DEVOTION: Romans 4:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
I can't explain the life of faith any better than this passage does. Abraham wasn't justified because of all the good things he did, because he did a lot of bad things too. He was justified by faith!! He was justified before God, because he believed God and trusted him. Yes, that trust worked itself in him doing things like leaving his home and moving to a land he didn't know. It also worked itself out when he willingly took his only son Isaac up on to the mountain to sacrifice him.
It's a good message for us. It tells us that when the Lord asks us to do things in faith, such as give our tithes and offerings, or use our time for His work, or forgive someone whom we don't think deserves it, or whatever it might be, we simply do it, because we have a God who loves us, cares for us, and sent His Son to die for us!
Most of all it helps us to realize how everything that we are and will be is up to God's mercy and grace and all we can do is trust in Him. At the end of the day and at the end of our lives all we can do is have faith in an Almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, loving and gracious God. There is no better place to put your faith!
Let us pray: Lord, help me to have faith in You alone today. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Thurs- Ed Kohrs visitation 11-12:30 and funeral 12:30, Burial at city cemetery to follow; Karate 6:15; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Fri- Barb Perricone visitation 10-11am; funeral 11; Luncheon to follow
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elders meeting noon
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- Wed- Cameron Faerber; 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Wed- Rich Boeger, Don Hance, Don Tate, Doug Walters; Sun- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Wed- Don Hance; Sun set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Joannne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning, 8:30- Jim Rahn, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Karen Benton
Piano- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Savannah Masters
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
What are the tassels of remembrance for in the Old Testament? Numbers 15;37 Tassels were to be made with a blue thread worn on the four corners of their garments to remember the commandments of the Lord to follow them.
________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the leader of the Israelites after Moses?
______________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
"It's not my fault." Please listen and share! https://youtu.be/NPb55CRpNDk
_________________________________________________________________
CHOIR IS IN NEED OF MORE VOICES TO SING AND TO BE NARRATORS FOR THEIR CANTATA FOR PALM SUNDAY, MAUNDY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY!! Please call Barb Dreyer at 636-359-1906. They meet for practice after Wednesday worship at 7:15.
______________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP CHANGES SURVEY ATTACHED
The elders have been discussing some possible changes to our worship times and days. A survey to get your thoughts about this is attached. Please note: The elders will not make any changes without approval of the voter's assembly. The reasons for the changes are all laid out in the questionnaire. Please read it and respond. You can either print it out, then fill it out, and bring it to church; or you can download it, fill it out and send it back to me via email. Thanks for your input.
________________________________________________________________________________
VENDORS NEEDED FOR OUR MAY 6 VENDOR FAIR AND FLEA MARKET!!
Inside vendors are $25 a table/space. Outside parking spots are $10 a piece. Donations for the youth's pavilion sale can be left in the shed or in pastor's office.
________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S DURING LENT::: SUPPER AT 5:30 WORSHIP AT 6:30
Our next Wednesday midweek service will focus on "The Art of Expecting Nothing but Good from God" and we will look specifically at the first commandment.
Menu:
Chili
Baked potatoes
Hotdogs
All the fixin's
Salad
Dessert
_____________________________________________________________________________________
YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS MARCH 25!!
Tickets are sold after every worship service TICKETS ARE $25 EACH!!
Our POT O' GOLD raffle tickets will be sold starting this weekend as well.
Bring in your items for the auction! We really like new, popular items that you know will sell well!
SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH!
___________________________________________________________________
FUNERAL LUNCHEON ITEMS NEEDED FOR MARCH 10!
Our Ladies Aid is providing a meal for the friends and family of Barb Perricone after her funeral next Friday, March 10. Funeral is at 11 and the luncheon will follow.
They are in need of salads, side dishes and desserts. If you'd like to bring food or help with the luncheon please email Linda Callies atlindacallies@centurylink.net.
____________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR FOR MEMBERS AND CURRENT STUDENTS BEGINS WEDNESDAY!
March 1 for current students and St. John's members!
April 3 open to all!
Student must be 3 for younger class or 4 for older class by August 1.
$45 nonrefundable registration fee required.
Registration packets can be picked up at Little Lambs during school hours and in the church office during non-school hours.
______________________________________________________________________
PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER FUNDRAISING BANQUET IS THURSDAY, APRIL 20!!
We need to fill up a couple tables with folks who are willing to support this ministry with their time and money. If you'd like to go to the banquet please let pastor know!! I have two seats left at my table and would like to fill up another one of I could.
____________________________________________________________________________
TUURNING POINT IS HOSTING A FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER ON THURRSDAY, MARCH 30 at the QUAIL RIDGE LODGE IN WENZTVILLE!! DOORS OPEN AT 5:30!
Enjoy stylish fashions for all women, great vendors, raffles, delicious hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails. Tickets are $35 each! Go to www.turningpointdvs.com or call 636-456-1186 to get tickets.
______________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR/FLEA MARKET WILL BE SATURDAY, MAY 6!!
Inside vendor areas are rented for $25 per space
Outside vendors are $10 per parking spot.
Donations for the youth groups sale under the pavilion can be left under the pavilion or in the shed.
__________________________________________________________________
STEPHEN MINISTRY IS LOOKING FOR SOME NEW STEPHEN LEADERS
If you love caring for others and consider yourself a leader, this is the perfect way for you to serve the Lord and your church family!
The Stephen Leader training is April 23-29 at the Renaissance Hotel by the airport this year and the cost of the training is covered by the church. If you choose to stay at the hotel you will have to pay for that yourself. It's only a 35 minute commute to the training from Warrenton.
______________________________________________________________________________
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH IS
Individually wrapped snack and packets of oatmeal. Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________________________________________
YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS
Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!
GENERAL PRAYER
For LARRY SUMMERS, a friend of the Perricones who is in the hospital with pneumonia, heart aneurysm and colon cancer.
Please pray for both Randy and Patty Sweet's mothers as they are both in failing health. Virginia, Patty's mom, has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Rose, Randy's mom, had a bad seizure a month ago, and although she is walking and talking fine, the seizure caused some dementia.
For HANNAH LINSTRUTH who is recovering from a broken leg due to a car accident.
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ED KOHRS as he passed to eternal life Monday morning.
For CHARLIE, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who is nearing the end of her life due to cancer.
For MARIE HARVEY, a sister in law of CHERI VERME, and a friend of the Winters, who is near death from stage 4 cancer.
For DANIELLE MEINE KRAMER, whose leukemia is back after a brief respite from it. She had it for several years while in high school. (She grew up riding Karin's school bus to school.)
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BARB PERRICONE, as they mourn her loss this week and get ready for a memorial service this Friday.
For Mim Dunn's nephew DAVID HAHN who is dealing with severe throat cancer.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "St. John's Group Email" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
