- For MARIANNE LINKE, who was taken to the hospital with severe back pain.
- For Mim Dunn's nephew DAVID HAHN, who is dealing with throat cancer.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[b]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Church hopping and shopping really bothers me. What I mean is this, some people only shop for churches based on how much they like the pastor, whether there is a "children's" program (whatever that means), the music, how friendly the people are (which can change from day to day), whether they like the pews/seats or not, and thousands of other things.
Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't find a church in which you are comfortable, but your comfort shouldn't be based on how comfortable your rear end is in the seat. It shouldn't be based on whether the pastor wears skinny jeans and a hoody or an alb and a stole.
It should be based on whether God's Word is preached and taught in it's truth and purity, whether or not the Sacraments are given according to God's command, and whether or not the people with which you will be members believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.
The pastor may be cool, but if he leaves, does that mean you are not going to be a part of that fellowship anymore? It would be the same as leaving your in laws if your spouse dies. You are still part of that family and you still love them and care for them.
Our church's emphasis has been and continues to be that the members of St. John's are more than just separate people that get together for worship once a week. We are family! We are all members of one family, God's family!
In the same way, I hate it when other pastors actively seek to tear members of one family away from that family to make them members of their own family. In the business we call that "sheep stealing". Pastors and churches should only be in the business of making disciples "family" of people who have no family! We should be caring for the lost and building up our own families!
Let's do that as Christ's family this year, starting today!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for my church family! It is truly a family to me. Help me to love my family every day and to grow it by making disciples as you have called me to do. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Wed- Dress Sewing for Africa 9:30-Noon; Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30pm; February Newsletter deadline
Fri- Bible Study and Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45; Youth snow tubing leave at 2pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Rich Boeger, Don Hance, Don Tate, Doug Walters
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean up- John and Anna Hoenig
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Barb Dreyer