Daily Email: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016

DEVOTION: Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

 

Most people think of God as a far away being looking down on the world, sometimes laughing, sometimes frowning, sometimes shaking his head in disgust, and the rest of the time judging.  Too often we fail to realize Immanuel.  How often, as you are going through your day, realize that God is with us?  Even though Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised us "Behold, I am with you always to the very end of the age."  In many other various ways he has promised to always be WITH us and to live IN us. 

 

He is not far off.  He is not some mystical thought throughout the day.  He was with us in body, and at Pentecost he sent His Spirit to live in us and in the world.  He is most definitely WITH us! 

 

First, this should give us fear.  We shouldn't ever be willing to do in secret what we wouldn't doin public.  We shouldn't ever be willing to do what God forbids.  God sees it all.  He is there for it all. 

 

Secondly, His presence should give us peace, because we can know that, in spite of seeing every one of our failures, He still loves us and He already died and rose for us.  In the same way that we know that a loving parent isn't going to destroy, disown, or forsake his or her children because of sin, so we can know that, because that the Son was already forsaken on our behalf, we will not be forsaken. 

 

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us!  Praise the Lord for His eternal peace!  Praise the Lord for His love and forgiveness!  Let us never take it for granted!  Let us never fail to realize IMMANUEL!!

 

Prayer: Lord, help us to always, every day, realize that you are with us so that we may not sin, but when we do, you don't forsake us, but forgive us.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR

Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Sunday school Christmas program Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Addie Hoelscher  11- Gus Klaustermeier

Ushers-  Sun-Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke

Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Pam Linke

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure  11- Charlie Figura
 
Greeters-   8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert;  11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Allan Dreyer; 11- Steve Robine

Piano- Sat- Doug Walters

Organist- Rachel Fisher 8:30 and 11

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30 Schaumberg  11- Cluver
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   From where did Paul write the letter (Epistle) to the Colossians?  Prison in Rome

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  A little bit more difficult question today:  What is the main theme of the letter to the Ephesians?

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NEWS!!!! 

MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!

Bring your friends, brothers, cousins, sons, grandpas, and dads!

 

MENU:

French toast bake

Cheesy potato casserole

Bacon

Eggs

 

RSVP if you are able by tomorrow morning!  If you don't know if you can come till Saturday morning, just come.  There's always enough.

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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND PARTY IS THIS SATURDAY at 5pm!!

Come and hear the Christmas story told by our Sunday school children!

 

AFTER THE PROGRAM AND WORSHIP THERE WILL BE A BIRTHDAY PARTY TO CELEBRATE JESUS' BIRTHDAY!  ALL kids and their parents are invited after church in the basement till 7:30!!  A LIGHT DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED!!

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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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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!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYER

For CAMERON FAERBER as he is hospitalized with intestinal and digestive problems and is undergoing tests today.

 

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.

 

THANKSGIVING For BETTY TAMELER as she found out yesterday that her tumor was benign.  NO cancer!

 

For MIKE PUCKETT who is recovering from extensive lung surgery and is recovering at University Hospital in Columbia.

 

For DAVE CALLIES who is recovering from hand surgery

 

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.