the way. Do your duty! Let us pray: Lord, thank you for baptizing us in Your name. Help us to live as you prompt us! Amen. __________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:Thurs- Alzheimers Group 1pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder's Meeting Noon; High School Youth Bible Study and Pizza @ Church 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman; 11- John Pezold
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klovver
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Wanda TurnureElders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11-Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Tom and Pam Linke; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Lay readers- Zach Hoelscher; Hannah Johnson
Sat. Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: ???????
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: When Abram and Lot separated, because the land couldn't support both of them with their large flocks and herds, which way did each of them go? Pat's answer:
As things became crowded there was fighting between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and of Lot's men. So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not fight, we're family. We have the whole land in front of us. If you choose the right side, I'll take the left, and if you choose the left, I'll take the right."
So Lot looked over the land beyond Jordan and saw a well watered plain, and chose the side on the east - which was the area of Jordan - for it was like "the garden of the LORD", before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the formation of the salt sea. (Genesis 13:9-11)
Abram remained in the land of Canaan. After Lot left, God said to Abram, Look from where you are to the north, south, east and west, as far as you can see. All the land that you see, I will give it to you and to your seed forever. And I will give you as many descendants as the dust of the earth. Now go and walk through the land. Abram chose a place about 30 miles south of Bethel in Hebron, and that was where he pitched his tent and built another altar to God. (BTW: This is where the name "Hebrew" comes from.)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What happened to Lot's wife when she turned back to see Sodom and Gomorrah after God specifically told them not to?
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NEWS!!!!
NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS STARTING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45
What makes Lutherans different than other Christian churches? Is it the good potlucks? Is it our staunch German heritage? Is it our constant singing of hymns and liturgy? Well..... maybe. But there is something even more substantial than these that sets us apart. It is our clear distinction of Law and Gospel. "What does this mean?" You ask. You'll just have to come to Bible study at 9:45am on Sunday to find out!
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WE NEED ONE MORE PERSON TO ORDER TO GET THE BULK RATE OF HOPE FULL LIVING DEVOTIONS FOR SENIORS!!!
"Hope Full Living" is a daily devotional booklet just for seniors that Pastor contributes to. He usually has one or two of his own devotions in it. If we get 10 or more people to order it and each person gives $8 we can order them in bulk and have them mailed to church. Order yours today by calling the church office!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!
You can also do individual size cups.
(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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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY @ 5PM!!
Pastor K. wants to get back in touch with the high school kids after Christmas break, and start to prepare them for the youth gathering coming up this Summer! Please plan on being there!!!
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GAME AND SOUP NIGHT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 6-9pm!!!
Bring your favorite card games, board games, or even dominoes! Soup, chili, coffee and tea will be provided!! All attending should bring a snack or dessert to share. You may also bring drinks of your own choice! Please sign the sheet in the narthex if you plan on coming.
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GENERAL PRAYERS:
For RON AND CINDY WILLIAMS and their family as they mourn the loss of their sister in law who died from cancer on Monday. She has three young kids.
For PAUL AND TERESA BROCKFELD, soon to become members of St. John's, as their gunsmith business was torched yesterday morning.
For the FAMILY OF CAROL KOHRS, as she passed away on New Year's night.
For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.
For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.
For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.
For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help.
For MARIANNE LINKE, who has been moved to Warrenton Manor and is receiving treatment and antibiotics for a very stubborn infection.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
For DONNNA LINDSEY'S DAD, as he has been moved to Lincoln County Nursing and rehab to recover from kidney troubles.
