DEVOTION: Philippians 2:5-11 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a]6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I recently heard about the unwritten "law" of living in Scandinavian countries. It is called the "Law of Jante". It comes from a a book written in 1933 from Aksel Sandermose called A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks. Here are the ten "laws"
The ten rules state:
1. You're not to think you are anything special.
2. You're not to think you are as good as we are.
3. You're not to think you are smarter than we are.
4. You're not to convince yourself that you are better than we are.
5. You're not to think you know more than we do.
6. You're not to think you are more important than we are.
7. You're not to think you are good at anything.
8. You're not to laugh at us.
9. You're not to think anyone cares about you.
10. You're not to think you can teach us anything.
These ten principles or commandments are often claimed to form the "Jante's Shield" of the Scandinavian people.
While it does seem sort of extreme, I do like the emphasis on humility. I do believe that too much emphasis in our society is placed on self esteem. We can't say or do something that will offend someone or hurt someone's feelings. While we should always speak the truth in love, we should still speak the truth.
We should also have the same attitude as that of Jesus, who, even though he was God incarnate, didn't "lord" it over us, but instead became a servant to all humanity to the point of dying on a cross for us.
If we think we are the most intelligent, or that we have some sort of new understanding, as a lot of people seem to do these days, we need to take a step back and listen to those who are older and wiser than we are. They may have some knowledge that we don't. We need to be as willing to hear as we are willing to talk. We need to be as willing to learn as we are willing to teach.
We need to be able to think of others as better, more important, more intelligent, and more deserving than we are.
Let us pray: Lord, humble me so that you may be exalted and so that others may know your love through my service. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30-7:30
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder's meeting at noon
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- Wed- ???? 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Wed- Rich Boeger, Don Hance, Don Tate, Doug Walters; Sunday- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine, 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine???
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Karen Benton
Piano- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer' 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- ????
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Who was Abigail?
Answer from Don Nolte: Abigail was the wife of Nabal of Carmel and afterwards the wife of David. Noted for her beauty and wisdom. Also a sister of David married to Jether the Ishmaelite.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Ish-Bosheth?
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NEWS!!!!
EASTER LILIES
As we do every year, we place lilies on and around the altar for Easter. You can donate one in memory or in honor of someone. Price is $14.50 each! You can take it home after the 10am service on Easter Day. If you pay for it with a check that you put in the offering plate, please mark it "Easter Lilly" in the memo line. Let's fill up the chancel with lilies this year!!!
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OUR CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/SECRETARY, MARILYN FOSTER, IS RETIRING!!
After working faithfully for St. John's for the last 14 years, Marilyn Foster, has announced that she will be retiring on May 31. We are planning a retirement celebration for her on Sunday, May 21 after church. More information will be coming about this soon.
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SUPPER AT 5:30 ON WEDNESDAY!! WORSHIP AT 6:30!!
Menu: FRIED CHICKEN, potatoes, corn, rolls, dessert
Worship: Come and learn the "The Art of War Against Unbelief"
PLEASE JOIN US!
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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 IS OPEN!!!!
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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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL IS
Soup and Ramen Noodles. 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
For JENNIFER HOELSCHER, who is hospitalized with digestive problems.
For PAT KING, as she is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Progress West.
For MARILYN FOSTER as she prepares for her retirement.
For both RANDY AND PATTY SWEET'S MOTHERS, Virginia, Patty's mom, has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Rose, Randy's mom, had a bad seizure two months 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.
