Daily Email: Monday, June 20, 2016

DEVOTION: Psalm 138
"Give Thanks to the Lord"  Of David.

 

138 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.[a]
On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.[b]

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 

Lately I've been a lot more interested in the life of David, especially his life after Nathan convicted him and he confessed of his sin with Bathsheba.  After this, and because of his grievous sins, the son born to Bathsheba died and all of his other sons fought against him and most of them died gruesome deaths by the sword. Not only that, but there were nations who were constantly trying to get at him and his kingdom, and so he was constantly fighting battles and shedding blood.  Talk about stress.... , and he deserved it. 

 

Still, in the middle of all that trouble and stress, and even after his failures and guilt, he is able to say,

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me."

 

He knew exactly who it was that upheld his life.  He knew where his bread was buttered, where his breath came from, and where he was going to get mercy and grace.  And so he was able to praise God even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances.  He was able to keep the faith, because the Holy Spirit kept reviving him and strengthening him. 

 

What about you?  Can you praise God in the middle of your struggles?  Can you see past the pain to the praise?  Can your ears and your heart hear God's Word and receive it with thankfulness even when you are going through difficult times? 

 

My prayer for you is that you can take those difficult times in your lives and kick them in the teeth with the blessings of Christ, namely forgiveness, peace, and salvation.  My prayer is that you can look back on those difficult times with thanksgiving and joy as times that the Lord grew your faith and sanctified you in both body and soul.  My prayer for you and for myself is that we all become a little more like David every day, realizing how poor and wretched sinners we are, and knowing how much God has forgiven us. 

 

Prayer: Lord, when hard times get us down, remind us that you are there and that all the blessings we receive in those difficult times come from you.  Amen.

 
 

CALENDAR

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Council meeting canceled

Wed- Worship at Oak Pointe 10am
Thurs- Pastor leaves for vacation and is gone till July 2
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold   11- Jacob Winn


Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis

Altar-  Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up- Lois Boeger

Elders-  Sat- Roy Bohning;  8:30- Randy Sweet;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae;  11- Steve and Sandy Robine

Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning  8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Jim Rahn

Organist- Rachel Fisher
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  No projection this week
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND, JULY 2 and 3

Acolytes- 8:30- Dawn Sherman              11- Hailey Blechle

 

Ushers- Marvin hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

 

Altar--   Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl;   Clean up- Sandy Robine

 

Elder-  ??????

 

Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Joan Sexton

 

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Steve Robine

 

Pianist- Barb Dreyer

 

Projectionist- Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Gus

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How long did Jehoahaz reign as king?

What happened to a dead man who was thrown into Elisha's tomb?  He came back to life

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TODAY'S QUIZ: How many nations does Amos speak against?
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NEWS!!!! 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES THROUGH THE SUMMER
Each week the children will play different board games which will be coordinated with the Bible lesson. Bring your kids to have some fun and to learn the Scriptures at the same time.
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MARILYN WILL RETURN TO THE OFFICE WEDNESDAY.  PASTOR AND FAMILY WILL LEAVE FOR VACATION ON THURSDAY.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS MORE STEPHEN MINISTERS!!
Stephen ministry is a one on one caring ministry in which a person goes through 50 hours off training to be a better listener and care giver.  Even if you don't become an active Stephen Minister, this training is beneficial just for your daily life! 
 
Please consider going through the training!  It is very beneficial. 
 
And please consider becoming a Stephen Minister.  It has been a huge help and benefit to our congregation for the last 13 years, and I would love to see it grow! 
 
Call me at 636-359-1061 to let me know you're interested.  Or go to www.stephenministry.org to learn more about it.
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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!
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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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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.
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GENERAL PRAYER 
For PAT MANNESS, who is hospitalized wit a cracked pelvis. 
 
For DON NOLTE'S BROTHER, GERALD, who is recovering from very serious heart surgery.
 
For MOLLY HENDERSHOT, who is recovering from a  broken shoulder at home.
 
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 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.