Daily Email: Wednesday, April 13, 2016

DEVOTION: Revelation 7:9-17  English Standard Version (ESV)

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

 
Who are these clothed in white robes?  They are YOU and ME if we are believers in the One who died and rose for us.  CHRIST IS RISEN!!!!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!
 
On this earth all Christians will have their differences.  Right now we go by our interpretation of the Scriptures, and there are many interpretations, believe me.  We can and will get into all manner of discussion and disagreement  when it comes to things like baptism, the Lord's Supper, and all manner of other doctrinal differences.  Yet, when the end comes it all of us who have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." 
 
How do we wash our robes in the blood of Jesus?  We do so in the way He has told us.  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."  "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."   "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life."
 
Right now we are going through this "great tribulation" called life.  It is filled with all manner of good things, but quite a bit of bad stuff too.  We get tired.  We are constantly tempted.  We fall into that temptation.  We hurt others, ourselves, and especially God with our words, thoughts and actions.  Need I go on? 
 
My family is going through some tough times right now.  My sister's father in law is on life support and isn't expected to make it.  My dad is dealing with gall bladder problems, and my mom is having hip replacement surgery in a week and a half.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM ALL!!
 
All of this makes me long for Jesus to return.  It is hard to have patience and to wait for it.   The good news, actually the BEST NEWS is that there will come a day when this tribulation will end.  We will "come out of the great tribulation" with our white robes on singing praises to the Lord and enjoying His perfect presence and our perfected souls forever and ever! 
 
Again I say, "CHRIST IS RISEN!!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! 
 
Prayer: In the middle of this tribulation help me to constantly remember that I have washed my robe and made it white in Your blood and there will come a day when I will get to wear that robe for all eternity and it will never get old or uncomfortable.  Amen. __________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Medicare Workshop 6:30; Lutheranism 101 7pm

Fri- Newsletter deadline; Parent's night out babysitting 5-10pm; Bible study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat-  Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study 9:45; Worship 11

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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Zack Hoelscher    11- Alaina Heitgerd or Hannah Johnson????


Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Altar-  Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat-- Randy Sweet?;  8:30- Don Turnure;  11- Randy Fischer
 
Greeters-  8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover ;  11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet?  8:30- Derek Ebert ; 10- Steve Robine

Organist- Rachel Fisher
 
Sat Piano- Barb Dreyer

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Masters family
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ       Who was Amnon and what did he do that caused his half brother Absalom to kill him?

 

(A fantastic and thorough answer from Pat King.  Thanks Pat)

Amnon was the oldest son of David, who raped his half-sister, Tamar – who was Absalom's full sister. What happened was, Amnon had the hots for Tamar, and pretended to be sick, so that she would come and make a special meal for him. After he raped her, he kicked her out of his house – as though he was the offended party. Right.
And even though King David was really, really "mad" about it – again, right – he couldn't bring himself to punish his oldest son. This defied his responsibility to protect his daughter, and also went against Go (see Leviticus 18:11). Plus, caused resentment between the members of his house – due to his favoritism. Not smart.
Anyway, Absalom took matters into his own hands, and two years later, invited Amnon to a stag party, got him drunk, and killed him. Which was also not right.
But, if David had punished Amnon in the first place – instead of basically just saying, "boys will be boys," the whole thing might have turned out differently.
BTW, poor Tamar was the real loser in this story. Like Jacob's daughter, Dinah, her reputation was totally trashed. And back then, that was all a woman had. Once lost, her life was pretty much ruined. She could never hope for a respectable marriage, and would have even been treated like a pariah, even by her own family. Plus, David and the rest of the family, probably blamed her for the whole mess.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Absalom and what was unusual/different about him compared to everyone else?
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NEWS!!!! 
 
DEFENSIVE MEDICARE WORKSHOP TOMORROW (THURSDAY) BEGINNING AT 6:30PM!!
The workshop will include
1. The history of medicare
2. Where it is now
3. Where it is headed
4. Ask all the questions you have!!
 
Sandwiches and drinks provided!
 
Please call 456-2888 to reserve your spot.
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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
 
Call Kelsey @ 573-803-7826  or Karin @314-691-7283 to reserve your spot today!
 
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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!
Menu:  Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and fruit!
 
We'll continue our video study  called "Christianity and the Competition" which looks at other Religions throughout the world.
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LUTHERANISM 101 CONTINUES THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 14 AT 7PM!!
 
Whether you are a seasoned, lifelong Lutheran or you are as new as new can be to this whole Lutheran thing, you will definitely learn something from this study. 
 
Please consider coming!  We'll have dessert! 
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COMPLIMENTARY PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON COUNTER IN THE NARTHEX!!
If you didn't order any other pictures, your complimentary picture is on the counter n the narthex.  Come and get it!  If you ordered pics, yours came or will come in the mail. 
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5K RUN SPONSORED BY CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP ON SATURDAY, APRIL 23.  CALL 636-297-0130 TO REGISTER!!
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LADIES AID AND PALS MEMBERS PLEASE MAKE BAKED GOOD FOR THE BAKE SALE ON MAY 7!!
Please remember that we have a bake sale table at the vendor fair and flea market on May 7.  Please bring them the day before or the morning of the bake sale.   We need LOTS of baked goods to sell!!  Thanks in advance for participating!!!
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BEGINNING FIREARMS SAFETY TRAINING  TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 7-9pm!!! 
 
Below is all you need to know
 
1. This will be led by two very seasoned and knowledgeable gun owners:  Paul Brockfeld (Brockfeld Gunsmithing) and Jason Cluver (State Trooper in Montgomery County).  
 
2. This will be a good review for all who have been handling guns for years, and a good beginner course as well.
 
3. This safety class is to kick off St John's Gun Club!   After the class we will start planning fun and safe outings!!
 
4. The class is for EVERYONE 11 years old and up
 
5. If anyone knows of any SAFE ranges that are cheap or free, that don't require a membership, and that can take group reservations (or are usually able to hold a group of 10 or so) please let me know. 
 
6. It will be the beginning of hunter safety certification and satisfy the first part of it, but will not complete the course.  The second four hours has to be led and taught by a "certified" instructor at one of their locations.  There will be a course held at the VFW in Warrenton on August 6, from 8am-noon.
 
6. If you are planning on participating in the safety course please RSVP asap!!
 
 
 
 
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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 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 APRIL IS CANNED SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES
 
(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 LYNN FIGURA who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Delmar Gardens in Florissant. .
 
For EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, Lois Boeger's mom, who is dealing with severe back pain and has been moved to a rehab nursing home. .
 
For PASTOR'S SISTER'S FATHER IN LAW, CLARENCE SICKMANN, who is having seizures and tremors after an aneurysm and surgery to fix it.
 
For PASTOR'S DAD, ROGER KLAUSTERMEIER, who is awaiting word from the surgeon as to what to do about his gall bladder.
 
For PASTOR'S MOM, who is having hip replacement surgery on April 25.
 
For DON BRAZEE as he has been moved to Breeze Park in Weldon Spring for rehab and to receive his cancer treatment.
 
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.
 




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