DEVOTION: 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (ESV)
"Greeting"
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You"
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[b] 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.[c] 13 Follow the pattern of the sound[d] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Some people are always downers. They like to share the bad news. They want to be the ones who are "realistic" and tell it like it is, but they don't ever do it in an encouraging and loving way. Do you like to be around those types of people? I know I don't. I like to be around people who tell the truth, but do it in love. I like to have people around me who encourage me in spite of the circumstances.
Paul is an encourager. He doesn't sugarcoat things. He tells things like they are, but he is also sure to tell things how they really are about Jesus and about faith in him. In this passage he is encouraging Timothy, a pastor, to keep on dong what he's doing, to not be ashamed of the Gospel, to guard the good deposit entrusted to us.
He also tells Timothy that there will be suffering, that there will be pain, but that we should fight through it and push toward the finish line.
I encourage you to be encouragers today! I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith! I encourage you to finish the race. Grab hold of that peace that passes all understanding. Grab hold of that eternal life to which you were called. Grab hold of Jesus and don't let go!
Jesus loves you and so do I!
Prayer: Lord, make us to be a church that is full of love and peace, a church that encourages and tells the truth in love. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Wed- Worship at Oak Pointe 10am; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Karate 6-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6pm
Sat- Oktoberfest 4-10pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Holy Yoga Workshop 3-5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Karen Benton
Piano- Sat and Sun 8:30- Barb Dreyer; 11am Molly Hendershot
Organist- (No organ this weekend)
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Terry McKenzie
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Name a vision of Zechariah and what it meant.
Thanks Pat!
"Greeting"
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You"
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[b] 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.[c] 13 Follow the pattern of the sound[d] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Some people are always downers. They like to share the bad news. They want to be the ones who are "realistic" and tell it like it is, but they don't ever do it in an encouraging and loving way. Do you like to be around those types of people? I know I don't. I like to be around people who tell the truth, but do it in love. I like to have people around me who encourage me in spite of the circumstances.
Paul is an encourager. He doesn't sugarcoat things. He tells things like they are, but he is also sure to tell things how they really are about Jesus and about faith in him. In this passage he is encouraging Timothy, a pastor, to keep on dong what he's doing, to not be ashamed of the Gospel, to guard the good deposit entrusted to us.
He also tells Timothy that there will be suffering, that there will be pain, but that we should fight through it and push toward the finish line.
I encourage you to be encouragers today! I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith! I encourage you to finish the race. Grab hold of that peace that passes all understanding. Grab hold of that eternal life to which you were called. Grab hold of Jesus and don't let go!
Jesus loves you and so do I!
Prayer: Lord, make us to be a church that is full of love and peace, a church that encourages and tells the truth in love. Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR
Wed- Worship at Oak Pointe 10am; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Karate 6-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6pm
Sat- Oktoberfest 4-10pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Holy Yoga Workshop 3-5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Karen Benton
Piano- Sat and Sun 8:30- Barb Dreyer; 11am Molly Hendershot
Organist- (No organ this weekend)
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Terry McKenzie
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Name a vision of Zechariah and what it meant.
Thanks Pat!
Did all of you know that old Z had 8 – yes, that's right! – 8 visions? I did not know that. Only time I ever had a vision was after too many glasses of wine, or one too many screwdrivers. But I digress.
Since I am not going to list all 8 visions, I'll just mention numero uno: The man among the Myrtle trees (Zechariah 1:7-17). According to this vision a dude (God according to Jewish Sages in the Aggadah (Sanhedrin 93a)
was riding in a red horse in a grove of myrtle trees by a ravine. Behind him were a bunch of other horses, who went out into the world and found everyone was at peace except for Israel – who was in ruins after 70 years of exile. So, this saddened God – because, despite their bullheadedness, He still loved them and considered them to be His chosen people. Who knew! Anyway He said He was going to restore them. Yeah!
Anyway, basically this vision is about God's anger against the other nations, and His blessings on a restored Israel. Or not.
So, if you want to read an article which talks about all 8 – yes, there really are 8 – visions, here's a link:
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What time of the year is the month of Kislev?
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NEWS!!!!
COME OUT AND ENJOY OKTOBERFEST THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!
Where? St. John's
What? a genuine Oktoberfest with real German food, bier, polka, games, bounce houses, and lots of fun!!
When? 4-10pm
What is needed? There are a lot of supplies and volunteers that are STILL needed to make this happen! Call or text Kelsey @ 573-803-7826 to volunteer or to find out what is still needed.
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HELP IS STILL NEEDED FOR OKTOBERFEST THIS SATURDAY!!
The Oktoberfest committee is still looking for some help on October 1st from 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. We need people to help with food, games, set up, and tear down.
If you can help with any of these call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 or reply to this email, and I will forward the info to her.
If you can help with any of these call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 or reply to this email, and I will forward the info to her.
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HOLY YOGA WORKSHOP THIS SUNDAY 3-5pm!!
If you are new to yoga, or are a seasoned veteran, this workshop will bless you! Come and see what Holy Yoga is all about! Learn poses and praises from Yogi Amanda Nordwald and grow in your faith at the same time!
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LWML (LADIES AID) SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY!!
We will recognize and pray for our Ladies Aid this weekend at all three services! All Ladies Aid members are strongly encouraged to attend.
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ANNUAL VENDOR FAIR IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9am-2pm!
Vendors should reserve their table through the church office 456-2888. Tables rent for $25 and checks should be madde payable to St. John's Ladies Aid.
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GENERAL PRAYER
For BOB RUHL as he continues to struggle greatly to get better. He is still in New Florence Care Center.
For PAM BUELTMANN as she recovers from a broken hip at Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehab in Washington.
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she is recovering from pneumonia and intestinal issues. She Is now in Parklane Rehab in Wentzville.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from a severe kidney infection at home.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer. She is at home.
For DENNIS PERREY, who is recovering at home from a very serious tractor and brush hog accident. He has 6 broken ribs, both lungs were punctured and, 2 vertebrae were cracked.
