Daily Email: Monday, March 24, 2016

DEVOTION:  Psalm 16   English Standard Version (ESV)
 
"You Will Not Abandon My Soul"   (A Miktam[a] of David.)

16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you."

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.[b]

The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.[d]
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.[f]

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 
There is no more feeling of dread and terror for a little kid than being lost in a crowded place, or feeling.  It happened to me once at the grocery store.  I was horrified.  When a baby is left with a babysitter for the first time, there are often blood curdling screams that go with it.  We can't know what is going through that baby's mind, but it must be a feeling of abandonment.  And nothing will calm it more than the return of the mom and dad.
 
At times we may feel abandoned by God, especially when our whole life as we know it begins to crumble.  Maybe it is the infidelity of a once faithful spouse.  Maybe it's the child who has let you down or who has gotten into some terrible with the wrong crowd.  Maybe it's a diagnosis of cancer or some other dreaded disease that has sent your life into a tailspin.  The only thing that is gonna make it all better is if Jesus returns and takes all the pain away. 
 
Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! 
 
This one fact shows us that God has not abandoned us.  He has a plan for us.  That plan was begun at Easter and will be fulfilled on the day off judgment when, as Job says, "He will stand upon the earth, and after my skin has been destroyed, yet, in my flesh I will see God." 
 
My mom had not abandoned when I got lost in the grocery store.  She wasn't going to leave without me.  She loves me too much.  the same is true for us and our relationship with Almighty God.  Although Jesus ascended into heaven bodily, he sent His Spirit to us and promised that he will never leave us or forsake us.   He isn't going to leave without us.  He isn't going to leave us here on the earth by ourselves!  He is going to take us to paradise with Him!
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing me with your eternal presence and for never abandoning me.  Help me to rest in your presence today.  Amen.
 
 



 
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CALENDAR:

Mon- CONFIRMATION 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Choir practice 7pm????
Fri- Jr. Hi Youth Leave at 4pm for Camp Windermere
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- Sunrise Worship 6:30am; Breakfast 7:30; Egg Hunt 9; Worship 10

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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Jacob Cluver    11- Cara Klaustermeier


Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Conner Figura, Erv Yoder

Altar-  Set up- Don Hance

Elders-  Thurs- ALL ELDERS SHOULD BE THERE;  Sun- 6:30- Jason Cluver, 10- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  6:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert;  10- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- 6:30- Tim Linke; 10- Jim Rahn

Organist- All Week-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Thurs- Jacob Winn   Fri- Terry McKenzie      6:30- Terry McKenzie     10- Jacob Cluver
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ  What is a Nazirite?
 
(Answer from Pat King)  (Thanks also to Don Nolte for answering the question.)
Finally, a decent question. Simple answer: a nutcase who - basically a religious fanatic – took a wackadoodle vow to be "pure," and "consecrated to Yahweh." Which would be okay, except their idea of how to obtain those things were a bit strange. Anyway, the Jewish bible identifies Samson and Samuel as Nazirites. And we all know how they ended up.
Wikki says:
In the Hebrew Bible, a nazirite or nazarite is one who voluntarily took a vow described in Numbers 6:1–21. "Nazarite" comes from the Hebrew word נזיר nazir meaning "consecrated" or "separated". This vow required the person to:
  • Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, intoxicating liquors, vinegar made from such substances, and eating or drinking any substance that contains any trace of grapes.
  • Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head; but to allow the locks of the head's hair to grow.
  • Not to become ritually impure by contact with corpses or graves, even those of family members.
After following these requirements for a designated interval (which would be specified in the individual's vow), the person would immerse in a mikveh and make three offerings: a lamb as a burnt offering (olah), an ewe as a sin-offering (hatat), and a ram as a peace offering (shelamim), in addition to a basket of unleavened bread, grain offerings and drink offerings, which accompanied the peace offering. They would also shave their head in the outer courtyard of the Temple (the Jerusalem Temple) and then place the hair on the same fire as the peace offering. (Numbers 6:18)
The nazirite is described as being "holy unto YHWH" (Numbers 6:8), yet at the same time must bring a sin offering. This has led to divergent approaches to the nazirite in the Talmud, and later authorities, with some viewing the nazirite as an ideal, and others viewing him as a sinner.
In Modern Hebrew the word "nazir" is commonly used for monks, both Christian and Buddhist - this meaning having largely displaced the original Biblical meaning.
 
