17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 12:1-3
"Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith" 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.(Note: Since I was gone Wednesday, I am using Sunday's Epistle lesson for today's devotion. This lesson is also the basis for the sermon this weekend.) When you spend time with someone who is a great witness to Christ, and who seems to have a strong faith, what is it that sticks out to you about that person? Is it the words they say? Is it their demeanor? Is it the peace that they seem to have despite their circumstances? Or is it just the way they live life in general? The people in our Epistle reading for today all are examples of great witnesses. They are witnesses, not because they were anything great in and of themselves, but because God gave them the strength they needed when times got tough. You have the same opportunity to be an example of a great witness. To be that witness do what the writer of Hebrews says. lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and run with endurance the race that is set before you LOOKING TO JESUS! Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to lay aside and throw off the sin that is clinging so closely to us so that we can run with perseverance and endurance the race marked out for us. Most importantly make us fix our eyes on you, the author and perfecter of our faith. Amen. |
CALENDAR
Sat- Gun Club Outing at Whetstone Conservation Area 9-noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elders meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold 11- Dawn Sherman
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Lois Boeger; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Sat- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Fisher; 8:30- Schaumberg
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Zedekiah? (no one answered yesterday so I'll leave it up for the weekend.)
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In November we will be at the end of the three years. The DCE Fund has dwindled down to near nothing and will be just about gone in December, and the regular offerings have not increased enough to increase the regular budget.
To make it clear, there is not enough money in the budget to pay Kelsey. (We cannot use special gifts, trusts or memorials or money designated for the building fund to pay Kelsey. We have never used those types off funds for salaries.)
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.
When? 5:45-9pm
Where? Warrenton Football Concession stand
What? Selling all sorts of concession stand food and drink. (No previous experience necessary)
Who? Any member of St. John's (Don't have to have a kid at the high school to help)
Please reply to this email or call/text me at 636-359-1061 to volunteer!
Here's how it works:
For the FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF TONI MAUCH'S BOSS, JOHN CROAK, as he passed away last week. He had a double lung transplant and was doing well with it until be developed a fungal infection which overtook him.
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