Daily Email: Thursday, July 14, 2016

DEVOTION: Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
"Martha and Mary"
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
 
If there is any passage in all of Scripture that clearly defines what's important, it's this one.  It's not what you do for Christ.  It's what Christ does and has done for you!  Do you get it?  Do you really get it? 
 
One of the biggest strengths and greatest weaknesses of this nation is our idea of success.  We are all about working hard and doing all that you can to succeed in life.  That's a strength.  The trouble is what we define as success.  We think success is having the most of everyone else in the room and being the most important person in the room.  We think success is getting a college education and then a good enough job so that we can amass a great collection of stuff.  We think that success means that everyone else will look up to  us, because we are at the top. 
 
Martha thought that Jesus' visit wouldn't be a success unless everyone in her house felt comfortable and their bellies were full.  Jesus knew that the success of his visit only depended on what they all heard from him, namely the Gospel.  Martha thought it depended on what everyone thought and believed about her.  Jesus knew that it depended on what they knew and believed about him. 
 
The rich man dies just as much as the poor man.  The important man dies just as much as the lowly man.  What matters?  The heart matters!  And if the heart belongs to Jesus, that's all that matters! 
 
If you are concerned about many things in place of or instead of Jesus, it's time to repent.  You have concerned yourself with many things.  Mary has chosen the one thing needful.  You can choose that one thing needful too!  You can choose to take time out of your busy schedule, in fact, to rearrange your schedule, around time for Jesus!  Do it today! 
 
Sit at the feet of Jesus and rest!
 
Let us pray: Lord, ease my mind as I concern myself with too many things.  Help me to meditate on the one thing needful, on You.  Amen.
 

 
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Long Term Care Seminar 6:30pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm in overflow
Fri- Youth leave for NYG 6am
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; 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- Sarah Cluver   11- ???? (Alaina Heitgerd will be in New Orleans so I need someone to volunteer)


Ushers- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Doug Walters, Don Tate

Altar-  Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- John Hachtel;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Randy Fischer
 
Greeters-  8:30- Don and Donna Sherman;  11- Doug and Ruth Walters

Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel  8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Paul Brockfeld

Piano (Saturday and Sunday)- Barb Dreyer

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30-????? (Schaumbergs will be in New Orleans so I need someone to volunteer); Faerber

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ  What does the name "Isaiah" mean? 

Easy answer: it means, "I say ah!" An expression some people exclaim after getting a massage, or having a cold beer. But since Old testament dudes didn't have beer, I'm guessing we can dismiss that answer.
So, if you ask the Jews what they think, here's their answer:
 
The name Isaiah consists of two parts: The final part is יה or יהו, both abbreviated forms of יהוה; YHWH or Yahweh.
The first part of the name Isaiah comes from the root-verb ישע (yasha'), meaning to be saved or delivered:
 
Which is a lot of blah, blah, blah for God is salvation. And there you have it.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Where is Cush?
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NEWS!!!!  (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
 
LONG TERM CARE WORKSHOP TONIGHT At 6:30PM!!
The choices have changed.   Are you confused about long term care?  Most people are.  You may have thought you didn't qualify.  Come explore the new face of Long Term Care and how it may benefit your family.
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LUTHERANISM 101 WILL BE IN THE OVERFLOW TONIGHT!!
Due to the long term care seminar being in the basement, we will meet in the overflow or in one of the Sunday school classrooms.
 
Come and learn more about your faith and grow in fellowship with other Christians at the same time.  I'll bring dessert! 
 
Every lesson is a stand alone lesson, so you can come and know that you have not missed a thing if you haven't been there. 
 
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HOLY YOGA EVERY MONDAY NIGHT AT 7PM!
Jesus + exercise= AWESOME!  Please join Amanda Nordwald as she leads you through different poses, stretches, exercises and even devotions!  This is a great way to get fit and grow in God's Word at the same time!  A $5 donation is suggested.
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GUN CLUB OUTING COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 13!!!
 Our next Gun Club outing will be at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Gun Range on Saturday, August 13, from 9am-Noon.  You can either bring your own guns and ammo to shoot at the range or we will have a whole range set up for a special "fam fire" (armed forces code for familiarization fire) on a separate range for those who don't own a gun but would like to learn to shoot and learn about various types of firearms.  Paul Brockfeld and others will have several different firearms and ammo to use for $20 per person.  Please sign up on the sheet on the counter in the narthex so we know how many are coming and who is or is not bringing their own guns and ammo. 
 
Directions to the range: DO NOT follow the signs to Whetstone Creek.  If you follow the signs, you will not go to the firearms range.  From Warrenton take I-70 to the Williamsburg exit.  At the top of the ramp turn right and head north into Williamsburg.  At the first stop sign go straight (Sign will tell you to turn left to go to Whetstone Creek CA - do not turn left).  At the second stop sign go straight.  Road will turn to gravel as you leave Williamsburg.  Once road turns to gravel it is approximately 2.3 miles to the range on the right.  Parking lot is before the range.
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LADIES AID SUMMER LUNCHEON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 AT NOON AT DENNY'S!!!!
All ladies are invited!!  Make sure you sign the list on the counter in the narthex by Sunday, July 17 so reservations can be made.
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VBS "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"  WILL BE HELD MONDAY, JULY 25-THURSDAY, JULY 28 
Supper begins at 5:30 each night.
Program begins at 6pm and goes till 8pm!
 
Volunteers and food is needed!  Please sign up on the donation and volunteers sheets on the table in the narthex or call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 to volunteer or donate.
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4!!
Help is needed for making calls and appointments, and also for the day of the drive we need strong people to move tables and chairs, a person to register donors, and another to serve refreshments.  The Red Cross has cut back on their help, which puts an extra load on the hosts.  Call Marilyn at 456-2888 to volunteer!!
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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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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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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 JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND OATMEAL PACKETS!!!
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 
THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY BOY TO ALEC AND RACHEL FISHER (our organist).  John Alexander Fisher was born Tuesday night. He is going to be baptized on Saturday night.
 
THANKSGIVING FOR PAT MANNESS, who is going home from the nursing home on Thursday after hip replacement and pelvic reconstruction surgery.
 
For CHARLES HARGROVE (Dave's dad and friend to many at St. John's) who is on hospice care and  is nearing the end of his life.
 
For LIL WINTER who will begin therapy for piriformis syndrome today and who is still awaiting surgery on her shoulder.
 
For MARIANNE LINKE, who is recovering from surgery. She went home from the hospital yesterday.
 
For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from surgery and a problem with fluid on his lungs. 
 
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.