DEVOTION: John 3:1-17English Standard Version (ESV)
You Must Be Born Again
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You[d] must be born again.' 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]
For God So Loved the World
16 "For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
No one knows if Nicodemus actually wanted to know the truth or if he was trying to catch Jesus in his own words. Needless to say, he got the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
What about you? Are you seeking the truth, or just what you want to hear? Do you want to hear the truth, that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, or do you just want a Jesus who is going to show you how to make yourself better? Is Jesus just some sort of spiritual bank where you go to get your fill up so you can do what you want to, or is he the Lord and Savior of your whole life?
In Christ we are reborn each day through the faith that we received at our baptism and that remains with us. We are reborn when we daily drown the old sinful nature through contrition and repentance and rise to newness of life through the good news that Jesus has saved us. Then we go about our day living freely in His grace. What a wonderful gift this is!
The Gospel isn't "Jesus died for you, now go and do this and that and serve him and make your life better, and make sure you stay away from this, and……."
No! The Gospel is "God so loved you, that He sent His Son to die for you, that you may believe in Him and have eternal life." PERIOD. End of sentence! That's the Gospel. Live freely and fully in it! Do whatever God gives you to do today in joy and love! Let go of all the bitterness, anger, jealousy, selfish ambition, materialism, etc. and BELIEVE IN JESUS!
Prayer: Lord, help me to get rid of all my sin by placing it at your feet and trusting in You alone. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
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- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- ; Sun- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- 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: Who was the leader of the Israelites after Moses? Joshua
______________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Where did Moses have to go to see the Promised Land before he died?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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 on 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.
