DEVOTION: Psalm 130 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
This passage is something that you would expect to hear in the New Testament, somewhere in one of Paul's Epistles, or maybe the Gospel of Joh, not in the Old Testament Psalms. Yet, that's where it is, right there, in the middle of what many think of as God's harsh Old Testament law.
The truth, and I have said it many times, is that there is so much more "Gospel" in the Old Testament than we give it credit. We see over and over again how God saves His people despite their disobedience. We can see it all the way from the first man, Adam, to the last write in the OT, Malachi. He saves His people from their sin.
One of my favorite verses in this passage is "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared." This is the Gospel in a nutshell. We don't deserve God's grace, but he gives it to us freely! Therefore we praise and honor him for the Lord He is!
I urge you to remember today that God isn't a God of vengeance and punishment. He doesn't want anyone to perish but all to come to the knowledge of the truth. Find that truth and that knowledge in Christ alone today for you and for all those around you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God of forgiveness I truly need. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5:15-6:30
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30-7:30
Fri- 7-8 graders and pastor leave for Youth gathering 3:30pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; 7-8 graders return 2pm
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- Wed- Luke Rausch 8:30- ??? 11- Abby Vossen
Ushers- Wed- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte; Sunday- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer, 8:30- Jason Cluver, 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Steve MccDowell; 11- Stephanie Owenby
Piano- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: No projection this weekend
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Who was Gideon? Gideon was a powerful warrior of Manasseh and a judge of Israel for 40 years. Thanks Don Nolte!
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the high priest when Samuel came to live at the temple?
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NEWS!!!!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION, to our parents and youth, BUT ESPECIALLY TO OUR DONORS AND TO THOSE WHO BOUGHT TICKETS AND SPENT THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY TO SUPPORT OUR YOUTH!!
We made a little over $7,000.
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THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS DESIGNATION DEADLINE IN THIS FRIDAY!!
If you have an eligible Thrivent account, that accumulates Thrivent Choice dollars, you have until Friday to designate those dollars for this year!
You can designate anyone to receive them! (St. John's, Little Lambs, Good Shepherd, St. John's Youth)
Please follow the directions below! Get it done!
Call 800-847-4836 and when prompted, say "Thrivent Choice".
Press 1 to direct Choice Dollars or
Press 2 to hear Thrivent Choice program Terms and Conditions. (If prompted, say or enter your phone number and date of birth )
.
A representative will work with you to direct Choice dollars.
Do call them before March 31!
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SUPPER AT 5:30 ON WEDNESDAY!! WORSHIP AT 6:30!!
Menu: Pasta, Salad, garlic bread, dessert
Worship: Come and learn the "The Art of Spiritual Inhaling and Exhaling"
Come and join us!
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TWO MORE PEOPLE NEEDED TO FILL THE ST.JOHN'S TABLE AT THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER BANQUET
The banquet itself is free, thanks to underwriters, but we need folks who are willing to make a donation to this very worthy cause. Please contact me 636-359-1061 if you are interested!!
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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.
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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.
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TURNING POINT IS HOSTING A FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER ON THURSDAY, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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 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 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.
