Daily Email: Monday, October 23, 2017

DEVOTION:  Psalm 46  English Standard Version (ESV)

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.^[a] A Song.

46 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ "Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!"
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

 

 

When you were a kid and you were afraid of something, and your mom was standing there, where would you go?  You would stand behind her and hide wouldn't you?  When I go up to little kids who don't know me, their first reaction is usually to run and hide behind mom or dad, or if dad is holding them, they bury their face in their chest.  They know that mom an dad will protect them.  They know that mom and dad are a fortress and a refuge from the big bad guy that's coming toward them.

     As we get older our refuges and fortresses change, but we still have them.  Some of them are ok and some of them are not ok.  Some of us turn to food for comfort.  Others turn to drugs or alcohol as a refuge.  Still others turn to their work.  What is your refuge? 

     I've turned to both good and bad things at times for refuge and strength, but there's no better refuge or fortress than God Almighty and His living and active Words of promise that are found in Scripture.  There is no other refuge and strength, no other fortress that will work perfectly or last forever like God will. 

     I urge you to turn to God and His Word alone for your refuge from this big bad world and as a fortress when the devil is attacking you.  Turn to the things that God uses to reach you, namely His Word and Sacraments when you are tempted to sin; when you are neck deep in concerns, frustration, and trouble;  when you are experiencing deep loss and sorrow.  Turn to God's promise of salvation, because there will come a day when all of this sorrow, pain, suffering, doubt, and temptation will end, and then you will have God with you face to face in the flesh!  Until then remember that God is your refuge and strength and he is your mighty fortress!!

 

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being there for me to run to so I can bury my face in your chest and hide from Satan behind you.  Amen.

 

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Funeral for David Grayson 10; Luncheon 11; (Since there is a funeral there will be no cleaning of the church.)

Wed- Oak Pointe Worship 10; Stephen Ministry training 6; Choir 7

Thurs- Confirmation make up 6pm; Karate 6:15-7:45

Fri- Assemble newsletter 9

Sat- Men's breakfast 8; NO WORSHIP

Sun- Sunday school and Bible class 9; Worship 10; Fried Chicken and Potluck Lunch 11:30; Bounce House, music, games Noon-3

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WORSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- Nova Luebke

 

Ushers- Bob Linke, Tom Linke, Dick Petersen

 

Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer

 

Elder- Jason Cluver
 
Greeters- Tom and Pam Linke

Lay Reader- Jenniffer Figura

  

Organist- Pat Golden

Projectionist: Terry McKenzie

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   

What was the "sign" to Zechariah that John the Baptist would be born to him and Elizabeth?  He was unable to speak until John the Baptist was born.  Luke 1:20 (Thanks Don!)

 

Or here's Pat King's answer:  This is so easy, even I couldn't stop and take a moment to answer. Elizabeth's expanding waistline! Well, duh! Plus the fact that he was struck "dumb" – couldn't speak - until after the kid was born. This made for really, really short sermons, and a HUGE increase in church attendance. Just saying.

 

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TODAY'S QUIZ: In what Gospel is the changing of water into wine found?

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NEWS:

VISITATION, FUNERAL, AND LUNCHEON ARRANGEMENTS FOR DAVID GRAYSON

Visitation- 4-8pm @ Pitman

Funeral- 10am @ church

Luncheon- 11am @ church

Burial- Okawville, IL Cemetery

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CHURCH CLEANING CANCELED FOR TUESDAY

Since there is a funeral Tuesday morning, the cleaning of the sanctuary is canceled.  Please check back for rescheduling.
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MINI VBS THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

Pizza Supper- 5pm

Opening Bible Lesson and Singing- 5:30

Games, crafts, snack, and lesson rotation 5:45-7:00

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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!

Calling all males!!  Please join us for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer this Saturday at 8am!!  We'll have biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, and fruit!  We'll finish up our video study of "The Case for Christ". 

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500^th ANNIVERSARY REFORMATION CELEBRATION COMING UP SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29!!!

Sunday school- 9am

Worship- 10am

Potluck Picnic with Fried Chicken- 11:30 (Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share!)

Pitch the Keys Singing- Noon

Bounce House, Live Polka Music , Games, Fellowship, Fun--- Noon- 3pm

 

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!  We want this to be a community event to show everyone that Lutherans are great people who have the truth of the Gospel and the peace of knowing we are saved by grace through faith on account of Christ!!!

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LADIES AID VENDOR FAIR AND BAKE SALE COMING UP SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

If you would like to be a vendor or know someone who would, the cost is $20 per spot.  They also need baked goods.  Call 456-2888 to reserve your spot or to let them know you'll donate some baked goods.

 

Invite your friends and family and come on down to enjoy it!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers."  1 Thessalonians 1:2

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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, PLEASE TAKE ONE!

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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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES.  PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH AND PUT THEM IN THE TUB MARKED "BACKPACK BLESSINGS"!

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PRAYERS: 

For the family and friends of DAVID GRAYSON as he has passed from death to eternal life.  His visitation is at Pitman today from 4-8 and funeral tomorrow at 10am with luncheon to follow at 11.

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he recovers from chemo treatments and is awaiting several doctor's appointments this week.

 

For RON HEITGERD hospitalized, going through dialysis and is recovering from an infection in his foot.

 

For BUCK HAMPTON hospitalized, dealing with cancer and chemo treatments. 

 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.

 

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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait 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.