Sermon from Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016

A good message on what it means that Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.  Please listen and share!  https://youtu.be/tvXy3BzDNaA

Daily Email: Monday, Dec. 5, 2016


DEVOTION: Psalm 146

"Put Not Your Trust in Princes"

146 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Put not your trust in princes,
    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
    on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
    who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The Lord will reign forever,
    your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!


How much trust do you have in President Obama?  How much trust do you have in President elect Trump?   How much do you trust your elected officials at all?



If you said "none" or "very little" you are in good company.  Most people don't trust their government.  Why?  Because the government is full of people with power, and power, no matter how much or how little, too often corrupts people.  Also, the person in office might not hold the same ideals or vision as you, so you don't trust that person because you don't agree with him or her. 


We put way too much trust in our elected officials to make everything better, or in Trump's words "make American great again".  I have some bad news for you if you trust in Trump.  He isn't going to be able to do many of the things he promised.  I know that may come as a shock, but he is only human after all.  Obama didn't save the world or save America either. 


David, a king himself, says very plainly,  "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation."  Don't do it!  Don't put too much trust in the president, the school board, the mayor, the church council, or any other man.  Put your trust in God alone to save you!  Trust in Christ for your salvation, both eternal and earthly. 


If we think that an elected official can save us, we will be extremely disappointed.  If we think that some sort of financial plan, or foreign policy is going to fix everything we are in for a lot of heartache.  Instead, if we seek the Lord where he may be found, and seek his will in all circumstances, and if we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, we will have peace. 


Have peace, rest, trust and salvation in Jesus alone today!!!


Let us pray: Lord, help me to place my trust in your certainty and not in the continually changing "leaders" of this world.  Amen.



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CALENDAR

Mon- Confirmation canceled; Holy Yoga 7pm

Tues- Quilting 9-noon; Ladies Christmas lunch at Denny's noon

Wed- Women's work day 9:30; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm

Sat- Sunday school Christmas program practice 10-11am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Elder's meeting noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- Wed- Abby Vossen 8:30- Sarah Cluver  11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers-  Wed- Brett Nordwald, Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Erv Yoder 

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

Altar-   Wed- Terry McKenzie  Sat  Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel

Elders-  Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning  11- John Hachtel
 
Greeters-   8:30- Randy and Patty Sweet;  11- Al and Karen Benton

Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- John Hachtel

Piano- Kathy Barrow


Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; Sun- Yoder
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Here's a "what do you think" question:

What does it mean when Paul says, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial .  Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything."?
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NEWS!!!! 
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE STILL HAS LOTS OF ORNAMENTS ON IT!!
If you haven't take one yet to buy a gift for a child in need, please stop by church this week, or come to worship Wednesday night and take one!  Take the red ornament with you and sign your name on  the white ornament and leave it on the tree. GIFTS NEED TO BE RETURNED BY THIS COMING SUNDAY!!!
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LADIES LUNCHEON TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT NOON  AT DENNYS!!
If you're coming, please bring a "White Elephant" gift to exchange.
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WOMEN'S WORK DAY IS THIS WEDNESDAY AT 9:30!!
They will be cleaning the church sanctuary for Christmas. Bring your cleaning supplies!
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YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE HERE!
Come to church and pick them up !  Then USE THEM!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE IS THIS SUNDAY 10-11am!!
Make sure your child is there for it!

The program will be during the 5pm  Saturday service on Dec. 17
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JOHN THE BAPTIST WILL BE PREACHING THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEEK ADVENT SEASON!  Come and hear what this fiery preacher has to say!

WEDNESDAY ADVENT FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK DINNER 5:30
WORSHIP AT 6:30

1.  Bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share when it is your week to do so. Your elder will call you and let you know when it's your turn.

2. If it's not your week to bring food, just come and enjoy supper with your brothers and sisters in Christ

3. Stay for worship and hear what John the Baptist has to say about Jesus!
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BIBLE STUDY AT THE HENDERSHOT'S WILL BE ON DECEMBER 9th INSTEAD OF THE 16th THIS MONTH AS INDICATED ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR.
Marv and Molly will be out of town on the 16th.
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AGAPE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS AT BOTH THE THRIFT STORE AND THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER!!
Hours are 8-4.  Call 456-4645 to volunteer!

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SHOE COLLECTION AT CHURCH!!  BRING YOUR NEW OR SLIGHTLY WORN SHOES TO THE CHURCH OFFICE!
The tub is right outside the office door!
Our high school is collecting new or slightly used shoes to raise money for those in need in Warren County through the "Care to Learn" Program.  Bring your slightly used and new shoes to church! 
 
DON'T BRING WORN OUT OR OLD SHOES!!

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RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE FOR SALE FROM THE LADIES AID ON THE COUNTER IN THE BASEMENT FELLOWSHIP HALL
Prices are marked on the bottom of the box.  You may purchase them from any Ladies Aid member or from the office.
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES
Any size can, and any kind of vegetable is appreciated.    Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.
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SCRIP ORDERS ARE ALWAYS PLACED ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH!!
You can place your orders anytime before that!  Order forms are on the counter in the narthex or you can get them in Marilyn's office.  If you want another retailer on the list let Marilyn know!
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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!
Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!
 
Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.  Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.
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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS
Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!
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GENERAL PRAYER
For BARB PERRICONE who is being placed on hospice care today and tomorrow.

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.

For BETTY TAMELER who is having surgery on Friday

For MIKE PUCKETT who is having surgery on Friday.

For DAVE CALLIES who is having surgery on his hand this Thursday.

For LEO BADER as he recovers from surgery.

For ERV YODER who is taking antibiotics for a very tough infection in his stomach and intestines. 


For PAT GERDING, Vickie McRae's brother in law, who is paralyzed, but is recovering at a nursing home.
 
For NORM BELINSKY, a friend of Jim and Vickie McRae, who is on hospice care and is nearing the end of his life.