DEVOTION: Ezekiel 33:7-20
7 "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
10 "And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: 'Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?' 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?
12 "And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness[a] when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live.
17 "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways."
A lot of people think that when something bad happens to someone, or when someone suffers the consequences of their sin in a very bad way, God just sits back and laughs maniacally, as if he gets some sort of pleasure or joy from seeing people suffer. They think that God was the one who made the bad thing happen or that he somehow wanted it.
What does it say in this passage? "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"
When something bad happens to you, you can't blame God or think badly of him. He is not the cause of it. He may have allowed it to happen, but he didn't cause it. It's like when your mom or dad has told you time and time again to get your homework done, and for a while they may even hawk over you to make sure you do it, but eventually they will have to let you fail so that you learn your lesson and stop sinning in such a way. The Lord, lets the consequences happen little by little, so that the biggest consequence of all doesn't happen. he allows us to suffer so that our faith grows stronger and we don't lose faith.
All he wants is for us to turn from our wickedness so that we may live with Him forever. he is not our cosmic killjoy. he is not our fun sucker, as if every little evil thing we want to do is much more fun than the joy that He has set before us to serve him and do His will. He only wants the best for us, and he knows that his will is the best and will lead to the best.
God is just, not only because he is the one who has made the rules and enforces them, because he ahs the right to, but also because it is all good and right and perfect. I urge you to realize this today and submit everything, all of your ways to the Lord! He will lift you up!
Prayer: Lord, make us submit to Your will so that we may live and not die. Amen.
We'll be looking at different rough drawings of economical ways that we can accomplish what we want to do to accommodate our growing congregation and support the future of our church! EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING!!
7 "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
10 "And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: 'Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?' 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?
12 "And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness[a] when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live.
17 "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways."
A lot of people think that when something bad happens to someone, or when someone suffers the consequences of their sin in a very bad way, God just sits back and laughs maniacally, as if he gets some sort of pleasure or joy from seeing people suffer. They think that God was the one who made the bad thing happen or that he somehow wanted it.
What does it say in this passage? "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"
When something bad happens to you, you can't blame God or think badly of him. He is not the cause of it. He may have allowed it to happen, but he didn't cause it. It's like when your mom or dad has told you time and time again to get your homework done, and for a while they may even hawk over you to make sure you do it, but eventually they will have to let you fail so that you learn your lesson and stop sinning in such a way. The Lord, lets the consequences happen little by little, so that the biggest consequence of all doesn't happen. he allows us to suffer so that our faith grows stronger and we don't lose faith.
All he wants is for us to turn from our wickedness so that we may live with Him forever. he is not our cosmic killjoy. he is not our fun sucker, as if every little evil thing we want to do is much more fun than the joy that He has set before us to serve him and do His will. He only wants the best for us, and he knows that his will is the best and will lead to the best.
God is just, not only because he is the one who has made the rules and enforces them, because he ahs the right to, but also because it is all good and right and perfect. I urge you to realize this today and submit everything, all of your ways to the Lord! He will lift you up!
Prayer: Lord, make us submit to Your will so that we may live and not die. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Visitation for Betty Schirr 2-5; Funeral 5; Building Planning Meeting 6:30
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Fri- Assemble Newslettter 9am; (30 Hour Famine postponed)
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Voter's meeting 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Dawn Sherman 8:30- Hailey Blechle; 11- Jack Bunge
Ushers- Wed-George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher and Brent Davis; Sun- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Wed (Fill Candles) Terry McKenzie Sun Set up- Don Hance; Clean up- Elaine Schauer and Lynn Russell
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11 - Sandy Robine
Pianist- Sat- Molly Hendershot
Sun Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: If someone doesn't speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, what is he to do to make up for it according to the book of Leviticus? "When anyone is guilty in any of these way, he must confess in what way he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.
Thanks Don Nolte!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is a sin of omission?
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NEWS!!!!
BETTY SCHIRR VISITATION AND FUNERAL INFORMATION FOR TODAY
Visitation- 2-5pm
Funeral- 5pm
All at St. John's!
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BUILDING EXPANSION MEETING TONIGHT!!
Our next, very important building meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 @ 6:30pm!
We'll be looking at different rough drawings of economical ways that we can accomplish what we want to do to accommodate our growing congregation and support the future of our church! EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING!!
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RESULTS OF VOTERS MEETING YESTERDAY!!
Steve McDowell volunteered to be the president for 2016 and was elected by acclamation.
Tom Linke volunteered to be Vice President for 2016 and was elected by acclamation.
Don Turnure volunteered to take Steve McDowell's place on the board of elders and was appointed for 2016 by Steve McDowell.
Thanks guys for volunteering to serve in such an important way!! The Lord will bless your service!!!
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TWO WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY!!
1. Warren County Literacy Inc. is going to be giving away 70 bookcases stocked with books in April to children who are in the head Start Program in Warren County. This is the fifth year for this wonderful event. What we need is people to sponsor a bookcase for $50. If you are able and willing, please reply to this email or call/text at 636-359-1961. Make checks payable to Warren County Literacy Inc. The ceremony at which the kids get their bookcases is on Sunday, April 10 at 2pm at Wright City Middle School.
2. Warrenton High School Band is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and concert on Sat, Feb. 27 at 6pm. It will be a casual dinner with music while you dine! Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for kids in advance. $10/$5 at the door. Let me know by next Tuesday if you want to go. It's perfect for Saturday night after church!!! There are five St. John's High school kids in band this year. Make checks payable to WHS Band Boosters.
2. Warrenton High School Band is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and concert on Sat, Feb. 27 at 6pm. It will be a casual dinner with music while you dine! Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for kids in advance. $10/$5 at the door. Let me know by next Tuesday if you want to go. It's perfect for Saturday night after church!!! There are five St. John's High school kids in band this year. Make checks payable to WHS Band Boosters.
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LENT DINNERS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING LENT AT 5:30!!
Over the last many, many years your Jr. and Sr. high youth and their parents (mostly their parents) have been serving dinner on Wednesday nights during Lent. While this is a good way for the youth and their parents to serve and give back to the congregation, it is also supposed to be a way for them to raise money for their service projects and trips.
Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners. The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets. Without that the youth would probably lose money.
It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.
I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!
Below is the Menu for each week:
Feb 24-
Turkey
Stuffing
green beans
apple sauce
desserts
March 2-
taco bar w/all the fixings
desserts
March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!
Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners. The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets. Without that the youth would probably lose money.
It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.
I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!
Below is the Menu for each week:
Feb 24-
Turkey
Stuffing
green beans
apple sauce
desserts
March 2-
taco bar w/all the fixings
desserts
March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!
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DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THIS DAILY EMAIL?
If you know of someone who isn't currently receiving my daily emails but would like to, please reply to this email with their email address and I will add them to the list. THANK YOU!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR FEBRUARY IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! ANY SIZE CANS ARE APPRECIATED!
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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GENERAL PRAYERS:
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS of BETTY SCHIRR, as we celebrate the eternal life she now lives with Jesus at her visitation and funeral tomorrow.
For DON BRAZEE who is dealing with severe weakness and painful swelling in his joints off which the cause has yet to be identified.
For RUTH WALTERS as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.
For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, who has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.
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 DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
