DEVOTION: Matthew 22:15-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
Paying Taxes to Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
In Luther's teaching, as well as our still today, there are two kingdoms, the kingdom of the right and the kingdom of the left, or as we might say it the earthly kingdom of law and justice and the heavenly kingdom of mercy and grace. God rules in both kingdoms. He provides for good order, justice, and the basic communal needs of the people such as roads, judges, etc. He has established government for our good and we must honor it according to his will. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's" isn't just something Jesus said to get out of trouble with the Pharisees, he did it, because God can even use a corrupt government to do his will and if we owe taxes we must pay taxes.
Of course, if the government is going against God's will in one or more areas we must disagree with it and do everything we can to change those things, abortion and same sex marriage are both examples of where the government clearly goes against what Scripture says, and has made things legal that God has spoken against as sinful. So we speak up and we protest against these things. At the same time, where the government is clearly not going against God's will we support it and honor it as Luther in his explanation to the fourth commandment clearly states, "We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them."
Prayer: Lord, thank you for keeping order on this earth and providing for our earthly needs. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs-Newsletter deadline; Confirmation make up 6pm; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershots 7
Sat- (No men's breakfast as pastor is at LERT training; it will be next Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8am); HOLY YOGA 10-11; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Jared Cluver
Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Lois Boeger
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; Sun- 8:30- John Hachtel; 11-
Greeters- 8:30- Bob and Marianne Linke; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Reader- Sat- Don Nolte; 8:30- Erv Yoder, 11- Luke Rausch
Sat Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder; 11- Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What two Gospels have the genealogy of Jesus? Matthew and Luke (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was the "sign" to Zechariah that John the Baptist would be born to him and Elizabeth?
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NEWS:
WORSHIP FROM THIS PAST SUNDAY!! (VIDEO) ENJOY AND SHARE!
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SPECIAL KIDS AND YOUTH REFORMATION SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WEDNESDAY NIGHTS COMING UP!
Starting Sunday, October 15 and ending on Sunday October 29 during Sunday school hour beginning at 9:45 and Wednesdays at 5pm, our Sunday school and youth will be doing a special Reformation VBS style Sunday school and Wednesday night youth night for all kids ages 3-18!!! On Sundays we will have special crafts and games along with the lesson. On Wednesday nights we will start with pizza at 5 and then have our program! Tell your kids, grandkids, neighbor's kids, and everyone else you know about it!!
Sunday school schedule for October 22
Opening- 9:45
Games crafts, snack, lesson rotation 9:55-10:55
Wednesday Schedule for October 25-
Pizza Supper- 5pm
Opening Worship- 5:30
Games, crafts, snack, and lesson rotation 5:45-7:00
Sunday school schedule for October 29
Opening- 9
Games crafts, snack, lesson rotation 9:10-9:55
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500th 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: "I can do all things through him wo gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
Whoever comes to Sunday school and tells me this verse will get a prize!
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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 MARK RUSSELL who recovering from surgery at home.
For AMBER VOSSEN as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.
For DAVID GRAYSON as he has decided to go on hospice care because of cancer.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he recovers from chemo treatments and is awaiting several doctor's appointments next week.
For the MANY IN CALIFORNIA dealing with wildfires.
For IVY TINNIN, who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and will have to take a semester off of school because of it.
For BUCK HAMPTON 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.
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