Afternoon edition: Daily Email: Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Sorry for the late email.  I was biking this morning. 
 
ON A GOOD NOTE....  I have made the halfway point to the 1,000 miles by August 1.  I am officially at 510 miles today!!  Praise the Lord!!   Go to www.leadachild.org and donate!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
DEVOTION: Isaiah 65:1-9  English Standard Version (ESV)

Judgment and Salvation

65 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
    I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, "Here I am, here I am,"
    to a nation that was not called by[a] my name.
I spread out my hands all the day
    to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
    following their own devices;
a people who provoke me
    to my face continually,
sacrificing in gardens
    and making offerings on bricks;
who sit in tombs,
    and spend the night in secret places;
who eat pig's flesh,
    and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;
who say, "Keep to yourself,
    do not come near me, for I am too holy for you."
These are a smoke in my nostrils,
    a fire that burns all the day.
Behold, it is written before me:
    "I will not keep silent, but I will repay;
I will indeed repay into their lap
    both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together,
says the Lord;
because they made offerings on the mountains
    and insulted me on the hills,
I will measure into their lap
    payment for their former deeds."[b]

Thus says the Lord:
"As the new wine is found in the cluster,
    and they say, 'Do not destroy it,
    for there is a blessing in it,'
so I will do for my servants' sake,
    and not destroy them all.
I will bring forth offspring from Jacob,
    and from Judah possessors of my mountains;
my chosen shall possess it,
    and my servants shall dwell there.

 
If you've ever wondered what the Lord thinks about those who ignore Him and go about their lives without any thought to Him, or those who deny His existence all together, all you have to do is read the passage above.   In a word, He don't like it. 
 
He calls it an insult, and even worse, a "smoke in His nostrils that burns all day."  Not good...... Not good at all.
 
At the beginning he tells us that he sits waiting for them all day.  He is waiting with arms wide open.  He loves those rebellious, inactive, losers that He has created and redeemed with His precious blood.  HE LOVES THEM, but they don't love Him.  That is the definition of unbelief, the definition of a person who will be lost forever in hell unless they come to their senses, repent, and believe the good news. 
 
That could've been us.  We could've been one of the ones who "did not ask for Him"  and "did not seek Him".  Yet, the Holy Spirit called us and by a miracle we answered that call and believed.  By another miracle from the same Holy Spirit, He will call others through us.  That's right, He will use you and me to bring more lost souls to Him.  By still another miracle, the Holy Spirit has given us a portion of His love for those lost losers who don't want anything to do with Him, and He gives us a heart for them.  And so we continue the struggle, as difficult as it often is, to share the good news with the lost and to show them that the Lord God does indeed have His arms wide open ready to receive Him. 
 
Is there someone in your life, a brother, sister, mother, father, cousin, coworker, friend, or acquaintance that is lost and needs to know that the Lord Jesus, who created that person, has His arms wide open and ready to receive Him as His child once again?  One of the best things you can do is invite that person to worship!  It doesn't take much!  It just takes a little guts.  Well.....  I guess it also takes you getting up and getting yourself there. 
 
The other thing you can do is pray for and with that person.  All that requires is that you know the person and know what he or she needs from the Lord.  The praying part requires a voice and heart ready to talk to God and the person's ears ready to listen. 
 
As a Christian and a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, this is your main duty!  Get to it!
 
Prayer: Lord, I could've easily been the one who wasn't looking for you or listening to you, but you opened my heart and my ears.  Thank you!  Make me Your instrument to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of those around me.  Amen.

 


CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees meeting 7pm; National Youth Gathering Meeting 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting 10am
Thurs- L 101 @ 7

Fri- NO Bible study at Hendershots
Sat-  Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm; 18-35 year old BBQ 6pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Father's Day

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller   11- George Pezold


Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover

Altar-  Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Pam Linke

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Charlie Figura
 
Greeters-  8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover;  11- Doug and Ruth Walters

Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone  8:30- Allan Dreyer; 11- Kailyn Blechle

Organist- Rachel Fisher
 
Piano- Barb Dreyer

Projectionists:  Sat- ?????  (I need someone as Pam has requested to be taken off the scchedule) 8:30- Dawn Sherman 11- Masters
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  

What does Obadiah's name mean? 

What happened during Joash's reign that causes great turmoil and distress in the kingdom and is something that Joel writes about? 

 
(From Pat King)
Since I'm in a lazy mood today – got to keep an eye on the deer in our backyard. He's not feeling perky – I'll do the old cut and paste.
 
Joash was saved from Athaliah's maniacal wrath by his older sister Jehoshabeath and her husband, Jehoida the priest. When Joash was seven, he was made king, and Athaliah was put to death. Joash would remain king for the next 40 years. So long as Jehoida lived, Joash was at his best. He set his heart on repairing the Temple that had long been neglected by his predecessors and resolutely did so. However, the turning point in Joash's reign (and his life) came when Jehoida died. Without the good priest's counsel, Joash went astray. "Now after the death of Jehoida came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king ... And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols" (II Chronicles 24:17-18). In fact, so great was Joash's rebellion, that he ordered the stoning death of Jehoida's son, Zechariah, who had confronted him about his sin. Joash died from the hands of his own servants who sought revenge for Zechariah's death.

It was clear that Joash's heart was devoted more to Jehoida than to God. When Jehoida was no longer in the picture, the king's true allegiances emerged.
 
