DEVOTION: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Day of the Lord
5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Being sober can have two meanings, the first is that of not being drunk. When a person is drunk his or her inhibitions are down, and it is easier for the devil to attack. The other meaning for the word sober usually comes when we say that someone is sober-minded. Usually a person like this is always serious, always aware of everything going on, watching out for trouble.
Serious Christians are often hard to live with, hard to be around, because we are always working to keep ourselves from temptation, always keeping ourselves vigilant against the attack of the devil. We very seldom let our hair down, and go crazy. Paul explains why in these verses. We keep ourselves away from the attack of the devil as much as we can so that we can be as ready as possible for Jesus to come.
There's another aspect to it though too. It comes in realizing the seriousness of sin and freeing ourselves from it through confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Guilt itself can keep us from living a sober and watchful life. When our minds and hearts are occupied with our sinfulness, Jesus' return produces fear and dread instead of joyful anticipation. TO be truly ready we need to free ourselves from guilt and shame, and instead put our trust, hope, and assurance in Jesus.
So be sober! Keep yourself free from temptation and guilt. Live in Christ! Get to church! Get in the Scriptures! Get Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, help us to stay sober by staying in your Word and Sacraments and by running to you for relief from our sins. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees meeting 7
Tues-Thurs- Pastor gone at MO district church worker's conference
Wed- Sewing Dresses for Africa 9:30-Noon; Ladies Aid Noon; Choir 7
Thurs- NEWSLETTER DEADLINE; Confirmation make up 6pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's
Sat- Men's Breakfast 8am; Stephen Ministry 8-10; Worship- 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Voters Meeting 9:45; Sunday school 9:45; Holy Yoga 3pm
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RSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- Brent Davis, Ben Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, ???
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elder- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Reader- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Luke Rausch
Pianist Sat- Kathy Barrow; Sun 11- Doug Walters
Organist- Pat Golden
Projectionist- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Addie Hoelscher
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
Who was the high priest at the time of Jesus' crucifixion? Caiaphas (Thanks Doug and Pat!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Besides instituting the Lord's Supper in the Upper room on Maundy Thursday, what else did Jesus do for his disciples that night?
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATUDAY AT 8AM!
French toast bake
Egg bake
Bacon
We're going to start a new Bible study that is yet to be determined. Please RSVP if you are going to join us and put it in your calendars! ALL MEN OF EVERY AGE ARE INVITED!!!
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SPECIAL CHRISTIAN MOVIE AT THE BELLE STAR THEATER THIS Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Please come out to support the Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County. No charge to attend. A freewill offering will be taken for POC of WC.
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VIDEO OF WORSHIP FROM SUNDAY
Listen and learn what it takes to be ready for Jesus to return!
https://youtu.be/zIKKTQ1Ug8k
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!! Please make plans to attend!
Agenda:
Opening Devotion
A: Staff reports:
B:Board and Committee reports:
C; New Business
- Nominations for Synod officers
- Renewal of Mission Commitment for Rev. Micah Glenn
- Approve Budget
- Elections
- Communion in all 11am services
- Task force to study congregational governance structure changes
- Building Committee RFP proposal
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Dr. PHIL FRUSTI FROM LEADACHILD WILL BE HERE TO PREACH AT ALL OF OUR SERVICES THIS WEEKEND!
Di Phil is the new executive director of Lead a Child formerly known as CCCS. Please welcome him as he encourages us to be an Exodus 17:12 church!
PROJECTIONIST NEEDED FOR SATURDAY SERVICE!!
If you can move your index finger, pay attention during worship, and stay awake for an hour you can do it. Please reply if interested!
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WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF NOMINATIONS FOR OUR CHURCH BOARDS!!! Below is what we need:
Board of elders- 3 men of good standing in the church who are active: main duties include, worship and communion assistance, member care, developing of budget for salary and benefits for staff. They usually meet on the second Sunday of each month at noon. (Dave Winter is timed out and two of our other elders have resigned this year.)
Board of trustees- 3 people- main duties include taking care of St. John's property and approving budget for insurance and maintenance. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm and have several work days (usually on Saturday morning) throughout the year. (Teresa Scott and Gary Hoelscher are both timed out and Scott Heitgerd has transferred to Immanuel, Wentzville)
Board of education- 2 people needed- Main duties include planning, preparation and carrying out of Sunday school program, VBS, and other education programs. They usually meet on an as needed basis. (Naomi Johnson is unable to continue due to work and family responsibilities and Lisa Rausch's first term is up) We are in desperate need of a couple people who have the time and energy available to commit to this board.
Secretary- This is not the same as our office administrator, Terry; This person is responsible for taking minutes at voter's and council meetings, and for preparing agendas for the same. This person can also be a signer on checks and other official documents. (Patty Sweet has decided to go to a different church)
If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, or have possible suggestions, please reply to this email, or call me at 636-359-1061
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "So we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
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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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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 those who mourn after the tragic church shooting in Texas.
For COLTON FIGURA who left for a one year deployment to Turkey on Saturday.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he finds out the results of more tests this week.
For LILLIAN WINTER as she recovers from surgery at home.
For BUCK HAMPTON who has moved to Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy to begin receiving chemotherapy treatments.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, 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, 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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