Daily Email: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017

DEVOTION: Isaiah 55:6-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁶ "Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;
⁷ let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

What makes people think that they know it all?  Or what makes people think that humans are the be all and end all of creation?  How can we ever be so arrogant as to think we have all the answers when doctors have not been able to stop anyone from dying, when we don't have cures for every disease. 

     I have a Masters of Divinity degree.  I've been studying the Scriptures and theology since before I could read.  Yet, I know so very little about Almighty God.  His knowledge is infinite.  Mine is finite.  His language knows no bounds.  I know one language well and bits and pieces of other languages.  My power is so very limited.  His has no limits. 

     So when I think that I can tell God what to do or how to be, or when I am so blatantly bold to say, "My God wouldn't be like that" as if I somehow "own" God, I need to take a step back, kneel down before Almighty God, surrender, and repent. 

     If your attitude has been one of intellectual arrogance, or if you think you know enough, I encourage you to take a step back, fall at the Almighty's feet and plead for mercy.  Then get up and get into God's Word so you know His power, might, strength, and love more fully!

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being so much bigger than me.  Thank you for having mercy on me, despite my always needing to have my own way.  Have your way with me today.  Amen. 

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Council meeting 7pm

Wed- Sewing Dresses for Africa 9:30-12; Ladies Aid 12; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7

Thurs-Karate 6:15-7:45

Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am; Karin's bday party 6pm

Sat- St. John's Booth at downtown festival 11:30-9:30; Worship 5pm

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

Sat-

WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Addie Hoelscher

 Ushers- Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher, ???????

 

Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- John and Anna Hoenig

 

Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; Sun- 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
 
Greeters-  ????????

Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Tim Linke, 11- ????

 

Organist- Ned Quest

 

Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Projectionist: Sat- Mauch; Sun, 8:30- McKenzie; 11- ?????

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ : 

How many Psalms are "Of the Sons of Korah write"?  Psalms 42 , 44-49, 84,85,87,88.  I think that makes 11. (THANKS DON!)

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Which Psalm is a "Prayer of an afflicted man, When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord."

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NEWS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TWO HOUR SHIFTS DURING THE DOWNTOWN FALL FESTIVAL

 

PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!! SIGN UP!

We will be selling homemade potato chips (Gary Hoelscher's special recipe) and funnel cake by Brent Davis, and handing out Gospel literature on Saturday, September 23 from 11:30-9:30.  We need people to help set up in the morning (8-10), to man the booth (11:30-9:30), to help make the potato chips and funnel cakes, and to take down at night (9:30-11:30 or so).  We are just asking for two hour shifts throughout the day.  Please help the cause and come and enjoy the day!

 

 

Please sign up either by replying to this email or by signing the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex at church.

 

Set Up- 8-10 (meet at church to load stuff up and bring downtown)—

11:30-1:30- (man booth and make chips and funnel cakes)

1:30-3:30-

3:30-5:30-

5:30-7:30-

7:30-9:30-

9:30-11:30—(take down and bring stuff back up to church)

 

Note: We may end earlier depending on business and traffic at our booth, but we can't get our trucks in to load stuff up until after the Little River Band concert is over.

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DOOR OFFERING ONE MORE WEEKEND TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY!

 

Lutheran Trust of St. Louis will match all offerings 100% up to $10,000 per congregation and $1,000,000 total through September 24. 

 

If you bring a check, make it out to St. John's and in the mem write "Hurricane Relief".  All offerings will go to LCMS Disaster Relief.  This is the best way to help!

 

If, for some reason, you can't make it to church or would like to donate directly, go to www.lcms.org/harvey to donate and let us know that you did. 

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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 ESPECIALLY FOR 11AM SERVICE!!! 

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 Wednesday 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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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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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 SEPTEMBER IS CANNED FRUIT. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings". 

PRAYERS: 

For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature.  Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good.  He was born at 2  and a half pounds.

 

For THOSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, AND THE EAST COAST who are dealing with hurricane Irma.

 

For THOSE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA who are dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he continues to fight cancer and goes through cancer treatments.

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.