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TODAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Who was the first King of Israel?
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NEWS!!!! 
OUR NEXT GUN CLUB ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 5 at 7PM!!
We will be finalizing our calendar of events and getting things together to start. 
 
We are going to start with a basic hunter's safety course. 
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LUTHERANISM 101 IS GOING TO START THURSDAY, APRIL 7 AT 7PM!!
If you:
1. Only have a limited knowledge of the history of Lutheranism and what Lutherans actually teach on things.
2. Learned all that stuff back in seventh or eighth grade and weren't paying attention
3. Want to learn how to share your faith with others.
4. Just like being around other Christians and growing in your faith.
 
Then this is the study for you!  Come and join us!  We'll have snacks!
 

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Karin Klaustermeier's photo. 
 
You deserve a kid free night out! Friday, April 15th from 5pm - 10pm. Miss Kelsey and Mrs. K along with some great babysitters from our youth will be hosting our 2nd Parents' Night Out. This is a fundraiser for our church youth group. $20 for the first child $10 for the 2nd and $5 for each additional kid. Little Lambs and church kids get first dibs
 
 
Kelsey Overbeck's photo.
 
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Karin Klaustermeier's photo.
 
INSIDE SPACES ARE SOLD OUT!!
 
 
 
Join us as a vendor inside, have a tag sale on the parking lot, or craft items for sale. Outside spaces are available for $10 for a double parking spot.
 
There will be a sale under the pavilion if you would like to donate items. The youth will be raising money for their National Youth Gathering trip under the pavilion and at the concession stand.
 
St. John's Lutheran Church, 950 S Hwy 47 in Warrenton. Please call the church office for more info. 636-456-2888.

Vendor spots are being held for: Tupperware, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, 18" doll clothes by PJ'S Patterns, Perfectly Posh, Paparazzi, Damsel in Distress, It Works Global, Mary Kay, Norwex, Tastefully Simple, Pink Zebra, Lilla Rose, Usborne Books & More, Cindy Rust handmade Jewelry, Avon, Park Lane, scroll saw art, Young Living Essential oils, Amy Flores Handmade Jewelry and custom / personalized key chains. More to come...
 
 
THE QUILTERS WILL ALSO BE RAFFLING OFF THE QUILT THAT IS HANGING DOWNSTAIRS!! 
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LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS!!!  OPEN REGISTRATION FOR EVERYONE STARTS APRIL 1.
Registration forms are available from Little Lambs or the church office.  All registration forms must accompany the $45 nonrefundable registration fee.  Children should be 3 or 4 by August 1.  For more info talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
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SATURDAY PIANIST NEEDED
We could use another pianist on Saturday night since Tim and Kathleen Sherman have moved to Wentzville and transferred their membership there.  Please let me know if you or someone you know is available one Saturday a month.  You get paid.
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PLEASE SUPPORT LITERACY IN WARREN COUNTY!!
Warren County Literacy Inc. (of which I am a member and on the board along with Allan Dreyer)  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.
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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 MARCH IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL!! 
 
(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 MELISSA BADER as she recovers from back surgery at Mercy Rehab in Creve Couer.
 
For SARAH STEVENS and her baby as she is induced into labor today.
 
For SHARON GARRETT as she is at home and recovering from two broken ankles.
 
For DON BRAZEE as he has been moved to Breeze Park in Weldon Spring for rehab and to receive his cancer treatment.
 
For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, her leukemia is in remission and she is moving on tot he next course of treatment.
 
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 DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.