Another excellent way to help

Another way to help

 

Search and rescue phase continues

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Dear Jeremy,   Thankfully, the remnants of Hurricane Harvey are finally moving inland and away from Houston. As the search and rescue phase continues, it will be some time before the waters recede and damage analysis can begin in earnest. One early estimate placed the flooded area in Harris County, TX alone at more than 400 square miles. For comparison, Orleans Parish is 169 square miles. We plan to travel to Houston next week to join local churches and partner organizations, including the Texas District - LCMS, as they develop the locally-led long-term response. Volunteer Please contact us if you are interested in serving, or if you live in the affected area, and we will keep you updated as long-term volunteer solutions are worked out.   Donate We have designated a special account to raise funds to assist in the recovery; 100% of all donations marked "Hurricane Harvey Response" will be used where needed most in Texas. Please consider making a donation by credit card at our online giving page, or by mailing a check to: Camp Restore Attn: Hurricane Harvey Response 9301 Chef Menteur Hwy New Orleans, LA 70127   Regular updates will be made on Facebook and Twitter, as well as www.camprestore.org.   Thank you,   Peace, Rev. David Goodine, Executive Director     Camp Restore - New Orleans | 504-242-2636 | info@camprestore.org | www.camprestore.org   STAY CONNECTED!

 

RAI Ministries, Inc., 9301 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70127 SafeUnsubscribe™ revklaus@hotmail.com   Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider   Sent by director@camprestore.org in collaboration with Try it free today

 

 

Daily Email: Thursday, August 31, 2017

DEVOTION:  Matthew 16:21-28  English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹ From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord!^[a] This shall never happen to you." ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[b] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. ²⁸ Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

This is some hard and almost depressing stuff isn't it? The truth is hard to take sometimes.  We want to have it our own way, not God's way.  We don't want to have to sacrifice, suffer, and bear our crosses.  We want to take it easy, live the easy life, and do what comes natural to our sinful nature. 

Yet, the rhetorical question Jesus asks is, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  We want comfort and freedom from pain, yet sometimes discomfort and pain is exactly what we need.  I have seen thousands of people with lots of money, and very luxurious living, with everything imaginable, be the most miserable people.  Solomon is a perfect example of this.  Just read Ecclesiastes sometime.  

 

The purpose of Jesus words is not to depress you, or to cause you anxiety about the life you're going to have to live as a Christian. It's to remind you that hope, love, peace, and joy is not going to be found in gaining the whole world.  It isn't going to be attained by sacrificing the good things, like church and family, so you can have some sort of material success.  Fulfillment and purpose is only found when you "keep" your soul with Jesus!  It is only found when you strive to live in faith and in the joy of forgiveness every day.  It is only found when you go after Jesus by taking up your cross and following him. 

 

As a pastor, I can tell you that I feel no more satisfied and fulfilled than after I am done preaching God's Word on a Saturday night or Sunday morning.  It is hard and I am usually spent and exhausted.  I usually have to take a nap Sunday afternoon.  Yet, it is such a great feeling.  I can't explain it other than to say that it is the "peace that passes all understanding". 

 

You can get that same type of fulfillment by sharing "preaching" the good news of Jesus' love and salvation to those around you.  It isn't easy.  In fact, I ain't gonna lie, it can be really hard and tiresome sometimes, especially when people who need to hear it aren't there or are there but aren't listening.  But it is also most rewarding to know that you are speaking the very Words of God into the hearts and lives of people who need it.  DO IT TODAY!  I PROMISE YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

 

Prayer: Lord, give me opportunities to take up my cross and follow you today.  Amen. 

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CALENDAR:

Thurs- No karate; Lutheranism 101 6:30???

Sat- Worship 5pm

Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45

Sat-

WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Loren Howard

 Ushers- Dick Petersen, Jim Huster, Bob Linke, Tom Linke

 

Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

 

Elders- Sat- Al Benton; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Don Turnure
 
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters

Lay Reader- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Lois Boeger, 11- Steve Robine

 

Organist- Barb Dreyer

 

Pianists- Sat- Barb Dreyer, 11am Molly Hendershot

Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???

 

TELLERS:  Team #1

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ : 

Which chapters in Lamentations are acrostic poems? (Acrostic = each stanza starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within each stanza starts with the same letter)

 

(Note: It should've said, which chapter in Lamentations is NOT an acrostic poem)

 

ANSWER:  Each of the first four chapters of Lamentations are acrostics.  Chapter 5 is not.  (Thanks Don!)