BTW, Wiki has an interesting article about him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehoash_of_Judah
 
 
Although this is a good answer, it's not necessarily the one I wanted.  All I wanted was for y'all to say,  "A plague of locusts ate all the crops."
________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:  How long did Jehoahaz reign as king?
________________________________________________
NEWS!!!! 
LADIES AID MEETING AT 10AM TOMORROW TO START MAKING PILLOWCASE DRESSES!!!  Bring your pillowcases, and any sewing supplies you have! 
___________________________________________________________________________________________
SERMON FROM SUNDAY:  Watch, listen, share!  The Gospel needs to get out there! 
 
 https://youtu.be/5GdFb96nHi8
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!
It is VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE WHO IS GOING TO TEH GATHERING BE THERE FOR THIS MEETING.  Important information will be given and things decided! 
_____________________________________________________________________________________
VBS, "CHRISTMAS IN JULY", will be held Monday, July 25-Thursday, July 28!!!  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!
We need adults or at least high school kids to lead groups of kids from activity to activity.  Depending on the numbers, you would be in charge of anywhere between 5 and 15 kids.  You should plan on being there from 5-8 every evening.
 
We also need kitchen workers to make, serve, and clean up meals.  You should plan on being there from 4:30-6:30 every evening.
 
Please volunteer!  We need you!
 

___________ _______________________________________________________________________

CALLING ALL 18-40 YEAR OLDS!!

What?  Barbecue Picnic

When? Saturday, June 18, at 6pm (after worship)

Where? Church Pavilion

Who?  All 18-40 year olds and their friends

Why? 1. Fun and Fellowship (getting to know others)

2. Fact Finding and Future Planning (How can the congregation better serve this generation, and how can this generation be of service to, in and through the congregation?)

 

What will be provided?  Hamburgers, hotdogs, pork steaks, buns, plates, napkins, cups, and plasticware, tea, and lemondade. 

 

What should I bring? Bring your own adult beverages and a side dish or dessert to share. 

 

Please RSVP by Sunday, June 12 if you can, but if you don't RSVP, please come!  The Lord will provide.

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEPHEN MINISTRY IS REBOOTING AND REENERGIZING AND NEEDS MORE FOLKS TO BE A PART OF IT!! 
Read below if you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry and what it entails!!
 

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of caring for individuals on a one to one basis through listening and prayer. 

 

WHO NEEDS A STEPHEN MINISTER

Basically anyone who has gone or is going through some type of struggle or loss could benefit from a visit from a Stephen Minister. People who are going through grief, divorce, loneliness, or a whole host of other circumstances are all good candidates for a Stephen Minister.

 

WHO LEADS AND DIRECTS IT?

It is led by lay people, under the supervision of Pastor, who have been trained to be Stephen Leaders at a special Stephen Leader training course.  Molly Hendershot, Joanne Hachtel, and Chrissy Groeber are our current Stephen leaders. 

 

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

Stephen Ministers go through 50 hours of training to be the best active listeners and responsible caregivers that they can be.

 

WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO ONCE THEY ARE TRAINED?  Stephen Ministers are responsible to

Listen

Pray

Share Christ's love

Attend to the caregiver process and leave the results to God. 

Maintain confidentiality

 

WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything that a Stephen Minister talks about with a care giver is to be kept between the Stephen Minister and the care receiver.  It is a very private matter and cannot and should not be divulged to anyone, unless that care receiver requests it. 
 

WHO CAN BE A STEPHEN MINISTER?

Anyone who has a heart for hurting souls can be a Stephen Minister.  It does require a time commitment, so be sure that you have enough time to commit to the training and to being a Stephen Minister (About 1-2 hours a week.)

 

WHY DO WE NEED STEPHEN MINISTERS? 

It's best to answer this one right from the Scriptures.  In Acts 6 we see that the disciples were getting very busy as the church was growing exponentially.  They needed some "helpers' to help take care of the needs of the people.  So they chose seven people, one of whom was Stephen, to help take care of the physical and spiritual needs of the people. 

            To these seven, and then to billions after them in the millennia since, have been given the task of being the ears, hands, and hearts to care for the people.

            St. John's is in need of such people!  As our congregation grows and changes and as needs increase, the need for Stephen Ministers increases as well.  We just need more people listening and praying and that's what Stephen Ministers do.    

 

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO EB ASSIGNED TO A STEPHEN MINISTER AS A CARE RECEIVER?

Contact one of the Stephen Leaders, Marilyn, or Pastor and we will get you set up.  Church phone is 636-456-2888  or Pastor's cell is  636-359-1061

 

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

1. Contact one of our Stephen Leaders, Pastor, or Marilyn to be put on a list of trainees.  636-456-2888  or Pastor's cell at 636-359-1061

2. Wait for enough people to fill out the list.

3. Attend and participate in training when it is scheduled.  We have to wait till there are enough people willing to go through the Stephen Ministry training before we start.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PAPER RECYCLING AT CHURCH
DO NOT LEAVE THE PAPER IN A PLASTIC BAG WHEN YOU DROP IT IN THE BIN.  DUMP IT OUT OF THE BAG! 
 
No cardboard, plastic, or foam allowed.
 
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.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

_____________________________________________________________________________
OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JUNE IS CANNED VEGETABLES!!!
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.
__________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL PRAYER 
For MOLLY HENDERSHOT, who is recovering from a  broken shoulder at home.
 
For MARIANNE LINKE who is back home but is still extremely weak.
 
For PAT JAEGER, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Delmar Gardens.
 
For LIL WINTER who is recovering from a fall at Delmar Gardens in Ofallon.
 
For BARB PERRICONE who is back home and continue to recover from pneumonia.
 
For BRIAN TAMPOW, a friend of Steve and Toni Mauch, who has an inoperable tumor near his carotid artery and will need to go through extensive chemo and radiation treatment.
 
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.