Daily Email: Tuesday, May 24, 2016

DEVOTION:  1 Kings 8:22-24    English Standard Version (ESV)
 
"Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"
²² Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, ²³ and said, "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; ²⁴ you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day

 

²⁷ "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! ²⁸ Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, ²⁹ that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, 'My name shall be there,' that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 

 

⁴¹ "Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name's sake ⁴² (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, ⁴³ hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name. 

 

These verses are part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple.  Solomon was very thankful for the blessings that had been received.  I think it is very interesting that Solomon di absolutely nothing to be as rich and as wise as he was.  It was all a gift from God.  God told him to ask for anything he wanted, and Solomon asked for wisdom from God.  Since Solomon asked for wisdom, God gave him wealth as well.  Along with his own wealth, the whole nation of Israel was given wealth as well.  So, when it came time to build the temple, the people all had plenty to give, BECAUSE IT WAS GOD"S GIFT! 

 

Solomon didn't always use his wealth and power to God's glory.  He gathered for himself all sorts of unnecessary things.  He took for himself a thousand wives and a thousand concubines.  Yet, if you were to read Ecclesiastes, you would see that none of that satisfied him.  It didn't satisfy him, because he didn't use it to honor God.

 

The temple of Solomon still remains his greatest achievement.  He found the greatest pleasure and the greatest satisfaction in it.  Why?  Because it was used to honor God! 

 

Your church is the same way.  You will find the greatest joy and satisfaction in worship, if that worship is used to honor God and receive His blessings.  You will have the greatest satisfaction when you participate in the work of the church, as long as that work is bringing honor  to God and doing God's will.  You will find the best relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ who are members of St. John's.  Why?  Because those relationships are blessed to honor God and receive His blessings!

 

If you have been neglecting your church, or keeping yourself from it for some reason, I urge you to get back!  get back to worship!  Get back to fellowship!  Get back to service!  You won't be disappointed!  You will be satisfied. 

 

Prayer:  Lord, as Solomon sometimes misused your gifts, so do we.  As Solomon lacked contentment and satisfaction, because he misused and failed to appreciate those gifts, so do we.  Help us to use the gifts of money, time, and talents to your glory so we may find true satisfaction.  Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Worship at Oak Pointe 10; Choir 7
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 7pm
Fri- Assemble Newsletter 9am
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11
Mon- Memorial Day- Church office closed
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Jacob Cluver   11- Alaina Heitgerd

Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Rich Talbert, Tim Linke, Don Turnure

Altar-  Set up- Dane and Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- John and Anna Hoenig

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Charlie Figura
 
Greeters-  8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp;  11- Joan Sexton

Lay Readers- Sat- Marci Sevier  8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Kailyn Blechle

Organist- Rachel Fisher
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- ???? (Erv Yoder is scheduled, but he is out of town for work.) 11- Cameron Faerber
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What does Solomon say about what you should do with your money (wealth)?  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of your crops.   Proverbs 3:9

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What does Solomon say about grandchildren in Proverbs?

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NEWS!!!! 

SCRIP PROGRAM CONTINUES!!
Here's how it works:

1. Pick up an order form from the counter in the narthex or from Marilyn in the office.

2. Mark how many cards you would like to order from each retailer you use, and fill in the totals.  (If you need help, stop by the office or talk to Marilyn or ask me after worship.)

3. Attach a check to your order form made out to St.John's.

4. Marilyn will place the order on a certain date each month.

5. Pick up your cards from your church mailbox.

6. Use your cards just like money at the various stores.

 

Please use this program!  It is an easy way for you to help YOUR church raise money for its ministries!

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LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES THIS THURSDAY!! 

Come and join us!  It doesn't matter if you have tons of Bible and theology knowledge or none at all!  It's a fun, light hearted and yet extremely beneficial time!

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PAPER RECYCLING AT CHURCH

You may have noticed the big red dumpster on the parking lot.  That is for you to dump your used paper!!

Any kind and color of paper is acceptable.  No cardboard. 

 

Church will get money per pound.

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TRIBUTE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Place your order online at www.tributetoveteransmemorial.org  or get an application from the office.

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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we?  I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

 

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year,  I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization?  In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

 

LeadaChild  provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala                    Chad                       Honduras               Palestine               Haiti             Uganda

Gambia                          Ivory Coast            El Salvador            Nigeria                   Panama       Nicaragua

Burma                            Ghana                     Chile                       Venezuela             Bolivia         Mexico

Liberia                            Uruguay                Sri Lanka                India                       Guinea        Sierra Leone   

Bangladesh                   Cambodia              South Africa         Togo                       Thailand

 These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

 

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

 

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously.  Please remember all of the riders in your prayers!  Thank you much for your support!

 

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

 

LeadaChild  is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!!

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 PRAYER 

For PAT JAEGER, who is having knee replacement surgery tomorrow (Wednesday).

 

For BRIAN TAMPOW, a friend of Steve and Toni Mauch, who will be having cancer surgery soon, and chemo and radiation afterwards on a tumor just behind his tonsils.

 

For JIM HUSTER who is recovering at home from pneumonia.

 

For BARB PERRICONE as she continues to recover from pneumonia in the hospital.

 

For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER as she recovers at home and is doing well.

 

 For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 

  

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she finishes up her current mission work in the Czech Republic and makes her decisions for her future.