 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who did Nebuchadnezzar appoint as governor over the land and over the men, women, and children who were the poorest in the land and were not carried off to Babylon?

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NEWS!!!!

HERE'S THE LINK ON HOW YOU CAN BEST HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY

https://www.lcms.org/harvey

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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH

Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest.  They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith.  Please check it out and as it says, TAKE ONE…. OR TWO OR THREE!

LAY READERS STILL NEEDED!!! 

If you are willing to be an integral part of worship and serve in this way, please reply to this email or call church at 456-2888!  We need you!

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ALL MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN"S ARE INVITED TO KARIN KLAUSTERMEIER'S 50^TH BIRTHDAY PARTY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6-10pm!!

 

PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email or texting/messaging me.  636-359-1061

 

It's not a surprise, because I'm no good at surprises and she always figures them out. 

 

She would like everyone to make a donation to www.leadachild.org in lieu of gifts. 

 

Since her favorite day of the year is April Fools Day, and she is legendary for her April Fools pranks, I would like everyone to play their favorite prank or practical joke on her that day.  She will appreciate it greatly I am sure! 

 

Besides that, there is no need to bring anything but yourself.  All food and drinks will be provided.

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ANNUAL LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP COMING NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4!!!

Place:  Ozark Outdoors

Time: Meet at 9am

Canoes- $25 per person

Kayaks- $30 per person

Rafts- $31 per person (Children 7 and under free, and 7-12 are $15)

Tubes- $25 per person

Rides on Ozark busses are still $30 if you have your own equipment.

 

 

Call Teresa Scott at 359-5041 or email her at tscott@usmo.com to sign up!

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WORK DAY, SATURDAY, SEPT 9, 8-Noon.

Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done. 

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SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 9:45!!!

If you or your kids have been away from Sunday school for a while and have been meaning to get back into the swing of things, Sunday, Sept. 10 is your perfect opportunity to do so!!  All kids who show up will receive FREE devotional books and/or Bibles which are paid for from a trust set up by Janet Wagner before she went to heaven.   

 

There will be games, donuts, and lots of JESUS!!  Please bring your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, neighbor's kids and yourself!!  We look forward to seeing you!

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LITTLE LAMBS GOLF OUTING, Sunday, Sept. 10

Registration- 12:30

Shotgun start- 1pm

Dinner and Prizes- 5pm

Cost- $60 per person

Two person scramble format

Hole Sponsorships available for $50 a piece (Think advertising)

Call Karin or Lisa at 456-2888 or pick up a registration form from the office!

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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?

You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!!  Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!

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HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PASTOR OR DEACONNESS? 

If so, Rev. Scott Holder, admissions counselor from Concordia Seminary, will be here on Thursday, September 14 from 1-6pm.  He is interested in meeting with students of all ages, elementary school age through adults.  Appointments are individual, informal, and family/friends are welcome to come with you.  Appointments are not necessary but encouraged.  If you are interested in scheduling a specific time, call Pastor Holder at 314-505-7225 or email him at holders@csl.edu

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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!!  TO CELEBRATE THE 500^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!

 

It is going to be a blowout celebration!  Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings". 

PRAYERS: 

For LISA PEZOLD, who had a hysterectomy and is recovering at home.

 

For those in Texas and Louisiana dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he is home and doing better.  He receives his second chemo treatment on Friday.

For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.

For LIL WINTER who is home, but is still awaiting test results and doctor's orders to get several procedures done.

 

For ANGIE BRUNSON, who is at home, but is still dealing with blood clots and an infection after a trouble from a hysterectomy. 

 

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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.

 

For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee.  That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.

 

For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: MO District Response to Hurricane Harvey

 

 

View this email in your browser You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Missouri District LCMS. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here.     Missouri District Response to Hurricane Harvey   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) The question on our minds this week is simply "How can we help?" We will have a coordinated response with details yet to be determined. I have set up regional coordinators who will assist with travel directions into the region, with housing, and with supplies if or when they are needed. The western regional coordinator is Kent Kunkel at St. Paul's in Concordia. The eastern regional coordinators are Ann Peterson and Kurt Wagner at St. John's in Arnold. It is most important that you do not go into the disaster area without contacting one of these coordinators. I will share their contact information when I receive information from our synod Disaster Response leaders concerning where to send volunteers and what item or items are needed. We will also only be sending those who have been LERT trained to the area during the initial recovery phase. Our synod leaders have asked that congregations take a special offering to be used for the long recovery ahead. Those collections can be sent to: LCMS Disaster Response 1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7226. Individuals who would like to donate have been asked to go to www.lcms.org/harvey and follow the link there for donations. Blessed to be a blessing, Pastor Charles Schultz MO District Disaster Response Coordinator pastorschultz@att.net   660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #300, St. Louis, MO, 63141 Unsubscribe

