Pastor Simon Peter Waako in need of money ffor his daughter and for his church

Many of you know that I have been Facebook friends with Rev. Simon Peter Waako for a few years now.  He is a pastor of four different small village churches in Uganda. 

There are two things he needs money for right now. 

1. He needs $600 more dollars to finish the treatment that her daughter is receiving.  This is of first importance. 

2. Secondly, His area is in a very severe drought and food is scarce.  Many people are in danger of dying from starvation.  (Google drought in Uganda and you can read more about it.  He is in need of money to purchase food for his own family and for the people in his churches.  (In the United States a drought isn't as big a deal, because we are able to move food easily from place to place and are able to buy it.  It is not that way there.)

I know that you are asked for money at seemingly every turn, but if you have been blessed with extra money this year or just want to help, please donate today!  Checks can be made to St. John's and I will get the money to him via Western Union. Contact me if you'd like to help!

And YES HE IS AS REAL PERSON.  I have skyped with him several times, and several other Lutheran pastors from our area (including Pastor Aurniger from Immanuel, and Pastor Schult from Messiah)  who have taken mission trips to Uganda have met him personally and know him.  He is doing great work and bringing many to Christ.  He is just in need right now.

Thank you in advance!

Daily Email: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016

DEVOTION:  Matthew 11:2-15 (ESV)

² Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" ⁴ And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers^[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man^[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet?^[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written,

"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.'

¹¹ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,^[d] and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear,^[e] let him hear.

Do you hear what Jesus is saying?  Jesus is telling us that John the Baptist didn't come to be the weird guy in the wilderness, nor did he come to gain favor with the nation and with the people.  He came to proclaim that  the kingdom of heaven has come!

The kingdom of heaven is Jesus.  Let me repeat that in case you didn't get it.  THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS JESUS!  Wherever Jesus is, that is where heaven is.  Since Jesus is in you, the kingdom of heaven is in you.  Since the Holy Spirit works through you, the kingdom of heaven works through you. and you proclaim it. 

The kingdom of heaven is a wondrous thing that can't be measured, understood, or attained, but it can be longed for and it will be yours if you are one who "has ears to hear". 

Let us pray:  Lord, I thank you for the ears of faith which have allowed me to hear that you are the kingdom of heaven and that you live in me and I will live in you forever.  Amen.

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CALENDAR
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- 8:30- Sarah Cluver  11- Cameron Faerber

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

Altar-  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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TODAY'S QUIZ:   Give a quick definition of what it means to be justified by grace through faith.

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NEWS!!!! 

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE ORNAMENTS ARE ALL GONE!!

Thanks you to all who took an ornament or more!

 Gifts should REMAIN UNWRAPPED and should be back to church by THIS SUNDAY!!

Please make sure you tape the red ornament to the gift. 

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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 back home on hospice care.

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 today.

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.