Daily Email: Monday, January 9, 2017

DEVOTION: Psalm 40:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.[a]
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
Then I said, "Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart."

I have told the glad news of deliverance[b]
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
    your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
    ever preserve me!

 

Sometimes it's hard to wait.  I hate waiting the minute it takes for the oatmeal to get done in the microwave in the morning.  I can't stand waiting in line. I will go all the way around the traffic even though it will take as much time as if I would sit in the traffic and wait. 

 

It is also very hard for me to wait on the Lord.  I want to force things.  I want to make things happen.  I don't have time for waiting.  I don't have time for being patient with the Lord.  I want it, whatever it is, now!

 

The trouble with that is that the Lord's timing is always better.  His ways are always right.  I will never turn one soul to Christ.  It is the Lord God, the Holy Spirit, that does that.  So if I try to force things, I will only feel frustration and failure.  If I do what the Lord has called me to do; pray, love, and forgive, He will do miraculous things through me. 

 

I also know that when I give it up to the Lord and simply wait on him, he will incline to me, lift me up out of the mire, and set my feet upon a rock.  He will take my bad circumstance and work it out for my good.  He will make an example and a witness out of me. 

 

You probably got off to a good start in 2017.  You are eating right.  You are exercising.  You are getting more organized.  But now, maybe you aren't experiencing the results you want.  You may even be tired of it already.  Or maybe you've already failed and your figuring what's the use. 

 

Whatever your circumstance, I urge you to wait patiently for the Lord so that He can lift you up and renew your strength, so that he can give you the blessings he wants to give you, so that you can rest in him, and so that you can live in newness of life. 

 

Prayer: Lord, when I don't want to wait, give me the patience and peace I need to do so, so that you can bless me and give me hope and a future.  Amen.

 

 

 

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CALENDAR

Mon- Confirmation 5:15-6:30; 6-12 grade Youth planning meeting 6:30

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7

Wed- Choir 7

Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30pm

Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Dulci Rahn

Ushers-  Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Fischer
 
Greeters-  8:30- Barb and Allan Dreyer; 11- Joan Sexton

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Piano-  Kathy Barrow

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Dawn Sherman
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  

What lie did Abram tell the Egyptians to keep them from killing him to take Sarai from him? 

 

That she was his sister. 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:

What animal did God get caught in the bushes to provide a sacrifice for himself in place of Isaac?

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NEWS!!!! 

6th-12th GRADE YOUTH MEETING TONIGHT AT 6:30PM!!

All 6th-12th graders and their parents are required to attend!  A lot of decisions need to be made and future events planned.  BE THERE!!

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LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES THIS THURSDAY AT 6:30pm!!!

This is for everyone whether you are a lifelong Lutheran, have only been one for a very short time, or are looking to become one!  Did you make a resolution to learn more about God and your faith this year?  This is a perfect time and place to do it!  Come and join us!!  It is a good time of conversation and getting to know your brothers and sisters in Christ too!

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP IS LOOKING FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT TRIP

There is a sheet on the table in the narthex for you to make your suggestions or you can just call Marilyn at 456-2888 and she would be happy to take down your suggestions.

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HOPE FULL LIVING SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

Pastor Klaustermeier is a regular contributor to this devotional book for seniors.  Call Marilyn 456-2888 to get or renew your subscription.   It's only $7 for a year subscription!

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!!

Maybe you didn't know that you had them, but if you are a confirmed member of St. John's you have your own church mailbox and your own offering envelopes!  Check your mailbox today!!

BLUE ENVELOPES IN YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPE BOXES ARE FOR THE BUILDING FUND!!!

Please note that your blue envelopes are for our BUILDING FUND.  Please use them appropriately!  Let's get this building built!!

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY ARE CANNED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!

Any size can, and any kind of fruit or vegetable is appreciated.    Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.

 

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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!

Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!

 

Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.  Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.

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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYER

For ELISE MORRIS'S MOM who is having hip surgery today.

 

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she recovers from a broken hip and hip surgery.

 

For DON NOLTE as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery to his shoulder.

 

For MIKE PUCKETT who is at home with his mom and recovering well from lung surgery.

 

For BARB PERRICONE who is back home on hospice care.

 

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.