 

New outreach and evangelism booklet display

You'll notice something new in our narthex/lobby the next time you're in church.  It's a new outreach and evangelism booklet rack filled with lots of good booklets for all sorts of people with all sorts of circumstances and questions.  

They are for you to take for yourself, but even more importantly, they are for you to use to reach out to someone who has questions or doesn't know Jesus.  

Please check it out, and as it says "please take one"! 

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S®6 active, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

FW: Together, Let's Show Up for Our Friends in Texas!

Please help as you are able.  Pray!  Donate! 

 

If you have questions about this email or need assistance, please contact LCMS Mission Advancement at 888-930-4438 or mission.advancement@lcms.org.   Hurricane Harvey Updates | Support LCMS Hurricane Relief Efforts Dear Jeremy, "Be merciful as your father in heaven is merciful" (Luke 6:36). It's time to come to the aid of our LCMS friends in Texas. Hurricane Harvey is eerily similar to Katrina. The LCMS responds to disasters constantly. Since Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, we've trained 15,000 LCMS people as early responders. Every single district has a disaster coordinator. Together we have amazing capacity to help. When we respond, we come alongside our LCMS districts, congregations and church workers as they lead the effort in reaching out to their suffering communities. We have LCMS congregations in 161 communities hit by this storm! We've done this before. We've responded to hurricane after hurricane. We've been on site after tornados, floods and fires. The LCMS, strengthening our people in New Orleans, rebuilt 6,000 homes after Katrina. The mayor of that city said that without the Lutherans, East New Orleans would not be rebuilt even today. We need your help to do it again. And when you support this work, you know it's going to be done in the clear confession and name of Jesus Christ, Savior of the World. We are launching a major response to Harvey, and here's how you can help. Continue to pray. Pray unceasingly that Christ's mercy and love are made known to the suffering. Pray for those who are going to share that love and mercy. Pray for our disaster response teams and our leaders, that they make wise decisions. Give. Give as generously as you can, as the Lord allows. If you own a smart phone you can send a text message to 414-44, and type LCMSHARVEY in the message field. After sending, you'll receive a link via return text to a phone-friendly, secure donation form. Volunteer. Tell others in your congregation that our Synod is going to work in Texas, and invite them to join you in this response. Forward this email to others. Encourage them that there is hope, because Christ lives in them (Galatians 2:20), just as He lives in you. Specific volunteer opportunities will be communicated in the days ahead, and you can sign up to volunteer at lcms.org/harvey. Learn more, follow the story, ask questions. Follow our Synod's response online at lcms.org/harvey, on the Synod's social-media outlets, and in our official publications. You can call the Church Information Center at 888-843-5267 to speak with one of our representatives who will help answer any questions you may have. Please follow this story, because the road to recovery is going to be a long one. I am reminded of what one person exclaimed when we were in this kind of situation before, as he saw the LCMS in action: "Thank God! The Lutherans are here!" Will you join with others, with me, in helping people near the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana? I pray you will. I know you can. Sub Cruce (Under the Cross), Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison President P.S. Because of the severity of this disaster, you may likely also receive an emergency appeal for donations in the mail. This effort is that important. How you choose to respond, whether to this message or to the letter, is entirely your choice. Please help, as the Lord allows. Click here to see the full letter from President Harrison. Our Statement of Gift Utilization The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will utilize all contributions given in the wake of the Harvey event only for measured, deliberate and effective relief and recovery efforts in partnership with the affected congregations and the Texas District, and reporting of their use back to the church-at-large. Should the total in gifts from God's people exceed what is required in this particular response effort, the remaining funds will be held in a specific and unique account restricted for the exclusive use by LCMS Disaster Response in future relief and response situations, including advance training of local volunteer disaster responders. In accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the Donor Bill of Rights and our fund-raising Code of Ethics, excess disaster gifts will NOT be re-directed to work unrelated to disaster response work. For more information, please contact LCMS Mission Advancement. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.   Email Preferences | Privacy Policy The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod All Rights Reserved.